Speech - Thomas More College

Thomas More College
David A. Armstrong, J.D.
Inauguration Address
friday, the eighteenth of october,
two thousand and thirteen
Service and Sacrifice Into the 21st Century
Inaugural Address of President David A. Armstrong, J.D.
I
goes by that I don’t repeat verbatim something you taught
me to use in the challenges I face as a College President.
Thank you so much!
My last recognition, for our Dais Party, is for State Senator
Christian McDaniel. My whole life I wondered if I would
ever get the opportunity to serve our country in the armed
forces, and those days seemed to be behind me. Senator
McDaniel made a dream come true and commissioned me as
a Kentucky Colonel. Senator McDaniel, I am grateful for my
appointment and will cherish it forever.
A warm Northern Kentucky welcome to all the presidents
and delegates from our educational friends, the colleges and
universities both near and far. I appreciate you representing
your institution at my inauguration at this most busy time of
the academic year.
Thanks to our Trustees, led by Mr. John Hodge, our
faculty, staff and students at Thomas More for your warmth,
hospitality and support. You are what make Thomas More
College the special place that it is.
My deepest gratitude goes out to our Inauguration
Committee, led by Charlene Barlow and VP Matt Webster.
Your work for this special day will forever be appreciated.
2
Service and Sacrifice Into the 21st Century
am honored and humbled by this appointment and
confident that, with the love, sacrifice and service of those
who hold Thomas More College dear, we will embark on a
wonderful journey with great rewards into the 21st Century.
I want to personally thank the Chancellor of the College,
Bishop Roger Foys, and Board Chair Mr. John Hodge for
their belief in me to succeed such an accomplished President
as Sr. Margaret Stallmeyer.
A special thank you to our honored guests: Representative
Diane St. Onge, Judge Steve Arlinghaus, Mayor Paul
Meier–I look forward to advancing his vision of our
beautiful home of Crestview Hills; Mr. Mason Dyer; Mr.
Michael Clines, who is entrusted with our children in
the Diocesan Schools, Dr. Manish Sharma, representing
our accomplished faculty; SGA President Skeeter Oloo,
representing the best student body in the country; Vicar
General Monsignor Michael Due, Reverend Twaddell, and
Vice Chancellor Fr. Daniel Shoemaker.
President Roth, or as I will forever call him, Boss, I can
never thank you enough for the opportunities you gave me
at Notre Dame College and the guidance, mentoring and
friendship that are so important to me every day. Not a day
And, thanks for securing the bagpiper. In case you did not
know, Armstrong is a Scottish name and Braveheart is my
favorite football movie of all time… I‘ll let you think about
that one.
To all my family and friends from Northeastern Ohio and
all my new friends in Northern Kentucky, how fortunate my
family and I are to have two True Norths in our lives. I am
deeply touched that you are here today.
As I stand here today, Thomas More College is at the
precipice of a very challenging and somewhat daunting
future. Higher Education–and our world, for that matter–is
in so much flux that it is hard to comprehend.
Higher Education is under attack from the media and
both sides of the political aisle; ironically, we should be happy
there is a rare moment of political agreement from both
parties even if it is at the expense of those of us in Higher
Education. Funding for education has decreased at a rapid
pace, especially for our colleagues at the public institutions.
Financial Aid and the Student Loan system are under
constant pressure by politicians, and I want to take this
moment to commend every one of our legislators who stand
tall to defend educational funding for families who want
something better for their future.
And most ominous is a New York Times article by higher
education writer Jeffery J. Selingo, written last spring
entitled “Colleges Struggle to Stay Afloat.” Selingo contends
that of the 4,000 colleges and universities in the country,
only 500 have the financial ability to weather the storm. He
states that “mostly small, tuition-dependent private colleges
are most at risk” for not being sustainable in the current
environment.
