Hello Parents!

The leaves are turning early here on campus due to a cooler than normal August so the view of the Green Mountains gets more brilliant by the day.

Speaking of brilliant days – we had another spectacular day on Aug. 24 for Move-In Day/Orientation Weekend. I hope that you new parents enjoyed it. Please check out the photos on the right to relive your experience!

In this issue of Parent Talk Mark Tarnacki, our staff writer, talks to Edmundite Campus Ministry who discuss their proactive approach to bringing students closer to their faith through a variety of programs. Also, you’ll meet Arly Scully ’07, student association president, who explains in her high-energy way why parents should not take umbrage when their student begins to call Saint Michael’s “home.”

In my new role at Saint Michael’s, I am sharing my parent program responsibilities with Pat Gallivan, whom I hope you will meet in the near future.

Have a great fall!

Sincerely,

 

Terri Selby Senior Special Gift Officer Office of Institutional Advancement 802.654.2462 tselby@smcvt.edu

Patrick Gallivan '89 Director of Alumni & Parent Relations 802.654.2527 pgallivan@smcvt.edu

Spiritual Resources Abound on Saint Michael's Campus
by Mark Tarnacki
Staff Writer

Anna Lester ‘98, a Saint Michael’s College campus minister, finds assurance for students in these scriptural words from the Book of Jeremiah:

“’For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:1

Through Edmundite Campus Ministry, Catholic and non-Catholic students find resources and activities to deepen their faith and enrich their spiritual lives. Campus Ministry’s nine-person full-time staff, based in the Alliot Student Center, carries forth the welcoming service-oriented Catholic mission of the college’s founding order of priests, the Society of Saint Edmund.

Liturgy and programs are a big part of that mission. So are the less formal relationships – close, supportive, faith-focused friendships that ministers build with individual students, said veteran Campus Minister Joanne Nelson ‘84. Her priority this year is to be available in her Alliot office with the door open as much as possible when students drop by seeking a sympathetic ear or guidance.

Overseeing Campus Ministry again this year will be the office’s director for the past three years, the Fr. Brian Cummings, S.S.E ‘86. Beginning in October, a new face around campus, though not actually part of Campus Ministry, will be Fr. Stan Deresienski, S.S.E. ‘74, who was recently named formation/vocation director for the Society of Saint Edmund. Fr. Deresienski, a longtime parish priest in Brattleboro, Vt. led a well-received Lenten Retreat on campus last spring. Fr. Mike Cronogue, S.S.E., long known for his peace and justice activism, is the new superior general of the Society since his election this summer.

In another change since last year, the Sunday evening student-oriented Mass now begins at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. - the result of student feedback to a recent survey conducted by Fr. Cummings. The new time allows students to better fit their studying and meals around Mass.

First-year picnics sponsored by Campus Ministry invite students -- a few dormitory floors at a time -- to Saint Anne’s Shrine in Isle LaMotte for an afternoon barbecue by the lake. Fr. Cummings is director of the Shrine, run by the Society of Saint Edmund. At these events, the staff has a chance to talk about programs and meet individuals in smaller groups.

Students can participate more fully in daily and Sunday liturgies by becoming altar servers, lectors and Eucharistic ministers or by joining the liturgical choir or sacred dance ensemble, Lester said. Lester pointed to several opportunities students have to enter into deeper levels of reflection through retreats, both on-campus (Busy Student) as well as off-campus weekend retreats (LEAP, Emmaus and Vocations). Campus Ministry also offers pastoral counseling individually and through groups like Grief Support, as well as several faith development programs throughout the academic year.

Students can put their faith in action through Campus Ministry’s volunteer service program. Many students are actively involved in MOVE (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts), working with senior citizens, children, hunger and homelessness issues, and service trips during breaks, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Lester summed it up this way: “All students have souls. We hope to be with them wherever they’re at.”

For more information on Campus Ministry, visit http://www2.smcvt.edu/cministry/. 

An Interview with Arly Scully
by Mark Tarnacki
Staff Writer

Unlike many of her classmates, Arly Scully had a sure and easy cure for homesickness when she arrived at Saint Michael’s three years ago: She’d just walk a few blocks down the hill from campus to her parents’ house in Winooski.

Gradually, though, “home” for Scully came to mean Saint Michael’s, said the senior journalism major, who is this year’s Student Association (SA) president. Scully advises parents not to take it personally if something similar happens with their own students.

