Letter from the President

Dear Members of the Barry community,

With fall semester well underway, we are preparing for our annual Founders' Week celebration. This year we shall begin on Saturday, November 12, with the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and conclude on Saturday, November 19, with theGobble Wobble 5K Run/Walk, a new event that supports our commitment to wellness and service learning.

During Founders' Week we recall the reasons why Barry (then Barry College) was founded in 1940 as we honor Barry's Founders – Mother Mary Gerald Barry, OP, and the Adrian Dominican Sisters, her brothers, Bishop Patrick Barry and Monsignor William Barry, and Mr. John (Jack) Thompson.

On Monday, November 14, at noon, we shall celebrate the traditional Founders' Day Mass in Cor Jesu Chapel. Following Mass, we shall proceed to the Thompson Hall Lobby for the kick-off Reception that will include a historical exhibit with a special VIP guest.

The following day, November 15, we shall welcome Sister Ann Willits, OP, a Sinsinawa Dominican Sister, an accomplished author, poet, and expert storyteller as our Distinguished Lecturer. Sister Ann's topic, Barry University: Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's Hope, will explore both the legacy and the invitation inherent within Barry's Dominican identity and tradition. Following the lecture at 1:00 pm, there will be an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to dialogue with Sister Ann.

Historically celebrated as Arbor Day, we shall Plant the Campus Red on Wednesday, November 16, to beautify our many campuses in a spirit of service and honor the sacredness of Earth. We shall also offer activities related to sustainability and the Community Garden pilot project.

The much-anticipated and fun-filled Community Fest will be held on Thursday, November 17, featuring our annual birthday cake cutting ceremony, food, and team competitions, such as tug-o-war, bed races, musical chairs, and cake decorating. Start to get your teams organized!

This energizing and enriching week also includes an Interfaith Prayer Service, followed by the Core Commitments Luncheon on Friday, November 18, highlighting Mission in Action at Barry University.

In the coming weeks, the planning committees will share more details about these events. In the meantime, please highlight Founders' Week on your calendar, November 12-19, 2011. For more information, please visit the Founders' Week website at http://www.barry.edu/founders-week.

Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD
President
Always Barry Proud!