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“Best class on record!”

That’s the response Ron Jarret, dean of the class of 2012, offers each time he’s asked about his students.

In fact, it’s a bit too early to tell whether that’s actually the case. Jarret admits he’s speaking out of enthusiasm. This is his first year as a class dean, and he couldn’t be more eager to help students navigate academic opportunities, including Montserrat. He will stay with the class of 2012 through graduation.

Jarret’s distinguished career at the College started 23 years ago, and he says that if not for his own college advisors, he wouldn’t be at Holy Cross today. Jarret started as a biology major at Rhode Island College, and after taking a few chemistry courses, was encouraged to double major in chemistry. (He also minored in mathematics and physics, making him a science polymath.)

His goal was to become a high school science teacher after college, but his chemistry professors urged him to go on to graduate school. He says he applied only to appease them.

“My plan was that I would apply only to the very best programs in the country, expecting to get rejected from all of them!” remembers Jarret.

Instead, he got accepted to all, including Harvard and Yale. He chose to attend the latter, earning his Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry.

In addition to teaching since his arrival in 1983, Jarret served as the chair of the chemistry department for 12 years, and has played the roles of research advisor and academic advisor. Most notably, he is one of the architects of Discovery Chemistry, a nationally-recognized curriculum that features introduction of many chemistry concepts in the laboratory rather than the lecture.

Jarret is glad his professors and advisors pushed him during his years in school.

“Grad school gave me the ability to shoot higher, and work with students in areas that I wouldn’t have been able to in high school,” he says. “My greatest joy in what I teach is organic chemistry, which of course isn’t offered at the high school level. I am thrilled with the way that things have worked out. I have those people to thank.”

Those experiences fueled his desire to accept the class dean position, and mentor students even outside of the sciences.

“Receiving good advice along the way, and having people who were willing to stick with me through the whole process influenced me and the roles that I have taken on at Holy Cross,” he says.

There is another reason that makes Jarret qualified to fill this new role: his oldest son, Adam, graduated from Holy Cross last year; his daughter attends Fordham University; and his youngest son has started the college application process.

“I think seeing my own children go through the process has increased my desire to help people get the most out of college, in an individualized way,” he says. “There are a lot of important programs that Holy Cross offers that not everyone is aware of — from Academic Services Learning to the Counseling Center to the Chaplains’ Office — and I see it as my job to connect them to these important resources.”

Jarret admits that students can be under considerable pressure —oftentimes by well-meaning parents, faculty, advisors, and others — and sometimes an appointment with a class dean helps put things in perspective.

“I often find myself telling students ‘Stop for a minute and think about this. Do you really have to follow this timetable? Do you really have to take all of these classes this semester? Is that really in your best interest?’ Sometimes that’s all it takes. At the end of the day it’s their decisions to make, but the class deans allow students to make more informed decisions.”

His advice for parents is to allow students to follow their passions. He points to his son who graduated as an English major in May and is currently developing software for a publishing company.

“I think the most important thing that a parent can do is to let each son or daughter find the areas of study and the modes of inquiry that excite them the most and let them follow their passions,” he explains. “I am a believer that they will find their place in the world. Sons and daughters have to make choices regularly throughout their path here, where they constantly have to decide if they have to say yes to one thing and no to another.”

Are any of his children pursuing a career in science?

“I’m 0 for 3 in raising scientists,” he says, “but as long as they’re valuable contributing members in society I’m happy, and that’s what I wish for all our students.”

Related Information:

• Montserrat

Twelve Holy Cross seniors joined thousands of students from Jesuit colleges and universities in Fort Benning, Ga., to protest the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly known as School of the Americas (SOA), on Nov. 21 and 22.

The Holy Cross students are members of Pax Christi, a local chapter of a national organization called Pax Christi USA, which calls for the nonviolent solutions to armed conflicts. The Student Government Association funded a large portion of the trip.

Since 1995, Jesuits, former Jesuits, lay pastoral leaders, and the broader Ignatian family have gathered at the gates of Fort Benning to call for the closure of the institute and to commemorate the deaths of the Salvadoran Jesuit martyrs, their housekeeper and her daughter, the four churchwomen, and the many other men, women, and children who have been innocent victims of civil war and bloodshed.

The two-day teach-in incorporated music, discussion, prayer and speakers about various social justice issues.

“Holy Cross went to the protest to be in solidarity with other Jesuit schools that are also fighting to end the human rights violations of SOA graduates,” says assistant chaplain Rev. Gregory Lynch, S.J. “By attending the Ignatian teach-in and the protest, students became aware of the injustice toward the poor and marginalized of society.”

Brendan Mackinson ’09, a chemistry major with an environmental studies concentration from Peabody, was accompanied by his entire family, including his mother, father (William Mackinson ’75), sister and brother.

