Christy Gustafson: Student Speech, 12/16/04

Thank you, Colleen. As the student representative, it is my honor, on the behalf of all graduates, to welcome our guests here tonight. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for all you have done to help us arrive at this evening of celebration. And to my beloved, as in everything, you stand here beside me. Thank you for your love and support. I am just as proud of you.

In March of 1998, I received my letter of congratulations, telling me I was being offered admission to the Weekend College program here at the College of St. Catherine. I remember being excited and scared. Excited, because it was the beginning of a new journey. Scared, because coming back to school at the age of the 37 seemed, well, “overwhelming” would be one word. I didn’t know what was possible. Perhaps many other graduates here tonight can remember feeling the same way as they prepared for that first day of class.

In December of 1904, a “few” years earlier, another journey began. Making their way from St Joseph’s Academy in downtown St. Paul, 27 sisters walked a mile south from the last streetcar stop at Grand and Cleveland. The raging snowstorm did nothing to deter them from their quest – to open the doors of the newly built Derham Hall, the beginning of the College of St. Catherine. Can you imagine how they must have been feeling?

I have often wondered what CSC was like those many years ago. How courageous those 27 sisters were – as well as the first female students to join them in residence on campus. These incredible women made it possible. It’s our history to claim. And they left us an amazing legacy, 100 years strong. In her song “Heroes”, Ann Reed writes of women heroes over the ages … Sojourner Truth, Margaret Sanger, Elizabeth Blackwell, Joan of Arc and others. Although she does not include our pioneer Sisters of St. Joseph, I think you can still hear of them in her words…

Heroes appear like a friend to clear a path or light the flame
As time goes you find you depend on your heroes to show you the way.

The College of St Catherine still has its heroes. This campus is filled with passionate, committed, and supportive professors, top in their fields. And here they are, seated behind me. I am sure every graduate can locate a special professor who inspired, encouraged, challenged and motivated him or her beyond where they could see themselves. During our time here, we have experienced the gift of amazing teachers and staff. Let me share a couple of my “professor moments.” In a “Women and the Bible” class, I once answered a question with an unfortunate response that included something like, “but they said…. and so we think….” The theology professor, with a Sophia-like voice of wisdom, quickly asked, “Who are they to say? And who is the we you speak of? Think for yourself! Speak with your own voice!” I carried Dr. Franke’s words with me through every class thereafter. My “Foundations in Women’s Studies” professor announced the first day of class her opinions on many issues discussed were going to be obvious and passionate. A slight understatement, I discovered! But we were free, no, encouraged, to disagree with her. To share our own points of view. But, she warned, know your material. Be articulate and ready to back up your opinion with facts. Dr. Pharr’s challenge resulted in great class conversation and increased efforts to be more cognizant of where and how we formed our opinions. Our professors encouraged questions, pushed us to explore ideas, reminded us to have patience on the journey, and told us to trust our authentic voice within. Their guidance and care helped make this day possible for us. And for this gift, I am certain we are all most grateful.

But they weren’t the only teachers in the classroom. It’s as possible to learn something extraordinary from the professor at the blackboard, as it is from the 18 year old sitting next to you and the 80 year old sitting behind you. From many different backgrounds - social, economical, and cultural - we as students met and came to depend on each other. Could we have done it any other way? We struggled together. Through all those classes, deadlines, and papers. Those endless papers. Tell me – didn’t you start to feel around the 2nd year that EVERY class was writing intensive at this school?! I think back on study groups, peer reviews of papers, sharing of ideas, prepping each other for tests, and celebrating the completion of goals. And I know. I know I could not have done it without the students I met along the way. We became friends. The kind of friends who leave lasting impressions, because they shared a part of themselves. In my speeches to perspective WEC students, I have always said the women enrolled here have been and continue to be the very best part of my journey at the College of St. Catherine. Their willingness to support each other, care for each other and the world, to seek out social justice and work for change – it’s a gift beyond value.

Many things have been made possible for us and by us during our years at CSC. What seems impossible now is to move on without looking for ways to use what we have learned. We will reach out, lead, influence, and help make a difference. We live in a world in great need of intellectual graduates with passion. We are those graduates. I was waiting for an elevator at work a few weeks ago, wearing a sweatshirt with the College of St. Catherine written across the front. A gentleman stood slightly in front and to the side of me. We nodded a greeting. When the elevator arrived, he stepped aside and said, “oh, ladies first.” Well, the little bit of feminist annoyance I usually get at this kind of remark reared its head and I responded, “no, please go ahead.” He shook his head and said, “my wife went to the College of St. Catherine. I know you women have places to go.” Huh. “True enough,” I thought. “So maybe he shouldn’t even get on the elevator, in case he needs to get off a floor earlier and slows me down!”

What will we give back to this amazing place so in another hundred years, CSC is still making things possible? All three of my nieces, Karissa, Danielle and Kelsey, have been on campus with me for one reason or another. I have showed them the beautiful grounds, talked to them about those first 27 sisters and the snowstorm, and told them this is it – this is where they should go to school. They’re still a little young, so the ducks at Dew Drop Pond were a bit more interesting. But! I have planted the seed and will continue to plant more, wanting them to have the same opportunity their aunts did - the finest liberal arts education in the world. We all need to do our part to ensure this will happen - for all our nieces, daughters, granddaughters coming behind us. Come back. Reach out with gifts of time, talent and resources. Remember we have been given much.

I believe in this place with all my heart. And I believe in all of us. In our ability to make a difference as people who will lead and influence. I chose the College of St. Catherine because it is a college for women. A college that teaches, supports, encourages, solicits and values, the opinions of women. I came here to experience social justice at work. Something hopeful. The experience has made us all stronger. It has given us a voice. In 1904, the Sisters of St. Joseph, with great courage and vision said, “oh, yes we will!” Now it’s our turn. What places will we go? Where will we leave our mark? How will we create our legacy? What will we give back to our families, our communities, this college and the world? Those are just endless possibilities!

At my church, the service always ends with a sending. So I send you out with a little more from Heroes by Ann Reed:

“What can I learn from you? That I must do the thing I think I cannot do. That you do what’s right by your heart and soul. It’s the imperfections that make us whole. One life can tell the tale.”

Make it a life worth telling. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. It has been my honor. Peace to you and those you carry in your hearts.