STUDENT LIFE 31
Center for Social Concerns The Center for Social Concerns, inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, empowers students to make community service, education for peace and justice and civic engagement for social change an integral part of Gannon education. The Center encourages all students, faculty and staff to serve, learn, lead and act. • Serve: GIVE Day and Day of Caring are annual, one-time service events that draw hundreds of students, faculty and staff. Alternative Break Service Trips (ABST) transform students through a week of service, immersion and mutual cultural exchange. • Learn: Hunger and Homelessness Week is a national event on college campuses to raise awareness about hunger and homelessness issues. Past programming includes panel presentations and a Thanksgiving food basket project for resettled refugees. The Center also regularly holds lectures and other educational programs on current social justice issues and shares Catholic Social Teaching resources with faculty. • Lead: Student leaders are needed for various programs and committees, including Take Back the Night and Black History Month. Various student groups have also adopted long-term service projects centered on leadership skills for social change. • Act: Catholic Relief Services Ambassadors are students who sponsor on-campus education and advocacy for global issues such as food security, human trafficking and HIV/AIDS. Post-graduate service opportunities are also advertised, encouraged and celebrated through the Center, in collaboration with Campus Ministry and ServiceLearning. University Chaplain The University Chaplain celebrates the rich heritage of the Roman Catholic tradition through ministries of pastoral care, sacramental celebration, evangelization and service to the Gannon community. The Chaplain maintains a constant pastoral presence to the entire Gannon community and provides specialized community and individual support as needed, including pastoral counseling, spiritual direction and hospital and bereavement visits.
MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS The Office of Multicultural Affairs is dedicated to the enhancement of multicultural awareness and sensitivity through educational, cultural, and social activities. The Office of Multicultural Affairs strives to foster growth, development, awareness, and sensitivity among students, faculty, and staff.
NEW STUDENT SERVICES Gannon recognizes that new students undergo a unique experience and the Office of New Student Services was established to assist them during this period of transition. This office provides supportive programs and services for new students that enable them to experience a successful academic and personal adjustment to the University environment. Orientation programs are held to accommodate the needs of a diverse student population. These programs enable new students and parents to explore the programs, services, and opportunities available at Gannon. The most extensive sessions are held during the summer months for traditional incoming Fall freshmen and their parents. Nontraditional (adult) students are included in the Fall orientation program and a special orientation program is provided for transfer students in June. Also, a Spring Welcome/Orientation program for new students is held in January prior to the start of the semester.