St Vincent DePaul is of course known for his work with charity. He was a humble, compassionate and benevolent man. After extensive reading and attending lectures related to his life I have also found St. Vincent to be a master of organization, management and building bridges with those that could support him in his endeavors. He was responsible for those living on the extensive grounds that he oversaw and attended to their needs economically, socially and spiritually. If one were to sum up St. Vincent DePaul and his role succinctly one would say that he was a man of service.
What I also appreciate about Vincent is his very human qualities. He had setbacks. He questioned himself. He temporarily abandoned a post he thought to be overwhelming. He was frustrated at times with organizational systems, political dynamics and even the church. What is interesting is that he had grit and a fortitude that might even be construed as stubbornness at times while operating for a divine purpose. In the end the results mattered and he moved forward despite opposition knowing what was best for those for whom he was responsible.
As a teacher, scholar and administrator I feel that my position is also one of service. As a college we provide structure, tools, and because of our unique heritage, we offer guidance that is borne from the tenants and core values found in the life of St. Vincent DePaul. Like Vincent, as faculty, we hope those who walk upon the grounds of our beautiful Monteagle Ridge thrive within our community unleashing potential that perhaps some never realized existed.
We work hard here at Niagara University. We get frustrated. We question what appear to be archaic methods of doing things. We make mistakes. In the end the results matter. The product we put out into the world is a good one. It is one of intelligence and empathy but also grit. I guess you could say that a little bit of Vincent has rubbed off on all of us
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