Yet, despite all the negativity surrounding the attainment
of a college degree, most surveys show that students
and their parents still value the importance of a college
degree and feel it is an essential component in the search
for a fulfilling career. Employers, in a recent survey by
the Association of American Colleges and Universities,
concluded that an education that “cuts across majors”
and, more important than a major, a student who has a
“demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate
clearly and solve complex problems” has the advantage over
other potential hires. In addition, and probably the most
important point for those of us who value a faith-based
education, employers desire candidates who “demonstrate
ethical judgment and integrity.”
Now, we add to this almost unmanageable environment
for higher education, the current challenges we face in
the world: global economic uncertainty, constant political
Service and Sacrifice Into the 21st Century
upheaval, religious fanaticism that leads to terrorism, overpopulation in our poorest countries and violence in the
workplace and schools.
What are we to do?
What is the answer?
The answer, I believe with all my heart and soul, is an
education that most of you in this audience have received
or are in the process of receiving: a mission centric, faithbased, values-based education in the liberal arts. At Thomas
More College, we, for nearly a hundred years, educate
students in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, in the
liberal arts, with integrity for the whole life. Thomas More
College takes great pride and solace that it is one of only ten
diocesan colleges in the country. In the Catholic Intellectual
Tradition, we know that the intellectual is spiritual, that the
truth is God. Embracing scholarship and the need to know
affirms our human dignity. In the liberal arts, a program of
study crosses all disciplines and nurtures students to think
critically, communicate effectively, understand laws of
nature and different cultures, appreciate the arts and, most
importantly, act in an ethical manner, act with integrity.
All are tenets found in the Thomas More College CORE
Curriculum, all are characteristics most desired by families
and employers, as evidenced earlier.
As our Thomas More College crest so eloquently states,
“Light Conquers Darkness.” Education, the Search for
Truth, is truly the great equalizer in our world. Education,
in a values-based environment, is the answer to the
challenges ahead.
The next question is how?
How do we provide the educational opportunities that can
enhance integrity in our world?
How we do it, is how it has been done for millennia: by
great service and great sacrifice!
Webster defines service as a “contribution to the welfare
of others, a helpful act” and sacrifice as “the act of offering
something precious to God, a giving up of something
especially for the sake of someone else.” The giving of
oneself to advance others is what educators have been doing
forever. French philosopher Jules Francois Simon states,
“Education is the process by which one mind forms another
mind, and one heart another heart.”
Our greatest lessons, our greatest education in Service
and Sacrifice is demonstrated by so many in our lives. It is
important to learn from and follow those who best exemplify
those traits. Our Savior, our namesake, our founders, our
mentors, our family: these are the people who demonstrate
to us the importance of giving the best of oneself for others.
3
The greatest example of service and sacrifice is our Savior,
Jesus Christ. The Son of God sacrificed his life for our sins
so that we may achieve everlasting life. “No one has greater
love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”
(John 15:13). Sometimes it is too difficult for us to even
comprehend the selflessness of Jesus Christ.
So in the words of Professor McManners, “Essentially
the Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ and there could
be no greater or finer example. But Jesus with His great
mission, His sinless life is so far beyond us that we need
other examples….nearer to us… such an example is
Thomas More.” Our patron Saint, Thomas More, was born
in London on February 7, 1478, the son of a prominent
lawyer. His intelligence, spirituality and discipline led him
to positions such as a page to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
to a career in law, a Member of Parliament, Speaker of the
House of Commons and, ultimately, the Lord Chancellor of
England under King Henry VIII. A statesman, a scholar, a
family man, a humble man; whom his friend Erasmus called
a “merry” fellow. Ultimately, he was a man steadfast in his
faith, put to death on July 6, 1535 for his Catholic beliefs.
Canon Edward Frederick Carpenter, describing Thomas
More on the anniversary of his death, in comments very
prescient to today’s world, states, “In his freedom from
prejudice, in his steady courage to hold on to past treasures,
and yet go boldly forward, he has a message for us living in
and through an equally uncertain and ambiguous age….
The essential greatness of Thomas More…is his own deep
personal integrity. To remain true to one’s conscience is, in
the last analysis, the one thing needful.”
