the catholic franciscan learning place

Parent News le t ter

Fall2013

For Parents and Guardians of BCU Students

Claire Dufur wouldn’t call herself a “people person.”

“I’m typically better with animals than I am with humans,” said the pre-veterinary major from Maple Plain, Minn.

Before a recent service project with Habitat for Humanity, she didn’t consider herself much of a “hammer person,” either.

Dufur is part of BCU’s Learning Community,

a pilot program focusing on teaching freshmen beyond the classroom by way of professional mentorships, internships and service projects. One of those service projects was a morning at a Habitat building site in Sioux City’s Riverside area, where a group of 20 or so students put up walls on a house and a shed in the backyard. Some had never swung a hammer before — not that you could tell by the time they were done.

“I was surprised how time went by so quickly,” Dufur said. “It seemed like we had just gotten there and all the sudden they announced that we’d be leaving in 15 minutes. I was like, ‘Wait… what?’”

“Not quite done with housebuilding, Dufur has an internship with Habitat for Humanity, a professional experience that makes up another component of the Learning Community.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to help people.”

Perhaps she’s more of a “people person” than she thought.

Students Say He l l o !Click on the video (right) for a friendly greeting from Briar Cliff students!

Claire Dufur. Click here to view photo gallery.

Whi l e your s tudents are at Br iar C l iff , they’re attending classes, doing homework, participating in sports, making new friends and learning to serve the needs of others.

In this issue of the Parent Newsletter, you will see how BCU students are living our Franciscan values by building a caring community, creating peace, reverencing creation and connecting in joyful service. And, you’ll find out what’s happening on The Cliff.

Students He l p Bu i l d a House and a Learn ing Commun i ty

Card ina l D iNardo V i s i t s The C l iff

Sen i or C i tizens Treated to Day on Campus

Former Sioux City Diocese Bishop Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, archbishop, Diocese of Galveston-Houston, returned to Sioux City in October as the guest lecturer for BCU’s Annual Sister Ruth Agnes Ahlers Lecture Series, sponsored by the Department of Theology and Philosophy. BCU parent Mary Kallsen, Hinton, Iowa, was in the audience with her daughter Anne, a Briar Cliff senior. Mary remembers Cardinal DiNardo speaking at Sioux City’s Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, where she said his voice had a calming effect. “When Anne was little, she was very naughty in church, always moving around,” Mary recalled. “But when he spoke, she calmed down, sat quietly and listened. He just has a presence.”

Read more and watch the video of Cardinal DiNardo’s lecture at Cardinal DiNardo Captivates Audience.

BCU Student Jo ins Papa l Aud i ence at WYD

Walk ing For a Cure

BCU senior Toni Boggs, pictured right, knows how it feels to walk 20 miles in one day. She just completed Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Dallas, Texas, where she helped raise more than $3.3 million for a cure – blisters and all. “Crossing the finish line, I had four blisters, one blood blister and walked with two muscle spasms, but I didn’t give up,” explained Toni, a psychology major, who’s planning to do it again next year. She walked to honor her aunt Theresa Myres, a 2002 alum. “Growing up, I was very influenced by her,” she reflected on her aunt, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29 and passed away last June. Before her journey, the psychology major invited the BCU community for names of breast cancer fighters in their lives, which Toni printed on the t-shirt she wore on the walk. Toni’s Briar Cliff roots run deep. Her grandmother Kathy Myres is a BCU employee, her uncle and Chris Myres and Amy Petersen Myres, both ’99 graduates. Learn more about Toni’s story here.

One-hundred residents of Siouxland nursing homes were treated to a delicious lunch served by Briar Cliff students, musical entertainment pre-recorded by BCU Singers and a prayer service at the Annual Senior Citizens’ Day Out on campus. The event, hosted by Campus Ministry, was made possible thanks to many volunteers from the BCU community.

Pictured right, BCU student Robert Iron Shell, Le Mars, Iowa, and Kathleen Beacom, Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Sioux City, look at photos Robert took at the luncheon.

Pictured above, L-R: Cardinal DiNardo visits with BCU students Doris Iragena and Fabioloda Ngamije. Pictured below: Cardinal DiNardo with BCU student James Conway at a reception for the Cardinal.

Briar Cliff junior Briar Bergner was among three million people who attended World Youth Day (WYD), July 23-28, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Held every third year, the worldwide Catholic youth gathering offers music, fellowship, an evening vigil and Mass celebrated by the Pope.

“The Pope’s message to young people is: ‘You are the church, and it’s your responsibility to lead others to Christ’,” said Bergner. “He tells us to spread the Word of God in a way that young people will understand.”Bergner also attended WYD celebrations in Sydney,

Australia, in 2008 and in Madrid, Spain, in 2011, and heard Pope Benedict XVI speak, at both events.

“All three [celebrations] were completely different from each other,” she said, crediting Pope Francis’ style as one of the main differences.

Pope Francis reminds her of Saint Francis of Assisi, who inspired many people to serve others.

“Pope Francis chose a very fitting name for himself because he really is a lot like Saint Francis!” she said. “When he told us that we need to serve others, not just in our free time but all the time – I was

especially inspired. I already do a lot of service here at school and at home, but Pope Francis made me want to do even more.” Briar Bergner, left, with her friend Catherine at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. Together, they have attended the last three WYD gatherings.

VISITUS!

Read more Cliff News at www.cliffnewsnet.org

What ’s Up On The C l iff?

