La Salle Magazine Spring 2009 La Salle University
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La Salle University La Salle University Digital Commons La Salle Magazine University Publications Spring 2009 La Salle Magazine Spring 2009 La Salle University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/lasalle_magazine Recommended Citation La Salle University, "La Salle Magazine Spring 2009" (2009). La Salle Magazine. 3. http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/lasalle_magazine/3 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications at La Salle University Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in La Salle Magazine by an authorized administrator of La Salle University Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ILC MAGAZINE !T Ml vm ¥ m Jj j ^s Shapi IVES DF D PATRSDTISM- [\ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from LYRASIS members and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/lasallemagazine532009unse , . the first word La Salle Tradition Influences Career of Service BY MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM F. BURNS, '54 WHEN I LOOK BACK ON MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, IT IS sometimes difficult to assess what factors most contributed to personal successes—or failures. However, in one segment of my life and career, the positive contribution made by La Salle is not hard to identify. (From left) Maj. Gen. William F Burns, '54, his wife. Peggy Burns, and La Salle In 1950, the world and La Salle College were quite President Brother Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C., Ph.D., 70, signing the General Burns different environments from today's more complex age. Scholarship for ROTC students. The Cold War, the Korean War, and the stark realization that the Nuclear Era brought with it additional burdens making these choices, but it also created an atmosphere sobered voting freshmen. In that year, the Reserve Officers' in which positive examples abounded. For example, the Training Corps (ROTC) came to the campus, offering the witness of the Christian Brothers, themselves dedicated to possibility of an officer's commission upon graduation to an unselfish life of service to Catholic education, provided young men otherwise liable to the draft. As we progressed a role model for those who would dedicate themselves in our military and academic studies against the background to service to the security of the nation. Today, that witness of die evoking Korean War, what struck me was the confluence continues not only among the Brothers but also among of ideas, concepts, and moral acuity between the Military lay faculty who have espoused Lasallian values in the Science Department on the one hand and the remainder Catholic tradition. of the facultv on the other. x <-, , , , More than 1 ,000 young men La Salle created an atmosphere in , Whether it was "just war" and women have been exposed theory, the law of land warfare, which positive examples abounded to these values at La Salle and have or obligations toward our future later been commissioned as Army subordinates, we were inculcated with the necessity for officers. Many returned to civilian pursuits; others continued high moral standards and an understanding that we were in a military career of service dirough several regional conflicts obligated to identify and accept objective moral truths. and die Cold War. The Lasallian education that helped to form That this came not only from the Christian Brothers us and later served as a point of reference continues to this and lay faculty but also from our military instructors was day. A revived ROTC program shows great promise. I am impressive. For the next four decades and more of my convinced that La Salle's leadership today, as it has over military and public service, this confluence of standards the years, recognizes the immeasurable potential for its formed a matrix of support. contribution to the welfare of this nation As a young field artillery officer, responsibilities were Maj. Gen. Burns held numerous positions in the U.S. Army and primarily to a small group of subordinates. Later, as a brigade the federalgovernment in more than 50 years service. In 1981, commander, decisions touched on large numbers of soldiers. of he became the military representative on the Intermediate- Later still, as an arms control negotiator, adviser to the Range Nuclear Forces Treaty delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, President, and head of a federal agency, actions and decisions negotiating what was to become the only U.S. -Soviet treaty that became crucial to the health and prosperity of our country. eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons. Later, he served In all these instances, however, I was supported by the moral as Deputy Assistant Secretary State for Political Military compass provided at La Salle in the early 1950s. of Affairs, and in 19S7 President Ronald Reagan named him La Salle continues to offer this critical aspect of career Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. formation for