Alumni Magazine avelengAVolume 7h • 2018-2019 Introducing CRIMSON JOE CCSJ’s New Mascot Teachers & Technology Academic Advancements Power of Partnerships Local Community Partners EGE of S LL A O IN C T T J E O M S E U P L H A C H A A N MM IA OND, IND avelength Letter from the President Alumni Magazine Dear Alumni, This past year has been focused on planning, pillars, and partnerships. As you will read, we have celebrated progress and academic advancements in a number of ways on campus and in the community. We are delighted to share highlights of activities that have helped to build Wave Momentum at CCSJ. It is hard to believe it was this time last year that we were in the depths of carving out our plan for the future. The approved strategic plan addendum 2020, titled Foundation for the Future, is now helping to drive our efforts, and as you will see, the goals of the strategic plan are simple, yet impactful. The mission pillars, which you will read about, have also been integrated into many aspects of the College and are more prominent around campus. This edition of Wavelength highlights our progress in developing more transparent pathways to associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in several program areas. You will also read about new technology being utilized to extend our market and convenience to students. In addition, you will learn about a new program launched to addressavelengt a critical need for science h teachers. I am very grateful for the vision and commitment of our faculty and staff who have worked so diligently on these initiatives. One of our features is the story of Crimson Joe, the College’s new mascot. We interviewed students and alumni as our very own storyteller, Dr. Buczinsky, listened and let his creativity flow when he put pen to paper. It is my hope that as you read the story of how Joe came to be, you will identify with some aspects of his story, because after all, it is the story of Calumet College. Why a trident? Calumet College of St. Joseph has always been an anchor to the local community, and we often recognize our founding in East Chicago, our physical location in Hammond, and our address in Whiting. This is a strength of the College, and so we chose to symbolize this important aspect in the three-prong trident of Crimson Joe. In this magazine, we celebrate the achievements of students, both on and off the field, faculty and staff, and welcome two new alumni to the Board of Trustees. You will also read about alumni who are leveraging their CCSJ education and making a difference. I am very proud of all the CCSJ alumni who impact their professions and communities every day. As we look to the future, we do so knowing we are headed on a good path. Please continue to promote your alma mater, Calumet College of St. Joseph, and help us continue to make a difference in the lives of students and the region. Thank you for your continued support. May you have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! With gratitude, Dr. Amy McCormack President Contact us › We welcome your feedback on this issue and your letters/comments for future publications. Please contact us at 219-473-4254 or email: [email protected]. Find this issue (and back issues) of the magazine on our website: www.ccsj.edu/ institutionaladvancement/. Bookmark and save this link for future use! Alumni Magazine avelengAh Volume 7 2018-2019 Features Calumet College of St. Joseph 6 Alumni Association Board Teachers & Tech CCSJ’s professors support students, in serving Andy Marks, B.S. ‘05 & M.S. ‘14 as mentors and advancing academic programs to Chairman provide new technology and meet students needs. Sally Lobo-Torres, B.S. ‘07 & M.S. ‘14 Vice Chairman Jeffrey Stur, B.S. ‘71 & B.S. ‘06 8 Treasurer The Story of Crimson Joe Angela Szczepanik-Sanchez, B.S. ‘02 Clad in red overalls, gripping a silver, three-pronged, Secretary flaming trident—CCSJ’s first official mascot rides ashore on a crimson wave. Read his backstory. Debra Burbridge, B.S. ‘01 Fran Drozdz, B.A. ‘67 11 Jesse Garcia, Jr., B.A. ‘80 Power of Partnerships The College’s collaborations with neighboring cities Zebediah Hall, B.S. ‘09 opens doors for both students and community in STEAM opportunities. Angela Hughes, B.A. ‘11 Leslie Ihnat, M.S. ‘14 Also in This Issue Donald Kubacki, B.S. ‘69 4 Mission & Ministry 14 Crimson Wave Athletics Victoria Merrill-Washington, B.S. ‘81 Dino Ramierez, B.S. ‘13 & M.S. ‘16 7 Strategic Plan Goals 15 Alumni Notes Michael Skowronek, B.A. ‘77 12 Scholarship Gala 13 New Board Members Published By avelength The Office of Institutional Advancement Wavelength is published annually and serves its readers by providing information about the activities of CCSJ and its Alumni. Text, photographs, and artwork may not Calumet College of St. Joseph be reprinted without the written permission of the Director of Communication and 2400 New York Avenue Public Relations at CCSJ. Whiting, Indiana 46394 www.ccsj.edu/institutionaladvancement Designed by Angela Hughes Open To Committed Growth to Justice Religious Loving Intellectually Competent Mission & Ministry Our Catholic Identity The Five Pillars of a CCSJ Education hat does it mean to be a Catholic college in the tradition of the Missionaries We encourage alumni to incorporate The Wof the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.)