The Benedict News Spring 2021 Edition

Mr. Joshua Aune,
Benedictine Volunteer
In August, St. Benedict’s
welcomed three
Benedictine Volunteers
from St. John’s University
in Minnesota, part of a long-standing
tradition. By that time, the Hive was
in full virtual gear.
Going back to last spring, however, matters were not as smooth for at least one of the
volunteers. Mr. Joshua Aune, who is presently teaching Microbiology to remote students
from a classroom on the property, experienced an unsettling last “regular” day of college.
He was sitting in his physics class, speaking with his lab partner, preparing to run an
experiment. He recalled feeling that he and the other student were the only “sane ones, ''as
everyone around them buried their faces in news sites and blogs.” His physics professor
though, did not seem to be bothered. “As the professor walked into the room, he states that
he has heard the rumors of online school,” Mr. Aune said. “But he is just going to teach his
lesson as usual.”
Moments later,, an announcement by university leaders that the school was moving
immediately to a virtual format because of COVID-19 hit the internet.
“The morale was low, and people were crying,” Mr. Aune said.
While others rushed to get home, he stayed in class with his microbiology professor and
his friend, the physics partner, and talked for hours.
Mr. Aune regrets the impact the pandemic had on the closing days of his Senior year and
on his 2020 college graduation ceremony. “One thing I wish I could have done before
going virtual,” Mr. Aune said, “would be to finish out the year with my classmates and
experience all of the perks that come with the last days of being a Senior in college.”
He is sad he missed saying goodbye to all the people he met in college that made it such
an unforgettable experience. He added, “It was one of those days where I will never forget
where I was when it happened for the rest of my life.”
9 Issue 2 Volume 3 Spring 2021