its students who are considering a military He is a former member of La Salle's Board of Trustees. career. We all recognize that recent events in the war on terrorism have created situations that call for clear moral choices. Not onlv did La Salle establish clear criteria for SPRING 2009 LASALLE MAGAZINE A ' 009 Volume 53 Number 1 cover story Editor '08 Marian Butcher, M.A. The Civil Soldier: Shaping Lives Assistant Editor of Liz Vargo Service and Patriotism Alumni Notes Editor Francine Loftier, '01 Senior Graphic Designer Matthew M. Chverchko Contributors Brother Miguel Campos, F.S.C. features Jon Caroulis Amy Gardner Cranston, M.A. Brother Joseph Grabenstein, 1 2 First Palopoli Professorship Honors Michelle Martin Colleen Mullarkey, '06 Prushan's Ongoing Scientific Research Jeremy Rosen, '07 Gabriella Sacidor, '09 Photography 14 Why We Give Kelly & Massa Photography Andrew Pinkham Jim Roese 15 Making a Living by Reliving History La Salle University Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C, Ph.D., 70 President 18 Voice of the City R. Brian Elderton Vice President for University Advancement Joseph W. Donovan, '64 Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications James K. Gulick, '89 Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations St. La Salle Series Theresa K. Travis, '93, M.A. '07 Assistant Vice President for Development Edward A. Turzanski, '81 1 6 Part 8: Association for Mission Counsel to the President and Assistant Vice President for Government and Community Relations La Salle Magazine (USPS 299-940) is published quarterly for the University's alumni, students, faculty, and friends by the Office of University Communications (Joseph departments Donovan. Assistant Vice President). Address correspondence to the Editor, La Salle Magazine, 1900 W. Olney Ave.. La Salle 20 Sports University, Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199. Changes of address should be sent at least 30 days prior to publication of issue with 22 News which it is to take effect to the University Advancement Office, La Salle University, 26 Book Notes 1900 W. Olney Ave.. Philadelphia, PA 19141- 1199. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, Pa. POSTMASTER: Send 27 Alumni Notes change of address to office listed above. LASALLE UNIVERSITY 7I1 II J \ HAPS Lives of ND PATRiDTISM^ La Salle has always thrown dpen wide its doors to students seeking an education to improve their lives. _ highlighting the efforts of current FACULTY AND STAFF TO ME FROM MILITARY SERVICE ANL :flecting on the campus' LONGSTANDING TRADITION OF CREATING A WELCOMING ENVIRON- MENT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY. ALSO IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES, READ ABOUT LA F PAST AND PRESENT, AND THE STORIES OF ALUMNI WHO HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES ENRICHED BY THEIR EXPERIENCES OF MILITARY SERVICE AND LASALLIAN VALUES. ' cover story 'AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INVALUABLE SERVICE' BY LIZ VARGO WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE POST- "I believe we have an opportunity enlisted as a Navy Corpsman withii 9/11 G.I. Bill and the return of to provide an invaluable service," the Ll.S. Marine Corps. The former thousands of soldiers from assign- Downs said. "You just have to show businessman enrolled in La Salle's ments around the world, colleges and that vou care." nursing program on the recommen- universities nationwide are expecting It's that element of care and a dation of several friends who said it increased enrollment from veterans. commitment to excellence in educa- was "absolutely outstanding." According to the Chronicle of tion that have drawn veterans and For Frenette, La Salle's nursing Higher Education, the original G.I. enlisted students to La Salle. Senior program redefined the word "commit- Bill of 1944 attracted about 2 million communication student Ann Marie ment." The faculty was lair, willing veterans to mostly private and Ivy Gorden appreciated the help she to help, and accommodating "if vou League institutions and nearly 5 million received at La Salle while juggling a worked for it," he said. to vocational or technical schools. college career with her responsibilities Despite a delicate balance between Recent data shows that a new generation as a reservist in the U.S. Coast Guard. studies, work, and military service, of veterans is focused on convenience "My professors are very understand- Gorden and Franette will graduate when it comes to choosing a quality ing when I have to miss class," Gorden this spring having felt truly welcome education. I said. "They know what do and really in the La Salle family. Both knew from I "As a Catholic, private institution, respect and support what I do." an earlv age that they wanted to serve we have a lot to offer them,''' said Senior nursing student Bill Frenette the country and both appreciated Lillian Mina, Assistant Director for embarked on a similar journey when the support from faculty that allowed Program Development and Recruit- he changed careers and simultaneously them to do so.