Faculty and staff participate in formation summer programs

This summer, members of the Saint Mary’s faculty, staff and administration will participate in various national and international Lasallian formation and international study programs. This participation is one way Saint Mary’s is promoting a culture that develops the professional competence and commitment of its members and works to enhance its Lasallian Catholic mission and culture.

First to occur is the fourth International Lasallian University Leadership Program sponsored by IALU, which will be held June 6-19 at the international center of the Christian Brothers in Rome. Attending the program are: Dr. Marcel Dumestre, vice president of the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs; Dr. Elizabeth Throop, dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences; Dr. Kevin Rickert, associate professor of philosophy; and Simon Wachera, registrar at CTIE, Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Roxanne Eubank, SGPP professor and director of the Lasallian Studies Program, is the coordinator of the 2010 IALU Rome program. Dr. Mary Catherine Fox, professor of interdisciplinary studies, is a member of the IALU staff this summer.

Next, 12 persons will participate in the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies from June 27-July 9, at St. Mary’s College of California. Attending Buttimer I are Dr. Rich Germundsen, associate director of the Ed.D program; Dr. Elizabeth Seebach, associate professor of psychology; Kathy Pederson, business office; Matt Nowakowski, director of the MBA program; and Dr. Rose Beal, associate professor of theology. Returning to Buttimer II are: Chris McClead, director of Campus Ministry; Dr. Mark Barber, associate dean of humanities and associate professor of philosophy; Gena Bilden, dean of enrollment management and student services - SGPP; and Elizabeth Childs, associate dean for curriculum and assessment - SGPP. Finishing up their third and final summer will be: Tim Gossen, dean of students for the College; Linka Holey, associate vice president/academic dean - SGPP; and Mary Thole, coordinator of student services - SGPP.

Four administrators will continue their experience in the Lasallian Leadership Institute, a three-year program consisting of a one-week session during the summer (July 18-23) and weekend sessions in the fall and spring. The theme for Year II is Spiritual Leadership in Lasallian Ministries. Attending are James Bedtke, vice president of the College; Chris Kendall, vice president for student life; Merri Moody, dean of the Graduate School of Health & Human Services; and Joe Sweeney, vice president for development and alumni services. Sister Judith Schaefer, Ph.D., university dean for university affairs and chair of theology, will be a co-presenter with Brother Donald Mouton, FSC.

Also this year, after a several-year hiatus, a faculty member will be participating in the Maryknoll Institute for African Studies in Nairobi, Kenya. A proposal by Dr. Carolyn Ayers, chair of English, was accepted for her study and research in Kenya during July.