Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes

Learners pursuing advanced degrees face a surfeit of challenges. The list of trammels is too numerous to name in this short reflection. However, in an attempt to provide some context, the obstacles range from the changes linked to content delivery due to COVID-19, to managing the competing obligations associated with family and work. As learners search for strategies to overcome such roadblocks, Brother Agathon reminds us of the importance of zeal. It is with zeal that we pursue our fullest human capacity. The following paragraphs will offer the reader a few tools in order to reach such aims.

Zeal is greater than an enthusiastic pursuit of one’s dreams. It’s more replete than exhibiting resilience in the face of challenging times. Zeal is the ability to become stronger in lieu of life’s tribulations. Therefore, zeal is associated with what Professor Nassim Taleb calls anti-fragility. Taleb argues the construct of anti-fragility falls on a continuum. At one extreme is a fragile system. Fragile systems or individuals break during stressful times. As we ascend the continuum, we arrive at what is known as a robust system. These individuals are able to withstand the shock but do not become better because of it, nor are they able to enhance their capacity. An anti-fragile system becomes better when stressed. According to the researcher, during unprecedented pandemics, becoming anti-fragile is the key to accomplishing one’s fullest potential.

In order to become anti-fragile, individuals and systems must exhibit five key characteristics.

1. Strength. In experiencing external stress, they become stronger. Those who workout or have trained for a marathon can relate. Your body is put through stressful situations in order to make the muscles stronger. When the body faces a similar future encounter, the impact is less extreme.
2. Eliminating unnecessary interventions. If the tension is removed too early when stressed, the individual or system is not afforded the opportunity to learn and grow. Parents can relate to the analogy of allowing children to fail successfully so they learn from their mistake.
3. Exponential relationship between stressors and growth. According to Taleb, anti-fragile systems become exponentially stronger in lieu of shocks. Economists refer to this phenomenon as economies of scale. Thus, small, additional stress makes for a much more robust system.
4. Building in redundancies. Traditional business theories berate redundancies as they reduce efficiencies. However, duplicate systems allow individuals to withstand extreme shock. Take the human body for example. Most people are born with two kidneys. If one were to fail, the body can still survive.
5. Diversification. Anti-fragile systems invest approximately 80% of resources into normal operations and 20% into high-risk, high-return endeavors. Consider a business that invested 20% of its profits into online/curbside product delivery.

In unprecedented times, it is not enough to be strong, we must become anti-fragile learners in order to combat the various stressors faced by a stochastic future.

We know it well, the daily chaos which we now accept as the new normal, at least for the moment. Each day brings its own set of challenges and choices: Helping children with their schooling while still making progress on your own studies, finding a steady stream of motivation to fuel your work when turning on the computer feels tasking, considering if you can even continue your education with new changes in employment or benefits.

Of all the dreams you’re deciding to put on hold or let go of altogether, your education does not have to be one of them. Know that you can confidently plan on your doctoral education continuing, whatever phase you are in. Though we as your faculty and program staff may not yet know how it will be delivered to you, we do know that we’ll continue to provide high-quality education. You can depend on us. We’re here to serve and happy to do so.

Saint Mary’s has a rich history of Lasallians going the extra mile for their students, and this is still very much a living part of the culture today. Blessed James Miller is the utmost example of this, making the ultimate sacrifice of his own life in 1982 to put his students first and remove incredibly dangerous barriers to their education (Schmidt, 2020). In more recent times, Brother Tom Johnson emphasized in a February talk at the Twin Cities Campus that it’s not exclusively educators who can embody the Lasallian charism. Brother Johnson explained that staff and all who work to support students can be Lasallian by “placing one’s energy in educating young people by using a combination of faith and zeal, an appreciation for the presence of God, care and concern for the poor and marginalized, and a trust in the providence of God to form an educational faith community” (Schmidt, 2020).

Whether you are spiritual or otherwise, our Lasallian heritage strengthens our commitment to you, not only in this challenging time, but always. We approach our work with passion and a desire to serve. We do so in hopes that the energy and zeal we put into what we do flows through to you. We hope our support empowers you to get through this trying experience and others you may face so that through your educational journey, you may be transformed.

References:

Schmidt, S. (2020, April 16). Exploring the charism of the modern-day Lasallian: Part 1. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Retrieved from https://newsroom.smumn.edu/2020/04/16/exploring-the-charism-of-the-modern-day-lasallian-part-1/

Schmidt, S. (2020, April 16). Exploring the charism of the modern-day Lasallian: Part 2. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Retrieved from https://newsroom.smumn.edu/2020/04/16/exploring-the-charism-of-the-modern-day-lasallian-part-2/

In light of the events of the last three weeks which began with the death of Mr. George Floyd, the Office of Campus Ministry will be hosting opportunities for prayer and reflection on our Twin Cities Campus on Tuesday, June 23, and Thursday, June 25. Both events will be limited to 50 attendees, but will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend.

A Mass for Peace and Justice will begin at noon Tuesday, June 23, in the Saint Mary’s University Center. An Interfaith Service for Justice and Peace will be held noon Thursday, June 25, also in the University Center.

We ask that all present adhere to the guidelines for gathering at religious functions, including following appropriate social distancing and wearing masks. All graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend. Email campusministry@smumn.edu to RSVP for either or both events.

This past spring, we’ve been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic and through the racial divides that continue to challenge our communities, most recently highlighted by the killing of Mr. George Floyd and the events that followed. Yet, even amidst such uncertainty and challenges, I’m proud of the strength and determination shown by our students and witnessed in all of their accomplishments. Their ability to adapt, persevere, and succeed, despite circumstances beyond their control, will continue to serve them in the weeks, months, and years ahead. I hope you will enjoy this newsletter, as it contains updates about our university and provides details of the ways our students are making the most of their college years.

— Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D. (Summer 2020)

Saint Mary’s recognized outstanding students by awarding several academic honors. These awards, which include honors from various academic departments, are typically given out at Honors Convocation during the Celebration of Scholarship event. View the list of award recipients and please join me in congratulating them.