As a father of three children ranging in ages from 16 to 23, I have spent a considerable amount of time on college visits over the past six years. That’s absolutely not a complaint.
But Monday, April 26th was a bit of a rarity. For only the second time, I was visiting a Catholic school, Cincinnati’s Xavier University. I was on the tour with Cormac, the youngest of my three children, currently a junior in high school.
In a lot of ways, the visit was just like any other. The information session informed us about Xavier’s strong record of post-graduate placement, its wide range of clubs and activities and the school’s engaged and accessible faculty. The tour took us to the active campus center, the major athletic arena and the typical dorm room.
Yet, in two other ways, this tour was entirely new to me. First, our tour guide, the engaging San Diegan Nico, led us into Dr. E. Paul Colella’s classroom, where the professor was leading his class of 20 or so freshman in a conversation on Adam Smith’s ideas on the division of labor. In none of my previous college trips was I ever taken inside a classroom as class was in session. And when we were led out a few minutes later, I half-whined to one of the other parents, “But I don’t want to leave,” and she responded. “Me neither. This is so interesting.” Thanks Nico and Doc Colella.
The other way the trip differed from previous college visits related to its existence as a Catholic school. The information session guide discussed how Xavier follow the Jesuit traditions valuing both education and a commitment to social justice, which appealed to me immensely. And our tour stopped at Bellarmine Chapel, which you’ll see photos of below. It was refreshing to hear how the Catholic faith played such a strong part of campus life.
Though Cormac liked the school, I don’t know if Xavier will be where he winds up. But I do know this: I’ve decided conclusively I’d like to go there.
52 Masses 