Because of his steadfast belief in God and his personal
integrity, he made the ultimate sacrifice, never forgetting
that his duty was always the same, to serve. In his own words
before his execution, he reminded everyone of the ultimate
purpose in life, that he will die “the King’s good Servant but
God’s first.”
The founding of Thomas More as Villa Madonna College
in 1921 by the Benedictine Sisters of Covington is our most
living example of great service and sacrifice for the good of
the community. The Sisters founded the College to educate
their own, and others, for the most noble of professions;
teaching. In 1929, the College became a Diocesan College
with a unique twist. Three different religious communities
were brought together by Bishop Howard to serve the
College by assuming different departments of study and
administrative functions. What special sacrifices were
made by three different religious orders to come together
and efficiently run a small underfunded College! The
4
Benedictine Sisters, Sisters of Notre Dame and the Sisters
of Divine Providence not only lived by the adage of “for
the good of the order,” but they lived “for the good of the
College.” Former President Monsignor Murphy, in his
memoirs, states simply that “from an outsider’s point of view,
this may have seemed like a strange system. All I can say
is that, even though it was not official as such, it worked.”
For those of us fortunate enough to have lived lives around
religious orders, is that not the most perfect description of
the women religious? They did what they had to do to get
the job done. Again, dare I say, we should be electing some
nuns to federal offices; they will get this budget hammered
out and for a lot less expense to all of us, I am sure.
Although there are so many in the College’s past who
deserve special mention, I do want to recognize some
individuals who, for me, epitomize the selfless acts that build
small things into greatness.
First, Sr. M. Irmina Saelinger, OSB, served the College
for thirty-nine years as faculty member, administrator and
registrar. She was the walking history of the College as
evidenced by her Golden Jubilee history of the College,
Retrospect and Vista; the First Fifty Years of Thomas More
College. In the words of Msgr. Murphy, she “held things
together,” so much so, that she and her assistant, Sr. Celeste,
would scrub the men’s and women’s restrooms to save
the College money while still attending to all their other
assignments. People like Sr. Irmina never have to talk about
their service and sacrifice; their actions always speak louder
than words.
Second, I have been very fortunate to learn about Dr. Charles Bensman, tenth president of Thomas More
College, from his friends, children and his wonderful
wife, Ginny. Dr. Bensman was a charismatic leader who
truly understood that the President’s role is to serve the
community, so the College can advance its mission. He
grew enrollment, engaged community leaders and major
donors, and built buildings that serve the TMC and greater
community to this day.
Third, I want to remember Sr. Mary Laurence Budde,
SND, on this day. God rest her soul as she passed away this
past July at the age of eighty four. She is a true legend at
Thomas More. She was larger than life, a great scholar, a
demanding teacher and a creator of legacies as demonstrated
by the foundation she laid for our nationally recognized
Biology Research Field Station.
Lastly, as I mention special people who demonstrated how
to serve and sacrifice here at Thomas More College, I would
be remiss if I did not recognize the service of our Chancellor
Service and Sacrifice Into the 21st Century
and my predecessor. Bishop Roger Foys and Sr. Margaret
Stallmeyer worked together to create the true center of our
campus by leading the construction of the most beautiful
chapel, where today it hosted its first ever Inauguration Mass.
The Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel is the greatest symbol
of our mission-centric institution. Bishop Foys not only
supports this Diocesan College, but he presides over one of
the strongest Diocesan education programs in the nation.
Sr. Margaret became President in 2004 at a turbulent time.
She stabilized the institution and led it to a point where it is
recognized nationally, moving up seven places in US News
& World Report rankings this year, and earning regional
College of Distinction, the only college in Kentucky to earn
a Catholic College of Distinction medal this year. Sister
Margaret, your service and sacrifice lives on every day here at
Thomas More.
God bless those in the past, and all of you, who built
Thomas More College into the special place it is today. I
understand the great responsibility that has been entrusted to
me as President, and I am eager to begin the work that will
make all of us proud to continue the tradition of those who
served before us.
