Father O'Connell meets Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1999.

Not altogether coincidentally, March brought with it some extraordinary campus events:

• Several symposia on Catholic-Jewish dialogue, with Vatican Cardinal Walter Kasper and the Hebrew Theological Union’s Rabbi Eugene Borowitz taking center stage to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Vatican II’s declaration on Church relations with non-Christians, “Nostra Aetate” (Oct. 28, 1965).
• The conferral of an honorary degree on Lebanese Cardinal Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch, postponed from last year.
• The re-dedication of the “Judges Wall” in the Columbus School of Law with NBC Legal Analyst Dan Abrams speaking and Dean William Fox presiding.
• And the annual retirement convocation brought the month to a close.
  

April is “students’ month” and it gives us all an opportunity to remember why we are here at CUA. On April 10, we kick off another “student employees week,” recognizing our many wonderful student workers. On the evening of April 20, our students will be front and center as the 58th annual Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony honors students with outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.

Speaking of students, our annual Odyssey Day to welcome to campus incoming students and, especially, potential students in the midst of their decision-making, will be held on Friday, April 22.  I cannot overemphasize how important this day has become for the university.  There will be many, many visitors to campus: parents, students, families.  Let’s do our best to make them feel welcome and interested in our great university community and all it has to offer.

The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music will present its annual “President’s Concert,” this year dedicated to the theme of “Waging Peace: Music in Time of War,” April 14 through 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pryz. (See the story in this issue of Inside CUA.)  These will be four extraordinary days of music and commentary, produced by faculty, students, staff and special guests of the university.  On Sunday, April 17, I’ll confer the President’s Medal posthumously on the great musician and advocate for peace Pablo Casals. His wife, Marta Istomin, will be on hand to receive this honor from CUA.
 
We all are saddened to lose our head Women’s Basketball Coach Maggie Lonergan, whose story we had been following in the Washington Post Magazine for several months. She has been an asset to our athletic program and a great CUA citizen.  Thanks, Maggie, and every blessing and success be with you and Mike as you head to Vermont with your family!
 
Perhaps you have noticed a “different voice” answering the phone in the President’s Office.  My new administrative assistant, Mrs. Peggy Morris, has joined the staff, replacing Ann Aubin, who recently retired.  She will be handling “all the details,” keeping me in line … more than a full-time job!  Welcome, Peggy. 
 
I am delighted to announce that Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, has accepted my invitation to address the graduates, faculty, staff and guests at this year's May 14 university commencement exercises. Describing himself as a "pro-life" Democrat, Mr. Towey has distinguished himself both in public service "on both sides of the aisle" and in social work. Prior to his work in the White House, he championed the cause of aging, worked with Mother Teresa of Calcutta and volunteered his services to those afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Before that, Mr. Towey worked in Florida's health and social services agency, the largest in the United States. Mother Teresa once said of him, "Jim Towey has been a friend to me and the Missionaries of Charity for 11 years, helping us in legal matters, doing everything in a spirit of humble service." A daily communicant, he is an excellent Catholic role model for our students. His wife, Mary, is a graduate of CUA.

Well, that’s about it for now.  My gratitude and best wishes to everyone at CUA.  Enjoy springtime as we make our push to the end of the year!

Back to Top