S2 — CATHOLIC STAR HERALD OCTOBER 9, 2015HIGHER EDUCATION

Very few people spent more than 200hours in the air this summer, and evenfewer college students did so. Jeff Ekeris one of those students.

Eker, a Catholic from Haddonfieldand senior electrical and computerengineering student in the Henry M.Rowan College of Engineering, flewaround the world — literally. With vis-its to Australia, Boston, Sri Lanka andSingapore, he enjoyed more than justthe typical college summer internship.

In May, Eker participated in theAustralia/America Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE)Student Branch Exchange program,which he founded with an Australianstudent he met while studying inGermany in winter 2014. In Australia,he toured industry sites, visited univer-sities and participated in an internation-al robot competition — all while livingwith a host family and immersing him-self in the Australian culture.

During the summer, Eker interned inBoston for Rockwell Automation, theworld’s largest industrial automation

and information provider. Alreadyscheduled to attend an IEEE conferencein Asia, global-minded Eker workedwith his supervisor to add a businesstrip to Singapore for Rockwell. InSingapore, Eker met with and presentedto senior level management, touredfacilities and made sales calls.

From there, in July, Eker attended theIEEE Region 10 Student, YoungProfessional and Women inEngineering Congress in Sri Lanka. Hewas the only American student repre-sentative among students and profes-sionals from more than 40 countries. Healso had the opportunity to speak at theclose of the conference and reflect onhis experience as a representative ofIEEE students from the United States.

“All of my trips were beneficial,”said Eker. “I had some amazing oppor-tunities to learn more about the value ofstrategic global relationships and busi-ness practices and expand my vision formy own future.”

His extensive traveling is related tohis larger goal, to simplify the process

of building international relationshipsto help students, innovators and busi-nesses succeed in the global market-place.

“During my time abroad, I recog-nized a need. Now I am building aproduct to meet that need,” said Eker.“That’s engineering at work.”

Thus his latest venture,CultureCloud, was born.

CultureCloud — a smartphone appli-cation still in development as part of a

hallmark Rowan Engineering Clinicproject — connects users to one anoth-er in real-time regardless of where theylive, work or travel. It also allows usersto discover people nearby with similarinterests and communicate using a mes-saging feature.

“Often travelers get stuck visitingtourist spots. They never get a chance todive deeper and learn more about theculture,” said Eker. “CultureCloud pre-vents that from happening. It makes itpossible for travelers to make real con-nections with locals wherever they go.”

Eker credits the close-knit RowanEngineering community of professorsand students as well as the environmentthat fosters innovation at Rowan formuch of his success.

“I did not have to travel far to receivea great engineering education,” saidEker. “Here at Rowan, you can achieveanything as long as you have the driveand ambition to do so. My passion mayhave led me around the world, but it allstarted right here, a short drive fromhome.”

Program takes Rowan student around the world

JEFF EKER

50th anniversaryMembers of the second graduat-ing class of Our Lady of LourdesSchool of Nursing pose for aphoto with Father Terry M. Odien(back row, right), who celebratedMass for them Oct. 2 in thechapel of Our Lady of LourdesMedical Center, Camden. Twentytwo of the 37 graduates attendedthe 50th anniversary reunion.Dinner at The Pub inPennsauken followed the Mass.

OCTOBER 9, 2015 CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S3HIGHER EDUCATION

By Michael M. Canaris

The rapidly dwindling weeks of2015 mark the end of a calendar yearwhich includes some importantanniversaries. In addition to the 200thanniversary of the birth of St. JohnBosco (which inspired Pope Francis toask that the Shroud of Turin be put onrare display in the cathedral theyshare), the half-century since the closeof the Second Vatican Council, and 30years since the important synod on theinterpretation of that Council whichargued that “communion” was the pri-mary lens through which to read it, thisyear also marks the anniversary of afew Vatican texts with ties to Catholichigher education: the 130th of“Spectata Fides” in 1885, the 50th of“Gravissimum Educationis” in 1965,and the 25th of “Ex Corde Ecclesiae”in 1990.

A bit about each of these documents.Leo XIII’s short encyclical “SpectataFides” was written to inspire confi-dence in Christian education efforts in19th century Great Britain. It argued themovement toward Christian “volun-tary” schools in France, Belgium,America and the British Empire oughtto be supported, and gratefullyacknowledged the contributions of boththe rich and “those of slender means” tokeep these schools in existence. “Inthese days, and in the present conditionof the world, when the tender age ofchildhood is threatened on every sideby so many and such various dangers,hardly anything can be imagined morefitting than the union with literaryinstruction of sound teaching in faithand morals … For it is in and by theseschools that the Catholic faith, ourgreatest and best inheritance, is pre-served whole and entire. In theseschools the liberty of parents is respect-ed; and, what is most needed, especial-ly in the prevailing license of opinionand of action, it is by these schools thatgood citizens are brought up for theState.”