After recognizing examples of service and sacrifice
for Thomas More College, let me recognize those who
demonstrated for me personally how to engage the world,
for without their lessons of service and sacrifice, I certainly
would not be standing here today.
I do what I do today because of my transformative
experience at my undergraduate school, Mercyhurst College,
now Mercyhurst University, a college just like Thomas More.
Because I was an honor student and a decent high school
football player, I was heavily recruited by the Ivy Leagues,
some DII programs, but mostly DIII schools, because I
could not hide the genetic fact that I was a 5'9" lineman.
Dr. William P. Garvey, the president at that time, was
personally responsible for my attendance as he made the final
recruitment call to convince me to attend Mercyhurst.
This story is important for a reason. My college experience
determined so much of who I am now; I met my wife, I
met my friends for life, determined my career path, two
of my siblings attended, Dr. Garvey gave me my first
administration job, and the experience gave me a passion for
values-based education. I learned my most valuable lesson for
the pursuit of happiness: the College’s motto “Carpe Diem,”
“Seize the Day” in everything you do. The Sisters of Mercy
had that secret, long before Robin Williams and the Dead
Poet’s Society. Ever since that life changing, very challenging,
magical experience, I have been trying to replicate it as
Service and Sacrifice Into the 21st Century
many times as possible for as many people as possible: that
a small Catholic liberal arts college offers the best education
and experience imaginable. Therefore, let our passion for
the education at Thomas More College be our guide as
we engage potential students. As President, I will lead by
example in this endeavor.
The educators that had the biggest influence on my
character formation while in school are my football coaches.
Through grade school, high school, college and semi-pro, I
was so fortunate to have giants as my mentors on the field
and in life. These men taught me that I had more positive
influence on a person’s life as a coach and teacher than in
any other profession. Hard work, discipline and a positive
attitude are the lessons I learned on the field. Those lessons
are my most valuable tools today.
In my immediate family, my sisters, Therese and Mary,
demonstrate on a daily basis what true love and sacrifice are
by their devotion to their family and ours. From my brothers,
the Armstrong boys, as we will always be known, I learned
how to be a man. Any toughness I possess, my love for Rockand-Roll, any ability in sports, and the desire to have fun no
matter where I am, is all attributed to my big brothers. Bill,
the best oldest brother ever; Steve, the smartest and toughest;
Greg, the most talented (who passed away in ’05 and has left
a hole in the Armstrong Boys that thankfully was filled by
our new brother-in-law Ryan last year); Kevin, the eccentric
one (in a good way); all of you have been my inspiration from
the day you guys lined me up for my first play. The happiest
day of my youth was when I earned a varsity letter so I could
wear a St. Peter Chanel varsity jacket just like you. All I ever
wanted to do was make you proud of me; hopefully today,
you are.
The heroes in my life are my mother and father. Many
of you have heard this story before. My mother and father
grew up in the tough working-class neighborhood of
Cleveland’s eastside. Both are the oldest siblings in their
families. My grandfather died when my grandmother was
pregnant with her seventh child. My Grandma had to go
out and work, so my mother, at the age of eleven, raised the
family and kept house. They lived anywhere the charity of
others and Grandma’s hard work took them, but no matter
where, my mother kept everyone clean and everything neat;
even sweeping lines in the dirt sidewalks so they looked
better. If anyone questions where my obsession with curb
appeal comes from, there she is! Most important, the good
sisters and priests at Holy Name made sure all seven of the
Drvenkar children received a Catholic education. My parents
never forgot their charity and sacrificed greatly educating
5
their children the same way.
My Father, Bill Armstrong Sr., is a great American. He
is not a military hero, nor is he a policeman or fireman that
is easily labeled as an everyday hero among us. My father
is a hero because he is a self-made man who had an inner
drive to start and grow small businesses that employed
people for years. He is a job creator who employed
hundreds who could, with great pride and fulfillment,
provide for their families, build homes, own property and
educate their children.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have studied and
maintained a great affinity for the founders of our country.
