It's Just a Simple

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AugustAugust 20062006 -- ProducedProduced forfor Spirit of Adventure NewNew andand ReturningReturning StudentsStudents It’s just a simple bostonnashvilleparisjerusalemthailand vehicle. It’s enough to get you there in some kind of style. The top’s down. Fresh air rushes past, and the sun drenches your young skin. You sail from one gear to the next, the acceleration forcing you back into the seat and into your fellow travelers. But this is not a trip to the store or to any other easily defined place. This excursion will take you out of your body and into a special state of mind, and you’ll infuse your soul with the spirit of adventure. This isn’t a mundane trip to the store; you’re on a journey toward faith and character! It begins now. Climb aboard; it’ll continue for the rest of your life.

In January 2006, Campus Ministry took a group to Chicago for the regional conference of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). FOCUS is a national outreach to college campuses that helps students to recognize the tools they need in order to incorporate faith into their daily lives. A new team of FOCUS volunteers will be able to join the UST community in the fall of 2007, in support of students in their faith journeys.

In August of 2005, Campus Ministry led a group of 20 from the University of St. Thomas and the University of Houston to Germany, to join with one million Catholic young adults for World Youth Day. The group volunteered in Augsburg, and experienced Bavarian hospitality and culture. In Cologne they gathered to meet Pope Benedict XVI for a prayer vigil and Mass. It was an unbelievable experience treasured by all!

“Old people” have been saying it for decades: Beatitudes, the Canticle on Mt. Zion and the Education. That’s Boston, as in terriers, clam “Young people today just don’t have any sense of Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. She’s chowder, baked beans and Kennedys. He poses in direction or purpose.” While a generalization like pictured at the Tomb of Jesus. front of BU’s first building, Gasson Hall. this is convenient for smearing a whole generation, Second-year premed student Isabelle Kusters it never has the ring of truth. In fact, it is the search Kristen Aaron ’06 and Kimberly Bullock ’06 Proposed immigration legislation, which would classify journeyed to Paris, the city of light. Closer to any immigrant not in current legal status as a criminal, for truth (or sometimes a little well-deserved R&R) traveled to Bangkok and Phuket for 14 days. Before Houston, Jennifer Callon toured the EWTN has sparked demonstrations across the country. UST that has the UST community crawling all over the they left Houston they planned to take a picture at students weighed in with a prayer vigil that drew (Eternal Word Television Network) studio while Houstonians to the Campus Life Mall on April globe. These photos are from among the entries to a particular Buddha because it is one of Aaron’s visiting her grandmother in Birmingham. She even 10. A solemn and respectful mood prevailed the JUST for You Summer Vacation contest. favorite landmarks in Thailand. The photo was with lit candles and prayers led by Archbishop participated in one of the live shows, “reporting taken at Wat Pho, home of the largest reclining Joseph Fiorenza. Lead organizers were senior Maria Ortiz got back just before the shooting from the scene of the first Catholic satellite Buddha in Thailand. The statue measures 46 Emiliano Herrera and alumnus David Ortiz. started again. She made a pilgrimage with Fr. television network.” meters long by 15 meters high. His pose represents Christian Riesbeck, CC, and others to the Holy him passing into Nirvana. Always on the job, Vice President for Student Land where she had the privilege of celebrating Affairs and Enrollment Management Steve Sutton Pictured above (l to r): Maria Ortiz, Dr. Steve Sutton, daily Mass at holy sites such as the Mt. of ventured to Boston University for a meeting of the Isabelle Kusters, Jennifer Callon and alumnae Kristen JUST for YOU! Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Aaron and Kimberly Bullock. is a spirited creation of Institutional Advancement’s Office of Public Affairs and is brought to you by the Office of Enrollment Services. NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE Publisher PAID Ken DeDominicis HOUSTON, TX UST’s Catholic Studies program sponsored Editor PERMIT #8353 a study abroad trip to the Holy Land Sandra M. Soliz 3800 Montrose Boulevard Dec.18-Jan.7. This was the first year the Assistant Director, Public Affairs Houston, Texas 77006 political situation between Israel and Palestine Managing Editor had settled, allowing UST students and faculty Tom Overton to take advantage of the moment. The group Director, Public Affairs making the trip included Sr. Paula Jean Miller, 713-525-3105 FSE; Rev. Robert Crooker, CSB; Richard [email protected] Fossey and 11 UST students. Students visited the places that have marked the events in the Contributing Editor lives of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary Wendy Petronella and the early fathers of the church. Designers Sandra M. Soliz C. Lee Taylor Illustrator Lyndon Crowson