“You’re their parents and always will be,” she said. “Don’t be offended when they’re home and refer to Saint Michael’s as home – we all do that. We’re finding our new place. That’s our reality – this is our new home away from home.”

She got involved with programming – organizing special activities for students -- which fit her social and outgoing personality, and soon she was tapped to serve on the Executive Board with last year’s president, Tyronne Walker. That was a great learning experience, she says. Scully also befriended Allan Smith through their extensive work together on Orientation Board, which takes the lead on welcoming new students, and since she and Allan shared many perspectives, the two decided to run as a ticket for SA president and vice president this year – again, with the encouragement of others.

Scully says this is a unique academic year at Saint Michael’s with both President Marc vanderHeyden retiring after the school year, and longtime Director of Student Activities Jennie Cernosia moving on from her duties, too. “Losing her is going to be an interesting transition,” Scully said of Cernosia, a beloved mentor of student leaders. “ I think it’s time to redefine some things, solidify traditions, pick and choose what we want and what we don’t want – decide what fits Saint Michael’s.”

“We’re in a unique position of saying what we value and want to see continue. I don’t think our E-Board is afraid of taking risks,” she said. “Allan and I say that when we graduate, we’d like that alumni sticker on the back of the car to mean something really special to us.”

After working so closely with arriving students and their families through Orientation Board, she has advice for parents: “We always joke how it’s ‘time to cut the umbilical cord – but don’t cut the phone cord,’” Scully said.

“Some people are going to come to Saint Michael’s and fall in love, have a smooth ride. Others will come and realize this isn’t the place for me, and that’s OK, too,” she continued. “Just let your student make the most of their college career, and always be there for them no matter what – they’re going to make mistakes and fall on their face.” Scully noted that she initially was not enthusiastic about Saint Michael’s, since it was so near her home town, but the warm sense of community and special friendships that developed won her over. “I got sucked into the Saint Michael’s world, and I haven’t looked back,” she said.

Finally – mail. “We love getting packages,” Scully said, recounting the time her mom sent a get-well package through the mail when Arly had a cold. “I’m from Winooski, but I’m still tickled pink when I get a package in the mailbox, even if just a card or postcard – anything from home saying ‘we’re thinking about you and we love you.’ It honestly makes your day.”

• The Search for the Next President
• Around-the-world instructor named Director of Study Abroad
• Richard DiVenere named Saint Michael’s VP for Institutional Advancement
• Saint Michael’s featured in 2007 edition of Princeton Review’s The Best 361 Colleges
• South Burlington resident hits Hole-in-One, shares the jackpot
  

Fall, 2006:

• Mon.-Tues., Oct. 9-10, No Classes

• Tues., Nov. 21 – Thanksgiving Recess begins after last class

• Mon., Nov. 27 – Classes Resume

• Fri., Dec. 8 – Last Day of Classes

• Sat.-Sun., Dec. 9-10, Study Days

• Mon.-Fri., Dec. 11-15, Final Exams

For more information on these programs, visit our Parent Page or contact Terri Selby, Director of Parent Programs 802.654.2462 or tselby@smcvt.edu.

Saint Michael's Fund Update

Thank you, Dr. Steven and Patricia Bookless P’08 for agreeing to be the co-chairs for current parents and the Saint Michael’s Fund. They are parents of Kim, Michelle and Megan, ’08, from Barrington, RI. Yes, they are triplets! All three young women are active both in and outside of the classroom. If you meet them, please ask them about the “spreadsheet story!” Steven and Patty wanted to be involved in their daughters’ college careers and felt the best way to do that was to take a leadership role as volunteers. Check out the cover story on the triplets in the recent issue of the Saint Michael’s College Magazine.

Parent Giving to the Saint Michael's Fund
(As of June 31, 2006)

Great news everyone! We met our goal for current parent participation and beat last year’s goal by 2%! THANK YOU ALL WHO HELPED US ACHIEVE THIS!

This year our participation goal for current parents is 36% - let’s keep the momentum going we say! The goal for parents of alumni is 50%.

And remember - the easiest and most convenient way to give is to go to the College’s secure online website: www.smcvt.edu/giveback or call toll-free 888.44.7111. If you have any further questions on how to make a gift, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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