Eighty years later, the conciliar docu-ment “Gravissimum Educationis”argued for the inalienable right of everyhuman person to an education, andcalled for greater accessibility to lay

theological studies and for collectivechannels of spiritual, academic and cul-tural formation both in Catholic univer-sities and in non-Catholic ones (the lat-ter being materialized in what we

would today often call NewmanCenters).

Though much of the discussion ofPope John Paul II’s “Ex CordeEcclesiae” has revolved around someof the controverted issues involved inthe mandatum and the relationshipbetween academic competency andCatholic theology, the document itselfis not as polemical and divisive as thesesubsequent debates have been. The text,and its national “application” documentby the USCCB, both honor academicfreedom, religious liberty, and the liv-ing out of precious spiritual, intellectu-al and cultural heritage at the highestpedagogical levels. They reflect withseriousness and esteem on the roleChristian history has played in the for-mation of the institutions we today call“universities.”

In an address to the Congregation forCatholic Education, Pope Francis calledfor three means of improving Catholichigher education that would seem todraw upon themes from these texts,albeit in his own inimitable style: foster-ing dialogue, seeking formation of edu-cators who have a “sense of knowinghow to communicate with the young,”and avoiding isolating institutions fromthe world so as to serve as better wit-nesses to the relevance of the Gospel ineducation, the sciences, and culture.Using St. Paul’s speech in Acts as alaunching point, he argued that thoseinvolved in higher education ought to“know how to enter, with courage, intothe Areopagus of contemporary culturesand to initiate dialogue, aware of the giftthey are able to offer to all.”

As a former teacher himself (thoughprobably the least “formally” educatedin terms of graduate degrees in at least100 years) and with close relationshipsto many former students, this pontiffcontinues to consider Catholic educa-tion a priority.

Collingswood native Michael M.Canaris, Ph.D., Loyola UniversityChicago.

CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is seenthrough a portico of a nearby building on the campus of The Catholic Universityof America in Washington in this file photo. The Catholic University is the nation-al university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsoredby the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See.

The Catholic Church and higher education

WASHINGTON (CNS) — About100 U.S. Catholic college presidentshave signed a document supportingPope Francis for his leadership on cli-mate change efforts and committingtheir institutions to doing all they can tofoster “open, honest” dialogue on cli-mate issues and help form “global eco-logical citizens.”

Since the pope’s encyclical on cli-mate, “Laudato Si’,” was published inJune, college presidents have beenadding their names to the pledge, stat-ing that they will work togetherregionally and globally “to study, pro-mote and act on the ideals and vision

of integral ecology laid out by PopeFrancis.”

The document thanks the pope for his“strong and courageous leadership inaddressing the interrelated crises and waysof life” that are threatening the earth. “Hisleadership inspires our own,” it adds.

The pontiff “calls upon every personon the planet, the whole human com-munity, to take up this urgent set ofchallenges, recognizing the profoundreligious and moral imperatives theypresent,” the statement says.

“Pope Francis states forcefully andclearly that facing these challenges willrequire profound changes in lifestyles,

myths and mental paradigms, models ofproduction and consumption, culturalassumptions and values, and the con-solidated social and political structuresthat govern society today,” it says.

Following the pope’s urging that theworld community needs to take actionto stop climate change, Catholic highereducation leaders have agreed to com-mit themselves to “integrate care for theplanet, integral human developmentand concern for the poor within ourresearch projects, our educational cur-ricula and public programming, ourinstitutional infrastructures, policiesand practices, and our political and

social involvements as colleges anduniversities.”

By signing the pledge, the 96 U.S.Catholic college and university presi-dents join nearly 80 Catholic universitypresidents from 32 other nations. Thestatement also has been supported bynumerous national and internationalCatholic higher education associationsand federations, including theAssociation of Catholic Colleges andUniversities, the Association of JesuitColleges and Universities and theAssociation of Franciscan Colleges andUniversities, and the InternationalFederation of Catholic Universities.

College presidents in statement back pope’s leadership on climate change

S4 — CATHOLIC STAR HERALD OCTOBER 9, 2015HIGHER EDUCATION

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The event offers a convenientopportunity for prospective students,their families and friends to explorePenn College, its “degrees that work”and facilities. To learn more and toregister, visit www.pct.edu/openhouse.

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Kerry Weber, author of “Mercyin the City: How to Feed theHungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty,Visit the Imprisoned, and KeepYour Day Job,” and managing edi-tor of America magazine, will visitthe Diocese of Camden this week-end to share her thoughts on mercyand justice.

On Friday, Oct. 9, she will visitthe Catholic Campus Ministry atRowan University, Glassboro,from 6-8 p.m.

