“The Alumni Service Corps (ASC) is a volunteer opportunity available to Jesuit College Prep graduates to devote a year of their lives in service and thanksgiving for their Jesuit education. It is a unique opportunity for participants to give back to their alma mater during a year between college and a career or graduate school. There are a number of ASC chapters at various Jesuit high schools across the nation. Both the schools and the participants have benefited greatly from this rewarding relationship.” – www.Jesuitcp.org
It’s pretty hard to walk the halls of Jesuit without encountering a graduate. Throughout the year, and even into spring, students continue to smash their palms on their foreheads as they hear teachers start with the phrase “when I was here…”, as if to say “Oh, that makes sense!” Such is one of the excitements in bringing four more recent college graduates back to Jesuit to participate in a year of “service and thanksgiving” to the place that shaped their teenage years. In teaching both underclassmen and seniors, the ASC alumni-teachers provide what many see as advice for the 21st century man for others, advice that comes best from those who have learned the trade.
The 2010-2011 school year welcomes back four more recent alums to the Jesuit community. Each took time out of their busy schedules to tell us a bit about themselves.
Brooks Oliver
Jesuit Grad Year: 2006
College/Grad Year: Southern Methodist University ‘10
Classes taught: Argumentation and Debate, Social Justice and Public Policy
Favorite activities in free time: Further developing my art (ceramics and sculpture) and spending quality time with my friends
Things missed most about Jesuit while at college: The community and brotherhood aspects of the school
Favorite class/teacher while at Jesuit: Mr. Reese was certainly the teacher who influenced me the most, but I also always enjoyed all the art classes with Mrs. Hoskins and Mr. Ochs
Extracurriculars as a Jesuit student: Theater, Principal’s Round Table, Community Service and Social Justice Corp., Campus Ministry, Retreat Ministry, Pals, Fine Arts Club, Amnesty International
As a Jesuit teacher: Theater, Community Service, Campus Ministry, Jesuit Dallas Museum
Future Plans: My ultimate goal is to become a full time teacher. I have always enjoyed teaching and sharing/exchanging knowledge with others, so I could not ask for a better job! I know I will one day go to grad school for art so that I can further develop and perfect my craft (and become a better teacher)!
Juan Fuentes
Jesuit Grad Year: 2006
College/Grad Year: Loyola University Chicago ‘10
Classes taught: Freshman Biology, Social Justice and Public Policy
Favorite activities in free time: Cycling, Swimming, among several
Things missed most about Jesuit while at college: I miss most being involved in everything. Once you get to college it’s hard to be that involved and focus on academics as well. I also miss the atmosphere of “Jesuit freedom.” I absolutely gained more freedom while attending university but “Jesuit freedom” is something different. I believe that “Jesuit freedom” is the type of academic freedom that leads you to become a more productive member of society. It was during this time that I learned to balance a social and an academic life.
Favorite class/teacher while at Jesuit: Frankly, I know too many good teachers to single a couple of them out. I had a great Jesuit experience not because of a single faculty member but because of the core of individuals who come in early and leave late for the purpose of educating the minds of a little over a thousand students. Being a Jesuit teacher is more than a day job; it is a commitment in which one dedicates their life to not only the students but to advance the mission of St. Ignatius by answering the calling that God has set forth.
Extracurriculars as a Jesuit student: Student Council (2003-2006), Medical Society, Environmental Club, Jesuit Cycling, Jesuit Swimming, Latinos Unidos, French Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mad Scientist, Robotics Engineering and Dynamics (RED), Student Ambassadors
As a Jesuit teacher: Campus Ministry, Diversity, Medical Society, Jesuit Cycling, Hockey Chaplain, and many more activities to come
Future Plans: I plan to become a Physician’s Assistant, but now that I have been exposed to the world of teaching I am also considering a master’s degree in secondary education to be able to teach full time.
Tim Murphy
Jesuit Grad Year: 2006
College/Grad Year: Oklahoma State University ‘10
Classes taught: World History, Social Justice and Public Policy
Favorite activities in free time: Basketball, working out, golf
Things missed most about Jesuit while at college: Ranger days, football games, basketball games, and hanging out with friends during free periods
Favorite class/teacher while at Jesuit: Freshman Biology w/ Mr. Smola
Extracurriculars as a Jesuit student: Basketball, Big Brothers Executive Committee, Sophomore Community Building
As a Jesuit teacher: World history is my favorite class to teach because you can teach it in such a variety of ways. You can do so many different activities/lessons to make history come alive in the classroom.
Future Plans: High school teacher/coach or possibly go to law school
Matt McEvoy
Jesuit Grad Year: 2005
College/Grad Year: Stanford ‘09
Classes taught: Freshman biology, Social Justice and Public Policy
Favorite activities in free time: Playing and watching lots of sports, reading, hanging out with friends
Things missed most about Jesuit while at college: The brotherhood, commitment to service, Jesuit spirituality and retreats, Friday night football games, my teachers and friends
Favorite class/teacher while at Jesuit: Too many are still here and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings…so…all of them!
Extracurriculars as a Jesuit student: Track, cross-country, freshman soccer, community service and campus ministry leadership, JBA, work grant
As a Jesuit teacher: Campus ministry, assistant freshman soccer coach, medical society, golf chaplain
Future Plans: I’m currently applying to medical school with the hope of becoming a doctor.
With their teaching, tutoring, participation in retreats and liturgies, and everything else that the Alumni Service Corps program entails, it is safe to say that the Jesuit community is both grateful for the time and energy given by this year’s participants and glad to have four of its graduates back home.
Photography by Brother Landry
