Malloy dedicates Coleman-Morse Center
By Scott Brodfuehrer
News Writer
By SCOTT BRODFUEHRER
News Writer
In a spirit of thanksgiving for the generosity of donors and celebration for the diverse activities of Notre Dame students, University officials dedicated the new Coleman-Morse center May 5.
The day's activities began with a dedication mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The celebration was presided over by University President Father Edward Malloy and was concelebrated by almost every Holy Cross priest at Notre Dame. Bishop John D'Arcy, Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Jenky and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Joseph Crowley, all from the diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, also attended the mass.
Members of the Liturgical Choir, Folk Choir, Handbell Choir and Women's Liturgical Choir provided music for the celebration. In attendance at the mass were family and friends of donors Tom Coleman and James and Leah Rae Morse, members of the Board of Trustees, University Officers and staff members from Academic Services for Student Athletes, Campus Ministry, the Center for Social Concerns and the First Year of Studies.
Father Richard Warner, Director of Campus Ministry and one of the main forces behind the creation of the center, gave the homily, explaining how the center is "perhaps the most significant building on campus." Warner emphasized how students have made the building their own in the past weeks, and will continue to do so in the years to come.
"This beautiful building is so much more than bricks and concrete. It is a tribute to who we are and wish to be as a University community, and it is a bold statement of the mission imperative which must always be at the center of our vision and energies," said Warner.
Warner also recognized the generosity of the donors, and how their gifts would help each Notre Dame student. The James and Leah Rae Morse Center for Academic Services was made possible by a gift from Morse, a 1957 alumnus and former football captain. During the 1960s, Morse served as the ABC Radio voice of the Fighting Irish.
"Mr. James Morse and his wife Leah Rae have enabled Notre Dame to create a place where academic services for our student-athletes can be offered in unparalleled surroundings. As a student-athlete himself, and indeed the captain of the Notre Dame football team, Mr. Morse understands the multiple challenges and opportunities our student athletes face whether that be in the Joyce Center or the house that Rockne built or any of our other fine athletic facilities," said Warner.
The Coleman Family Center for Campus Ministry was made possible by a gift from the late Tom Coleman, a 1956 graduate of Notre Dame, who served on the Board of Trustees until his death last year. In addition to a gift for the center, he provided a gift that allowed the University to renovate the Basilica.
"The late Cardinal John O'Connor of New York once told me, in a wistful moment, that he suspected that when Tom died he would prefer to spend eternity at Notre Dame. The prelate acknowledged that this was probably legitimate, since Tom could not distinguish between heaven and Notre Dame in any case," Warner said.
Warner ended his homily by stating that the Coleman-Morse center is a bold statement of what is valued at Notre Dame.
"It magnifies the diverse talents and giftedness of our undergraduate students. It recognizes, marks and values the fact that while Notre Dame changes physically every year, its solid central core – its heart – remains the same, always remains faithful to the incomprehensible grace of God," said Warner.
The bearers of the gifts – those people who bring the bread and wine from the back of the basilica to the altar – were those whose programs benefited most from the new center: Kate Halischak, director of Academic Services for Student Athletes, Eileen Kolman, Dean of the First Year of Studies and James Paladino, Associate Director of the Center for Social Concerns. Dorene and Jerry Hammes, who provided a gift for the center's lounge, also presented the gifts.
Immediately following the mass, Malloy dedicated the building itself, and then the two centers.
"It feels like we're at the center of the universe," said Malloy, standing next to the marble rotating ball and fountain, surrounded by onlookers in the wings of the building and above him on the second floor, looking down from the terrace.
Malloy blessed the building and engaged the crowd in prayer, thanking the generous benefactors and the workers who gave great care in constructing the building. Malloy ended the blessing with a humorous gesture.
"And, in a new tradition through the generosity of the president's office," Malloy said, throwing a few pennies into the fountain.
Student guides gave tours of the building after the dedication. A formal dinner in South Dining Hall followed the dedication celebrations, with speeches from Malloy, Warner, Director of Student Affairs Father Mark Poorman and Board of Trustees member Robert Welsh.
All News Stories for Friday, May 18, 2001