“My family has always been actively committed to working for justice, and because my parents both graduated from Jesuit colleges, I think they feel a special connection to this cause,” he says. “My father is a high school teacher and this was the third year he brought a group of students to the teach-in and protest. My sister, a sophomore at Fordham, came for the second time with a group of students from Fordham, and my mother and brother also attended for the second time.

“The trip provided me with a wonderful opportunity to educate myself, to learn about issues of social justice and about the work that many people are doing to resist and challenge many of the structures in our society that perpetuate injustice. The trip forced me to reflect critically on my own life, to reflect about ways that I could do more to make our society more just, but it also energized and inspired me to continue actions that I have already taken.”

Pictured: Brendan Mackinson ’09 stands next to his father, William ’75.

From movies to music to Nintendo Wii, relax and unwind with these events taking place during finals week. Good luck on exams!

Dec. 9
Annual Tree Lighting
O’Kane Porch, 5 p.m.

Inter House Council Hall Decorating Contest
Residence Halls, 6 p.m.

Funny Money
Seelos Theatre, 7 p.m.

Holiday 10 Spot
Hogan Ballroom, 10 p.m.

Dec. 10
Wii Love Boardgames
Hogan, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Candy Canes for Kids
Kimball Hall, 11 a.m.

Kwanzaa Celebration
Hogan Suite A, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Dec. 11
Wii Love Coloring
Hogan, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
St. Joseph Chapel, 8 p.m.

Dec. 12
Wii Love Ornament Decorating
Hogan, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Weekend Film: Hellboy 2
Seelos Theatre, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Dec. 13
Weekend Film: Hellboy 2
Seelos Theatre, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The Edge
Hogan Crossroads, 10:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 14
Eucharist
St. Joseph Chapel, 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Midnight Breakfast
Kimball 3, 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Dec. 15
Holiday Bazaar
Hogan Ballroom, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Midnight Breakfast
Hogan Crossroads, 10:45 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Dec. 16
Wii Love Photos and Frames
Hogan, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Midnight Breakfast
Hogan Crossroads, 10:45 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Dec. 17
Wii are almost done!
Hogan, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Midnight Breakfast
Hogan Crossroads, 10:45 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Dec. 18
Midnight Breakfast
Hogan Crossroads, 10:45 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Dec. 20
Have a good break!
Residence Halls Close at 8 p.m.

In consideration of the need for increased access to networked workstations during the exam period, the Dinand Tech Lab (second floor) will be open as follows:

Dec. 7, 14: 1 p.m. to midnight
Dec. 13: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Dec. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18: 4:30 p.m. to midnight
Dec. 12: 4:30 p.m. – midnight

Related Information:

• Extended Multimedia Resource Center Hours
• Extended Library Hours
• Midnight Breakfast

On Nov. 23, a group of children sat in a large open room in the Hogan Campus Center and watched their parents dance the waltz, the rumba, and the salsa, even though the parents could not hear the music. This marked the last day of Ballroom Dance Instruction for the Deaf, a weekly program started this semester by Michelle Arata ’09 and Judy Freedman Fask, director of the Deaf Studies program at Holy Cross.

Arata, who teaches the classes, came up with the idea to fulfill the community-based learning component of her Intermediate American Sign Language course. She approached Professor Fask, who advertised throughout the local Deaf community to generate interest in the lessons.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to dance for youth, and we really wanted to do something geared toward the adult Deaf community,” Arata says.

And the Deaf community has responded. The program boasts an average of seven students per week from the Worcester Deaf community, and several more have expressed an interest in joining next semester.

Arata conducted the classes completely in American Sign Language, a tough assignment considering she has been taking Deaf Studies classes for only one year. However, she found that her dance students were always willing to help her along when she was at a loss for words (signs).

“I’ve learned a lot through signing in the ballroom dance class — a lot comes through gestures. And it’s great because then they get to learn something that I love,” she says.

Fask, who is a student in the class (though she is not deaf), also noticed a special learning dynamic in the 90-minute lessons since they began on Sept. 14.

“The Deaf adults teach Michelle and the other Holy Cross students signs for things that would not necessarily come up in the traditional ASL class. Michelle teaches the adults how to dance, so with that interaction there is always learning in progress,” Fask says.

The progress is manifest in Arata’s method of instruction. In lieu of music, she coaches them across the dance floor by teaching them to count and “feel the rhythm,” which has yielded positive results.

“People say, ‘Deaf people can’t dance — they can’t hear the music!’ You don’t need the music. You just saw them dance!” Arata says.

A biology major with a premedical concentration and member of the Deaf Studies certificate program from Holbrook, Arata is also the co-chair of the Holy Cross Ballroom Dance club and competitive team. She looks to continue Ballroom Dance Instruction for the Deaf next semester, hoping to teach the foxtrot, the tango, swing dancing, and the cha-cha.

