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Meet Generosity

She loves to watch the sunrise.

She has kind, happy eyes.

Knowing her gives your life a lift and shine.

In class, Generosity sits in the middle of the room. She is unselfish and motivated by shared goals. She puts the community needs before her own, even if it inconveniences her. She makes sure that everyone is included.

She is a great boss. Early in her career, she was mentored by Gratitude, Positivity, and Optimism. She is thoughtful and caring. She helps people flourish.

Generosity is the granddaughter to Kindness and Empathy’s neighbor. She sees and values the dignity in all people.

The importance of virtues have reemerged in the ethos of higher education over the past 20 years. Society in general and academia in particular have realized education is more than just the inculcation of skills and facts, but the moral development of the learner. Since the turn of the century, there has been a renewed emphasis in the literature asserting a possible correlation between moral development and human well-being. W.E.B. Du Bois famously alluded to the maxim that education is not about converting men and women into plumbers, but transforming plumbers into well-functioning men and women. In essence, higher education is at the core of imbuing virtues into the curriculum.

We currently do not have an agreed upon definition of virtues. However, some scholars, particularly those that subscribe to an Aristotelian approach to ethics will assert that a virtue is an attitude, belief and action that promotes human flourishing. For example, is generosity considered a virtue? Let’s start with a working definition. According to Brother Agathon, generosity is the act of voluntarily sacrificing one’s personal interest for the amelioration of his/her neighbor. He continues that line of thought by purporting generosity doesn’t seek what is profitable to the individual, but what benefits others. In short, generosity is predicated on self-sacrifice in order to help others. Gravid in this definition is that one does not give from a place of abundance, but from meager means.

When I reflect on the idea of generosity, I’m quickly reminded of the sacrifice of my ancestors. In my parent’s lifetime, public schools were segregated. Growing up, my parents told me stories about attending school with students and teachers that looked like them. It was hard for me to imagine such an environment, because when I went to school most of the students and teachers did not look like me. Unfortunately, this was the case for Ruby Bridges. She was a six year old African-American student who was the first to “integrate” an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960. There are copious images of this day in which four state Marshals had to escort the young person to school in order to protect her from the physical and verbal brutality of parents that could not envisage a black child sitting next to their white child. In fact, some parents removed their posterity from the school. A number of teachers even refused to perform their duties in the presence of little Rudy.

I can only begin to imagine the personal sacrifice Rudy and her parent’s made on November 14th, 1960. To abrogate one’s self-interest for the potential benefit of future generations is at the essence of generosity. In this case Rudy and her parent’s sacrificed something more precious than money, they potentially surrendered their dignity, physical well-being and public ridicule, coupled with much more in order to afford individuals like myself an opportunity to attend the public school of my choice. Generosity is truly one of the greatest virtues, as it requires us to consider the needs and interests of others. In many ways, it is diametrically opposed to the underpinnings of capitalism. Maybe if we, as a society, subscribed more to the tenets of generosity and less to profit maximization, we would be better positioned to promote human flourishing. Society would be better positioned to foster an environment in which every individual would be afforded the opportunity to reach her/his fullest potential. In sum, the virtue of generosity is the substrate of an equitable society.

I would like to think that gratitude and the Lasallian virtue of generosity are complementary ideas; forever linked through philosophy and application. Brother Agathon, the fifth Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (1777-1795), offers us this insight into generosity: “Generosity is a virtue that makes us voluntarily sacrifice our personal interests to those of our neighbor… (p. 85).”1 Gratitude, for the sake of this discussion, can be thought of as a quality of being thankful, as well as a willingness to show appreciation for those graces received through the efforts and sacrifice of others. Both virtues require conscience action and acceptance. For me, gratitude and generosity seem at the center of another great pair of compliments; teaching and learning. 

Truth be told, you cannot really separate teaching and learning (at least that is my aspiration). For three decades I have pursued the craft of “teaching”, in what I hope was with a heart of generosity, a desire for students to “learn”, or at least to “see the world in new eyes.” Just as we hope learning will follow teaching, I think gratefulness finds its way to faculty after their work in teaching. At this point in my career, I am grateful for having followed in a noble and hallowed profession, grateful for having spent time thinking, reading, writing, and researching. Most importantly, I am grateful to have walked in association with students. 

