Convocation Notes #1 (Intro)

Introduction to Dominican University Philosophy

Mission Alignment: The university’s mission aligns with embracing Dominican values, emphasizing spirituality, service, and community.
Four Dominican Pillars:
- Spirituality
- Service
- Community
- Call for deep learning, purposeful action, and compassionate service to others.

Laudato Si: A reminder from Pope Francis urging the community to care for the world as a shared home.

Reflection on the Book Advocate:
- Activities Encouraged:
- Reflect on the book and its story.
- Engage with the ideas presented.
- Connect personal experiences with the book’s themes.
- Understand education as a means to make a difference.

Welcome to Class of 2029: Appreciate students’ participation and excitement for their journey.
Reference to Malloy Family: Emphasizing the community and family aspect of the university environment.

Role: Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; instructor in the First Year Seminar (FST) program.
Acknowledgements:
- Thanks to Doctor Lentini for initiating the discussion on growth, learning, and community.
- Recognition of contributions to the convocation event:
- Common Read Committee
- Sister Alice Burns - English professor and chair of the committee.
- Staff and administration members for their support.

Purpose: The Common Read program is a high-impact educational practice aimed at fostering dialogue among first-year students by reading a selected book.
Selection Criteria:
- Books selected for their relevance to personal, familial, and societal issues.
- Connection to the university's mission.
Integration into Courses: Books discussed in FST and other courses, incorporated in extracurricular activities, including art exhibits and panel discussions.

Literature and Learning: Literature is emphasized as a core component of education, extending beyond mere enjoyment to be a tool for expanding knowledge across various domains.

Engagement Opportunities: Students are encouraged to share insights through the First Year Seminar and contribute artistic submissions to the inspired works contest.

Highlight of Opening Convocation: Introducing the author of the Common Read book as an opportunity for students to engage with the creator’s inspirations and insights.
Acknowledgments to Mr. Ahn: Recognizing his contributions to social justice and community expressions through his literary and artistic work.

Introduction of Eddie Ahn:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Brown University; law degree from the University of California, San Francisco.
- Professional Background: Nonprofit work at Bright Line Defense focused on environmental justice for over fifteen years.

Professional Contributions: Work as a policy advocate with multiple appointments on environmental commissions, board member of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network.
Artistic Contributions: Devotes time to creating art related to his career in non-profit work and writing graphic novels.
Production Details: Each page of Advocate took between 20-30 hours, summing to approximately 5000 hours of work.
Book Overview:
- Advocate, published in 2024, recognized as a national bestseller and lauded for its narrative and artistic merit.
- Themes include:
- Immigrant experiences
- Navigating family expectations
- Career trajectories and social justice
- Environmental justice initiatives
- Community empowerment
- Issues of racism and housing affordability.

Molloy’s Mission: Aim to educate ethical citizen leaders who make a positive impact.
Eddie Ahn as an Exemplary Figure: Representative of the university's goals, illustrating a tangible connection between education, personal background, and societal contributions.
Looking Forward to Presentation: Anticipation for Eddie Ahn's community read presentation and the subsequent Q&A session.