Student groups and organizations make La Salle special

By Suzanne Guerin
Collegian Staff
April 25, 2007

Zeal is defined as enthusiastic diligence, eager desire or endeavor. A virtue of the Christian Brothers and the Lasallian community, it is the theme of many of the memories that I will take with me in just a few weeks when I graduate. It is present in the spirit of professors who are committed to teaching, in the staff who dedicate themselves to working with, and for, the student body, in the administration who are constantly looking to improve the University and in the students who reach out to make this place their own.

Without the passion for teaching and caring spirit which pervade La Salle’s campus, I would have never survived freshman year. It was because of the strong faith and commitment of my teachers that I became convinced that I could fit in at La Salle. To all of the teachers, in many forms, who have challenged me, comforted me, helped me make schedules without Friday classes and encouraged me: thank you.

Although I tend to despise group work, La Salle has taught me about the incredible things that can be accomplished when people work together. The Students’ Government Association has given me a sense of pride in seeing our community work together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I will always admire the zeal with which the SGA and the entire La Salle family come together each March for a long night of playing basketball. It has been my pleasure to work with, and learn from, all of you this year.

Working with FOCUS, as a coordinator for LOCK, has continuously been a refreshing reminder of the responsibility we all have to one another and the world. Serving on the Political Science Department Board in the search for the chair gave me the opportunity to witness, and learn from, the commitment that so many faculty have to continuing the charism of Lasallian education. And, I will never forget the dedication and late nights needed to survive the triple freshman year; I think I’ve finally figured out what the good life really is.

There is, perhaps, no better example of “enthusiastic diligence” than in the Collegian office on a Monday or Tuesday night. The attitude with which all of the editors approach deadlines and long nights of editing is a reminder of commitment, laughter and dedication that I will miss next year. Good luck; I hope that you enjoy every long night in the Union basement.

Finally, I have etched in my mind the personification of zeal that comes from the Christian Brothers and the faith community at La Salle. Your support of so many student events and activities has been, for me, the ultimate example of church. It has been a privilege and honor to spend the last few months interviewing some of the Brothers for the Collegian; for me, you have been teachers both inside and outside the classroom.

I used to think that the only beautiful churches were ones with Gothic architecture; today I realize that there is great potential in dedicated people, 35 feet of white walls and your trust. I never thought that some of my favorite memories from college would involve glue, pictures, stars, construction paper and a lot of tape; thank you. You’ve taught me more than I ever imagined possible about compromise, what good liturgy looks like (even if it’s not in Latin) and that it’s OK to wake up and figure it all out again each morning. Maybe, just maybe, churches are supposed to feel empty without the people.

In August 2003, my mom sat in the Hayman Center, praying that I would appear in the line of students for Convocation—that I hadn’t hopped on a bus back to New Jersey. Today, I’m sure she’s already started praying that I show up in the line for Commencement, that I don’t figure out some way to stay. La Salle would not be so hard to leave today if I had not had the opportunity to work with so many diverse people; thank you, may your lives be lived with zeal.

guerins1@lasalle.edu