The next day, she will be the keynotespeaker for “Mercy Ministry: Best prac-tices for reaching out to a woundedworld,” at St. Charles Borromeo Parish,Sicklerville.

“Mercy in the City,” a memoir on liv-ing out the corporal works of mercy onboth coasts of the United States, is aChristopher Award winner

Sponsored by the diocese’s Life andJustice Ministries, the 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.workshop is intended for life and justicevolunteers at parishes and schools;

directors of religious education;youth/campus ministers; pastoral associ-ates; clergy and religious; and parish-ioners.

The day will include an address byWeber; educational workshops; informa-tion on social service organizations; andopportunities for networking. Breakfastand lunch will be provided.

The cost is $10, and registration isrequired; go towww.camdendiocese.org/mercymin-istry.

KERRY WEBER

Author speaks to college students,parish group about social justice

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‘Unite suffering’ with those grieving, archbishop tells Oregon CatholicsBy Ed LangloisCatholic News Service

PORTLAND, Ore. — St. JosephParish in Roseburg hosted an emotionalMass the evening of Oct. 1 for 10 peo-ple who died in a shooting that morningat Umpqua Community College.Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith traveledfrom Portland for the liturgy.

Authorities in Roseburg, in greenrolling hills 180 miles south of Portland,identified the shooter Oct. 2 as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer, but did notgive details about him. The names ofthose he fatally shot had not yet beenreleased. Nine others were wounded.

FBI investigators say the gunmanbrought six legally purchased weaponsto the small college and was wearing aflak jacket. A witness reports he askedstudents what their religions werebefore he began shooting.

One student at the college and the sis-ter of a second student both told newsorganizations that Mercer, 26, told peo-ple in classrooms to stand up anddeclare whether they were Christian. Ifthey responded yes, they were shot inthe head. If they answered no or gavesome other answer, they were shot else-where.

The attack ended when the gunmanshot himself on campus.

Portland Archbishop Alexander K.Sample rushed a letter to the people ofRoseburg hours after the shooting.

“I am saddened beyond words over thetragedy that has struck your local com-munity,” the archbishop wrote. “Eventhough I am unable to be physically pres-ent with you at this particular moment,know that I am very much united with all

of you in spirit and in prayer. We are onebody in Christ, and when even one mem-ber suffers, we all suffer with them. Myheart is indeed very heavy with sorrowas I grieve with all of you.”

The archbishop went on to say he can-not begin to make sense of the tragedy.

“Why such shooting tragedies contin-ue to happen is hard to understand,” he

wrote. “Sadly, we live in the midst of aculture that does not value the dignityand sacredness of every human life as itonce did.”

The archbishop told Catholics inRoseburg to “unite their suffering” withthose directly affected and to pray forhealing and strength of those who lostloved ones.

Many Catholic parishes in Oregonare sending what organizers call“Posters of Hope” to St. Joseph Churchin Roseburg. Teens have been writingmessages of encouragement and lovefor Roseburg residents.

Comments have come from aroundthe nation.

“There’s another community stunnedwith grief, and communities across thecountry forced to relieve their ownanguish, and parents across the countrywho are scared because they know itmight have been their families or theirchildren,” President Barack Obamasaid at the White House Oct. 1.

He added, “It cannot be this easy forsomebody who wants to inflict harm onother people to get his or her hands ona gun. ... I’d ask the American people tothink about how they can get our gov-ernment to change these (gun) laws andto save lives and to let young peoplegrow up, and that will require a changeof politics.”

CNS photo/Steve Dipaola, Reuters

People take part in a candlelit vigil following a mass shooting at UmpquaCommunity College in Roseburg, Ore., Oct. 1.

By Joanna Gardner

Cory and Dana Smith sit snugly ontheir couch with their two children,Marley, aged 6, and Gavin, aged 4.Neither of them can believe they’re sit-ting in a living room they own, that theythemselves have freshly painted.

The couple are first-time homebuyersand have been in their home for a yearnow. They saved toward buying it usingan IDA matched savings accountthrough Catholic Charities.

Cory is a cable technician and Danais taking prerequisite classes at a com-munity college to prepare for a dentalhygiene program.

“With me not working and being inschool, it really helped a lot,” Danasaid. “We knew we wanted to buy ahome soon, and I don’t think we wouldhave been able to save so quickly with-out the IDA.”

Last spring, Dana opened a new IDAaccount, this time to save toward thecosts of her education. She set a goal ofsaving $80 a month and planned tobegin applying to dentistry programs inDecember.

An IDA (Individual DevelopmentAccount) is a savings account intendedto help low- and moderate-income peo-ple save toward a major asset. In thecase of Catholic Charities’ program,these goals include buying a first home,starting a small business, or paying forhigher education.

