Letters to the Editor

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Seattle University Magazine welcomes letters to the editor on subjects raised within the pages of the magazine.

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No special treatment for Division I athletes

Bravo to Brian Templeton, ’66, for his letter to the editor expressing disappointment at SU’s return to NCAA Division I sports [“Return to Division I not a good play,” Letters, Spring 2009]. As a student and later faculty member who was on campus during the previous period of Division I membership, I could not agree with him more. A local auto dealer provided the “super-athletes” with cars and all of their expenses were paid. Some faculty members thought it was politically expedient to give passing grades to these athletes, regardless of their work in the classroom. My dear friend and mentor, the late Professor Walter Aklin of the music department, had athletes in his History of Opera course each quarter. One of these students would come into his class and promptly fall asleep. One day, when that same student strolled into class 10 minutes late, Walter stopped him mid-sentence, smiled wryly and said, “You shouldn't be late. You know you need your sleep!”

Dr. Joseph J. Gallucci, ’57
University Place, Wash.



SU education and values enrich life

The more time that passes since I was a student at Seattle University, the more I am proud to be a member of the SU community. My father was the first dean of what was the School of Economics and Finance at Seattle University, and all seven of my brothers and sisters graduated from SU. The Jesuit values of peace and justice are instilled in my soul. Now as I enter a new phase in my career, I’m more adamant about living from a place of contribution and making a difference from a social justice point of view. These strong values of social justice and living congruent with these values are embedded in my life forever. I thank my family, my education at Seattle University and the courageous, compassionate thread of Jesus that was embedded in my heart.

Marian Volpe, ’78, ’00, ’02
Bellingham, Wash.



Daily discernment feeds more than the soul

I am writing to say how much I appreciated Father Pat O’Leary’s article for The Good Word column in the Spring 2008 Seattle University Magazine (“Society of Jesus Elects New Superior General.”)

When he wrote of the process of choosing the new Superior General for the Jesuits, Father O’Leary invited us into the process of discernment used by the Jesuits. It is similar to the process we are summoned to in our daily activities that call for discerning the Spirit’s call.

Discerning God’s call, the Jesuits who gathered for this election process were, as Father Pat writes, “well informed … to achieve an openness and freedom so as to respond to the Spirit’s lead as it emerged in discerning conversations.” This openness and freedom leads to “the grace of letting go of his own prejudgments in order to really listen and be open to what God wanted. …”

This is helpful for me in discerning God’s movement in my life:

Be well informed.
Desire openness and freedom to respond to God’s lead.
Listen to conversations around us.
Spend time in quiet, silent prayer.
Let go of our prejudgments.
Hear God calling.

Thank you, Father Pat, and Seattle University Magazine.

Nancy J. Mariano, ’00
Bellevue, Wash.


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