Event Analysis

I really enjoyed reading Father Linnane’s State of the University speech. During his address to staff members, students, alumni, and other who might have been listening, he expressed the plan set out to improve the university. He touched on many different areas of the school that would all work to enhance the overall quality of the school. I found that I really loved all the proposals that he spoke of.

 In the beginning of his speech, he addressed that although the goals originally set for 2013 will not be accomplished in that timeframe, he is no less determined for these objectives to be carried out. These targets are still considered extremely important and will not be set aside. His persistence is comparable to the perseverance voiced in Gary Gildner’s “First Practice.” The commander in this poem expresses that he will not accept loss or failure. Instead, success is the only option. This is similar to what Father Linnane expresses in his oration. The goals designed in 2008 as part of “Grounded in Tradition, Educating for the Future” will not be dismissed because they cannot be achieved by 2013. Instead, the team has given themselves a longer period to accomplish them. The initiatives are very important and thus must not be let go.

The speaker in Richard Hague’s “Directions for Resisting the SAT” asserts that true happiness, success, and vitality do not necessarily come from the affairs that are often considered highly important in life. The SAT’s are a highly stressed part of life and are often used as a form of the measurement of success. However, the speaker argues that satisfaction and prosperity comes from the entirety of a person. This is the very focus of the Jesuit principle. Jesuit education, which Father Linanne and other faculty of the university are working to improve, is focused on the person in every aspect. Father Linanne addresses matters of education, professional experience, community service, athletics, No one area can measure the value of a person. The speaker also states that a person should “make your marks on everything.” This is another principle that our Jesuit university promotes.

One element particularly important to Loyola University is the effort towards reaching out and bettering the surrounding community. The Sampsons, whose story is told in “Serving Up Hope,” and members of the Loyola Community share a mutual belief in making a difference in the community. The Sampsons work to bring those in the community who are struggling back to solid ground. Their motivation is solely from love and respect of others. This is the same reason for community service that Father Linanne encouraged during his State of the University address.

Father Linanne spoke of so many wonderful ways to improve the university. Reading this speech showed how the university is continually working very hard to advance. I found that it made me fall in love with the school even more, reminding me of all the great objectives and principles it stands for. The speech gave me a deeper insight to the focus of Loyola University. It revealed how much Loyola really cares about not only its students but also the surrounding community.