tag:blogs.targetx.com,2013:/gmc/michael-brown/716 2013-05-07T02:35:12Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:blogs.targetx.com,2013:/gmc/michael-brown//716.16226 2013-05-07T02:30:41Z 2013-05-07T02:35:12Z

Being away from home makes you have a mixture of feelings. Of course, you're excited to have a new experience, especially if you've never lived away from home before. You are governed by your own rules. Your parents aren't leaning...

Michael Brown another story). The next time I stepped foot into that building wouldn't be until my sophomore year and it would change everything. That place and the people in it gave me a purpose, somewhere to get involved and to do something I'd been yearning to do since I entered Gwynedd -- make a difference. It was a place of impact that I desperately wanted to be a part of. My schedule hardly allowed me to participate in anything, but the caring individuals there didn't give up on me and kept inviting me to events until something fit. In my next few years at Gwynedd-Mercy College, most of my interactions on campus would be through this building -- planning retreats; spending time on a Campus Ministry Leadership Institute; focusing on issues of hunger and homelessness, as well as at-risk youth; understanding what it means to see the unmet need and providing for whatever it was; and participating in alternative break trips of service all over the country, from my home city of Philadelphia to New York to New Orleans. But besides providing me with a variety of experiences that not only broadened my perspective on life but also honed my leadership skills, Campus Ministry and the other groups that met in Visitation House gave me something more: an understanding of what it means to have Mercy in our lives. When entering college, where most everything is alien to you, you simply begin searching for a place where you fit. Through all my interactions with Campus Ministry at Visitation House I met people who were the same as me. They had the same idea of what being a good person meant. It didn't matter what walk of life you came from, only that you were willing to make a new journey focused on acceptance, care, open-mindedness, love, compassion, and making a difference. I found a family in the people in Campus Ministry, and Visitation House was our home away from home. For that, I am truly and forever grateful. For more information on Campus Ministry, you can go to here. GRADUATION = 5 Days]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2013:/gmc/michael-brown//716.16193 2013-02-13T04:15:45Z 2013-02-13T04:19:00Z

While most of my first day is a blur at Gwynedd, there are a few events that stick out in my memory. One of those events was the day after arriving. All the freshmen are split up into groups and...

Michael Brown Following my knitting experience with her that service day of freshmen year, I would go on to plan a retreat experience with her and two other students that was geared towards freshmen surviving the first year of college. This year, I will be going on an alternative break trip with her to New Orleans where I will partake in various service activities while experiencing the unique culture of the historic city. It’s funny how things come full circle. I met Ms. P by doing service my freshmen year and I will now conclude my time at Gwynedd with her by taking part in a service trip to the opposite side of the country! Throughout my four years at Gwynedd, I can say that I am honored to have known Ms. P. Where she is too modest and humble to speak for herself, her students speak reverently of and for her. In all my experiences with her, I’ve found Ms. P to be the light within the group. I would also describe her as a warm individual whose positive energy is contagious. She never goes anywhere without a smile on her face and a welcoming attitude towards all. She has this uncanny ability to make those around her feel at home wherever they are. It is a talent I hope to emulate throughout my life. On this day, we celebrate Ms. P teaching for 45 years! In the 45 years she has taught, I can only imagine how many students on whom she has had a positive impact. I can only imagine how many more she will affect in the coming years. Congratulations Ms. P and thank you! GRADUATION = 88 Days ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2013:/gmc/michael-brown//716.16184 2013-01-31T16:36:17Z 2013-01-31T16:42:27Z

In high school, they say that college is an experience of a lifetime... Upon graduating high school, you feel as though you are ending one chapter of your life, only to begin another. At first you are reluctant to close...

