Saint Leo Alumni Archives - Spirit Magazine

Dear friends,

Like many of the alumni profiled in this magazine, I have learned that hard work, sacrifice, and a commitment toward serving others can make dreams possible.

I grew up as the oldest of six children in a multiracial, Catholic family. My father served in the U.S. Coast Guard, and my mother ran our household, raising my brothers, sisters, and me as we moved from one military base to the next. Money was always tight, but my parents instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic, family, and faith.

While my parents could offer no financial support, I had a dream of going to college and becoming a physician, making me the third of 30 cousins in my extended family to pursue an education beyond high school. I worked several jobs while I earned two degrees (biology and psychology) from Virginia Commonwealth University. My jobs included serving as a work-study student in the biology lab during my freshmen and sophomore years; serving as a resident assistant during my junior and senior years; and then working three jobs during my fifth year of college, which I took to complete my second major.

While these were challenging times for me, I can now see by looking back that they helped shape my character and were essential to my personal and professional growth. Eventually, because of my work ethic and willingness to serve others, I was presented with opportunities that launched my career in higher education.

In this issue of Spirit Magazine, we profile the stories of fellow dreamers — those who have a vision for a better life and have done the hard work to achieve it.

You’ll read the stories of alumni who faced challenging upbringings, encountered adversity, and overcame odds to achieve their goals. You’ll also find stories about the growth of the university’s Honors Program and our new bachelor’s degree in nursing. These programs are helping to build well-rounded college graduates and solve our world’s problems.

One of the reasons I was excited about the opportunity to serve as Saint Leo University’s 11th president is because of the character and commitment of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The university is home to so many who dream big and are working toward creating a better world and a better way of life. They are not only inspiring to be around, but they also are the reason why Saint Leo University will always have a special place in my heart.

May God bless you, and may you always keep dreaming of greater things.

Sincerely,

Ed Dadez, Ph.D.
President

Dear community,

One of the things I have enjoyed the most about being the father of two is the opportunity to see my children learn and grow over the years. I can remember the excitement on their faces when they first learned to walk, play soccer, and start reading. As they grew older, I marveled at how they took initiative in cultivating their own unique talents and abilities. From their time as infants, to their teenage years and every day as young adults, learning happened quickly and often. It was a central part of their lives.

There is something special about the way in which children learn that I think is important for us to hold on to as a society. Children possess an innate joy and love of learning and are not afraid to pursue an interest that excites them. Yes, they may face challenges on their journey and get discouraged. But when they fall down, they also get right back up, sometimes with a little help and encouragement from a loving parent.

At Saint Leo University, we have an insatiable love of learning, and we want our students to cultivate this love, too, for its many benefits. A relentless passion for learning leads to a richer and more fulfilling life with greater opportunities. We become more well-rounded individuals when we have an understanding of our history, our government, and theoretical principles whose applications have led to scientific and medical discoveries. We grow when we explore new ways of doing things or acquire new skills.

Our fall issue of Spirit Magazine delves into a few of the many examples of Saint Leo University faculty, students, and alumni who share a love of learning and express their enthusiasm in laudable ways. You’ll read about several Saint Leo alumni who have earned top honors for their work in education, as well as learn about a new partnership that is helping the university educate more people.

I hope these stories serve as inspiration for you to continue to make learning an integral part of your life. Some say that as we grow older, there is less we need to learn. I tend to disagree. I think as we progress through life, our responsibility for learning expands. The challenge lies in making it a priority in one’s life.

Peace and may God bless.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey D. Senese, Ph.D.
President

Saint Leo Alumni

President’s Letter: Dreamers

President’s Letter: Love of Learning