Ancilla College News - Current Events
October, November, December

Former Ugandan street orphan Angela Namatovu will be on hand as a guest speaker this Thursday at the Lindenwood Sycamore Room at the PHJC Ministry Center on the Ancilla Domini campus.

Namatovu, who currently serves as director of the Mercy Home of Children in Uganda, will recount her remarkable story as a destitute street orphan in the central African nation who was given shelter by a woman she attempted to pickpocket.

She has since graduated from college and currently cares for more than 135 youths at the Mercy Home of Children, a shelter for Ugandan street orphans.

The lecture will begin at 3 p.m. and is open to the public. For more information, please contact Sr. Carleen Wrasman at (574) 936-8898 ext. 361.

Ancilla College Mourns Slain Student, Alum
Wednesday, 14 November 2007

A memorial service for a slain student and her mother was held at Ancilla College on Monday.

Shayla Snedeker, who was currently enrolled as a freshman at Ancilla, and her mother Susan, a former student, were both mourned as family, friends, and faculty gathered in the Gerald J. Ball Library to pay tribute to them.

Both mother and daughter were found dead in their Argos home on November 5, victims of an apparent murder-suicide.

"Shayla was a student on our campus and her mother, Susan, had taken courses in the 1990s," said Ancilla College President Dr. Ron May. "As such, they're part of the Ancilla family.

"One purpose of what we're trying to do today is not just enable faculty and students to express their grief, but also to uphold and comfort the family of Shayla and Susan in their time of grief."

Rev. Dr. Sam Boys, Coordinator of Pastoral Ministry, led the service, which included testimonials from some of Shayla's professors, as well as her grandfather, Paul Korp.

"It was special that Mr. and Mrs. Paul Korp - and also Paul, Jr. - were able to attend the memorial service here at Ancilla," said Sr. Carleen Wrasman, PHJC and Coordinator of Mission Integration. "Students from Shayla's classes attended in great numbers. All of us were moved by the words of Paul Korp, encouraging us to appreciate each day and reminding us that tomorrow is never guaranteed."

Ancilla College Announces Extended Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, 13 November 2007

Ancilla College has announced that campus will close for the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of classes on Tuesday, November 20.

The original holiday schedule had planned for campus to remain open through Wednesday. However, on behalf of the efforts of Ancilla College President Dr. Ron May, the College has now adjusted their schedule so that Tuesday marks the last day of classes before Thanksgiving.

"The campus is doing this so faculty, staff, and students can spend more time with family and friends for the holidays," said Erin Alonzo, Director of Admissions. "Dr. May realizes the importance of family time.

"Whether that extra day is used as an extra travel day or as a chance to prepare for the festivities to replace some of the stress and pressures the holidays can put on them, this way members of the Ancilla College family can enjoy a safe, relaxing holiday with their loved ones."

Classes will resume on Monday, November 26.

Lampen Lecture
Thursday, 08 November 2007

Sr. Sue Rogers, RSCJ and director of Earthworks, was the latest guest speaker at Ancilla College's Lampen Lecture Series on Thursday.

Her presentation, "Right Relationships with the Earth", examined the conflict between progression in engineering and sensitivity to the ecological systems that surround us.

"I think it's important because we need to put in perspective all the work we're putting into solving environmental problems," said Rogers. "If hidden in the solutions today is the belief that we hold power over the rest of the universe, then we're in the same belief that it's our commodity. Maybe we need to change our view."

Amongst the examples that Rogers used was the recent efforts to redirect more water to communities out west located in desert land, as opposed to humans adjusting and not moving to those areas in such great numbers.

"Don't get me wrong, what we're doing now is great, but it's not enough," said Rogers. "We need to change our ethics. We're moving out of a very strong cultural tradition. It's not easy for someone to challenge your cultural background."

The Lampen Lecture Series is held in the Evergreen Room of the Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center, part of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Ministry Center in Donaldson, Indiana. The theme for the lecture series is "Right Relationships."

The series was designed to combine the universality of the Catholic Church, the international character of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, who sponsor Ancilla College, and the Earth Charter to promote thinking beyond one's own experiences and interests.

Days of the Dead Celebrated
Tuesday, 06 November 2007

In response to the burgeoning Hispanic population in Plymouth and its surrounding areas, Ancilla College continued their annual celebration of Los Dias de Los Muertos, or "The Days of the Dead".

Held November 1 at the College, faculty members Rev. Sam Boys, Gordon Ligocki, and Ken Crane replicated a traditional celebration of the holiday by creating and dressing up an alter dedicated to deceased friends and relatives of Ancilla students and faculty. Those in attendance were encouraged to provide pictures of loved ones, and the alter was decorated with flower petals, food, and other artifacts common at a traditional grave site on the holiday.