All are revered, but the world we live in was envisioned and
designed by Alexander Hamilton. I am a Hamiltonian, I am
a capitalist, and my father is a great American because he
believes in that system to his core: that with hard work and
drive, anyone can achieve their dreams. A first generation
college student from a working class neighborhood could
become a college president. I am not a son of privilege. I am a
son of the American dream. That is why I believe education
is the great equalizer.
Last but certainly not least on the list of examples of great
service and sacrifice are my beautiful wife, Leslie, and our
children, David and Johanna. Confession time: I am not good
at the life balance thing. My family understands my passions
and supports me unconditionally. David and Johanna, you
two are God’s gifts to your parents. My heaven on earth is
watching you perform and succeed. Thanks for being who
you are.
Leslie, I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you,
and I still get butterflies when I see you today. Thank you for
being so supportive, sacrificing so much of yourself for our
family and, most of all, for being my best friend. My love for
you grows every day.
And for anyone who does not think God has a sense of
humor: my two bosses in life, Leslie and the Bishop, are
Steeler fans. I have to say this, Go Browns and Go Bengals!
At our Alumni Awards Ceremony Homecoming
weekend, our distinguished alumnus, William T. Robinson,
Class of ’67 and 2012 President of the American Bar
Association–a perfect example of whom we graduate here,
asked the most pertinent question for our future: “How Do
We Make a Positive Difference in the Lives of Those We are
Privileged to Serve?”
For us at Thomas More, it is a privilege to serve our
students, our alumni, our donors, our friends. It is not
6
about us, individually or collectively. That is how we must
approach the future, with a mindset of great service and
great sacrifice for those we are privileged to serve.
As we embark on a new Strategic Plan, we must recognize
that it is a change process by which we can determine our
approach to the challenges we face in higher education and
the world. In this process we must ask ourselves:
1.What is our identity, our academic purpose?
2.Who are constituents, who do we serve?
3.What are the programs and services we need to serve our constituents?
4.How do we know we are successful, how do we
determine institutional effectiveness?
We will embark on this process knowing that we must
have a vision, or more appropriately from a phrase coined by
Sr. Irmina, “seek our vista.” We will do so knowing we stand
on the following four pillars of what we must do to not only
survive in the 21st Century, but thrive.
First, we must continue to be mission-centric in everything
we do. Thomas More is a Diocesan liberal arts College that
educates students in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition,
so they are equipped to engage the world with integrity
for their whole lives. This is what sets us apart from other
institutions and it is what makes us unique in this region.
No matter the delivery mode, our mission and manner of
education are unique and are what the world needs.
Second, we must increase our resources. There are four
revenue streams for Thomas More: tuition, auxiliary income,
fundraising and endowment. If we are to thrive in the 21st
Century, we must increase our revenue in all four areas.
Remember, “No Margin, No Mission.”
Third, we must expand our brand. It is not good when
people say we are the best-kept secret in the region. If an
institution is the best-kept secret in education or business,
it is struggling to survive. We need to expand our offerings
and our delivery modes for as many students as possible. Our
brand must grow beyond our local region.
Lastly, we must continue to enhance the distinctive and
transformative experience that is a Thomas More College
education. So many of you whom I have met in my first
110 days as President told me how transformative your
experience was at Thomas More: the education of mind,
body and spirit; an education and character formation that
cannot be digitized. This is the service we provide that
enables us to compete in the 21st Century.
This vision is a result of witnessing firsthand the quality of
Service and Sacrifice Into the 21st Century
our faculty and staff working with our enterprising students:
•Students performing experiments at the Biology Field
Station that ensures quality drinking water for the
population of this region.
• Students traveling abroad with faculty, then presenting to
local organizations on the importance of global awareness.
•Honor students double majoring–in some instances triple
majoring–in the most difficult academic programs to
prepare themselves for the rigors of graduate school.
