A new chapter for the College of Arts and Sciences By Brian Dorrington
A: My father, Richard, always instilled the importance of an education in me. He continually emphasized that education was the way to move forward in life. He is 92 years old now, but that message is one I’ve heard since I was a child, and I’m forever grateful for that. He also taught me so much about hard work. He grew up on a farm, worked in a factory and then bagged groceries from age 65 to 90. And, he did so because he liked to work. He led by example and taught me what it means to have a strong work ethic.
Marquette Matters recently sat down with Dr. Richard Holz, dean of the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, to learn more about him personally, his journey in academia and his vision for the future. Q: As the dean of the university’s largest college, what do you view as your top priority? A: I feel a strong personal responsibility to ensure our students receive a truly transformational education experience and that they are fully engaged. To accomplish this, all of us within the College of Arts and Sciences have to function as a team to make sure we are developing the future ethical leaders in our community. We have to aspire to transform students in a way they didn’t think was previously possible. We have a tremendous group of teacher-scholars within the college and I’m confident we can accomplish this lofty vision.
Q: Tell us about your hobbies and what you like to do in your spare time? A: I am a music buff and am currently learning (actually, teaching myself) how to play electric guitar. I know the words to every classic song on the radio and my two daughters always make fun of me for it. I love to fly fish and watch sports, and I coached a high school football team for eight years.
Q: How would you describe your role as a dean? A: My role is to build teamwork and to encourage our faculty and staff to achieve goals they didn’t think they could achieve. Sometimes, this will come from hard work. Sometimes, this will come from thinking outside the box. I want to make sure people see a pathway to get to where they didn’t think they could go. Q: I understand you were a first-generation college student. How has that impacted you?
Q: As we move forward into a new chapter for the College of Arts and Sciences, what do you want the university to know? A: It’s an exciting time to be a member of Marquette’s largest college. From the historic core renovations that will help transform the way our faculty, staff and students interact and engage with each other to our role in helping to achieve the ambitious goals of the strategic plan, you can bet we will be taking some big steps forward during the next few years.
Photo by John Nienhuis
On the Side
Brigid Kinsella-Alba – Irish step dancer and fiddler
Photos courtesy of Brigid Alba
By Laura Moderhock
Irish step dancing is in Brigid Kinsella-Alba’s blood. “I wanted to dance way before I was even able to,” she says about watching her older sister start lessons. Kinsella-Alba, assistant to the vice president in the Office of Mission and Ministry, grew up in an Irish family and describes Irish step dancing as being her life when she was younger. Now, with three children of her own and a fourth on the way, Kinsella-Alba focuses more on the joys of teaching through the Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance, which she started with her husband in 2004. Also an accomplished fiddler, Kinsella-Alba enjoys playing live music for the students in the academy and watching them compete at Irish Fest and other local competitions. “It’s amazing to watch the students grow, and the final bow is always the most unbelievable feeling,” she says. The most rewarding part for Kinsella-Alba now is seeing her children embrace their culture. “My husband and I want our children to be able to have the love of Irish dance, music, culture and family that we had when we were growing up,” Kinsella-Alba says.
TAKE The five most popular
study abroad destinations for Marquette students are: 1. Italy 2. Spain 3. United Kingdom 4. Belgium 5. France
To learn more about Marquette’s study abroad programs, visit the Office of International Education at: marquette.edu/abroad/. “Take Five” is a brief list about an interesting aspect of Marquette life. Email your list suggestions to marquettematters@marquette.edu.
Marquette Matters is published every other month during the academic year for Marquette University’s faculty and staff. Submit information to: Marquette Matters – Zilber Hall, 235; Phone: 8-7448; Fax: 8-7197 Email: marquettematters@marquette.edu Editor: Lynn Sheka
“On the Side” offers a glimpse of faculty and staff interests outside of Marquette. Email your story suggestions to marquettematters@marquette.edu.
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Graphic design: Nick Schroeder Copyright © 2013 Marquette University
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