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Special State of Mind Exercising the Student Body Sports at the University of St. Thomas would promote personal growth and serve as an instrument in the service The University of St.Thomas is get a lot more attention these days, possibly because of peace and brotherhood among peoples. “At the University of St. Thomas, we strive to educate the whole person- dedicated to building leaders of faith President Robert Ivany once coached a little football team -body mind and soul – in the finest Catholic, Basilian tradition,” said Dr. and character. One way the University at West Point. Or maybe it’s because from the outset, Basilian Fathers Ivany. “A diverse sports program will bring us a step closer to fulfilling the considered sports essential to building students of faith and character. fosters the creation of leaders is with its intent of the late John Paul II.” participation in the LeaderShape Institute. The Founding President Vincent J. Guinan, CSB, fielded baseball and University sent seven students who have shown basketball teams – from a student body of 60! The late Pope John Paul II exceptional leadership characteristics to this saw the value of sports. In the year before his death, he announced the Did anyone mention LeaderShape conference in Champaign, Ill. These formation of a Vatican sports department. A “sports culture,” he reasoned, that sports can be fun? students represented the following groups: the Student Government Association, Council of Clubs and Student Activities Board. These future leaders participated in group activities and self- discovery exercises with college students from around the country. “LeaderShape is a wonderful training ground for student leaders,” Angie Montelongo, assistant director of Student Activities said. “Upon their return from the conference, these students will share their knowledge to benefit UST as a whole.”

Student leaders who attended are Marcy Vasquez, Patricia Manjarrez and Stephanie Boss (pictured l to r); and Laura Hamzo, Thomas 1 Mendez, Leila Hamzo and Roy Mitchell.

