Novinski lecture recalls original vision of university
Tim Rowles
Issue date: 11/25/08 Section: Commentary
"Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision." -G.K. Chesterton
Last week, a link was posted, and aptly so, on the UD website containing a lecture recorded by Emeritus Professor Lyle Novinski entitled "From Prairie to Paradise," accompanied by images from the University's past. The rather historical account of the University is delivered from the unique perspective of a professor who has been with UD since its humble beginnings when the Texas Stadium did not exist and Carpenter Hall barely scratched the surface of the cow pasture that is now the University of Dallas. We would hardly recognize it as the school that it is today. Indeed, such an endeavor requires quite a vision, a vision that has brought us years of growth, outstanding professors and equally passionate students, a campus in Rome, and a liberal arts education that not only shapes the mind but disposes the soul to those truths and virtues that are too often overlooked by our culture today.
And what, in fact, might that vision be? Pope Benedict, in his visit to the U.S. earlier this year, reminds us that "God's desire to make Himself known, and the innate desire of all human beings to know the truth, provide the context for human inquiry into the meaning for life." Indeed, the scope of a liberal arts education is to hone in on truth and allow it to shed light on the human condition. The mission of UD states, "the University understands human nature to be spiritual and physical, rational and free," and "acknowledges transcendent standards of truth and excellence that are themselves the object of search in an education."
This vision is sacred. Last year, then-senior Sean McRory reminded us, "if the school unites behind its original ideas, there will be no end to the good that will result from this, if not, it will soon join the ranks of many other schools, whose purpose is to make professionals, not liberally educated individuals." Indeed, even in the face of present difficulties, we cannot sacrifice this vision. While commenting on the new pharmacy school and the challenges therein, theology professor Christopher Malloy reminded us two weeks ago, "UD cannot afford to risk facing the dilemma of choosing between financial failure and loss of vision."
Amidst the collective memories of Novinski's lecture we see manifest the true ethos of the University's vision. Out of the projects and improvements, the many changes and additions of the past, we see a university begin to take shape. Indeed, it is still being shaped. At a time when we find it necessary to boldly take a step forward, I believe it is even more necessary to turn our gaze back. This lecture provides a particularly good opportunity for doing so. In his past article, McRory reminds us of the words of T.S. Eliot, "Redeem the time; redeem the dream." I encourage you to recall the dream.
You can find Novinski's lecture, accompanied by slide show, online at http://www.udallas.edu/art/p2pln.cfm.
Last week, a link was posted, and aptly so, on the UD website containing a lecture recorded by Emeritus Professor Lyle Novinski entitled "From Prairie to Paradise," accompanied by images from the University's past. The rather historical account of the University is delivered from the unique perspective of a professor who has been with UD since its humble beginnings when the Texas Stadium did not exist and Carpenter Hall barely scratched the surface of the cow pasture that is now the University of Dallas. We would hardly recognize it as the school that it is today. Indeed, such an endeavor requires quite a vision, a vision that has brought us years of growth, outstanding professors and equally passionate students, a campus in Rome, and a liberal arts education that not only shapes the mind but disposes the soul to those truths and virtues that are too often overlooked by our culture today.
And what, in fact, might that vision be? Pope Benedict, in his visit to the U.S. earlier this year, reminds us that "God's desire to make Himself known, and the innate desire of all human beings to know the truth, provide the context for human inquiry into the meaning for life." Indeed, the scope of a liberal arts education is to hone in on truth and allow it to shed light on the human condition. The mission of UD states, "the University understands human nature to be spiritual and physical, rational and free," and "acknowledges transcendent standards of truth and excellence that are themselves the object of search in an education."
This vision is sacred. Last year, then-senior Sean McRory reminded us, "if the school unites behind its original ideas, there will be no end to the good that will result from this, if not, it will soon join the ranks of many other schools, whose purpose is to make professionals, not liberally educated individuals." Indeed, even in the face of present difficulties, we cannot sacrifice this vision. While commenting on the new pharmacy school and the challenges therein, theology professor Christopher Malloy reminded us two weeks ago, "UD cannot afford to risk facing the dilemma of choosing between financial failure and loss of vision."
Amidst the collective memories of Novinski's lecture we see manifest the true ethos of the University's vision. Out of the projects and improvements, the many changes and additions of the past, we see a university begin to take shape. Indeed, it is still being shaped. At a time when we find it necessary to boldly take a step forward, I believe it is even more necessary to turn our gaze back. This lecture provides a particularly good opportunity for doing so. In his past article, McRory reminds us of the words of T.S. Eliot, "Redeem the time; redeem the dream." I encourage you to recall the dream.
You can find Novinski's lecture, accompanied by slide show, online at http://www.udallas.edu/art/p2pln.cfm.
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