Homecoming 20 13 : Roya l ty Runs

Br iar C l iff Ranks Among U .S . Best Reg i ona l Co l l eges

Fami ly Weekend - the T i e that B inds

Briar Cliff University ranks among America’s Best Regional Colleges, based on a U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges 2014” survey.

The annual “America’s Best Colleges” study by U.S. News & World Report represents the most comprehensive look at how schools stack up based on a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The overall rankings help students and their families evaluate and compare data compiled from hundreds of accredited four-year colleges. Read more.

The Briar Cliff Singers and Chamber Choir performed Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aenaes and other works in October at First Presbyterian Church, Sioux City. The next performance by the choirs will be Christmas at the Orpheum held at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the Orpheum Theater, Sioux City.

Fa l l Chora l Concert

You could say royalty runs in the McElroy family. BCU senior Grace McElroy was crowned this year’s Homecoming Queen, she hailed as the 2012 Sioux City RiverCade Queen and her mother, Teresa (Koster) McElroy, a Briar Cliff graduate, was named Homecoming Queen in 1989. “It’s really cool to follow in my mom’s footsteps and to share her experience,” said Grace, who is majoring in English and secondary education. She is vice president for Student Government, Peer Advising Leader coordinator, a BCU cheerleader, a member of Cliff Singers, Residence Hall Association, Spanish Club and plays intramurals. Her father, Pat McElroy, also was on the 1989 Homecoming Court. The McElroy’s reside in Sioux City. Shaughn Head was crowned 2013 Homecoming King. A pre-med/biology major, Shaughn is the son of Tom and Connie Head of Palm Desert, Calif. He is in cross country, track and field, Residence Hall Association, SOURCE and League of Legends Club.

This year’s Homecoming, themed “I AM BCU,” offered many spirit-filled activities, like Coolest Cribs Contest, pep rally, magic show, Open Mic Night, Homecoming Dance and Mass. In addition, Charger fans enjoyed tailgates, soccer and football games and class reunions. Click here to see the Homecoming 2013 photo gallery. Read more about our 2013 Homecoming Court here.

Pictured right, above, Grace with her mother, Teresa (Koster) McElroy ’89. Pictured right, below, is Theresa crowned as Briar Cliff’s 1989 Homecoming Queen with Homecoming King Vince Wuebker ’89.

Pictured left the 2013 Homecoming Court: Front L-R: Amanda Huelskamp, David Tillman, Queen Grace McElroy, King Shaughn Head, Jane Hartigan, Dominic Wetzbarger, Breann Hansen.

Back, L-R: Jayna Specht, Carter Kruckenberg, James Conway, Kate Swanson.

Not pictured: Matt Delaney.

Coo l e s t Campus Cr ibs

Most BCU Spirit • Anne Kallsen, Briar Bergner, Katelyn Baas and Kiley Core

Warmest Welcome/Caring Community • Jake Baker-Keith, Abram Reynolds, Tom Patterson, Skylar Weber

Best Use of Space • Gabbi Kates Best Theme • James Conway Most Contrasting Styles • Karina Haas, Amanda Huelskamp and Grace McElroy

During Homecoming week, students competed for the best home away from home. These lucky winners received $50 gift cards for their unique rooms.

Packed with plenty of fun and togetherness, Briar Cliff University’s Family Weekend in early November offered down home quality time for Briar Cliff students, employees and their families.

A number of activities were scheduled for the annual event, including BINGO for prizes, soccer matches, a football game with tailgate food and games, a festive “Day of the Dead” celebration and a Family Mass. Read the entire article at Briar Cliff University Plans Family Weekend.

Pictured left: Enjoying sunny weather at Family Weekend are, back, BCU student Jordan Ahrenstorff, second from left, with friend, Brittany Isom ’13, far left, of Moville, Iowa; mother, Kim Murphy, third from left; stepsister, Morgan Murphy, holding half-sister, Madigan Murphy; front: stepbrother Isaac Murphy, all of Graettinger Iowa.

/BriarCliffUniversity /Briar_Cliff /BriarCliffU/BriarCliffU

A Briar Cliff University ePublication • www.briarcliff.edu

Ath le ti c Teams Go Go ld for a CauseBriar Cliff athletes laced up gold shoestrings for Brooklyn, a three-year-old Sioux City girl who is battling leukemia. The special laces were part of “Go Gold” weekend (Oct. 11-13), when BCU partnered with “Go 4 the Goal” to raise funds and awareness in the fight against pediatric cancer. During the weekend, “Go Gold” t-shirts and shoelaces were sold at all sporting events, along with raffle tickets for autographed items. All proceeds went toward Brooklyn’s medical bills.

Learn more about BCU’s little hero Brooklyn on her Facebook page “Battle 4 Brooklyn.”

Go 4 the Goal is a national organization assisting universities and athletic teams in raising donations for pediatric cancer.

Click on the team photos for game results on “Go Gold Weekend.” For more Charger news, visit bcuchargers.com and the Charger Facebook page.

CHARGER ATHLETIC FEATURE

Charger volleyball team with Brooklyn.

Charger men’s soccer Charger women’s soccer Charger cross country Charger football staff

M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R For a complete list of BCU events click here.

Nov. 23 • 7:30 pmChristmas at the Orpheum

Nov. 27-Dec. 1 Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 9, 10, 12, 13Final Exam DaysSend a care package!

Dec. 14-Jan. 5Christmas Break

Jan. 6J-Term Classes Begin

Jan. 23Spring Semester Begins