Maureen O'Rourke
2005 Recipient of the Maureen E. O'Rourke Marianist Student Award
Acceptance Speech
Good evening!
Thank you for being here. I have reflected quite a bit this
past year and surprisingly I did not end up in tears every time.
This past summer I was so excited to help tell the Marianist
story to first year students because I felt I was passing on the
torch. For some reason I was not upset, I somehow felt this year
was not the end for me.
What I have found this year is that it is not just UD that I love, but the Marianist Spirit that has engulfed me from the moment I stepped on this campus. Luckily enough I came with the spirit at CJ as well, but I did not realize what exactly it was until UD. I have found the Spirit alive and shinning in many places – my professors, staff members I have met through many experiences here, my peers, and members of the Marianist Family.
Four years later I am not just leaving with a degree, I have been blessed in millions of ways by the experiences I have had at UD. There have been countless invitations to join conversations, take action, and learn from the amazing people around me. I am not exactly sure why, but I said YES.
My mom often jokes that I am more like an employee than a student at UD. I guess you could say that is true. I understand the mission and vision of UD, and you could say “I’m on board.” The Catholic and Marianist spirit and tradition on campus is what makes UD unique to me and so many others.
For years (well 3.5 years) I have heard people ask the question – whose job is it to make sure we are Catholic and Marianist? Good question but to me it seemed obvious, and for some it is. I was excited to hear past Lackner Award recipients say that it is not simply up to the brothers, sisters, or some office. It is a responsibility that falls on everyone who is a part of UD, at every level. So there was the method to my madness – I didn’t work here, but I was on board. So what became very clear was that it was indeed my responsibility too.
I would like to say that everything I did was mission oriented – my work as a Neighborhood Fellow, positions I held on SGA, the Rector’s Council, the Alcohol Coalition, and so on – but I am human and I drift sometimes. So I apologize for that – and that goes pretty much to my roommates… the whole community living thing is no joke!
This past year I have been student teaching at CJ, and that has shown me how God truly works in AMAZING ways, although I have to admit I had some other help too!
My first week actually teaching was the week of January 24, which also was a huge week on campus. This was extremely rough for me because it was the big kickoff for UD’s Marianist Heritage Celebration. I had put so much time and heart into planning that week with others that it killed me not to be there and I absolutely hated teaching for it.
At the student memorial mass for Blessed William Joseph Chaminade in the Chapel on campus I was a total wreck. I was sick and sad. If I had one wish it would have been for snow days that entire week! That did not happen but on January 25 there was a prayer service at CJ that opened my eyes. This is when I realized I love the Marianist Story, Family and Tradition.
Overwhelmed with emotions during that service it all seemed to make sense; I knew exactly why I was there. I am pretty sure my students thought I was a little odd, but that was ok because it was a huge moment for me.
When I heard about this award I was blown away, I was pretty sure that I heard wrong or that Joan was joking when she called the award by my name. I checked a few times afterwards to make sure I did not dream that up. People have continually asked me what you have to do to get an award named after them; I shrug my shoulders and generally say I have no idea. It was very funny the other day, someone told one of my bosses that I got the award for some things I have done on campus, and my boss responded “Well she hasn’t really done anything special.” That did not go over well with me!
When I think about the past four years it is hard to say what I have done; I have done absolutely nothing without the collaboration of many people in this room. I could have never done anything without the tremendous support and inspiration I have been given. I am amazed how God brought so many people into my life, and I know there is a reason. This year has not been easy, and I know life is not supposed to be easy, but I would have never made it through if it wasn’t for my family – Mom, Dad, Mike and Tom, the Wagner’s, Josh, the Fellows, the list goes on.
Through my life I have been blessed to have people challenge me, in the classroom and out.
Mrs. Kinnear invited me to step out into the Dayton community,
John and Beth Burke always asked “What’s next?,”
Mike Trainor and Fr. Chris Wittman got me to UD,
Chris Duncan, Dick Ferguson, and Bro Ray made me step outside the box,
Amy Lopez gave me my first job at UD and created my first family here,
Joan always listened to my crazy ideas, and
Matt and David continue to tell me that they are crazy ideas!
My mom and dad have nourished me and loved me since before I was born,
and I owe everything I am to them, thank you.
A few months ago I met a lay Marianist and we were talking about the Marianist Family. He was saying that at one point the Marianist story became his story, it was a part of who he was and his history. That made so much sense and though I know many people who own the story as well, I started to think maybe that is why I get so excited to tell Chaminade’s story or talk about the “teacher, gardener, cook and priest.”
So I am excited that I was able to hear the story, embrace the Spirit, and attempt to spread it with the rest of the UD community with the help and support of all of you.
The $500 gift that comes along with the award will be donated to REACH, a new student organization that is best known for M-FEST. M-Fest is a mental health festival and I would like to see an educational component that will be year-round. This year, with the passing of Steve Yano I have realized the importance of mental health and the need to raise awareness and drop the stigma that comes with seeking help. Our counseling and health centers offer great services to our student body, and so do many Dayton organizations that are willing to help. The information needs to available and this new student organization is committed to informing people and has the capability to spread awareness. I would like to see this donation create programs throughout the year that offer information and support.
For some reason I thought I needed to say something profound in this speech, I am pretty sure I didn’t and I think that is ok. What I wanted to get across is that the impact everyone in this room has had on my life has been profound. So my story does not end here, with graduation that is. I hope to be around next year, connected to the Marianist Family in every and any way possible! I want strings attached, so hold me to it!
So I thank you for coming tonight, for the endless support, the challenging questions, and the constant example you all set for me. I hope there are many nominations in the future for this award; I hope students take hold of the vision and run with it. I am excited and honored to receive this award, and thrilled that students will be honored in the future for their efforts on campus that exemplify the Marianist charism.