Michael Brown In high school, they say that college is an experience of a lifetime... Upon graduating high school, you feel as though you are ending one chapter of your life, only to begin another. At first you are reluctant to close the book that is your life in high school to begin writing another, especially when you feel at the top of your game as a senior in high school only to be bumped back down to the bottom rung as a freshman at the collegiate level. To make the transition from compulsory secondary education to voluntary higher education can be unnerving. So many decision to make, overwhelming amounts of thoughts flying around in your head like angry bees, and frenzied excitement manifesting itself in the pit of your stomach like nervous butterflies. Your thoughts fly to the beginning of the school year and all the newness and change that it brings. The thoughts begin bubbling up to the surface, past your nerves: Do I commute? Do I live at college? Will I make friends there? Will classes be too difficult? Did I pick the right major? Am I making my family proud? Is my life going in the direction that I want? Do I really know what I want? In hindsight, all the nerves I felt were completely unnecessary. College has been the experience of a lifetime, just as all the adults in my life had promised nearly 4 years ago. Now, with graduation approaching, I feel much less like the kid I was then, though I can't say I am an adult either. I don’t truly believe there is such thing as an adult; just bigger kids with more responsibilities trying to understand their place in the world. And there are no better years to do this than your college years. During the course of the next four months (my remaining time here at Gwynedd), I’ll shed some light on what has made my college experience great. In an almost selfish way, it allows me to relive all the best moments while at Gwynedd, but it may also help the next high school kid who has angry bees buzzing through his or her head and nervous butterflies in the pit of his or her stomach. I hope that my blog entries over the next few months ease your nerves and help you look toward the next 4 years (or more) of your life with anticipation and excitement. So, here we go...the countdown begins... GRADUATION = 100 Days tag:blogs.targetx.com,2012:/gmc/michael-brown//716.15872 2012-03-17T05:20:04Z 2012-03-19T01:14:08Z

When looking for a college, I wanted to go somewhere that would give me new opportunities that broadened my perspective and new experiences that challenged the way I viewed the world. In the summer of 2010, Gwynedd gave me...

Michael Brown When looking for a college, I wanted to go somewhere that would give me new opportunities that broadened my perspective and new experiences that challenged the way I viewed the world. In the summer of 2010, Gwynedd gave me that opportunity through my international trip to South Africa. Last week it gave me a similar experience via a service trip to New York. The trip is known as Alternative Spring Break. It's for students who wish to trade their spring break for an experience of a lifetime. They are sent to a different part of the country where they participate in various service activities and immerse themselves in the culture of the area. It's a chance to reflect and regain a sense of self, appreciating life to its fullest upon return. For my Alternative Spring Break, I was sent to New York where I volunteered at the Welcome Table at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, the Maura Clarke-Ita Ford Center, and Mercy Center. At each place, although I went to give of myself, I found that I gained so much more in return. Our first stop was the Welcome Table at the Church of St. Francis Xavier. It was a large food shelter that served hundreds of people every Sunday. I spent my time providing a presence outside while all of the Welcome Table's guests waited in the cold. I talked to over 500 people, getting glimpses into each of their lives. At one point I got into a conversation about how conscious the guests were of people that walked by and intentionally averted their eyes to the presence of the growing line outside the church. It was as if the people that were waiting there for a meal were invisible to the passersby. Some people crossed the street to avoid the organized chaos that was the gaggle of people waiting patiently in line. I never thought about how it would feel to be invisible, judged by the rest of the world as not worth a moment of attention, not even a glance, not a smile or a kind greeting...not even a nod of acknowledgement. I tried to imagine what it would feel like to not exist in the organized construction of society. It was a disconcerting thought and I shook it off at the same time a chilly wind sent shivers through me. It made me realize how much a person can do with just their presence. Many of the people I met expressed their appreciation for simple conversation. By the time they had reached the door to go into the church they said they couldn't believe how short the wait had felt and said it was nice talking to me. The rest of the week the group and I split our time at the Maura Clarke-Ita Ford Center and Mercy Center. The Maura Clarke-Ita Ford Center was a place where women could find "...opportunities for developing self-esteem, individual growth, and educational learning skills that will enable women to claim and realize their own potential." Mostly all the women were Hispanic and were there for ESL (English-Spanish Learning) courses. Our time at the Ita-Ford Center was spent by simply having conversations with the participants in order to get them more comfortable with speaking English. Our conversations ranged from topics that were serious, enlightening, thought-provoking, and some that simply brought out the laughter in all of us. On the last day of being at the Ita-Ford Center, one of the women had come up to me and said that she didn't quite know the way to say what she wanted to say in English, but the closest thing she knew to say was that she hoped all my dreams came true. She appeared frustrated that she couldn't say more than that as I am not fluent in Spanish. I assured her I understood and said it was so nice talking to her and getting to know her and that I hoped all of her dreams for her life also came true. In so simple a phrase, she had gotten across to me the greatest gift you can give someone - a wish for success and hope that they gain everything they are looking for in life. Our words can be so powerful sometimes, even in their simplicity... The second half of our day for the rest of the week was spent at Mercy Center in the Bronx, where we tutored the kids there for the after school program in various subjects, participated in their snack time, and planned some fun activities for each day. One of the goals of Mercy Center is to instill in the kids each day a sense of worth and the idea that they can accomplish anything as long as their heart is in it. We planned activities that centered around this theme. We had the kids trace themselves on paper and in each body part draw something meaningful to them. In their hands we had them draw what they like to do; in their feet, their favorite place to go; in their stomach, their favorite food; in their heart, what they love; and in their head, their dreams for the future (we told the kids to dream BIG...with that advice, one kid decided he wanted to be a Ninja). The next day we did an activity where you cut out an outline of your hand and bend it in a fashion so it resembles a flower. On each finger, or flower pedal, the kids wrote ways that they could help others. In this way, the kids "flowers" all became a bouquet of "helping hands." In continuing with this theme, on our last day we painted the kids hands and they pressed them onto a poster with the title of "Helping Hands." Overall, my Alternative Spring Break was awesome! For anyone who is yearning for more out of their break from school, to get back in touch with themselves, to become immersed in another place, to meet new people, to travel somewhere new and different, Alternative Break is a great experience! I enjoyed my trip to the fullest, and I made new friends with a great set of people while there... ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2011:/gmc/michael-brown//716.15289 2011-09-16T23:51:38Z 2011-09-17T00:53:53Z