Recently, I spent time with some of our DBA students at a conference in Davenport, Iowa. We chatted, I saw them attend talks, present work, network with other faculty and students, and explore this unique piece of the world we call “academics”. We also experienced amazing Caribbean food, and had a chance to catch up on life happenings. It is in these moments that I think gratitude and generosity intersect; at inflection points where your life’s work and life’s reward are the same. Some may call these inflection points “flow”, or moments of serendipity. I like to reflect on these times with gratitude, as moments of teaching grace. 

1 Brother Agathon, The twelve virtues of a good teacher and circular letter of 10 April 1786 concerning the public contests and competitions carried out at the end of the school year in different houses of his congregation, Landover, Maryland: Christian Brothers Conference, 2000. 

Dr. Matt J. Nowakowski
Interim Vice Provost for Faculties and Academic Affairs
Professor

Matt Bilski ’07 originally chose Saint Mary’s because of the opportunities that existed to do undergraduate research as part of his biology degree. Working side by side with Dr. Richard Kowles, biology professor emeritus, Bilski assisted with his ongoing corn and oat genetics research, received prestigious grants, completed a summer internship, and was a contributing author on one of Dr. Kowles’ published research papers.

“Getting the experience of doing actual research at such a young age was so valuable,” he said. “It was exposure to what I began doing from day one on my job out of college.”

Bilski began working at Ecolab 14 years ago, straight out of college. Ecolab is the global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and vital resources. As lead chemist/project manager, Bilski works with new product innovation, from first-level ideation to launching the product into the market. For the past seven years, he has focused specifically on beverage and brewery customers in North America.

And Saint Mary’s, he said, helped him get where he is “100 percent.”

This is why Bilski gives back to Saint Mary’s in so many ways, including serving on the alumni board from 2015-2021 (and as president from 2018-2020) and now in a newly formed role as a young alumnus on the board of trustees.

Looking back at his and the alumni board’s accomplishments, Bilski said, a highlight was serving on the board when Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., was named president.

He is also proud of the work the alumni board made in setting clear goals and objectives and working toward them as a team, particularly in the areas of development and engagement with both graduate and undergraduate alumni. “We’ve had upwards of 30-40 people apply for open board positions. It is phenomenal that we have that much interest from those wanting to be part of the alumni board,” he said.

Representing 54,000 alumni, he said, was both rewarding and humbling. “I’m not necessarily going to see eye to eye with everyone all the time, but I hope my time on the board and as a trustee can be seen as a positive and influential voice on behalf of the alumni for Saint Mary’s now and in the future,” he said. “If, 10-20 years from now, nobody remembers I was on the board, but the things we tried to do are still going strong, that to me would be the ultimate legacy.”

One of the best parts about being on the alumni board, Bilski said, was the opportunity to be more involved with the university on a deeper level and re-connecting with faculty and staff, as well as meeting new employees.

He looks forward to further building those relationships on the board of trustees, and he’ll bring new insight to the board as someone who can relate well with the university’s graduate students, who are often balancing families and careers.

“I hope I can bring a voice, especially for the young alumni,” he said. “The trustees are more experienced in their careers. I have three young children, and my wife and I are still in the early middle stages of our careers. I may bring a different perspective to the discussions, and I look forward to working with them.”

He and his wife Jocelyn also generously support Cardinal Athletics, the Saint Mary’s Fund, and the Science Initiative.

“On the alumni board, our passion project is the annual fund, which isn’t exciting but it’s important, and it allows for so many things to happen,” he said. “And the new addition to Aquinas Hall (which now encompasses the former Adducci Science Center and the former Science and Learning Center) continues to expand research opportunities for students across disciplines.

“This mirrors many industries today and is a crucial connection I am thrilled to see being embraced by Saint Mary’s,” he said. “I think the direction the university is going with the deliberate merging of the sciences and business together is such a great idea. It
is such a smart way to look at the future.”

Bilski’s position is a prime example of this pairing. At Ecolab, he said 60-70% of his work is more business-related and 30-40% is a science research role. “Most people with biology degrees are going to end up doing something in the private sector with a publicly-traded company. Having that understanding of business and technology and how those things come together and getting exposed to that at such a young age is so beneficial.

