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springhillian
Nov. 7, 2013
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SHC Peer One Project Father Lucey reassumes position as president addresses college issues
By TiffanyTHOMAS Did you know that there is an organization on campus that exclusively addresses issues faced by college students? The Peer One Project was started two years ago by Psychology professor Dr. Jamie Franco-Zamudio alongside some of the senior psychology majors at the time. Members of the program initially started as peer mentors, but some students wanted to branch out as peer educators and give a voice to promote issues on campus. The Peer One Project action team was formed to increase the awareness of students about these universal issues. This year, the Peer One Project action team is collaborating with the Wellness Center and the Psychology Club. Current program president Chasity Douyon became involved with the action team through this collaboration. Douyon is both a Wellness Center intern and Psychology Major and was appointed to her position by Dr. FrancoZamudio. Lynda Olen of the Counseling Office and this year’s
advisor for POP, said, “This year particularly students get to focus on what the issues really are. They get together to research how to get students to pay attention and have fun with it, even though the subject matter is so serious.” The Peer One Project intends to host at least one event each month. This semester’s events have included a QPR or Question, Persuade and Refer training event to educate students about suicide prevention, a sexual assault awareness and prevention event, and a roundtable discussion about bullying. The action team members are still deciding on their spring agenda but are considering an Unplug Day, Safe Spring Break tips, a date night event, as well as another sexual assault seminar. For those interested in joining the action team, Douyon is looking for individuals who are “self-motivated, energetic, interested in the environment of Spring Hill, and those who want to see change in a positive way.”
Are you interested in becoming the next Editor or Assistant Editor of the Springhillian and Hillian Newswire? • • • •
Fun work environment Interesting group work Learn media skills Have a voice on campus
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter stating your reason for wanting to be considered. Submit your application to the Department of Communication Arts, attention: Stuart Babington. The application deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 26.
By AnnaDEWINE Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J., served as Spring Hill College’s 37th president for twelve years. Now, he’s back, at age 80, as the 39th. But Lucey won’t be alone in leading the college. He will be joined by John Barter ’68 who has been named chief operating officer. The two will assume their positions on Dec. 13, 2013. Rev. Richard P. Salmi, S.J., who has served as the college’s 38th president since June 2009, will step down at the end of the academic semester. The Board of Trustees announced the new leadership structure on Monday, Nov. 4. The news was communicated to the college via email that morning, followed by a special forum that night, in which Joe Deighton, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Fr. Salmi, and Fr. Lucey addressed the students and answered questions. Many students were shocked upon receiving the news, especially some seniors, who began their Spring Hill journey around the same time that Salmi did and have come to know him personally. Salmi stood before students and said, “I want to take the opportunity to thank you, the students of Spring Hill College, for all that you’ve done for me in my years at the college. It’s truly been my privilege to serve you as your president.” Salmi will be returning home to Chicago after the semester ends, just in time for Christmas. He continued, “I’d like to state my support fully for Fr. Lucey and for John Barter. John Barter and Fr. Lucey will be excellent leaders of the college moving forward.” Salmi encouraged the students to take time to get to know Lucey, to engage him in conversation formally and informally. “I know that he would like to get to know you and I think you will find him quite the advocate for you,” he said. Lucey served as Spring Hill’s 37th president from 1997 - 2009, as one of the longest tenured presidents in the college’s history. He was so beloved that when he retired, the Administration Building was rededicated as the Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J., Administration Center. Following his appointment as president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Washington D.C., he was welcomed back on campus as chancellor in April of 2013. The task Salmi asked of him, Lucey recalled, was to reiterate the college’s focus on “being who we are as a Catholic Jesuit school,” and to help faculty and staff come to a deeper understanding of the core values of a Jesuit institution. While back on campus, Lucey has noticed
a difference in the college, in good ways. “I think most important is the spirit that I find around the campus among you. I’m really impressed. It warms my heart,” he said. Lucey says he is assuming the presidency, despite his age, because he believes in the college. “I would take any position that would contribute to providing you with the kind of life changing experience that this education can. I would also do it because of the opportunity to have Mr. Barter join us,” he said. Lucey and Barter formed a partnership during Barter’s 15 years on the Board of Trustees, four of which he was chair. Barter graduated from Spring Hill in 1968. According to an official release from the college, Barter’s career includes serving as chief financial officer for AlliedSignal, now known as Honeywell Inc., and serving a three-year term as president of AlliedSignal Automotive, Inc. Lucey is especially enthusiastic about Barter because of his leadership experience in the financial world. “The opportunity to work with him and bring him to this campus and to bring his expertise to the leadership of this school is an opportunity we couldn’t miss,” Lucey said. Barter will oversee daily operations of the college and lead the college’s cabinet. He will commute from Charleston to be on campus three days a week. In addition, Barter will also be working for the college for free. If Lucey had one message to his students on Monday night, it was, “Any time you see me, I’m available to talk.” The most delightful part of his job, he claims, is to have lunch in the cafeteria among students. Senior Elizabeth Neal said, “I have known both Fr. Salmi and Fr. Lucey throughout my time on the Hill and they both truly care about us students. I will miss Fr. Salmi and I am hoping he returns for our graduation. I also think Mr. Barter will help the school stay on track financially.” Salmi said, “Pope Francis, in one of his very first homilies as pope, said this: ‘Our life is a journey, and when we stop moving, things go wrong.’ And so today, the college continues its journey. It continues to move forward under the leadership of two eminently qualified men. They will need your help and support in that journey of moving the college forward.” Salmi concluded, “Pope Francis also said, ‘It is terrible to walk alone. But walking in community — this helps us to arrive precisely at the destination where we must arrive.’ So I would encourage you, as the student body of Spring Hill College, to journey together as a community under our new leaders, a community ultimately guided by the Holy Sprit, so that Spring Hill College will arrive at the destination God has planned for the college and for us.”