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Volume 53, Issue 35 | friday, october 5, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
College administrator plans retirement Saint Mary’s vice president of student affairs reflects on time serving student body before departure By JORDAN COCKRUM Saint Mary’S Editor
Vice president of student affairs Karen Johnson began her work at Saint Mary’s in 2006, after spending 20 years as the dean of students at a Catholic university in Texas. Although she was initially hesitant to apply, Johnson said her interview made the decision to work at Saint Mary’s clear. “W hen I came for the interview, it was sort of like what students say — they came on campus and they just knew
this is the place they needed to be — and for me, I just knew this was the place I needed to be,” Johnson said. After 12 years of service at Saint Mary’s, Johnson is retiring effective Saturday. Johnson said the opportunity to work at an all-women’s college was a big draw for her initially. “The thing is I was most struck when I first came here and heard the student body president speak at orientation, and how confident she was and how well-prepared she was,” Johnson said.
Basilica to host day of prayer reflection event By NATALIE WEBER News Editor
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart will be hosting adoration from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday as part of a Diocesan Day of Prayer and Penance in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Campus Ministry announced this week. Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort WayneSouth Bend called for the Diocesan Day of Prayer and Penance in response to the sexual abuse crisis facing the Catholic Church. The scandal stems from allegations against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and a Pennsylvania Grand Jury report in August which uncovered the abuse of thousands of minors over 70 years. In a letter to the diocese, Rhoades called for the community to reflect on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and pray for survivors of clergy abuse and mercy for the Catholic church. The Sacred Heart of Jesus refers to Jesus’ resurrected heart as being a symbol of God’s love.
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“Besides supporting the actions of reform mentioned above, I believe that all of us are called to recommit ourselves to the pursuit of holiness, to pray for the Church and for victim-survivors, and to do penance and reparation for the sins and crimes of those who have abused or have been negligent in protecting minors or assisting victims,” he said. Both before and after adoration, the Basilica will celebrate its daily 11:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Masses, with prayers and readings focused on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Kate Barrett, associate director of liturgy, said Campus Ministry sought to integrate some of the Basilica’s day-today practices, such as daily Mass, into the Diocesan Day of Prayer and Penance. “Whenever we hear of something like this that comes from the diocese, we really want to participate because we recognize that we’re a part of the campus, but we’re also a part of the diocese and a part of the see PRAYER PAGE 4
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“And I said, ‘Wow, these are women that are going to do something.’” Prior to coming to Saint Mary’s, Johnson said she had only worked at co-ed institutions. Due to this experience, she found there to be a difference in the attitude students had toward one another. “Women tend to take care of each other and reach out to each other,” Johnson said. “I mean there’s always bullying and little stuff going on — little, teeny stuff — but in the end, they tend to take care of each other and they tend to
want everybody around them to be successful, and they pull people along with them to be successful.” Working with all women lends to having to pay more attention to women’s issues. Johnson said one of her highlights of working at Saint Mary’s was the work she did with sexual assault — and specifically, securing a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to open the Belle’s Against Violence Office in 2009. “Working on all the Title IX and sexual violence things
were really important for Saint Mary’s at the time that it happened and I felt really good about that,” Johnson said. Another project Johnson said she is proud of is the completion of the Angela Athletic and Wellness Facility, which required large amounts of additional fundraising to come to completion. “W hen we started out we talked about $14 million, and when we got it done it was $26 million,” Johnson said. see JOHNSON PAGE 3
Keough Hall plans annual fundraising chariot race By MORGAN JOHNSON News Writer
The unlikely duo of chariot racing and petting zoos will unite again this Saturday for Keough Hall’s signature event. The chariot race starts at 12:30 p.m. and will feature homemade chariots from each of Keough’s sections and several men’s and women’s dorms, along with a petting zoo, pizza and sno cones. The annual chariot race has been Keough’s signature see RACE PAGE 5
Photo courtesy of Chandler Crane
Students prepare for the Keough Hall chariot race. This year, the signature event will raise money for Holy Cross’ mission in Tanzania.
Farley Hall residents celebrate individuality
The women of Farley Hall pride themselves in promoting individuality and acceptance, while tradition and history
binds them together. Established in 1946, Farley Hall was named after Fr. John “Pop” Farley, who served as rector of Sorin and Walsh Halls. Farley Hall transitioned from a men’s to a women’s dorm in 1973, which residents recognize as a unique aspect of Farley, junior and hall president Molly Melican said. Every year Farley holds an
open house on a game day weekend to welcome back alumni, Melican said. She considers the event a unifying experience where generations gather to share memories. “Last year we had an alum come talk to us about how he proposed to his wife on the fourth floor of Farley. …
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By SERENA ZACHARIAS News Writer
Editor’s note: This article is one in a series profiling the dorms. Previous articles have covered dorms built before Farley Hall.
see FARLEY PAGE 4