A tradition of Aztec origin held Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, Los Dias de Los Muertos is a celebration of the deceased that is celebrated as a national holiday in Mexico, and is also observed throughout much of the Americas.

"This is the way people in Mexico would do it," said Dr. Ken Crane, Division of History, Behavioral Science, and Business Chair. "There are a lot of different ways people remember their loved ones. This is one of them. It's a common human experience that we honor the dead, and we can learn to appreciate how others go about it."

Becky Griffy of Plymouth-based Hearts and Hands Inc. served as a guest speaker for the event. As has become tradition, the celebration included a pot luck meal for those in attendance.

Crane believes the ceremony is an example of the well-rounded education Ancilla College strives to provide students with.

"I think it shows our appreciation of other cultures," said Crane. "It really is one of our core values. One of the things we're trying to teach is that we could learn important things from other people, that there may be different ways to go about achieving similar goals. We are attempting to learn as much as we can about different parts of the world."

New Courses for Spring Term
Monday, 05 November 2007

Ancilla College has added three new courses that will be made available during registration for the spring semester.

Two Agricultural Science courses – Crop Production and Management Methods – will be available to students, as well as a course entitled "Introduction to Catholicism".

The former two courses will be taught Bob Yoder and Gene Matzat, respectively. Both are employed by the Purdue Extension Service, and the courses will be located on the campus of Ancilla College.

"Agricultural courses are a natural addition to the programs offered by Ancilla College," said Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services. "The partnership between Purdue and Ancilla is a bonus for traditional students who plan to pursue a degree, as well as community members, working in the field, who want to update their knowledge and skills."

Introduction to Catholicism will be taught by Sr. Carleen Wrasman, PHJC, and will focus on the Catholic doctrines essential for understanding Catholicism. "Introduction to Catholicism is needed to create a balance and to address the needs of students – Catholics or other faith traditions – who want to learn more about Catholic faith, an appropriate expectation when choosing a Catholic college," said Wrasman.

Registration is now open for the spring term. Those wishing to learn more about the agricultural courses may contact Tracy Humphrey at 574-936-8898 Ext. 322. Those wishing to learn more about Introduction to Catholicism may contact Sr. Carleen Wrasman at 574-936-8898 Ext. 361.

Ancilla College Hosts Academic Exploration Day
Thursday, 01 November 2007

Ancilla College hosted Academic Exploration Day on Friday, October 26, an event that was open to the public.

Over 25 participants took the opportunity to get a glimpse of what the college classroom experience is about. Organized by the Ancilla College Admissions Department, the event allowed potential students to sit in on specialized classes taught by Ancilla College faculty, with focus in the areas of Education, Nursing, Science, Criminal Justice, Business, and Human Services.

Those in attendance were also able to meet with members of Admissions and Financial Aid.

According to Erin Alonzo, Director of Admissions, Academic Exploration Day is anything but a typical recruiting tool for the College.

"Academic Exploration Day highlights the many academic opportunities available to students, connecting them and their families to the faculty on campus," said Alonzo. "They had the opportunity to learn about the 'locus of control', which allows students to see a clear path and maintain focus towards their goals, and they were also able to take a campus tour."

Academic Exploration Day is one of many different events available to prospective students. The next formal event being planned by the Admissions Department is the Ancilla College Placement Party, scheduled for November 7.

For more information on the Ancilla College Placement Party, please contact the Ancilla College Admissions Office at (574) 936-8898.

Ancilla Alumni Association to Host Bonfire
Monday, 22 October 2007

The Ancilla College Alumni Association will hold a bonfire and hayride on Sunday, October 28 for Ancilla alumni, students, faculty and staff.

The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be held on campus at the west end of Lake Galbraith, by the fire pit.

In addition to the bonfire and hayride, there will be a costume contest, and a number of acoustic instruments will be available for musical jam session with Rev. Dr. Sam Boys, appropriately entitled "Jam with Sam". Food will also be provided.

"We want to have a fun time for alumni and students to gather, along with faculty and staff, outside of the academic boundaries," said Jill Neidlinger, President of the Ancilla Alumni Association. "It's a chance for us to meet with students and they get to know us and the alumni and faculty."

Those interested in attending may contact Neidlinger by no later than October 24th at (574) 216-0526 or by e-mailing her at jill.neidlinger@ancilla.edu.

Annual Donor Recognition Dinner
Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Ancilla College hosted their annual Donor Recognition Dinner on Thursday, located in Cana Hall on the Donaldson-based campus.

