A welcoming hand

The new statue of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade in the Central Mall intrigues the curious. What inspired artist Joe Aspell to create a sculpture that’s turned into such a campus conversation piece?

Joan McGuinness Wagner, director of Marianist strategies, offered this reflection at last month’s statue blessing and dedication:

“Many of the renditions of Father Chaminade portray him as an older man of wisdom and great accomplishments; this piece shows Father Chaminade, now called blessed, in a younger moment in time. He is leaving Spain, having been exiled there for three years and is returning to his beloved France with energy and a sense of mission. He is animated by the whisperings of God who asked him to model his life after Mary, the mother of Jesus, by being a witness to and bearer of the Good News. He is moving rapidly into this new and unknown future. This image of movement encourages the viewer to consider the many options open to each of us and to journey on our path with passion and purpose.

“Many sculptures from the era are created with the raised arm, in salute, or blessing or pointing the way; with the subject gazing into the distance divorced from the surroundings. In this image of Chaminade his arm is raised, too, but not in command or benediction. The palm is open and turned upward as if offering something new for our consideration, or perhaps he is extending his hand to join with ours as a gesture of invitation and solidarity. His head is not thrust forward as if to say, “Follow me.” He is looking down directly at us. It is important to him that we are here because we are part of Chaminade’s vision of partnership in creating a future of peace and justice.

“In his right hand, he holds a book which represents the Marianist commitment to education, to learning as well as teaching and always the pursuit of the spiritual life.

“Father Chaminade is carrying a satchel on his back, akin to the many students passing by with backpacks over their shoulders. This is a symbol of simplicity, encouraging us to consider what we need rather than what we want. It also serves as a reminder of the Marianist value of the discipleship of equals. Students, faculty and staff are members of this one community and, together, we are the Pilgrim Church.

“The placement of the statue here in the Central Mall is at the crossroads of campus. Here, in the midst of much activity, Father Chaminade reminds us that our very lives are journeys of lifelong learning moving us into a future of service. He strides seem to be toward the chapel, seeking always sacred places in which to reflect on one’s faith and interior life. As he did during his lifetime, he invites us to walk with him.”

In community

For nearly half a century — 48 years, to be exact —University of Dayton students have lived among the people of Salyersville, Ky. It’s a tiny, rich-in-spirit slice of Appalachia just 227 miles away from campus but worlds apart in way of life. Mark Motz ’10, now a novice with the Marianists, spent the summer there in 2009 and it profoundly changed his life.

As another group prepares to leave campus May 29, Motz writes about the experience:

“UDSAP (University of Dayton Summer Appalachian Program) taught me two things, two of the most important things anyone could learn — how to be, and how to be in a community. In a place where possessions mean nothing and people mean everything, it is easy to see people for who they are, not what they are.  The people of Magoffin County show their truest selves with the Dayton group — the good, the bad and the painful.  We are not only welcomed into their homes, we are invited into their lives.

“We, the collective Dayton group, have been guests at family reunions and birthday parties, babysitters, wedding planners, mentors, role models and even pallbearers.  We have been witnesses in some of the greatest and worst parts of life in Magoffin, not because of anything we did, or anything we have, but because of who we are.

“When left only to what is in your head and in your heart, you really learn who you are.  You learn to share those talents with others, and let their talents cover your weaknesses.  You learn that the most important time is now, the most important place is here, and the most important person is whomever you are with at that very time and place.”

View Mark Motz’s photo album of memorable quotes students scrawled on the walls of the farmhouse they share during the summers in Salyersville.

If you have to study, might as well soak up some sunshine

Although they spend their weekdays on campus studying — sometimes outdoors when the weather’s nice — international students Yidi Tao and Meng Xin plan to make the most of weekends during the summer.

Recently, they visited Cincinnati to go to Hua Xin, a Chinese supermarket. Here, the girls buy lots of Chinese sauces, vegetables and special cooking utensils that cannot be purchased at the local Kroger so they can make their favorite Chinese food dishes at home.

Where do the girls plan to travel next? Kings Island. This will be the first time they encounter the infamous twists and turns of the slithering Diamondback.

Flyers on two wheels

UD Flyers took to two wheels today for Bike to Work Day. A quick morning headcount showed 30 UD faculty, staff and students making their commute to campus through RiverScape — where Five Rivers MetroParks hosts its annual pancake breakfast for more than 500 bicyclists.

Among them was Lingguang Wang, a graduate student in electronic engineering. Last August, his bike was stolen (“or somebody borrowed it,” he said), so he checked out a free RecBike from RecPlex.

“It’s fun, because the trip is along the river. It’s beautiful spring, and I get to exercise my body,” he said.

He had a free breakfast, perused booths from bike-friendly organizations and met new UD people, including Dr. Mary Buchwalder from the health center (pictured with Wang).

Hector Escobar, director of the library’s education and information delivery, helped coordinate UD’s Bike to Work Week events. He said he hoped to draw enough Flyers today to garner the group a team prize from MetroParks.

The ride back to campus was prize enough for some — cool breeze, bright sunshine, amiable geese (often cranky this time of year), new friends and a police escort by three of UD’s seven bicycle officers.

“It was a fun ride,” Escobar said. “Let’s do it again next year.”

Major step for a minor