Wednesday \u00a0March 15 \u00a0\u2014 \u00a0is it spring yet?<\/p>\n
A clean\u00a0sky & a bright moon, 17 degrees, sun and wind on the way. \u00a0My university hosted a Conference of Mercy Higher Education site visit from Sunday afternoon until yesterday about noon. \u00a0To prepare, a seven person university host team searched the three campuses for evidence that when we do what universities do \u2014 research, teaching, mentoring, service \u2014 \u00a0Catherine McAuley and her successors are alive as leaven and vision. \u00a0 The searching yielded a 21 page self study we sent to the four visitors a month ago. \u00a0It organized & framed five months of conversations among students, faculty, staff, and trustees, the fruit of some disciplined attention. \u00a0When they delivered their exit observations, they and lots of us Detroit Mercy regulars felt the work was worth it.<\/p>\n
The late Nor\u2019Easter along the Atlantic coast required some nimble adaptations, \u00a0the search team lost their DC area chair to the snow and a street-smart veteran of such visits stepped in a couple of hours before the opening dinner at Detroit\u2019s Traffic Jam and Snug. \u00a0By departure time, \u00a0the foursome reminded me of a well coached hockey team which can manage line changes quickly. \u00a0Here in Detroit our snow has been notable and beautiful but less an attention-getter than back East. \u00a0 For winter lovers though, \u00a0each below freezing day garnished with wind and sun can make you want to go out and play like a kid.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the wearing tensions in the President\u2019s 100 days continues to stir fear and contention. \u00a0Paying attention to both my university\u2019s strengths and challenges, and this country\u2019s as well led me back to a wonderful story posted in March of 2014<\/a>. \u00a0\u00a0 Strictly speaking, \u00a0it\u2019s not poetry but what Lance Swain did fill that day with beauty. \u00a0Reading it three years later refreshed my spirit; yours too I hope.<\/p>\n Have a blest day.<\/p>\n john sj<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wednesday \u00a0March 15 \u00a0\u2014 \u00a0is it spring yet? A clean\u00a0sky & a bright moon, 17 degrees, sun and wind on the way. \u00a0My university hosted a Conference of Mercy Higher Education site visit from Sunday afternoon until yesterday about noon. … Continue reading