Event Analysis - Katherine Mosher

In Father Linane’s speech, he discusses Loyola’s strategic plan, “Grounded in Tradition, Education for the Future,” and its objectives for the university. Although many of the goals are long-term, he believes the plan should be completed by 2015. Father Linane’s speech relates to the article “Serving Up Hope” by Stephanie Shapiro, the story “A Father” by Bharati Mukherjee, and the two poems “Directions for Resisting the SAT” by Richard Hague and “First Practice” by Gary Gildner.

Father Linane explains that the plan makes an effort to “enhance and enrich” the school’s programs and facilities, which is evident in several new renovations around campus. The plan also works toward “strengthening professional development programs for faculty” and further engaging the community through the “Loyola is Listening” program. Loyola’s recent athletic successes are also mentioned. Father Linane explains that all of these initiatives are designed to help reach our overarching goal of becoming the nation’s leading Catholic university. He makes it clear that he is determined for Loyola to become not one of the leading universities, rather, the number one Catholic university in America.

Despite the many accomplishments, we must do more to reach our fundamental goal. It is the University’s mission to continue to attract “top-quality” students and prepare them for the upcoming challenges ahead. In order to reach these goals, it’s important not to lose sight of our principles, values and morals that have guided us thus far. After reading the past achievements and future goals for the University, I realized how happy I was to be a part of this Jesuit community. I hope to contribute to Loyola’s success in the future and continue to support our University in reaching their goals.   

In the article “Serving Up Hope” Galen and Bridget Samson provide a new opportunity for local drug addicts and convicts. With the help of the Baltimore Community Fellowship Program, Galen and Bridget Samson established the Dogwood Deli for the addicts and convicts to work. This establishment allowed these people to rebound from the low point in their lives and start creating a better future. This relates to Father Linane’s speech because the Jesuit tradition opens our eyes to helping the community. It’s important to aid others in need to ultimately create a stronger society.

The story “A Father” discusses the controversial issue of pregnancy out of wedlock.  In the story, the father, Mr. Bhowmick is very traditional. He does not necessarily agree with certain elements of Western culture, especially the commonality of pregnancy out of wedlock. Much to his dismay, his daughter is pregnant without a husband. He is clearly upset with how “Westernized” she has become which caused her to ultimately lose touch with her Indian roots. This story is relevant to Father Linane’s speech because sometimes change is proves to be beneficial to a society as demonstrated in Loyola’s plan for the future. In the story, the father sticks to tradition, which in some cases is not always the best choice.

The poem “Direction for Resisting the SAT” explains how you should make your own decisions and live life to the fullest extent. The poem tells the reader to live life the way you want to live it, even if it is not necessarily what everyone else is doing. The Loyola community is based upon trying new things and not letting one element, such as a test score define the rest of your life.

The other poem “First Practice” depicts boys at their first sports practice with their extremely forceful coach. The poem tells the reader that you should take advantage of the opportunities you are presented with. This relates to the speech because our University is devoted to service for the community as a whole. We take advantage of any opportunity to reach our goals for the future.