Last Saturday, my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful celebration at Loyola University’s Water Tower Campus here in Chicago as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Pastoral Studies. I graduated from the IPS in 1984 with a Masters in Pastoral Studies (I’m featured here on their alumni page and I’m also featured on their Books Written by IPS Graduates page). Here’s the summary from the IPS Web site:
It was a sold out event, filled with students, alumni, faculty members and friends. The energy in the room was palpable.
Guests traveled back in time with a short video clip that featured a decade when The Beatles overtook the radio waves, a gallon of gas only cost $0.30, you could buy a family home for about $13,000 and the median income was around $6,000. Though for us, the most significant fact from the ’60s was the founding of IPS in 1964.
After a few remarks, guests then enjoyed the presentation of this video that showcases what IPS has accomplished in the last fifty years and what it plans to achieve in the future.
Later in the night, Peter Gilmour received the Aggiornamento Award, honoring his dedication to IPS throughout the years. His lifetime of service epitomizes the mission, values and the vision of IPS. Congratulations and thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the IPS community. Watch him fondly look back at his experience at IPS here.
Featured speaker, Sister Carol Keehan shared remarks that were both motivating and challenging. We will be sharing her keynote address in an upcoming blog, so those who missed the event can join us as we reflect on her thought-provoking sentiments.
From a summers-only program founded in 1964, to a degree-granting institute with nearly 300 students, we are well on our way to the next fifty years!
I had the opportunity to hobnob with some pretty amazing people!
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