“By acquiring one of those assets —building equity in a home, cash flowand equity in a business, or higher pay-ing jobs through education — theynow have a real shot at accessingmeaningful financial potential in theirlives, as opposed to being trapped inthe working-poor class, lacking accessto those kinds of opportunities,” saidAndy Zmuda, director of asset devel-opment programs at CatholicCharities.

“It leverages people’s determinationto work hard, their desire to make sac-rifices, and their willingness to save and

put off immediate needs and gratifica-tion for future goals.”

The way the program works is everydollar deposited into the account ismatched with $2 through federal andprivate grant funding within CatholicCharities. An individual can save up to$2,000 in the account with a $4,000match and families can save up to$4,000 with a match of $8,000.

Along the way, they receive otherfinancial services through CatholicCharities, such as financial coaching,financial education, and credit repairservices.

Last week, Catholic Charities wasinformed by Congressman DonaldNorcross (NJ-01) that they had beenselected to receive another round offederal grant funding to expand the pro-gram in the amount of $100,000.Zmuda estimated that the grant wouldallow the program to serve an addition-al 45 savers this year.

In 2014, 54 individuals opened IDAaccounts. Of those, about half savedtoward buying a first home, about 35percent saved toward post-secondaryeducation costs, and about 15 percentsaved toward opening or developing a

small business. The program is now inits fourth year.

“Almost all of the funding stays inSouth Jersey,” Zmuda said. “Clients arebuying homes in Oaklyn, Somerdale,Haddon Heights, West Deptford. Theyare paying for college at CamdenCounty, Rutgers, Stockton, Rowan, ITTTech, Pennco Tech.”

For the Smith family, saving hasearned them their own home for thefirst time, while Dana continues to savetoward her education.

“The backyard is what sold us,” Corysaid. “We had seen a lot of places, butthis was the one.”

“The best part is we can do whateverwe want with it. It’s our property; weown it,” Dana said. “We’re looking for-ward to having barbecues, just beingoutside. We’re always envisioning newprojects.”

For more information about CatholicCharities’ matched savings program,visit the website:CatholicCharitiesCamden.org/Asset-Development/IDA.

OCTOBER 9, 2015 CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S7HIGHER EDUCATION

Photo by Joanna Gardner

Dana and Cory Smith saved to buy their first home through Catholic Charities’Matched Grant Savings program, or IDA savings account program. Dana issaving toward the cost of higher education. Pictured with their parents areMarley, 6, and Gavin, 4.

An IDA is a savings accountintended to help

low and moderate-income

people savetoward a majorasset, such as

paying for highereducation.

A blog post and hashtag was allAllanah Dykes needed for an experi-ence of a lifetime.

The senior at Fairfield University inConnecticut was selected to be a mem-ber of the “Pope is Hope Digital StreetTeam,” a group intending to create orig-inal online content to document PopeFrancis’ first visit to the U.S.

The contest, created by Aleteia, aCatholic news web site, asked appli-cants to create a piece of content thatpromoted the idea that “good is win-ning,” and post to their own socialmedia platforms using the hashtag

#GoodIsWinning. The contest drewover 400 applications, and after weeksof waiting, Dykes received the newsthat she had been chosen to be one ofonly 30 members of the team.

“When I got the call I was ecstatic!”said Dykes.

“I had to keep quiet for a week untilthe winners were officially announced… but since then I can’t stop smilingand spreading my excitement on myblog Double Shot of Chic. To be chosenfor this team is a true honor and I’m sohappy that I get to represent FairfieldUniversity.”

Dykes’ official title was CitizenJournalist, and she used her personalsocial media platforms to tell a storyabout how #GoodIsWinning, utilizingpictures, interviews with people whowere in New York to see the pope, andpersonal reflections.

Additionally, during the pope’s visitshe took over Fairfield University’ssocial media platforms includingFacebook, Instagram and Twitter.

“It's really important for the church towork hard to be relevant to young peo-ple,” said Jason Deal, executive vicepresident for Strategy, Aleteia USA, Inc.

“The most authentic way we can dothat is to create platforms like this cam-paign that are born from — anddesigned and directed by — team mem-bers like Allanah.”

Though a practicing Christian,Allanah said she was drawn to thisopportunity because the contest rulesnever specified that the applicants haveto be religious.

“I love the idea that the citizen journal-ists would be able to capture the good ineveryday people and hopefully spark apositive movement surrounding the pope’svisit to the United States,” she said.

Reporting for the ‘Pope is Hope Digital Street Team’

Matched Savings Program makes dreams realities

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Pope Francis greets a woman during a brief stop at St. Joseph’s Universityin Philadelphia Sept. 27. The pope blessed a sculpture on the campus thatcommemorates the 50th anniversary of “Nostra Aetate,” the SecondVatican Council Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions.

A brief stop at St. Joe’s