December 2007
Christmas off Campus 2007
Alumni in National Alumni Association chapters across the country brought the spirit of Christmas on Campus to their communities in Christmas off Campus celebrations. One alumnus brought the spirit all the way to Malawi, where he serves in a Marianist mission. Click the image for scenes from this year's celebrations.
Lawyers in love (with a two-year option)
UD's School of Law got a lot of attention when it announced a five-semester, two-year option for students in its Lawyer as Problem Solver accelerated curriculum.
In December, it got its first tangible results: 14 graduates. The December graduation date not only gives them time to prepare for the February Ohio bar exam, but they also saved a semester's worth of tuititon fees and enter the job market sooner than traditional spring graduates.
Among the new graduates is Shahrzad Allen. Had she graduated in May, her children would be on summer vacation while she studied for the bar exam. Now, she can study while they're in school.
"Lawyer as Problem Solver opened my eyes in ways I hadn't imagined," said Allen, who worked with lawyers while managing a dental practice for 12 years before starting law school. "Lawyers need to do things from the start that help clients avoid problems."
My Old House: 232 Stonemill
John Brieske ’95 wrote asking whether the kitchen floor still slopes. A lot more than that has changed at this Stonemill house.
Christmas on Campus 2007
Friends Liz Sidor ’08 and Jen Cherrington ’08 worked months on the Christmas on Campus committee to make everything just right for one magical night.
A week later, they got together to look back at the event through the eyes of local photographer Andy Snow. Click the image to experience this year's Christmas on Campus through their words.
My Old House: 20 Lawnview Ave.
Jenny Hesch ’05 fondly remembers her old house. Its current residents opened their doors — and closets — to My Old House.
15,000 points of light
The judges have spoken: theme trumps glitz, no matter how many lights you string on your house.
But we were impressed nonetheless. In the Chirstmas on Campus house decorating contest, 460 Kiefaber received third place, garnering points for "UD spirit," followed by our unofficial judging category, "wow." (See for yourself. The music controls the light show.)
Last Friday, the crooners of 229 Stonemill learned they won the grand prize, followed by the Polar Express men at 235 Irving. Fourth place went to the Peanuts dancers in the snow globe at 225 Irving. Prizes ranged from food to a first-choice hotel at Dayton to Daytona. The bragging rights, though, are priceless.
Saving water, saving watershed
A team of UD science students and Dayton teens learned about more than just the environment during their study of the Wolf Creek watershed this semester.
Anthony Williams, a 12th-grader at Tech Con Institute, learned to take shorter showers — to conserve water. Kelly Wedell, a senior UD environmental biology major, learned from teaching the teens. "You realize there's a purpose behind your education, and you need to find a way to deliver that message," she said.
Last Wednesday, the team presented results of its study. The watershed in West Dayton met all Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards but lacked sufficient diversity of plant and animal life and is threatened by continued development.
They recommended permanent water monitoring stations be installed and the University continue to partner with Adventure Central, the after-school program the teens attended.
Night owls
With finals approaching, students are pulling late night study sessions across campus. Roesch Library is open 24 hours through the end of finals week next week.
Two students, a writer and a photographer, spent a couple of hours at Roesch to see what had students there at all hours of the night. Click the photo to see the night owls.
Strength of faith
With bowed heads and hands tightly clasped, students prayed in the Immaculate Conception Chapel last Tuesday, commemorating the Marianist martyrs of Madrid.
The prayer service reflected on the lives of Father Miguel Leibar Garay, S.M., and Marianist Brothers Sabino Ayastuy Errasti, Joaquin Ochoas Salazar and Florencio Arnaiz Cejudo, four of thousands slaughtered by anti-religious revolutionaries during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39. On Oct. 28, the Catholic Church beatified the four Marianists along with 494 Christians martyred during the war.
“Here I am Lord; I come to do your will,” I sang with other students in recognition of the Marianists’ steadfast commitment.
By lighting candles — symbolic of God’s light shining through the martyrs — we pondered our personal challenges and prayed for strength of faith.
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