Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Center, LA&S
Rosa Soto
Enrollment Management
Jacqueline Taylor
Communication, LA&S
Geraldine Timm
Office of the Chancellor
Thomas Drexler
University Mission and Values
Edward Udovic
University Mission and Values
John Rybolt
University Mission and Values
Group members were asked to share their experiences with their colleagues after returning to DePaul. They were also asked to submit two short reflections on the effect's of the trip on their work at the university and how they used their experiences in their work.
Selected Comments from Trip Participants
"As a Catholic at a Vincentian university, I understand my vocation of teaching as a form of service. But like many contemporary academics I spend a good deal of time doing administration. I am sometimes hard put to see the relationship between my administrative work and my Christian vocation. Seeing the scope of Vincent's charitable "operation" and the tremendous administrative effort needed to make this charity happen, I am able to connect activities such as program review, budgeting, even report writing (!) with the aim of the mission."
"...this trip did exactly what it should have done, what I think educational travel should do - it should take us out of out comfort zone and it should compel us to reexamine ourselves. Now with over a month's distance from the trip, I am able to ask myself these questions, and not just on a superficial level. How am I living the mission of the University? How do I take the values that I say DePaul stands for and manifest those in my life? How do I become more active in my community?"
"There is also the sense that you are on a special journey, supported by a sense of generousness and cooperation that you could call a Vincentian spirit…combined with everyone's rich personal histories and experiences, led to many interesting conversations about religion, politics, history and other parts of culture - not the least of which were enthusiastic discussions about food and wine."
"More knowledge is usually better than ignorance, and more linked areas of knowledge are better then isolated fragments. The biggest impression I take from this trip is one of previously separate bits of information floating around in my head being developed, linked, and honed by the experience."
