In 1948, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of SNC, Father Patrick Butler, O. Praem., Chair of the English Department, wrote a poem in the epic style titled, RESPICE ET PROSPICE. (To look back and to look ahead)
A college is nor brick nor steel;
The halls and campus are but trivial things
of no essential or enduring worth
in man’s persistent quest to find the truth
about the Why of things: from Whence they came,
their purpose and their laws, the Reason Why
that demi-angel, demi-beast called man
should use his mind and will to love or hate
the God who made him, and the Christ who saved.
A College is a beacon in the night
of ignorance; it lights the way to truth
and burns with steady, shade engulfing flame
or flickers weakly in the gales of doubt,
dependent on the keeper and the fuel.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Master, when He said, “Go forth and teach
To all the nations whatsoever I have taught,
And with the truth, the nations shall be free”
Entrusted to the hands of chosen ones
The light that shineth in a murky world…
The poem goes on to summarize human history, referencing Rome, Columbus and Norbert’s canon sons who came to a vista unknown, “to guard the flame, build a shrine for it and seek recruits to keep it blazing high. Our College is the temple they built…” It is appropriate that we gather in thanksgiving for the past and for the future.
Much has happened in the sixty years since that poem was penned. In its first 57 years, St. Norbert College had but one president, its founder and our first abbot. Now 53 years later we gather to inaugurate a new keeper, its 7th President, Thomas Kunkel. Much has changed. Thomas you will not have to teach Latin in the kitchen, keep the community supplied with cigars or handle the finances out of a cigar box. You don’t have a faculty and staff composed of just Norbertines who you could transfer to Canada or Manistique just like that! And the two students have grown to over 2,000.
While much has changed, there are some very important things that have not changed. The role of the President is a most challenging one. There are hopes and expectations in all those gathered here and in many others who are present in spirit. If we were to start listing them, I suspect that you would be inclined to return to the East Coast. But a new president, not unlike anyone new in a leadership position, is a sign of future hope. But the college community is also called to be a sign of Hope. Pope Benedict states that “the noble goals of scholarship and education, founded on the unity of truth and in service of the person and the community, become an especially powerful instrument of hope.” It is daunting, Tom, but you have the great advantage that everyone here wants you to succeed in leading this college community. The support is here—take full advantage of it.
Father Butler wrote about protecting the flame and holding it high. Our Gospel reminds us that we are salt and we are light. As Christians we are challenged to spread the Gospel. In this world that is also a great challenge. Sirach advises us to “Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let God’s commandments be your constant meditation; Then God will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire God will grant.”
Thomas, as you are aware, there are many educational philosophies; among those sitting here are additional opinions about how education should be done, how a college should be run. If you have not heard some of them yet, I know you soon will. May I, in the name of the community, offer one? St. Norbert College needs to educate the whole student: body and soul, heart and mind. We want our graduates to leave here aware of the truth, aware that they belong to a world-wide community that needs them to share their talents in a self-sacrificing way that will change this world for the better, even in the smallest of ways. Pope Benedict confirmed that goal when he addressed educators in Washington, DC this past Spring: “Our institutions are to make a vital contribution to the mission of the Church and truly serve society. They become places in which God's active presence in human affairs is recognized and in which every young person discovers the joy of entering into Christ's "being for others".
Thomas, our prayer today is that you be salt and light to fuel this college community in faithfulness to its mission and heritage as it pursues excellence. Invite us, challenge us, lead us with patience, gentleness and love. May we all take Sirach’s advice to heart: if we listen, we will learn.
Fr. Butler concludes: “One half a tragic century has run
Its course, since in a humble room that day,
Two frightened youngsters stammered one by one
The simple Latin forms they’d learn to say.
Our college started humbly; faith and trust
In Providence the only assets then,
But it has prospered as a good work must
When it is done for God. Today again
We dedicate our minds and hearts to Him
Whose work we do, for much must yet be done.
The world abides in darkness; light is dim
And clouds of pride and malice hide the Sun.
Be with us, God; we bear the light for Thee
That all may know, and knowing, shall be free!
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