Monthly Archives: June 2010

Hi John:

I was dismayed to see Manhattan College on the list of “Catholic Colleges” that had commencement speakers at odds with Catholic teachings (see below). Like the Jesuits (whose schools are in the Jesuit tradition), Manhattan wraps itself in the “La Sallian tradition.” I have no problem with that as long as they are authentically Catholic which many Jesuit schools are not. At least Manhattan didn’t sponsor the “Vagina Monologues” this year.

Best,

Peter ’57

[JR: Stunning report.]

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http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/435/ItemID/824/Default.aspx

http://tinyurl.com/26afdq8

In Aftermath of Notre Dame Controversy, Catholic College Commencement Scandals Decline in 2010

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UPDATE 6/21/2010

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Manhattan College (N.Y.)

Dr. Nel Noddings, professor of education at Stanford University, was commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient at Manhattan College on May 26. Dr. Noddings expounds a complex pro-abortion position in her book Caring. She says that abortion is permitted because women have no “responsibility to care” for the unborn child since no “responsibility of care” exists yet. She writes that until an unborn child is developed enough to respond to caring, a woman bears no ethical responsibility to that child.

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http://www.manhattan.edu/newsletters/ManhattanMonthly/2010_06/News.html

Dr. Nel Noddings Honored at Spring Commencement

At the ceremony, Noddings encouraged the graduates in these challenging economic times. “Especially at this time, we might take a pledge to live a life of economic moderation.” She said, “If we must have excesses, let them be in love, learning, and giving. If you make that pledge, you need not be embarrassed by your salary as a pre-school teacher, repair man, delivery driver, or nurse’s aide, or even by temporary unemployment. Are you doing something for the common good? Something to which you are devoted? Something that makes you happy? If so, when you return in a few years for a class reunion, you can say honestly to your fellow alums, I’m doing great!” Noddings was awarded an honorary Doctor of Pedagogy at the College’s Spring Commencement on May 26. Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to those in the adult degree completion program, along with master’s degrees awarded to those in the schools of education and engineering.

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[JR: I'll defer to the "experts", but clearly there's an issue here. I read some of the reviews of the cited book and found it "upsetting". Can't form an opinion on such limited evidence. But it sounds like there's a lot of "feminism" being expressed. Personally, I have always found "feminists" missed the point of "complementary pairs". It's never: "men good; women bad" or the opposite. Frankly, that's what gives us a lead over the cultures that send any "group" to the back of the proverbial bus. We need all the good ideas and energy from whatever source. That all being said, someone is going to have to explain that "a woman bears no ethical responsibility to that child" concept to a fat old white guy injineer. Sounds bad to me.]

[JR: Sadly submitted for your consideration.]

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Dear John:

I was saddened to hear about the death of Robert Beardsley ’50. I had the good fortune of having him as a teacher of biochemistry. He was in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. at Columbia. His course was identical to the one I had the next year as first year medical school at Columbia. It certainly made medical school a lot easier for which I will be forever grateful. I also worked in his lab as a glass washer. One day I broke some of the equipment. He handled it with his usual equanimity and never docked my pay. Not mentioned in the obituary in the Manhattan Quarterly was that he also was very helpful to the founder of Carvel, who started out in Westchester, in making sure that their products were safe.

Best,
Peter

[JR: Guess he knew how valuable you'd be later on ... ... as the medical editor of jasper Jottings. LOL. I remember the Carvel commercials; didn't know about the Jasper connection. So much is hidden from view. One is always remembered well for the good deeds. Even the smallest ones, can be huge for the recipient.]

Dans, Peter E. (MC1957)

Beardsley, Robert [MC1950 RIP]

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http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=131902303

Robert M. Beardsley

BEARDSLEY ROBERT M.

Of Pittsburgh, formerly of Bethel Park, on Monday, August 24, 2009, age 51. Beloved son of Susann (Pearch) Beardsley and the late William; brother of Terrance, William Jr. (Eileen), Susann (Robert Heister), Richard (Susan), Kenneth (Susann) and Jeffrey; also many nieces and nephews. Bob was a 1975 graduate of Bethel Park H.S. where he was Captain of the wrestling team. He attended Edinboro University and was a former member of the Steamfitters Local 449. Visitation Thursday 1-4 and 6-9 at the DAVID J. HENNEY FUNERAL HOME, 6364 Library Road (Rt. 88) Library. Mass of Christian Burial Friday at Noon in St. Valentine Church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from August 26 to August 27, 2009

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Guestbook: http://goo.gl/zqaZ

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John:

If I’m not mistaken, the college considers everyone who registers for even a semester or two as an alumnus for the year that he or she would have graduated. When I chaired the Reunion of the Class of ’52 eight years ago, the “official” list of our class members I received from the Alumni Office included several who transferred long before graduation – including a young Joe Sullivan. Since he later rose to the rank of bishop, I’d have to say he made the right move . . . and he still qualifies as an alumnus. Hope this clears things up.

John Nason

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[JR: Thanks. Interesting. I do something similar when I find "Attendees" in the obit search. But, don't see them very often. Guess we'll just have to muddle along.]

Nason, John (MC1952)

[JR: "Making the right move". That triggered a familiar train of thought. Who knows? That's why I love the movie "Groundhog Day" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/ Like the weatherman who finds himself living the same day over and over again, we don't have the luxury of "do overs". Nor do we have the "Eternal Possibilities Machine". ① That's been featured in many Science Fiction stories. Even mine! It would let us see all the possible outcomes. Maybe he'd have cured cancer, brought about world peace, or maybe even invented the next frisbee. Sigh?]

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① “… Eternal Possibilities Machine, which generates all the possibilities for use in creating the alternative worlds. In all those probability lines where …” CHURCH 10●19●62 (Volume 1) Chapter 12 page 45

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JEMAIL: Alline, Vince (MC1968) submits … … a joke. Titled: “GARDEN SNAKES CAN BE DANGEROUS …”.

[JR: Due it's length and it's a inet "circular file" type item and people get testy about "off topic" stuff. (As if this effort had a topic. Other than spam, investment advice, sales pitches, and chain mail, it's all good. We deliberately skip sports because you can get that better at GoJaspers dot com.) I put it on the back lot for all to enjoy eternally should they wish to know why the Sweetwater man shot his wife.]

http://tinyurl.com/2bnawzc

[JR: It was funny.]

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