Campus Feature
M
arking the 800th anniversary of the
foundation of the Order of Preachers by St.
Dominic de Guzman, Siena Heights University
and the Adrian Dominican Sisters co-hosted a
Dominican Symposium May 13–16, 2007.
Following nearly two years of planning by the
Symposium Committee consisting of representatives from Siena Heights and the Adrian
Dominican Sisters, the event had an overflow
crowd, with approximately 500 people attending from around the world. Prominent Dominican theologians Timothy Radcliffe, OP, Liam
Walsh, OP, Patricia Walter, OP ’66, and Ann
Willits, OP, participated in the campus event.
Radcliffe, a member of the community of
Blackfriars, Oxford, and Master of the Order of
Preachers from 1992 to 2001, was presented
with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
degree from Siena Heights during the symposium. The symposium explored topics such as:
how the Dominican charism calls people to be
involved in today’s society and its issues; where
and how Dominicans preach in the midst of
contradictions; and what contemplating and
sharing the fruits of contemplation means in
a world fraught with controversies.
“This has been a tremendous experience.
I so appreciated the research of our Dominican
speakers and their fine manner of delivery. I am
so proud and grateful to be a Dominican. The
SHU students were gracious and welcoming.
Thank you to all!” – Beverly Bobola, OP ’65
“Wow! I don’t even know where to begin!
This symposium was exceptional. Every aspect
from the speakers to the staff, to the food,
to the topics, to the artists, to the performers,
mass, prayer, participants, etc. Perfectly executed, wonderfully inspiring! Thank you so
much.” – Diane M. Shook, Tempe, Ariz.
“What a rich experience these days have provided. I’m so grateful to the Adrian Sisters and
Siena Heights University for imagining this
event and then pulling it together. The hospitality has been legendary. The young people
who served us everywhere in every imaginable
way were so impressive. They were gracious
and unselfconscious and seemed genuinely
happy to be with us. Also the cafeteria folks
were wonderful to us. Thank you so much for
everything.” – Erica Jordan, OP (Sinsinawa)
In fact, the symposium garnered national
media attention, making the cover of the June
8 edition of National Catholic Reporter magazine. Led by SHU Dean for Students Trudy
McSorley ’70, a host of student volunteers
made sure the guests were well-served. Here
is a cross-section of some of the responses
from those who attended:
“Indescribable! The service so graciously giving!
At every beck and call! Stimulating! Enough to
take home as meditation food for weeks! Really
grateful!” – Lucy Edelbeck
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