La Salle Magazine Summer 2008 La Salle University
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La Salle University La Salle University Digital Commons La Salle Magazine University Publications Summer 2008 La Salle Magazine Summer 2008 La Salle University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/lasalle_magazine Recommended Citation La Salle University, "La Salle Magazine Summer 2008" (2008). La Salle Magazine. 6. http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/lasalle_magazine/6 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]. SUMMER 2008 k M r*\ La Salle Reaches Out to the Hispanic Community - Ventana iPK' Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from LYRASIS members and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/lasalle171973unse — the first word Creating Opportunities for All to Learn LUIS A. GOMEZ, PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SPANISH, DIRECTOR OF THE HISPANIC INSTITUTE THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE EXPERIENCED IN THE UNITED States during the past two decades has been monumental. In the phrase coined by Andy Grove, founder of Intel Corp., when referring to crucial technological innovations, the demographic change derived from such mass migration is clearly a sociological "inflection point." Both legal and illegal immigration have created new parameters that affect the operations of institutions, government, social and legal This year also marks the 15th anniversary of Bilingual services, businesses, housing, and endless other services. Undergraduate Studies for Collegiate Advancement (BUSCA), Nearly 50 million Hispanics now reside in the United an academic program for Spanish-speaking students who States, and approximately 75 percent of immigrants to the wish to further their education with an associate's degree United States are of Hispanic origin. The cultural diversity in liberal arts. The curriculum focuses on English language among Hispanics has become increasingly complex due acquisition and prepares students for a seamless transition to accelerated immigration patterns from several Spanish- to a bachelor's degree program. speaking countries that previously did not contribute Both of these programs address specific educational needs large numbers of immigrants. In addition, the traditional and are designed to evolve as other academic challenges arise. immigration patterns by those Clearly, few other educational Taking the lead among many local of Hispanic origin to particular programs could be as beneficial regions of the country have universities, La Salle recognized the to the Hispanic community. changed. Hispanics are moving Through the Hispanic Institute role it must play in order to effectively from urban and rural areas and BUSCA, La Salle is able into suburban neighborhoods address demographic changes." to foster education and under- and small towns, and many standing not only for Hispanics institutions, government agencies, schools, and other looking to improve their English language skills, but for entities are struggling to deal with the change. those who work or live alongside them. Taking the lead among many local universities. La Salle In addition to its academic programs, the University's recognized the role it must play in order to effectively address on- and off-campus organizations, services, and ongoing these demographic changes. Our University is in the business efforts fulfill a dual objective—to be consistent with its of forming professionals. Those who graduate from La Salle mission and to provide professional formation of the highest and continue in the professional world will invariably find order. St. John Baptist de La Salle's early teachings provided themselves in need of cultural and linguistic knowledge the framework to make modern education available to an understanding that will be crucial when working with everyone. La Salle University continues that tradition by different cultures. In addition, immigrants and the genera- delivering quality intellectual and spiritual development tions to come will desire educational goals that will lift to all who desire it. them to higher levels of social and economic achievement. We are being guided by the reality of momentous social La Salle must remain in a position to provide this required and demographic changes throughout the United States knowledge and formation. More than 25 years ago, the and the desire to play a positive role in the education of University formulated a master's degree program in bilingual professionals who must deal with a changing environment. and bicultural studies, which provided professionals from all The foundation of our vision is strongly anchored in the fields with cultural