The dinner, which honored many of the College's most generous donors, featured a presentation by Dr. Ron May, Ancilla College President. In his presentation, Dr. May illustrated College plans to add resident housing, an agricultural science program, and an LPN-to-RN nursing program to the fold within the next two years.

"We really couldn't accomplish what we accomplish here without the external help of the community and beyond, as well as the alumni," said Dr. May. "This annual dinner is a way of recognizing them for their support."

As has become tradition, a handful of students were on hand to meet, socialize, and have dinner with the donors as a way to bridge the gap between donors and those who benefit from their gifts. Those on hand were treated to catering by Christo's, and an award presentation was made after Dr. May finished speaking on the future plans of the College.

"This dinner is important because it enables us to give (the donors) an update on what's going on now, and what are some of the things that will be happening in the future," said Dr. May. "It also gives us the opportunity to put in front of them some of the students who are beneficiaries of their generosity, and let the donors hear from them directly."

Lampen Lecture Series
Friday, 12 October 2007

Lampen Lecture Series Tackles International Cultures

Sr. Nora Hahn, Provincial of the American Province of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, was the latest guest speaker at Ancilla College's Lampen Lecture Series on Thursday.

Hahn's presentation, "Internationality", examined the differences between various cultures and the difficulties those cultures face when it comes to understanding one another.

"We are forced to interact with a variety of cultures whether we realize it or not," said Hahn. "The United States was called a melting pot. Over time, we tried to homogenize the cultures, but more and more, we have started to find richness in other cultures. Understanding those cultures takes a little effort."

Calling upon experiences she has had in Germany, Thailand, and other foreign nations, Hahn illustrated the obstacles the average American may experience in effectively communicating and understanding those native to other lands.

"You can, without meaning to, be very disrespectful to other cultures," said Hahn. "The effort to learn is vital to us in America. We've become a global village. We're not just sitting in one location anymore. We are traveling to other parts of the world, and are interacting more and more with other cultures."

This edition of the Lampen Lecture Series was held in the Gerald J. Ball Library at Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indiana. The theme for the lecture series is "Right Relationships."

The series was designed to combine the universality of the Catholic Church, the international character of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, who sponsor Ancilla College, and the Earth Charter to promote thinking beyond one's own experiences and interests.

Free Trial Courses Offered by Ancilla College
Monday, 08 October 2007

After a successful reintroduction in 2007, Ancilla College announced plans to continue the "We Believe in You" program for spring 2008.

Designed for prospective students 21-years and older who have never attended college, "We Believe in You" allows a student to take up to three credit hours free of charge. In addition, all students in the program will have an academic advisor to assist them with all aspects of attending college for the first time, including the registration process, filing a financial aid application, determining their education opportunities, and more.

"Ancilla College continues its commitment to adult education by offering 'We Believe in You'," said Erin Alonzo, Director of Admissions. "This program is a wonderful opportunity for someone that has always wanted to try college, but never had the chance, or was intimidated by the whole process."

There will be one class offered at Knox High School, with the rest of the courses being offered at Ancilla. Alonzo also stressed that students will be able to have their college transcripts once they have finished the course.

"Spring 2007 proved to be very successful for the students who entered the program," said Alonzo. "Many of those students made the decision to continue in higher education and work towards earning a degree."

For more information on 'We Believe in You', please contact the Ancilla College Admissions Office at (574) 936-8898.

Ancilla College Appoints New Executive Director of Institutional Advancement
Monday, 08 October 2007

Ancilla College has announced the appointment of Todd Zeltwanger as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, effective October 15.

Zeltwanger comes to Ancilla after spending the past six years at Starke Memorial Hospital as the Director of Physician Recruitment and Relations. A graduate of Purdue University, Zeltwanger brings a strong background in marketing and public relations to the College, as well as plenty of experience working with members of Marshall, Starke, and St. Joseph counties.

"We're excited about his joining us," said Dr. Ron May, President of Ancilla College. "He is excited about the opportunity here – joining Ancilla and the staff here. He will do a great job of building our Institutional Advancement efforts."

Zeltwanger mentioned his desire to reenter a mission-based workplace such as Ancilla after having previously worked at St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend.

"I really enjoyed the mission feel of what they tried to live by," said Zeltwanger. "There was purpose with what we did every day. It wasn't just to serve ourselves. It was to serve other people. I just felt that kind of come back again in the interview process (at Ancilla). I like that culture, that feeling of being affiliated with something with purpose.

"I want this to be about students, that's why we're here. It's not about me or how much money can be raised. It's about giving kids an opportunity to come to school here and get a quality education, move on to workforce or school, and be productive. They can look back and be proud of the education they got at Ancilla."

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