“I look back very fondly on my time at Saint Mary’s,” he added. “I think a big part of who I am today is because of the experiences I had there. I want those students there now to have similar experiences. My family has always been very philanthropic, so I grew up in that environment. When I find organizations that have benefitted me and that I believe in strongly, I want to support that. College is expensive, and I really value the Lasallian Catholic nature of the university. The ethical and moral components students receive as part of the Lasallian education are beneficial for students as both individuals and in their professional careers.

“At Saint Mary’s, you learn a specific skill but also what type of person you want to be.”

Nick ’07 and Marie (Fay) ’05 Kuhn have built their business around building community.

They know that so often friendships are celebrated and strengthened by breaking bread together. This is especially true considering the number of breadsticks they’ve served to the Saint Mary’s baseball team.

The Kuhns say they are both huge sports fans and are maybe a bit biased for the Cardinals, as Nick played outfield and catcher on the team alongside current coach Nick Winecke ’07.

They’re also big fans of Saint Mary’s. Marie studied public relations, while Nick majored in management and entrepreneurship. They met at Saint Mary’s and even got married on campus.

And now, after following their dreams and opening NorthEnd Pub & Grill in Cochrane, Wis., they are finding ways to give back to the place that brought them together.

For starters, they’ve sponsored a locker in the new baseball clubhouse and catered several meals for the team, particularly during breaks when the team is still on campus. They served the team a meal, in kind, this past year as a congratulations and in preparation before their NCAA tournament.

“They are always there to help,” Winecke said. “They’re just great people. They’ve worked really hard to run their business and have great clientele. They love to give back, and they’re everything that’s good about Saint Mary’s.”

Winecke is not only a fan of the Kuhns, he’s also a fan of their food, including burgers, pizzas, paninis, or wings. He says the couple has fed the baseball team a taco bar, pastas, grilled chicken, and ribs — food that spoils them for regular cafeteria food.

And, Winecke adds, he isn’t always the best at giving them advance notice in feeding his team of more than 50. “About a day and a half at the most,” Nick Kuhn responds with a laugh.

The Kuhns say it’s amazing to watch their food be consumed so quickly and with such appreciation. At one point, Marie Kuhn remembers going through an entire case of 300 breadsticks.

Why do they give back? Marie Kuhn answers simply, “We really just love it. We love being able to do those things. We love to be helpful to Coach Winecke whenever we can do something for him because he’s such a good friend. That program was really important to where we are today. Every stepping stone is important. We both love baseball, too.”

“The baseball team, they treat you like you’re one of them, even 15-20 years later,” Nick Kuhn adds. “They bring our son, Connor, who is 7, out on the field and play catch with him. They treat him like their little brother. He’s been going to games since he was born.”

When Nick Kuhn thinks back on his time on the baseball team, he thinks of memories from the locker room, practices, and long trips — of friendships you never forget. Some teammates have worked at the restaurant part time. “Being from Chicago, I didn’t know anyone when I got there,” he said. “I never left. Nick (Winecke) hired me as an assistant one year and I was a junior varsity coach one year. I stayed in the area until I migrated here.”

The two have also come back to speak with Saint Mary’s entrepreneurship students about tips for starting their own businesses.

“It can be done,” Nick Kuhn said. “We built this from the ground level up. You need to work hard, but it’s rewarding to be able to tell them that it can be done.”

When they started the restaurant, Marie Kuhn said they started with a blank canvas. They knew they wanted to have a sports bar, but they invited the community to help mold the business into what they needed it to be. “They have welcomed us wholeheartedly,” she said. “It’s really great to be part of a small town and give back with things like T-ball Chicken Qs. People really appreciate you. And it’s rewarding when people choose to spend their time with us.”

Nick Kuhn adds, “It’s full circle; we cater everything from baptisms to funerals.”

The two especially love when recognizable Saint Mary’s faculty, staff, or alumni drop by. And they do their best to promote the university whenever they can.

“At Saint Mary’s, I primarily remember the community feel,” Marie Kuhn said. “I remember feeling people really cared about you. On a small campus, you knew everybody. I just loved my experience. We’re really proud that we are alumni.

“Every time we see an alum or someone from school in the pub, we do feel special,” she added. “When I see a Saint Mary’s T-shirt, I love to ask. There’s always a connection. It’s a family, and people love to share.”