Hard work and long hours culminated in excellent presentations at the annual HACKETT FIELD soccer and track at Conroe High CONFERENCE BOUND! Research Symposium UST knocked down a couple of School, and as a kinesiology During early summer, representa- and FAMfest. Last year’s dreadful old buildings and cleared instructor at Kingwood College and tives from the National Association symposium included 141 most of a city block to build a new San Jacinto College. Coach Reynolds of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) presentations, 175 student participants, fenced and lighted athletic field. also played collegiate volleyball at 2 4 The Odyssey Course, created for visited UST in response to UST’s 22 departments and 46 faculty members. Officially known as the James T. Hardin-Simmons University and recent membership application. incoming freshmen, uses The Odyssey of Homer, Engaging in research projects with fac- and Maureen Hackett Athletic Ouachita Baptist University. The Regional Membership particularly the coming-of-age theme of Telemachus, ulty members provides students with Complex, you can get away with Evaluation Team (RMET) met with as a framework for the freshman experience that serves to special learning opportunities that just calling it “the field.” It was dedi- UST faculty and staff members, as deepen their knowledge of a subject. enhance and support the goals of providing first-semester cated last spring with much hoopla, well as with Dr. Robert Ivany, during Students develop analytical and freshmen an orientation to the life at the University and including sports demonstrations their day-long visit. In addition, the writing skills and emerge from the to assist in developing the skills necessary to succeed as along with speeches and testimonials. RMET conducted informational ses- experience as critical thinkers an undergraduate at UST. (Telemachus and Mentor, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza blessed sions related to NAIA philosophy, and confident speakers. Most students by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, c. 1740) the field, and posed for the picture compliance issues, administrative regard their undergraduate research projects as on this page with Maureen and Jim oversight and the innovative the highlights of their university experiences. Hackett, Chairman and CEO of Champions of Character program. Patricia McKinley, Anadarko Petroleum. The program was created to director of the Career VOLLEYBALL REVIVAL encourage character development in Services and Testing the youth and make changes in the Each year, the Leadership Banquet recog- UST hired Jill Reynolds to coach Center at UST, has culture of sport. It was first nizes individual students and clubs for their women’s volleyball, and instituted a been named the new introduced in 2000 with the goal of outstanding leadership and dedication to the full fall varsity enhancing the educational setting University. The last banquet, held in May Dean of Students. schedule. UST has through race and gender integration and titled “All that Jazz,” recognized student 5She assumes the dean position held two volleyball in athletics. The program uses tools leaders not only for their leadership, but for as of the 2006-2007 academic team tryouts so far, for coaches, student athletes and their spirit, citizenship and commitment to year. As dean, she will assist and practice will parents alike to implement their core Catholic ideas of prayer, scholarship and with student advocacy, oversee begin on Monday, UST has begun expanding and values: respect, responsibility, virtuous living. Thomas some day-to-day operations of Student August 7. The vol- promoting existing club sports, 3 integrity, servant leadership and Mendez received the Affairs and assume supervisory responsibility for Residence leyball team begins which include baseball, basketball, sportsmanship as models of Emerging Leader award. Life and Volunteer Opportunities offices. She will contin- play on Aug. 17 volleyball, fencing, martial arts, commendable character traits. ue as director of Career Services and Testing. with a scrimmage racquetball, rugby and soccer. Expect Robin Stone received the In September, the NAIA will Spirituality Commitment against San Jacinto College. For more interscholastic competition as UST’s efforts to boost athletics announce the status of UST’s award. Gabriel Castillo the complete schedule go to gains momentum. application. received the Presidential www.stthom.edu/studentaffairs/ recsports/athletics.html. Leadership award. Kate Check out the Reynolds holds a bachelor’s degree TOP: Bea Beltran, Brenda Benkenstein, Maria Le, Angie Montelongo, Amanda Alvey, Dillon received the Marsha Army ROTC Karen Bautista and Catherine Chanoine gathered at the gate to Hackett Field. Wooldridge award. Other in all-level physical education and a (Reserve Officer ABOVE: Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, center, joined James and Maureen Hackett for the groups receiving awards master’s degree in kinesiology. Training Corps) She performed duties as head dedication of Hackett Field last spring. were Chi Rho club, program at UST volleyball coach and assistant Student Government LEFT: Sophomore Amanda Ingersoll was among the 30 participants trying out for UST’s in conjunction coach for two years for basketball, first intercollegiate volleyball team. Association, The Cauldron, 6with University of Houston the Black Student Union, and enhance your educa- the German Club, the tion when you receive training in leadership, time management, French Club, St. Thomas practical experience, personal growth and responsibility. More Political Science You can get them to help pay for college, and you can use the Club, International Studies courses for resume builders or a career as a commissioned officer Society and Augustine in the Army. Participants have the opportunity to take advan- Hall. (Pictured l to r: Gabriel tage of a full-tuition scholarship, including fees, books and Castillo and UST President a monthly stipend. For details contact Maj. Hankins at vitamin20% fortified, kosher certifiedOff* and fully energized Robert Ivany. 713-743-3883/3875. *Present this coupon at the Moran Center Student Lounge for 20% off the regular smoothie price. Offer good from Monday, Aug. 28- Friday, Sept. 1 22308_UST.qxd 8/7/06 3:28 PM Page 3

Student leaders who attended are Marcy Vasquez, Patricia Manjarrez and Stephanie Boss (pictured l to r); and Laura Hamzo, Thomas 1 Mendez, Leila Hamzo and Roy Mitchell.

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