“It’s really great to see what I do for fun integrated with academics,” she says. “You find that what you love, other people love also.”

The students were treated to a small buffet after their final lesson, as well as a T-shirt featuring the Holy Cross Ballroom Dance club insignia and the finger-spelled letters D-A-N-C-E printed underneath it.

By Anthony Curotto ’09

Pictured: Michelle Arata ’09 communicates through sign language.

Related Information:

• American Sign Language/Deaf Studies

You’re a sophomore in high school. You’re told that you’re required to go on a retreat. How do you react?

Holy Cross students understand that when you’re 16 years old, a trip to the mall or watching a football game from the stands with friends, is considered to be more fun than spending an afternoon in a parish basement. Currently, 20 Holy Cross students are committed to changing this common conception.

The Helping Area Youth Embrace Spirituality Program, or H.A.Y.E.S., is overseen by Rev. Gregory Lynch S.J., associate chaplain. It is a student-run organization responsible for leading retreats for youth throughout New England.

Under the direction of student co-chairs Kevin Lucid ’09 and Ali Mersereau ’10, the H.A.Y.E.S. Program runs four to five retreats each semester. In general, the program aims to instill in high school-aged students a sense of spirituality.

“It is important for [young adults] to have a sense of moral and spiritual identity that they can use to guide them through their future lives,” Lucid says.

This message is particularly well-received when coming from college students.

“Students really appreciate and enjoy the retreats because they are led by young people like themselves,” says Mersereau. “We can relate to them and they can relate to us, which makes them more comfortable sharing their ideas and expressing themselves.”

The H.A.Y.E.S. Retreat Team prides themselves on running retreats that remain upbeat, but at the same time, informative. “We do a great job of integrating fun games and activities with more serious speeches and group discussions,” Mersereau explains.

On Nov. 23, Holy Cross sent six H.A.Y.E.S. members to St. Leo’s Parish in Leominster. There, the team worked its magic in running a retreat for 37 high school juniors who are currently preparing to make the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation.

“I thought the retreat went very well and that the kids were very engaged,” says retreat leader Brian Miller ’09. “The kids said that they thought it was going to be boring but that we made it fun for them.”

The retreats prove to be mutually beneficial. The leaders admit that they are fulfilled by directing the retreats. Lucid feels that he has been rewarded by taking part in the H.A.Y.E.S. Program.

“I have seen kids become more comfortable with, and accepting of, the idea that they can be spiritual people at a young age,” he says.

Mersereau agrees: “I joined HAYES because I wanted to be part of a team that inspired younger students to embrace their spirituality and develop strong values.”

Holy Cross students who aspire to do the same are encouraged to contact apmers10@holycross.edu or kaluci09@holycross.edu for more information on becoming a part of the team.

By Cara Joyce ’09

Rev. Francis Xavier Miller, S.J., who served as vice president for development at the College of the Holy Cross for 22 years, died on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Campion Center in Weston, Mass., after an illness. A devoted and beloved member of the College Community, Fr. Miller also served Holy Cross as a financial advisor (1963-70) and as a member of the board of trustees (1970-73). Working closely with President Emeritus John E. Brooks, S.J., Fr. Miller played an essential role in financially strengthening Holy Cross and building a network of support from graduates. He was 82.

Fr. Miller was born in Worcester on May 28, 1926, the son of the late Francis L. and Mary (O’Brien) Miller. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his stepmother Isabel B. Miller. He is survived by his sister, Mary (Miller) Morse, of Falmouth, Mass.

After graduating from St. John’s High School, then in Worcester, in 1942, he began his college education at Holy Cross. He joined the United States Navy in 1944, and was stationed in Guam for two years. Returning to Holy Cross, he continued his studies and also was an infielder for legendary Holy Cross baseball coach Jack Barry. Graduating from Holy Cross in 1946, he went to work for the Chase National Bank of New York for the next four years.

In 1951, he entered the Jesuit Novitiate of the New England Province at Shadowbrook in Lenox, Mass., and pronounced his religious vows two years later. Moving to Weston College for studies in philosophy from 1953 to 1955, he went on to become a graduate student in business at New York University where he earned a master’s degree in business administration in 1956.

He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Richard J. Cushing of Boston, on June 13, 1959, and completed the Jesuit course of training in residence at St. Robert’s Hall in Pomfret, Conn., where he studied ascetical theology and engaged in pastoral work.

He returned to Holy Cross in 1961 to serve as treasurer. From 1963-1970, he was treasurer of the New England Province of the Society of Jesus and also served as trustee to Holy Cross (1970-73). After studying theology at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Canada, he was assigned again to Holy Cross, where he served as vice president for development from 1973-1995.

