PhoTo: DaN VaIllaNcouRT
of Truth
B Y T ROY WATKINS
of the Honor Program and a standout linebacker on the Greyhound football team found that “Many of the overarching questions that I have pondered were answered as a result of my continued studies in theology and philosophy. My Assumption education undeniably helped to deepen my faith in Christ, and prepared me to contribute to society and succeed as a disciple of Christ.” He lives his faith as he participates in Campus Ministry activities; he also created a male Bible study group on campus. For the future, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in secondary education, then teach high school math and coach football and wrestling. Ashley Chapdelaine Ciricola ’09 found freedom in the exploration of faith and academics at Assumption. She combined theology with fine arts and realized, “My Assumption education, particularly my major in theology, taught me to think critically about the world. It gave me the freedom to explore the ‘why’ in my faith and to have a greater appreciation for the depth and rich history of the Catholic Church … My Catholic faith will always be a part of me and I will continue to build upon it.” The vibrant and diverse Campus Ministry activities were important elements of Ciricola’s Assumption experience. In her first year, she signed up for the Mexico Mission trip and became a Eucharistic Minister. “These two experiences were the catalyst for serving on the Campus Ministry Core Team for the next two years,” she said. “Being a member of the Core Team increased my self-confidence, compassion for others, and passion for living a life of faith-filled service,” she said. Ciricola earned a master’s in museum studies from Syracuse University and met her future husband, Vincent, while doing youth ministry work for the Diocese of Springfield. Ciricola served as man-
all assumption students take theology courses and have the opportunity to interact with department faculty members. Pictured (l–R): Sr. Nuala cotter, R.a., Ph.D.; Marc lePain, Ph.D. ’65; christopher Klofft, S.T.D. ’91; Fr. Barry Bercier, a.a. ’67; and Fr. Roger corriveau, a.a. ’69. Not pictured: Kathleen Fisher, Ph.D. and ellen White.
ager of visitor services at Old Sturbridge Village, until recently stepping down as she and Vincent are expecting their first child in February. For some, theology may simply be “the study of religious faith, practice, and experience,” as defined by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, but at Assumption, the study of theology does much more as it opens one’s mind and heart to the love of God.
BASSELIN SCHOLARS PROGRAM Assumption College has partnered with the diocese to enable seminary students to study at Assumption and then attend Theological College, the National Seminary of the Catholic University of America (CUA), to complete their studies. Alan Martineau, a Spencer, MA, native and seminarian in the Worcester Diocese, was the first to take advantage of this program and only the second seminarian in the 61-year history of the Worcester Diocese to be accepted into the Basselin Scholars Program. Martineau took two years of courses at Assumption (through the spring 2011 semester) before his acceptance into the Basselin Scholars Program, where he received a full three-year scholarship and will earn both B.A. and M.A. degrees. Established in 1914 by Theodore Basselin, the program was created “for highly trained men aspiring to the priesthood.” Assumption’s Holy Name of Jesus Institute offers reduced tuition to the seminarians of the Worcester Diocese.
Assumption College Magazine • Winter 2012
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