Connections - An Alumni and Friends Magazine by Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN
Our People
Kreagers Deliver
Here is a photo of our newest resident on campus. Ashley and Ryan Kreager (Pulte Hall Director) welcomed the arrival of their son Michael who was born a few days before Christmas.
Dorene Muszer Awarded Outstanding Service Award
For more than 13 years, Dorene Muszer has been the smiling face and helpful presence in the college's business office at Holy Cross College. Recently, she was recognized with the College's Outstanding Service Award. In the award ceremony, Muszer was described as one of the most helpful and hardworking individuals on campus. She performs her job cheerfully and professionally, while her unshakeable faith and Christian stewardship provides a wonderful example for the Holy Cross College community.
Muszer is a graduate of Indiana University South Bend. "Before coming to Holy Cross College, I worked at quite a variety of jobs, but all the experiences and opportunities I have received here have allowed me to minister in some way and to allow God to develop me and mold me," says Muszer.
In her spare time, Muszer keeps busy teaching Sunday School, performing in a singing group for Contemporary Christian music, and traveling and singing in various churches, meetings, and choirs. She also assists with worship services in nursing homes as well as ministering and singing at the Westville Correctional Facility in Michigan City, IN. "This is my passion. I feel the greatest accomplishment I could ever achieve is to impact at least one soul for eternity. My life should exemplify the attributes of Jesus Christ, to above all show His love and to give of myself to serve."
Holy Cross College Welcomes Christina Thompson as New Director of the College Success Program
Christina Thompson comes to Holy Cross College after a distinguished academic career at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL where she earned a Master of Science in Campus Student Affairs. Thompson will serve as an academic advisor for first- and second-year students. She will also be leading the Holy Cross College Success Program (CSP), a unique one-year academic support program developed to assist students in the transition from the high school educational experience to the academic demands of collegiate study. CSP provides one-on-one attention for students who participate. It can be particularly effective for the student with an academic record suggesting additional academic preparation and support will enhance their chances of a successful and rewarding college experience.
"Throughout my undergraduate and graduate career, I have been interested in educational counseling and helping fellow students succeed," said Ms. Thompson. "Even as an undergraduate, I worked as a tutor, mentor, and counselor for students who needed extra help in math, English, statistics, or psychology. I find that most students have the ability to succeed, but depending on their social or family background, they may have failed to learn the independent time management and study skills required in a college environment," she continued.
"Ms. Thompson's academic preparation is ideally suited for her new role at Holy Cross College," said Brian Howard the Director of Academic and Student Development. "Our mission here is not just to take great students and keep them challenged, but to also find those students who have the potential to be great and draw it out of them. Ms. Thompson is very enthusiastic about helping young people. She has a proven track record and we are very pleased that she has chosen to continue that work at Holy Cross College," Howard concluded.
Andrew Polaniecki to Lead Campus Ministry
In speaking about his new role as Director of Campus Ministry, Andrew Polaniecki had this to say, "My job is to bring enthusiasm to the office of Campus Ministry, to get the students excited about the practice of their faith, and to provide activities and opportunities that are integral to campus life for all the students at Holy Cross College," Andrew summed up his new role for the readers of Connections.
In 2009, when Robert Kloska was promoted to Vice President of Mission Advancement, Amelia (Marcum) Ruggaber HCC '03 assumed the position of Director of Campus Ministry. Having served during the '08-'09 school year, Ruggaber decided to become a dorm director for the current school year, citing the demands of juggling a young family as her reason for the change. Ruggaber's move opened the post for Polaniecki.
"We are really excited to have Polaniecki coming on board," said Kloska. "He is a young man with a great educational background for this new role, lots of experience motivating young people, and experience as a high school theology teacher, coach, and student leader."
After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Niles, IL, Polaniecki enrolled in the University of Notre Dame where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Environmental Science and a minor theology in 2003 with a major in Philosophy and second major in Environmental Science as well as a minor in Thelogy. "During my first three years at the University of Notre Dame, I was part of the Old College Program, the undergraduate formation program for the Congregation of Holy Cross. Although I discerned during these years that I was not called to the religious life, I did come to believe that I was called by God to serve His Church by being involved in the education and lives of young men and women," Andrew explained.
In 2008, Polaniecki completed his Mater's in Religious Studies at Loyola University New Orleans while also working full time as a high school theology teacher at Jesuit High School in New Orleans. Among the top Catholic high schools in the country, Jesuit High School recently graduated 243 seniors, 35 of whom were National Merit Semi-Finalists. The school also won four state championships this year in soccer, swimming, tennis and wrestling. Polaniecki coached the high school's state runner-up cross country team.
Polaniecki will be moving with his family from New Orleans to Michiana. His wife Andre' a native of Port Barre, Louisiana (a small town 2 hours west of New Orleans) is also a 2003 University of Notre Dame graduate with a BA in Theology. The couple has two boys, Gabriel age three, and David age one.