? This is the question Fr. Kevin Scalf, C.PP. S., Five Pillars into their own lives. Consider director of Mission and Ministry at CCSJ, set out to answer approximately three years reflecting on the following questions. ago. Studying the spirituality of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and the writings of founder St. Gaspar, as well as looking deeply into the pedagogy of other Catholic Loving universities and considering Catholic Christianity in general, Fr. Scalf framed what’s How am I beginning to love myself more now being integrated throughout all academic programs of the College, known as and to see myself as loved by God and “The Five Pillars.” others? How have I contributed to the college community? “Really, they are lenses,” Fr. Scalf expresses. “They are areas that we want our students to be more growthful in by the time they graduate—areas that are uniquely us.” Religious How am I becoming a more intentional Loving. Religious or spiritual. Committed to justice. Intellectually competent. “person for others”? How am I actively Open to growth. These five lenses or pillars—which are equally important, “one is working toward social justice in my life not greater than the next,” Fr. Scalf emphasizes—allow students and the rest of the and in my community? College family to introspectively see aspects of their lives more constructively, more holistically. Contemplating and responding to self-reflective questions, they nurture Committed to Justice awareness of how they are changing and how they are going to change the world. How am I growing in awareness of my cultural heritage and that of others? “We want the people who come into this place to be different, to be better,” says How will my career be of service to others? Fr. Scalf. “We want them to become the people that they want to be and that God wants them to become.” With this purposeful intention, The Five Pillars appeal to all Intellectually Competent persons at all times, even someone who identifies as an agnostic or atheist can connect How am I developing the ability to apply with a religious or spiritual question. “These questions excavate mission in [their] knowledge and skills to new situations? lives,” he explains. “For example, ‘How am I becoming a more intentional person for How am I taking pride and ownership in others?’…That is an inherently spiritual question that applies to everybody.” my efforts and accomplishments? Giving articulation in this way, The Five Pillars more clearly express the College’s core Open to Growth mission values. Values, which have always existed in the holistic, social justice-centered How am I becoming more flexible and education, they are now more fully integrated into CCSJ’s undergraduate and graduate open to other points of view? How am I programs alike. They are also more visibly noticeable on campus, having been posted in developing a habit of reflection about each office and classroom and strikingly inscribed on the glass of the Grutka Center. my experiences? This is our unique method of mission, and we’re proud of it,” Fr. Scalf affirms. For more information and the extensive list of 4 questions, visit: www.ccsj.edu/mission. Alumni Magazine WAVE MOMENTUM CONTINUES CCSJ forges ahead, breaking ground on a housing opportunity, exploring new partnerships, and raising support and excitement for the 2019- 2020 academic year. Keeping up this momentum on and off campus proves exciting, according to CCSJ President Dr. Amy McCormack. avelength “WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON WITH NEW ADDITIONS AND CHANGES MADE IN ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS. I AM CERTAINLY MEETING A LOT OF PEOPLE AND BUILDING MOMENTUM AND AWARENESS OF CALUMET COLLEGE IN THE COMMUNITY.” Student Housing Progress While Dr. McCormack works with the developer for a redesign of CCSJ’s on-campus residence hall, another housing opportunity presented itself with Holladay Properties, who were looking to develop a five-story commercial and apartment building at the former Illiana Hotel site on 119th Street and Atchison Avenue. “We are taking a master lease for a third of the building,” Dr. McCormack explains, indicating that 12 of 36 units will be reserved for CCSJ students with each unit accommodating up to four students.