and linguistic (Spanish) understanding. Lasallian tradition and mission. We do not intend to ever This program evolved and grew into the Hispanic Institute, forget that mission. which also houses master's degree and certificate programs. SUMMER 2008 LASALLE« aa * MAGAZINE JUL 2 2 2003 Volume 52 I Number 2 cover story Editor '08 Marian Butcher, M.A. Window to Opportunities: Assistant Editor La Salle Reaches Out Liz Vargo to the Hispanic Community Alumni Notes Editor Francine Lottier, '01 Senior Graphic Designer Matthew M. Chverchko Contributors Jon Caroulis Amy Gardner Cranston features Luis A. Gomez, Ph.D. Brother Joseph Grabenstein, F.S.C., 73 Brother Charles Gresh, F.S.C., '55 10 Why I Give Back Leen Khalifa, '00 Colleen Mullarkey, '06 Janine Stevens, '07 Deborah S. Yost, Ph.D. 11 'Stringing' in the New Year Photography Dave Jackson 12 From Law to Order Vincent Massa Andrew Pinkham Jim Roese 16 A Home for 'Rent' La Salle University Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C., Ph.D., 70 President R. Brian Elderton Vice President for University Advancement Joseph W. Donovan, '64 Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications St. La Salle Series James K. Gulick, '89 Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Theresa K. Travis, '93, M.A. '08 14 Part 6: Educational Innovations Assistant Vice President for Development Edward A. Turzanski, '81 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 departments alumni, students, faculty, and friends by the Office of University Communications (Joseph Donovan, Assistant Vice President). Address correspondence to La Salle University, 17 Sports Editor, La Salle Magazine, 1900 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199. Changes 18 News of address should be sent at least 30 days prior to publication of issue with which it is to take effect to La Salle University, University 23 Alumni Notes Advancement Office, 1900 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, Pa. POSTMASTER: 29 Book Notes Send change of address to office listed above. ^LASALLE ^UNIVERSITY i Is A* * v .•.«?• BA'M i La Salle Reaches Out to the Hispanic Community IN THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES, THE HISPANIC POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES HAS BOOMED—AND LA SALLE HAS PREPARED ITSELF TO WELCOME AN INFLUX OF HISPANIC STUDENTS AS WELL AS TO RESPOND TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THIS GROWING COMMUNITY. IN JUST ONE YEAR, BETWEEN 2006 AND 2007, TH E U.S. HISPANIC POPULATION GREW BY 3.3 PERCEWMAKING HISPANICS THE NATION'S FASTEST-GROWING MINORITY GROUP, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU. AS OF JULY 2007, HISPANICS NOW MAKE UP 15 PERCENT OF THE *e«ser, R.S.M. U.S. POPULATION AND 4.2 PERCENT OF PENNSYLVANIA'S Director of La Salle s Bilingual Undergraduate Studies for Collegiate Advancement (BUSCA) program. POPULATION. LA SALLE MAGAZINE At La Salle, Hispanic student enroll- From those initiatives ment in undergraduate and graduate grew the Bilingual Under- programs has increased by 98 percent graduate Studies for in the past 10 years. Collegiate Advancement In keeping with the Lasallian tradi- (BUSCA) program, tion of creating a welcoming environ- an associate's degree ment for students of all backgrounds, program that prepares the University has implemented Spanish-speaking academic programs to meet the needs students for college-level of bilingual students and to prepare study in English, and the Hispanic and non- Hispanic professionals Hispanic Institute, which alike to work in a multicultural commu- encompasses master's nity. Additionally, alumni initiatives, degree and certificate extracurricular offerings, and other programs that prepare campus services have evolved to reflect professionals to serve the diversity of La Salle's community. the Hispanic community. "Given La Salle's long history of "Graduates of BUSCA being responsive to societal needs and programs sponsored by in general and to our own community the Hispanic Institute will in particular, it's most appropriate for make a positive impact on us to find meaningful ways to serve the the quality of services that Hispanic community," said Brother will be available to members of the Hispanic community," said Tom multicultural savvy necessary to Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C., Ph.D., '70, La Salle's President. Keagy, Ph.D., Dean of the School of interact with the Hispanic community. Arts and Sciences, to which Efforts to connect to the local BUSCA Catalina Natalini, a full-time court and the Hispanic Institute belong. Hispanic community are nothing new interpreter who is also an adjunct "When members of the community at La Salle. In 1982, the University's facultv