•Students representing Thomas More across the nation
in athletics, their passion on and off the field resulting in
Thomas More being one of the most decorated programs
in the country.
•Faculty and students traversing the globe to volunteer
and serve the under-served.
•Alumni as leaders in their chosen fields.
•Friends of the College, who built nationally and
internationally recognized companies, who never forget
where they came from, as exemplified by their continued
philanthropic support of local organizations.
•A Diocese that has the highest per capita rate of students
in Catholic schools.
•And 80 percent of our graduates staying and producing
in this region.
As Dr. Gordon Livingston said, “Before we can do
anything, we must imagine it.” Because of you, we can
imagine accomplishing great things. Because of you, we can
dream big dreams at Thomas More. We can set high goals
despite all the challenges. Because of you, WE CAN!
Together we can accomplish the following goals:
Over the next year, we must develop our five-year Strategic
Plan and condense our Mission Statement so it can be
memorized and utilized in everything we do.
In the next six years, traditional full-time enrollment needs
to grow over 1000 students; residential enrollment needs
to grow over 500. To initiate these goals, we will present
Athletic Training as a new major, we will grow the biggest
and best DIII Marching Band in the country and we will
start Women’s Lacrosse next year.
Our adult and graduate population must grow to 2000
unique enrollments over the next six years. We will
accomplish this by creating another more cost effective
delivery model for our adults with more offerings
completely on-line. Our Thomas More Accelerated Program
(TAP) has an excellent reputation, and many of the leaders
in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are products
Service and Sacrifice Into the 21st Century
of this program.
We are a liberal arts college. We must embark on a
revitalization of the arts at TMC. Recently, we combined our
Fine Arts and Performing Arts programs to create a synergy
for growth in the arts.
Our faculty are investigating the return of a required
internship and Co-op program so our students have real
world experience before they graduate. The area business
leaders are most interested in this initiative.
We must explore the opportunity of a Capital Campaign.
Our quality mission-centric education is worth the
investment by students, alumni and friends. We have
excellent programs that serve our community and the world.
We must be confident in asking our constituents to invest in
these programs.
We must continue to grow our marketing and enrollment
outside the region, upgrade our buildings and maintain
our curb appeal. Thomas More is a superior educational
experience that can serve more people well. By positioning
ourselves better, we can expand our reach.
At my first press conference, I stated emphatically that we
must move forward boldly. As the quote on my wall states so
clearly, “The bold don’t live forever, but the timid don’t live
at all.” We must go boldly into the 21st Century knowing that
what we do transforms lives, and it is not only worthwhile,
but essential to our future.
We cannot be timid as we move forward; we must be
bold, courageous and resolute. Reverend John Moorman,
on the anniversary of our patron saint’s martyrdom, so
eloquently stated, “The world always honors courage,
not least that moral courage which is prepared for what
it believes to be right. We shall, I hope, take away with us
from this act of remembrance and praise a firmer resolve
to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called,
to carry out with renewed zeal and sanctification the work
which God has given us to do. For that, I feel, would be the
message which Sir Thomas More would wish to put into
our hearts today.”
We will advance this College with great zeal, knowing we
are doing what is right. We will work very hard, and we will
serve and sacrifice greatly. In that process, though, we will
also have a lot of fun, and we will celebrate our victories as
Thomas More, the merry saint, would approve!
Thank you for your participation in this special day and
God Bless You for all you do for Thomas More College.
And, as always, GO SAINTS!
7
Mission of the College
Thomas More College is the Catholic College
of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky. The College
welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs. Our primary mission
is to develop and sustain challenging undergraduate, graduate and
professional programs of study, marked by superior teaching and
scholarship within the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Inspired by the teachings of the Catholic Church, and by our
patron, Saint Thomas More, we challenge students to examine
the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their
responsibility to others. Our programs of study emphasize liberal
arts within a context of ethical concern and social responsibility.
These programs of study are complemented by co-curricular
services and programs intended to enhance lifelong learning, foster
personal growth, and develop leadership qualities.