The start of a new semester has brought many changes to my life. The first day of my junior year marks a turning point in my education. It marks the halfway point of my education at Gwynedd-Mercy College. It also...

Michael Brown As a part of the Mercy Works Team Mercy Mentors - a group of students that travel to St. Mary's Villa for Children and Families, and mentor a group of boys that live in one of the apartment complexes at the facility. The group plans weekly activities and games for the boys in hopes to establish relationships and provide positive role models for them. Manna on Main Street - a group of students that make and serve food for a food shelter called Manna. The purpose of this group is currently being reevaluated in concordance with what Manna needs most at the moment. As Vice President of Sigma Phi Sigma Denim Day - an event commemorating and remembering those who have had cancer affect their lives. For a week, students are able to write their name or a loved ones name on a link of paper. Later the links are connected to crate a chain of hope. The week concludes with a day when teachers may deviate from wearing professional clothing and choose to wear denim jeans in honor of those who've had cancer touch their lives. Denim Day then culminates into a nighttime vigil that connects people in their experience of cancer in their lives, whether it be remembering the loss of a loved one, seeking encouragement for a current fight against cancer, or the need for hope for the future of cancer treatment. Holiday Outreach - a series of service-based events that occur during the holidays Giving Tree - during this event, a tree is erected with ornaments on it. On each ornament is an item that is needed to improve the care of adults with special needs at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries. People may take an ornament, purchase the item on it, and return it under the tree for an easy way to channel the holiday cheer of the season towards those who most need it. Holiday Bazaar - this event is a market for fair trade goods. The holiday bazaar provides an avenue for sellers from developing countries to sell their goods for a fair price. If anyone is interested in any of these events, or would like to receive more information about them, please e-mail me at brown.m@gmc.edu]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2011:/gmc/michael-brown//716.15097 2011-06-18T23:28:30Z 2011-06-18T23:49:47Z

When May rolled around I did not get as excited as everyone else that school had ended, because for me, summer did not mean the end of my education or participation in school activities. As a radiation therapy major, I...

