Your Voice Counts!

August 4th, 2008

Realize Your Own Potential - Post by Deb Cady Melzer, Dean of Student Development

Deb Cady at workGreg Mortensen asks a key Ignatian question, “How am I called to make a difference in the world?” Three Cups of Tea is not only a story of one man’s work in making a difference but a journey of discernment where he finds the best use of his unique talents. Mr. Mortensen’s journey has been a lifelong journey that has continued through a lifetime of searching for where his talents, skills and passions would best serve the world.

As entering new students to Fairfield University, you have a unique opportunity to enter a learning community that will empower a journey to find your calling. In this community, you also have a responsibility – a duty really to realize your own potential, to share your passions and to make a difference in the lives of those you touchVery few of us will build schools in Pakistan; however, we can all make life a bit easier, a bit better and a lot stronger in our immediate communities

We can approach every interaction we have with others as a moment of sacredness. We can take the time to truly listen to the dreams, fears, hopes and anxieties of our new roommates, floormates and classmates. We can share our most authentic selves by sharing with courage our curiosities, our values and our traditions. We can be open to the experiences of others without judgment but with love and empathy. Mortensen’s question is inherently Ignatian because he asks us to consider how we are called to serve for the greater glory of God.

When you arrive at Fairfield, how will you BE? How will you explore your passions? How will discover your talents? How will you serve others? How will you be open to the lives of others you meet? And most importantly, how will you BE and DO in your community?

Welcome to Fairfield University and thank you for the difference you will make in our community

Deborah Cady Melzer, Ph.D
Dean of Student Development

May 20th, 2008

Freshmen - Speak out!

We invite you to speak out about Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin on this blog.

Never blogged before? Click on the Comments link under any posting to see what your fellow students are saying, and add your own comments. We encourage wide-open discussion.

Blog by Residence Hall:
Want to hear what your soon-to-be residence hall neighbors think? To join your dorm’s conversation, click on the name of your residence hall in the column at the right. You’ll see what your RAs and freshmen from your dorm are saying. Talk with one another by commenting on these posts, and be sure to note your Residence Hall’s name in your comment!

Open Your Own Discussion:

Would you like to create a posting for other students to comment on? Email your text to Jackie Kremer @ jkremer@mail.fairfield.edu and she will post it for you.
Check back frequently to join the conversation!

Etiquette:

Because blogs are a public forum, ethics and etiquette apply at all times. In order to ensure that your comments will continue to be shared with your fellow bloggers, please follow the guidelines provided in blogging pioneer Rebecca Blood’s Weblog Ethics.

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