November 7, 2014
Cuban Classmates
As a kick-off to Carroll’s Founder’s Day weekend activities, Mario Toca ’68 and Silvio Rodriguez unveiled a plaque which has been hung in the St. Thomas Aquinas Dining Hall along with the Cuban flag in honor of all those from Cuba who attended Carroll as part of Operation Pedro Pan.
Mario Toca along with his wife, Ana, as well as Silvio Rodriguez, were several of over 14,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14 to be sent by their parents from Cuba to the United States in the early ‘60’s in an effort to provide them with a good education and to protect them from communist indoctrination under the rising power of Fidel Castro.
The children were placed in temporary shelters in Miami under the care of the Catholic Welfare Bureau in Miami until being relocated across the country. At 14 years old, Mario lived along with 41 other Cuban boys in Brondel Hall, a group home on Ewing Street run by the Catholic Diocese of Helena. Ana, who was 11 at the time, was placed in an orphanage and later moved in with the Rivers family. Luke Rivers, her foster father, was a professor at Carroll College.
Operation Pedro Pan was the largest recorded exodus of unaccompanied minors in the Western Hemisphere.
The Helena IR ran a story on the couple in 2003, Almost Home Homecoming as well as a story on the “Pedro Pan” reunion, Pedro Pan Children Coming Back to Helena in 2012.
Ana & Mario Toca, Dr. Tom Evans, and Silvio and Jaye Rodriguez stand with the newly unveiled plaque in the STAC.The Tocas and Rodriguez' pose with the permanently installed Cuban flag in the STAC
Literary Festival
The annual Carroll Literary Festival, themed "Duels," will be taking place on campus next Wednesday and Thursday, November 12-13.
Wednesday will feature a Q & A with author Dr. Michael Garriga, plus daytime readings and presentations by Carroll faculty and students and a faculty showcase in the evening.
Thursday will feature additional student readings in the afternoon with a faculty panel discussion at 3:30 p.m. and concluding the festival will be an evening keynote presentation by Dr. Michael Garriga, professor of English at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio, reading from his novel, The Book of Duels.
According to the publisher, “The Book of Duels captures the ï¬nal movements of thirty-three different contests. These short narratives, as ï¬erce as they are darkly funny, provide a haunting chorus of voices groping for life and love, revenge and understanding, in what could be their ï¬nal moments.”
Our thanks go out to the following English Capstone students for their tireless work putting together this annual Literary Festival: Jay Bouchard, Jamie Broaddus, Vivian Cole, Allie Lampman, Ruth Lerum, and Cody Nichter.
Campus News
The Prospector team has just released another solid issue of the student newspaper filled with broad coverage of issues and activities affecting campus.
Check out the November issue and learn about Carroll's plans for a new chapel, meet our new athletic director, hear about the Artaza Center dedication, and read a variety of opinion pieces from politics to fine arts.
It is chock full of interesting insights and information so be sure to check it out The Prospector online or pick up a copy around campus.
Student News
2 Countries, 12 Awards
The Talking Saints brought home awards from two countries over the October 22 weekend.
Five upperclass students won nine awards at two Pacific University tournaments over the weekend in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Hanna Hillier, a junior from Jerome, Idaho, won three first place awards, two in prose and one in dramatic interpretation. Hillier also placed second in duo with junior partner AJ Kelso, from Boulder, Colorado.
Junior Anna Hoerner of Spokane, Washington, reached finals in poetry, while junior Desirae Kivett, also of Spokane, reached finals of dramatic interpretation and prose. Senior Alaina Hull of Yakima, Washington, reached finals in impromptu speaking.
In Calgary, Carroll’s freshmen won three awards at the University of Calgary tournament.
Freshmen partners Ashlee Buller of Kalispell and Becca Poliquin of Hamilton, Montana reached the semi-finals in the 44-team tournament won by a team from Saskatchewan. The University of British Columbia finished second. Both Buller and Poliquin won speaker awards.
