Sometimes the Dear Neighbor is the sister who really does live next door.
One of the most special ways in which the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph persists in the colleges and universities they founded across the country is the personal connection formed between student and sister. These bonds, forged through the colleges that connect them, inspire the next generation to live out the values of the sisters even after graduation. This semester at the College of Our Lady of the Elms (more commonly referred to as Elms College), several students have been connecting with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, Massachusetts through their coursework.
One of the most special ways in which the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph persists in the colleges and universities they founded across the country is the personal connection formed between student and sister. These bonds, forged through the colleges that connect them, inspire the next generation to live out the values of the sisters even after graduation. This semester at the College of Our Lady of the Elms (more commonly referred to as Elms College), several students have been connecting with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, Massachusetts through their coursework.
Raul Combe, Buffy Gudrian, and Topher Mattoon prepare on the set.
In two History and Religious Studies courses run by Professors Laura McNeil, Damien Murray, and Michael McGravey, students have been creating short documentaries about the Sisters of St. Joseph and the history of Elms College. These courses were offered in partnership with the Office of Experiential Learning and New England Public Media, who collaborated to help teach students how to conduct interviews and organize film material.
The students used these skills to interview six Sisters of St. Joseph, including former president Sr. Kathleen Keating, as well as several current members of the Elms College community, including President Harry Dumay. Topics for the students’ documentaries included the mission and charism of the Sisters, campus life before and after Vatican II, and the College’s decision to go co-ed in 1998. But beyond just acquiring information, students found themselves developing meaningful relationships with the sisters.
The students used these skills to interview six Sisters of St. Joseph, including former president Sr. Kathleen Keating, as well as several current members of the Elms College community, including President Harry Dumay. Topics for the students’ documentaries included the mission and charism of the Sisters, campus life before and after Vatican II, and the College’s decision to go co-ed in 1998. But beyond just acquiring information, students found themselves developing meaningful relationships with the sisters.
Sr. Kathleen Imbruno shows Buffy Gudrian pictures of her artwork as they wait for their turn to interview.
"I felt like I was actually making a connection," said Natanya Furgal '23, "instead of just asking questions." They emphasized how surprised they were; they went into it expecting to view it only as schoolwork, but came out of it invested and moved.
The project also helped bring students together with one another, and it enhanced their appreciation for Elms College as a whole.
"We’re a really small group of History majors, but we’re really a tight knit group," said Topher Mattoon ‘22. "It’s really just an honor to be working with these other students to prepare a project like this as we approach one hundred years of the College of Our Lady of the Elms."
The project also helped bring students together with one another, and it enhanced their appreciation for Elms College as a whole.
"We’re a really small group of History majors, but we’re really a tight knit group," said Topher Mattoon ‘22. "It’s really just an honor to be working with these other students to prepare a project like this as we approach one hundred years of the College of Our Lady of the Elms."
From left to right: Prof. Scott Hartblay, Sr. Kathleen Kirley, Prof. Damien Murray, Buffy Gudrian, and Sr. Kathleen Reagan.
These short documentaries are part of a larger research project into the history of Elms College that Professors McNeil and Murray have been conducting. They recently presented papers at the “Symposium on the Institutional Sagas of the Associated Colleges of the Sisters of St. Joseph Member Institutions.” The symposium took place January 27-28, 2022, and it was hosted by Fontbonne University. Dr. McNeil’s paper was entitled “Priceless Ornaments: Faith, Founders and the Philosophy of the College of Our Lady of the Elms.” Dr. Murray’s paper was “Elms College and The Role of Women in an Age of Catholic Confidence.”
From left to right: Director of Campus Ministry Eileen Kirk, Prof. Laura McNeil, and Prof. Damien Murray.
Dr. Michael McGravey received a grant from the Office of Experiential Learning to develop his course, “Good Habits: The History and Mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph.” The course centered on the French origins of the Sisters, their arrival in the United States and Springfield specifically, as well as their emphasis on Catholic education and social teaching.
These students and faculty alike have spent the past few months learning about and honoring the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Each has come out of the experience with a greater appreciation for the values upon which their college was founded. The close in-person connection that the Springfield sisters have to offer has led to new scholarship, research, and academic courses—not to mention new bonds of friendship. Through them, the College of Our Lady of the Elms continues to nourish and deepen the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
These students and faculty alike have spent the past few months learning about and honoring the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Each has come out of the experience with a greater appreciation for the values upon which their college was founded. The close in-person connection that the Springfield sisters have to offer has led to new scholarship, research, and academic courses—not to mention new bonds of friendship. Through them, the College of Our Lady of the Elms continues to nourish and deepen the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
From left to right: Prof. Michael McGravey, Prof. Damien Murray, Prof. Laura McNeil, Caitlyn Tippett, Sr. Carol Allan, Buffy Gudrian, Sr. Kathleen Keating, Raul Combe, Topher Mattoon, and Dr. Harry Dumay
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