COMMUNITY IMPACT

We raised our children in Latrobe and moved to Ohio in 1988. During our early years in Latrobe, we had significant ties to the monastic community at Saint Vincent as well as a strong affinity for the theater productions. In 2002 we moved back to Latrobe and were again drawn to Saint Vincent because of its programs and culturally diverse activities. When we returned to southwestern Pennsylvania, we became more involved with Saint Vincent and its outreach programs through Counselors to America’s Small Business (formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives, or SCORE) and the theater programs.

As a volunteer member of the Counselors to America’s Small Business whose Westmoreland County Chapter is housed at Saint Vincent, I am frequently on the College’s campus to attend meetings with clients or business associates. I have seen the changes occurring as the campus continues to evolve. From large improvements, such as facilities like the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media, to small alterations such as fresh flowers, planted as part of a campus beautification project, each change has had a significant effect on the campus.

The expansion of facilities enables the College to offer more programs not only to students of all ages, but also to residents of southwestern Pennsylvania. I am honored to be able to volunteer my time in the newly renovated Aurelius Hall which houses the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government and its outreach programs: Counselors to America’s Small Business, the Kennametal Center for Operational Excellence, and the Small Business Development Center. These programs strengthen new and existing businesses in the area helping them to provide more efficient services and produce quality products, thus improving the economic vitality of the region.

Through the College’s various lecture series we have heard noted and distinguished speakers such as Rick Santorum, Dr. Akbar Ahmed, Dr. James Kurth, and Dr. Paul Marshall, as part of the 2005 Culture and Policy Conference entitled The West at War, which provided an in-depth look into Islamic culture, politics, and traditions. The College has also hosted Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream, Joe Clark, and Bill Nye as part of the New Horizons Lecture Series; and Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, and Alex Haley through the Threshold Lecture Series. Saint Vincent’s commitment to the regional area is clearly exhibited in its programs and the diverse group of scholars, business men and women, and other influential intellectuals hosted by the College.

The College not only promotes intellectual pursuits, but also draws a diverse group of actors, artists, and musicians to the campus. We began attending Saint Vincent College Theater events more than 30 years ago and they remain one of our favorite aspects of the school. We especially enjoyed performances with Stuart Pankin and we continue to attend shows directed by Fr. Tom Devereux or Joe Reilly. We are now involved in a greater capacity to help maintain the high quality of theatrical performances brought to the area as donors to the Fr. Tom Devereux, O.S.B. Endowed Directorship. We find the most attractive feature of the theater program to be the integration of a casual atmosphere with spectacular performances, right here in our own neighborhood.

Saint Vincent College hosts prominent artists and musicians through the Art Gallery shows and the Saint Vincent College Concert Series. The Saint Vincent Gallery is a modern exhibition space with more than 4,000 square feet to house temporary exhibitions and the permanent collections of the College and Archabbey. The permanent collection is comprised of more than 2,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, and stained glass. The primary holding is one hundred and ninety-five 17th, 18th, and 19th century European paintings which were donated through the auspices of King Ludwig I of Bavaria in the 1850s. Temporary exhibits include student and faculty shows and traveling exhibitions such as Illustrious Illustrators, Mark Bender, John Manders, John Ritter, Rich Rogowski, and Mark Zingarelli.

The Saint Vincent College Concert Series hosts world-class artists in recitals and chamber music concerts in the newly renovated and acoustically superb Carey Performing Arts Center. A diverse series of musical talents have performed at Saint Vincent, including artists such as Jean-Francois Latour on piano, Wendy Law on cello, the Salsamba! Latin Jazz Ensemble, and the Janaki String Trio.

Although we are not graduates of Saint Vincent College, we are honored to be affiliated with the school in so many other ways. Latrobe and southwestern Pennsylvania are privileged to have an institution in their backyard that brings intellectual resources and an added cultural dimension to the region.

Bill & Rosemarie McGarrity