Michael Brown Besides clinicals, I have also not stopped my participation with various extra curricular activities at Gwynedd. Planning future meetings and event dates for the school year is a major "to do" item of many clubs in the summer, and so I've been getting many e-mails regarding those situation. However, other clubs remain even more active in the planning stages than others. This past weekend, I went on a retreat with Gwynedd-Mercy College's Campus Ministry called CMLI (Campus Ministry Leadership Institute). While there, we planned our own student-led retreat for the freshmen coming to Gwynedd-Mercy College this fall. The retreat is planned to occur on November 11 - 13, 2011 at San Alfonso's Retreat Center located on the beachfront. The theme of the retreat is Surviving Freshmen Year by learning about the college, forming relationships, and getting inspiration to get involved in activities (finding that niche where you can be yourself and use your time and talents to further a club or organization). I am involved in Gwynedd's Campus Ministry and the Mercy Works activities that they facilitate. Anybody who enjoys community service or fellowship, I would suggest getting involved in Campus Ministry. Gwynedd-Mercy's Campus Ministry, specifically, is very open to everyone. It's not focused on one Christian religion. Though the college is a Catholic College, all Christian religions are welcome. In many ways it has become my home away from home, allowing me a place to be myself, make new friends, and make a difference.]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2011:/gmc/michael-brown//716.14774 2011-04-11T20:11:03Z 2011-04-11T20:12:18Z

Because of a merit-based scholarship that I received from Gwynedd-Mercy College, I was able to have the experience of a lifetime! This past summer, I traveled to South Africa to participate in a community service program to tutor kids...

Michael Brown Because of a merit-based scholarship that I received from Gwynedd-Mercy College, I was able to have the experience of a lifetime! This past summer, I traveled to South Africa to participate in a community service program to tutor kids in math and English and adults in computers. Tutoring the adults in computers was more challenging than tutoring the kids because the adults’ English was limited whereas the kids had learned English in school. Half the fun in the service activity, however, was getting creative in how to approach teaching. I decided that I wanted to learn the “clicky” language of Xhosa, one of South Africa’s eleven official languages. Coincidentally, it was also the language that the people spoke in the area I was tutoring. To teach my participant how to type I asked her to type words in Xhosa. That way, I could learn as much, if not more, from her as she could from me. It helped to transform our relationship from me teaching her to both of us teaching each other. It created a more equal relationship and because of it we even became friends. I learned about her goals in life, and why those goals had to be placed on hold. She told me what she was doing to reach those goals now. She taught me that it is never too late to reach for you dreams. At Gwynedd-Mercy, we learn about the difference between helping people and serving people, an extremely important distinction. When you help someone, you are using your strengths to help one who is weaker, incurring debt upon the person being helped to return the favor. To serve is to find ways of connection with another, identify their strengths, and to learn from each other. By teaching one another, my participant and I were acquiring new skills from each other, participating in an equal relationship where both parties maintained their sense of worth and integrity. If I had simply taught her how to type, I’d be fixing her situation but not learning anything myself. Fixing is a form of judgment while serving is a form of connection. South Africans call this type of relationship building experience ubuntu. The word ubuntu means to find a connection, to feel compassion for one another, and to teach one another. The word ubuntu is a reminder that each person has worth, has something to offer, and therefore we each can learn something from someone else. Through finding a creative way to serve, I was able to gain this ubuntu connection. My mom always says that it’s not the places we go that impact us as much as the people we meet and the experiences we have while there. I spent six weeks in South Africa, and in that time I fell in love with the beauty of the country and the diversity and strong will of its people. South Africa planted a seed in my heart before I left and it has slowly taken sprout on my return to America. I have become more aware of the importance of interconnectivity in our everyday lives and across the world.]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2011:/gmc/michael-brown//716.14301 2011-01-28T01:52:31Z 2011-02-10T08:19:31Z

Gwynedd-Mercy has provided me with some really amazing opportunities. Financially, I received merit scholarships for academic achievements in high school and the opportunity to participate in the federal work-study program to pay off loans. There were an overwhelming amount of...

Michael Brown Gwynedd-Mercy has provided me with some really amazing opportunities. Financially, I received merit scholarships for academic achievements in high school and the opportunity to participate in the federal work-study program to pay off loans. There were an overwhelming amount of service opportunities, something I've felt compassionate about since I was in grade school. I was given the chance to study abroad in South Africa this past summer where I had some of the most mind-blowing experiences of my life. Currently, I am interning in a hospital as a part of my program of study, Radiation Therapy. I never expected any of these things to come my way. In fact, coming to Gwynedd-Mercy, I never knew that any of this was possible, that I could continue my service work from high school, that I'd be interning in a hospital within a year and a half, or that I'd have studied abroad in another country after only my freshmen year in college. When they say college can change your life, I never knew how soon that could be until I attended Gwynedd-Mercy College.