“Competing against teams from throughout Western Canada was challenging and educational,” said coach Brent Northup. “Topics ranged from predictable issues like Ebola to difficult ones involving Canadian aboriginal law. Our new Carroll students debated well and made lots of new friends north of the border – and they also got to roam downtown Calgary.”
On Monday, November 24 at 7 p.m., the Talking Saints will host two of Alberta’s top debaters for a showcase debate on the Keystone pipeline, followed by a panel of Carroll political science faculty discussing American/Canadian relations. The public is welcome.
The Canadian debate is sponsored by Pax Rhetorica, Carroll’s new Center for Global Dialogue. The Center, founded by the Talking Saints, will sponsor international debates and international forums for the Helena community.
Saints in the News
In last week's QuickNotes, we shared that students in Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Street’s, PO 312, “Elections, Political Parties, and Public Opinion” class would be conducting an exit poll in Lewis & Clark County on election day.
The Helena IR covered the story here.
Carroll's gold-winning World Debate team of Ryden Meyer and Mark Schmutzler were featured as Beartooth NBC's Class Act.
Watch the news story here.
Carroll student Hannah Hafner conducts polling outside the Civic Center (photo courtesy of the Helena IR)
Alumni News
Career Moves
Michael O'Brien – class of 2002 – read announcement here.
Bryan Roth, MD, PhD – class of 1977 – read announcement here.
Gettin' Hitched
Palma Tiberi '12 – read announcement here.
Faculty/Staff News
Groundless Gods
Dr. Eric Hall, assistant professor of theology and philosophy, recently published a book which he co-authored with Hartmut von Sass, titled Groundless Gods: The Theological Prospects of Post-Metaphysical Thought.
Not exactly a light read, Hall describes it as a “more technical book dealing with questions of how we might think through God in manners that are distinct from classical understandings of such but remain faithful to the Christian tradition. It deals with a lot of contemporary philosophical and theological issues at the academic level.”
Hall and Hartmut von Sass, whose first name Hall enthusiastically contends means “Braveheart,” met and collaborated on the book while Hall was writing and working at the University of Zurich.
Learn more about Groundless Gods here.
Upcoming Events
"Livingston Found: A Rescued Photographic Treasure" Exhibition, Through Dec. 10, Carroll Art Gallery, St. Charles Hall, Carroll College
This is a special exhibition of photographs from the collection of Livingston photographer and guest curator, Angela Gill. The exhibit features a series of large format black and white images of steam trains and life in Livingston, Montana from a collection of original glass plate negatives rescued by Angela Gill. The images have had minimal restoration and have been printed large scale but with great clarity due to the sizeable negatives. Also on display are some of the original camera equipment and darkroom supplies rescued from the same location.
The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and is closed weekends and college holidays. For more information, visit the Visual Arts Current Gallery webpage or call 447-4302.
Founders Day and Parents Weekend, November 7 & 8, Carroll College
This is a great opportunity for students to bring their parents to campus, enjoy time with them, explore Helena's coffee shops or just relax. The weekend is $25 per parent, which covers the parent reception, parent brunch, entertainment, and tickets to athletic events. Learn more and register here.
"Veterans Day: Make It Meaningful Initiative" Reading and Presentation, Nov. 11, 5:30-6:30, Room 235, Corette Library, Carroll College
The Carroll College Office of Veterans Services is participating in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, Veterans Day: Make It Meaningful Initiative. To celebrate Veterans Day, student veterans attending Carroll and members of the America Legion will read aloud excerpts from memoirs and creative works that have been obtained from the Library of Congress American Folklife Center's Veterans History Project collection. An exhibition of veterans photographs will be on display in Room 235 of the Corette Library from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 11. The reading and presentation will be on Nov. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Room 235 also. Space is limited so attendees will need a free ticket to attend.
The event is free and the Helena community is encouraged to attend.
One Hundred Years Since the Start of World War I: Looking Back at the Great War, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., Trinity Hall, Carroll College
Presented by the Carroll Department of History, the panel will commemorate the 100 years since the start of WWI. The panelists include: Dr. D.J. Cash, assistant professor of history; Dr. Jeanette Fregulia, associate professor of history and chair of the department; and Dr. Dean Pavlakis, assistant professor of history.
