VN_SPR SUM_06 covers FINAL.indd - Villanova University

trip has been assimilated into achallenging service learning capstone design class in structuralengineering.What I find especially exciting about that project is not onlythe selfless service dimension, which I find so common amongour students, but its full integration with the academic learningprocess, what I call the brainpower dimension. You learn notonly to care for and to love the little amigos de Jesus but to beable to do something about their plight. I am certain that thoseof you involved in that project know how that feels. I have seenyour photos with them. Life doesn’t get much better than that!Several weeks ago, retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni [’65VSB] dropped into my office for a chat. He told me that he hadbeen invited to come and speak to our NROTC Unit by one ofour midshipmen—probably one of you. He happily accepted theinvitation to return to Villanova, as he often has.I was reminded of a similar occasion, about two yearsbefore the start of the Iraq war, while he was still incharge of the United States Central Command, thejoint U.S. military command for the whole MiddleEast. Out of the blue one day he came into my officein his casual military dress, carrying a pile of booksas if he were a student walking around campus. Hewas here as a student, attending a conference onthe Middle East. We had a great chat on the kindof education military leaders need in our changingworld today. He had already learned Arabic andwas learning all that he could about the cultures ofthe Middle East in order to interact more effectively andbetter understand the people he was dealing with and theirleaders. It was so clear to me that Gen. Zinni saw himselfprimarily as a peacemaker and humanitarian, of course, inthe defense of his nation. His passionate concern for themen and women serving under him was obvious! I thinkhe is a Villanova kind of leader.I cite these examples fully aware that many of youare already engaged in these and many other worthyventures. One of your class just casually mentioned tome the other day that he is taking Justin Knabb’s placeon the Water for Waslala project. I simply wish tomake the point that, no matter what your field of studiesat Villanova, you are always prepared, as the expressiongoes, “to do well and to do good” with your life.During your time at Villanova, you have heard many citationsfrom St. Augustine elucidating and nuancing the missionof our University. I would like to conclude with one whichyou might not have heard as often but which I consider asthe capstone of them all. It is aphrase which he takes and uses often fromthe Epistle to the Ephesians 4,5: “Doing the truth in love.”We don’t often talk about doing the truth. We speak rather of seekingthe truth or knowing the truth. What do we mean by doing thetruth? Doing what we think is right? Yes. Doing what is just? Yes. ForAugustine, though, it is even more than that. It has to do with theinterplay between truth and action, knowing and doing. Obviously,intelligent action is based upon previous knowledge, but intelligentaction leads in turn to richer, deeper knowledge and transformation.When the action is rooted in Divine love, it leads to the highestform of knowledge, Wisdom, and the transformation of our world.It was interesting for me to peruse the transcripts of the twoyoung alums that I used as examples a moment ago in referenceto the Water for Waslala project. Their service trips are not referencedon their transcripts, but you can tell when they tookplace by the impact on course selection. Their interest levelbecame so much more intensified. Their heart was in it, guidingand sharpening their intelligence and skills. They undoubtedlyhave gotten the knack of doing the truth in love.My message for you today, as you depart Villanovatogether, is: Make it happen! Bring that collective brainpowerto bear onour world in aloving, caring,confidentyet humbleVillanovaway. Do thetruth in love.Spring/Summer 2006 39