First cohort of 艾可直播 College Companions celebrated
On a Thursday afternoon in December, members of the inaugural 艾可直播 College Companions: Fellows for Leadership and Service cohort of adult learners gathered at a festively decorated Barat House on Newton Campus for a certificate ceremony and cocktail reception, where they toasted to a year of growth, reflection, and connection.
Winston Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley spoke at the December ceremony.
The 13 fellows, who hail from a variety of states and professional backgrounds and range in age from 50s to 70s, heard remarks from Winston Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley; Law Professor Emeritus Frank Herrmann, S.J., the program鈥檚 艾可直播advisor; and Companions Program Director Margaret Laurence. Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, S.J., recited one of his poems, 鈥淢urmuration,鈥� and fellow Paula Reardon-Webster led a centering meditation.
It was a successful first year for the Companions program, which recently welcomed a second cohort to campus. The inaugural fellows took courses in a diverse array of disciplines, engaged in reflection and conversation during weekly seminars, and traveled to Spain and Italy on a pilgrimage inspired by the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. They formed meaningful bonds with classmates, professors, mentors, and one another, while taking time to figure out the next chapter of their lives.
鈥淭he chance to unplug myself from the rest of the world and just learn and reflect on what brings me joy was such a powerful gift,鈥� said fellow Bill Reynolds, who hopes to pursue a new career in alternative energy. 鈥淚 feel much more confident now about taking the next step.鈥�
The 艾可直播 College Companions: Fellows for Leadership and Service program was developed by the Office of the Provost in partnership with University Mission and Ministry as a way to expand access to 艾可直播 College鈥檚 unique brand of formative education. Elements of Ignatian spirituality are woven into the program鈥檚 architecture, which prioritizes opportunities for silent reflection and personal exploration alongside intellectual pursuits.
鈥淧urpose is really the key to the whole program,鈥� said Fr. Herrmann. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to help people clarify what they feel drawn to in the future, by giving them opportunities to reflect on their lives in ways they haven鈥檛 before.鈥