Holy Cross conferred an honorary doctorate of humane letters upon Fr. Miller at the 1996 commencement, the year following his retirement. The citation reads, in part, “You have traveled the length and breadth of America on behalf of Holy Cross and led a development effort unparalleled in the history of this College.” He received the 1985 Crusader of the Year Award from the Holy Cross Club of Greater Worcester. Fr. Miller also served as a trustee at St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia, Woodstock College in Maryland, Weston College in Cambridge, and Cheverus High School in Portland, Maine.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3 (the Feast of St. Francis Xavier) at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Campion Center, at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Holy Cross at 2 p.m. The wake will be at Campion Center from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Francis L. Miller Scholarship Fund at the College of the Holy Cross.

Break out the streamers and balloons — Holy Cross’ student-run radio station, WCHC (88.1 FM), is celebrating its 60th anniversary this week.

A full week of events is scheduled to mark this milestone. Among the events, Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president, will re-bless the station, located in Hogan Room 216, on Dec. 5, and a 24-hour marathon broadcast will begin the day before.

A reception will follow the re-blessing of the station where Joe Shortsleeve ’79, WBZ-TV chief correspondent, will deliver a short speech about his time at the station. Live streaming video of the celebration will begin at 3 p.m. on Dec. 5.

Other alumni involved in the radio station are also invited, says station manager Deirdre Milionis ’10.

“If they are ever interested in returning to do an alumni show, they are always welcome!” she says. “We would also love to see them at the President’s re-blessing of the station and reception on Dec. 5.”

Self-proclaimed as “Worcester’s Only Alternative Source,” WCHC is one of Holy Cross’ oldest student organizations and, with approximately 70 student DJs, is still going strong.

“In an age when the radio is rarely listed to, WCHC has fostered a community that shares a passion for independent music, quality programming, and sports broadcasts,” says Milionis. “It is an important time to step back and remember all of those before us who have made WCHC what it is today. We are all so appreciative of their hard work and we can only hope to live up to their expectations.”

The station has changed with the times, explains Milionis. The station used to play top 40 hits, but now plays the more eclectic music found on the college music charts. News briefs were retired years ago as the focus shifted to playing commercial-free, independent music.

“Learning about the station’s history has made me feel that those who are involved with WCHC are part of something much bigger: a community,” she says.

To view a complete list of events, read the press release.

Listen to WCHC online.

Related Information:

• Photo Gallery: Looking Back on WCHC’s 60 Years on the Air
• Read a profile of Joe Shortsleeve ’79 published on this site earlier this year

The College Chaplains and the College Choir of the College of the Holy Cross will sponsor the 30th annual Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, along with a number of other events to celebrate Advent.

Take a study break and join in this Holy Cross Christmas tradition featuring music by the College Choir and readings by members of the faculty, administration, staff and student body.

The College Choir and the Office of the College Chaplains have presented the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols since December 1978. The religious service is based on one celebrated each year at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England.

Other events include:

Advent Mass in American Sign Language: Dec. 2, 7 p.m., McCooey Chapel.
Rev. Joseph Bruce, S.J., presider and homilist. Free and open to the public.

Advent Reconciliation Service: Dec. 2, 8:30 p.m., Lower Chapel Gathering/Baptismal Space.
Assistant Chaplain Meg Fox-Kelly, preacher. Scripture, prayer, song and an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (penance, confession) with one of nine Jesuit priests.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: Dec. 8.
This Roman Catholic holy day of obligation is the patronal feast of the Catholic Church in the United States. Masses on campus will be at 8 a.m. (McCooey Chapel), 12:05 p.m. (Mary Chapel) and 10 p.m. (Mary Chapel).

Advent/Holiday Community Mass: Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m., St. Joseph Memorial Chapel.
The last weekend Mass of the fall semester is celebrated by Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president, and takes the place of the regular 7 and 10 p.m. Sunday Masses. A reception will follow in the Lower Chapel Gathering/Baptismal Space.

The “Hate: Not Here” committee is challenging members of the campus community to put their artistic talents to the test in its third annual poster contest.

Judges are looking for entries with messages that express positive change in the way people view and treat one another.

The winners will have their work published in a wall calendar. Entries can be individual or collaborative and parties can enter as many designs as they wish. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate. The contest is also open to family members of all faculty and staff.

Posters should be 8 ½” x 11” in size and dropped off at Hogan 503D by Dec. 10. The poster must be created by the individual submitting it. The artist or group of artists with the winning design will be announced on Jan. 13, 2008.

The “Hate: Not Here” committee, comprised up of students, faculty, and staff, works to promote the College as a compassionate community marked by dignity and respect. Kolt Bloxson ’05 helped found the “Hate: Not Here” committee in 2005 after envisioning a continuous program on campus that would nurture the differences of all members in the community.

• View the 2007 calendar (PDF).

• View the 2008 calendar (PDF).