Moving Forward

This issue commemorates the September inauguration of Brother Ronald Gallagher as the College's 28th president. Brother Ronald urged that Inauguration Week be a celebration of Saint Mary's Catholic, Lasallian, and liberal arts traditions. In simpler terms, he wanted the week to be about community, not about him.

Our inaugural week coverage reflects this. In addition to excerpts from Brother Ronald's address, there are reports on academic, cultural, and social events and a collage of photographs capturing the communal and energetic spirit that enveloped the campus. None better depicts this than the throng of Christian Brothers gathered around Brother Ronald on Inauguration Day. We had a grand time identifying all the Brothers for the accompanying caption.

Speaking of energetic spirit, much has happened at Saint Mary's since August. The College welcomed a record-setting freshman class (see Brother Dom's reflections on p. 6, in which he relates a parent's enthusiastic comments about the five-star service on Move-in Day) and embraced 10 students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Several liberal and civic studies students, guided by Dean Steve Woolpert, explored innovative ways to make the campus more environmentally friendly as the College was honored for other energy conservation measures. The science building was renamed for a beloved, late Christian Brother and Saint Mary's science and math instructor. Graduate Business alumni began a revival of their chapter. The alumni office and board arranged and conducted numerous successful events this fall. You'll find details in the Arcade and Quad sections.

And, speaking of mission, this issue's feature articles highlight each of our core traditions: profiles of several Gaels in public service; a series of essays from three Saint Mary's faculty reflecting on the convergence (or not) of science and faith; excerpts from a fictional work by the spring 2006 Writer-in-Residence in the College's nationally renowned Masters in Fine Arts program; and a photo essay by Allyson Wiley '02, whose personal commitment to Lasallian service led her to Zimbabwe to better understand the plight of poverty-stricken orphans there.

The compelling images captured by Allyson, and the personal risks she took in gathering them, perfectly capture the Catholic, Lasallian focus on service beyond self -- a central theme of Brother Ronald's leadership as the College moves forward.

BARRY SHILLER
EXECUTIVE EDITOR