Student News
Spring 2003 –
Clement’s foster parents, Sandy and Jim Rademacher, share sentiments and stories during the graduation ceremony. Copyright 2002. The Grand Rapids Press. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Alumni News – Spring 2003
SHOPPING!!!
Clement Chiwaya: An Aquinas Success Story
Alumni Chicago Shopping Trip Set for 2003
By Laura Bennett-Kimble ‘95, Contributing Writer
The Aquinas College campus said goodbye to a familiar face in December when Clement Chiwaya graduated. Chiwaya, who zipped around campus on a battery-powered wheelchair for four years, making friends wherever he went, returned to his home in Malawi, a small, poverty-stricken country in southeastern Africa. Because he wanted to go home as soon as possible to put his education to work helping the people in his village, Chiwaya wouldn’t be here for the traditional May graduation ceremonies. College officials decided to honor him with his own ceremony, so he wouldn’t miss the academic rite of passage. In a special reception December 16 in the Holmdene Boardroom, Aquinas College President Harry Knopke hooded Chiwaya before an audience that included his classmates, professors, friends, supporters and admirers. Chiwaya majored in political science and community leadership and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree. Chiwaya, who had polio, did not have a leadership role in his village of Mpondasi before he came to the United States. Foster parent Jim Rademaker said Chiwaya told him, “people like myself are seen as a liability in my country.” Since entering Aquinas, Chiwaya developed a strong presence in Mpondasi, where he returned each summer during school breaks. “Going back every summer as a leader – his community has seen him in a very different light,” said Eric Bridge ’92, coordinator of the College’s Service Learning program. Through his own efforts and the generosity of the people of Grand Rapids, Chiwaya has brought his village food, seedlings, cook stoves, education and enthusiasm. He was involved in the installation of a clean water system in the village. He organized groups to train permaculture skills to create sustainable agriculture. He acquired a donated vehicle for his transportation as well as for medical emergencies. Working to educate his community, he has helped bring health education to a nation plagued by AIDS and other communicable diseases. “He calls himself a humble peasant,” Knopke said. “But he’s so much more.” The event was attended by more than 40 people, including a Grand Rapids Press reporter and photographer who gathered information for the newspaper’s Christmas Day cover story on Chiwaya. It was a time of reminiscences, good wishes, laughter, tears and goodbyes. Chiwaya spent much of the ceremony wiping his eyes with a tissue and smiling. “This event is as much a family gathering as anything else,” Knopke said as he stood beside Chiwaya. “Clement, you’ve been a gift to this College.” Raised and educated by the Catholic Bishop of his village because his mother could not support him, Chiwaya came to Grand Rapids in 1998 with a gift of $500 and the goal of attending college. Unlike many individuals from impoverished nations who leave their countries intending never to return, he came to Grand Rapids intending to do so.
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Domestic Problems played to huge audiences like this sold-out performance at the State Theatre in Kalamazoo.
“Andy used to go there to play his guitar and sing for the kids. They loved it.” It is exactly this kind of cross-generational appeal that makes DP so special. On December 31 at the Intersection in Eastown, DP played what was billed as their last show. In a press release, Holtgrieve stated that Domestic Problems is “going to stop. Not going to ‘quit,’ not break up, but simply stop.” Questioned about that statement, he explained that he didn’t want DP to be a bar band anymore.
Whatever lies ahead for band members, one thing is for sure, Domestic Problems made people feel good. There is something in their music that offers audiences a taste of true freedom. Among the list of alums who have been associated with the band since its inception are: Job Grotsky ’95; Scott Hammontree ’00, manager; Christian Hauser ’94; Tadd Kimble ’95; Sarah Landry ’98; Josh Newman ’98; Katy Moore ’02, promotions and Seth York ’94.
If you’re already looking ahead to the next holiday shopping season, make sure you put Saturday, November 22, 2003, on that planning calendar. That’s the date of the annual alumni excursion to the Windy City for shopping, sightseeing, entertainment and, perhaps, some cultural stops. Last fall, two buses carried 79 alums to Chicago for the daylong adventure. Watch for more information on the 2003 Chicago Shopping Trip in the fall edition of Aquinas magazine. For information regarding upcoming Alumni events, visit the alumni page on the Aquinas Web site at alumni@aquinas.edu or e-mail us at www.aquinas.edu/alumni/.
Invitation to Nominate for Aquinas College Hall of Fame The Aquinas College Historical Commission will continue to elect persons to the Aquinas College Hall of Fame each year. Alumni/alumnae will be selected on the basis of long-term or distinguished achievement in professionalism and/or service to the community. Non-alumni will be chosen for service within the College or support from outside. To nominate one or more persons, please send: name, current address (if known), and qualifications. Include your own address and
telephone number. A committee of alumni, current and retired faculty and staff will select the honorees. Names of all nominees will be kept on file for consideration in the future. Send your response by April 30 to: Aquinas College Historical Commission, c/o Jean Milhaupt, O.P., 1607 Robinson Rd. SE Grand Rapids MI 49506-1799 Telephone: (616) 459-8281, ext. 3525 e-mail: milhajea@aquinas.edu
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