The event is free and the Helena community is encouraged to attend.
"No Exit" - A Public Reading, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., Old North Performing Arts Center, St. Charles Hall, Carroll College
Jean Paul Sartre's one-act play "No Exit," will be presented by Professor of Philosophy, Elivira Roncalli's 20th Century European Philosophy students. Attendees will be confronted with some of the most important existentialist themes: being condemned to be free, anxiety, self-deception and the torment of being under the constant gaze of the other. In the words of critic Start Young, "It should be seen whether you like it or not." (The New Republic, Dec. 9, 1946, pp. 764). This event is free and open to the public.
Carroll College Literary Festival, Nov. 12-13, Carroll College
The annual Literary Festival, themed "Duels," derived from The Book of Duels, by keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Garriga, will feature a Q & A with the author, plus daytime readings and presentations by Carroll faculty and students, a faculty panel and showcase and culminating with an evening keynote presentation by Dr. Garriga, professor of English at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio, reading from his novel, The Book of Duels, on Thursday evening, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Trinity Lounge. Click here for the full schedule.
Service Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Helena
Join the Carroll community as it commits to a morning of service for our local community. Carroll alumni in Helena can join Carroll community members by signing up here. Don't live in Helena? We invite you to serve your own local community on that day. Send us a picture and a brief reflection about your service to hunthausencenter@carroll.edu so that we can spread the good news about what Carroll is doing around the country and throughout the world!
America Recycles Day/Carroll College Coat Drive, Nov. 15, Carroll College Nelson Stadium
Bring any good condition used winter coats to the Carroll football game on Nov. 15 and donate it to the 2014 winter coat drive sponsored by the City of Helena, the L&C County Green Team and Don't Waste Montana/Recycle Montana. Help your neighbors this winter by donating a coat you no longer wear. Gently used, all sizes. Donations will benefit God's Love and Good Samaritan. Coats are also being accepted through Nov. 15 at the following locations: City-County Building, Lewis & Clark Library, Transfer Station, Court House, Public Works Office, East Helena City Hall. For more information email eprescott@lccountymt.gov or 406-447-8028.
International Week, Nov. 16-22, Carroll College
Sponsored by the Office of International Programs, activities planned throughout the week include an international dinner, cultural presentations, an international fair, Latin dance night, international movie nights, clothing and gift sales, and a language exchange gathering at four-o-six. Click here for the full schedule. For more details, contact the Office of International Programs, intl@carroll.edu or 406-447-5461.
Oxfam Hunger Banquet, Nov. 18, 5-6:30 p.m., Student Campus Center Dining Hall, Carroll College
The Hunthausen Center and Sodexo will be sponsoring an Oxfam Hunger Banquet to bring awareness to poverty and hunger issues. At this interactive event, the place where you sit, and the meal that you eat, are determined by the luck of the draw–just as in real life some of us are born into relative prosperity and others into poverty. For questions, contact hunthausencenter@carroll.edu.
Distinguished Scholar Lecture Series: "Will the Earth's Magnetic Poles Flip?" Nov. 20, 7 p.m., 101/202 Simperman Hall/Wiegand Amphitheatre, Carroll College
The Earth's magnetic field has flipped many times over the past few million years. Will it reverse again? For the past century, the Earth's magnetic field has been weakening. What would happen if it went away and changed polarity? How would that affect our modern technology? Where does the Earth's magnetic field come from? Why do the magnetic poles flip? How is this magnetic field maintained? Join Dr. Kelly Cline for a discussion of the Earth's magnetic field and what might happen if the Earth's magnetic poles flip.
This event is free and the Helena community is encouraged to attend.
Carroll College Jazz Band Concert, Nov. 20, 4 p.m., Campus Center, Carroll College
As a preview to their Dec. 9 Fall Concert "Beats," fifteen Carroll students and guests led by Dr. Lynn Petersen will perform a variety of popular and jazz standards. The event is free and the Helena community is welcome to attend. Call (406) 447-4303 for more information.
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