The Woods

Click on the flyer for more details about the bake sale!

http://www.spsmw.org/providence-center/events/2011-bake-sale.aspx

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By Anna Spydell
Staff Writer

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College lost a longtime staple of its community this month when Sister Ruth Eileen Dwyer, known affectionately to her colleagues as “Ruthie”, passed away on Oct. 7 at the age of 86.
Born in Chicago, on Oct. 19, 1925, Dwyer grew up attending parochial schools for both her elementary and secondary education before taking her vows Aug.15, 1946.
She held a degree in business from SMWC, a master’s of theology from St. Xavier, and a doctor of ministry from St. Mary of the Lake University.
At the Woods, she served as a professor of theology and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, among a variety of other administrative positions from 1967 to 2004.
One of her former colleagues, English professor and soccer coach, Mike Aycock, characterized her as being “full of energy and optimism”, and recalled this anecdote about Dwyer:
“I once asked her advice on who we might be able to get as a guest speaker on the topic of student development. She didn’t hesitate to suggest that I call the person many considered the foremost authority in the U.S., Arthur Chickering, and ask if he would spend some time consulting with us. Armed with her confidence, I called. He rearranged his schedule, came to spend a few days at the Woods, and invited us to be part of a larger study of adult learners. I learned a valuable lesson about expecting the best.”
In addition to being a valued colleague and sometimes mentor to her coworkers, many knew her also as a friend.
“Ruthie was always just a good friend to everyone and a true leader on this campus,” said business professor DJ Wasmer. “[I] miss her a lot.”
Previously having resided at Woodland Inn, Dwyer was moved to Mother Theodore Hall as her health declined.
Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Oct. 14.
She is survived by her younger sister, Claudette, and her younger brother, David and she leaves behind a legacy of leadership at the Woods that will be remembered for years to come.
“Sister Ruth Eileen embodied the principal that every person should undertake the kind of spiritual exploration that theology could provide,” stated Aycock. “Her life as a teacher, scholar, administrator, and more exemplified a remarkable balance of faith and intellectual life. It remains a beacon for me.”

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Providence Vincennes, also known as Vinnie, sits beside his mother, Providence Providentia, shortly after his birth on Aug. 24. / Photo by Colleen Daum

By Annie Jones

Staff Writer

(Appeared in the Sept. 7 print edition of The Woods)

The campus and community is welcoming a new member to the alpaca family. The Sisters of Providence and the White Violet Center call him Providence Vincennes, or “Vinnie” for short. The new baby alpaca, or cria, was born on a warm, sunny morning around 11 a.m. on Aug. 24.

He weighed in at a total of 13.5 lbs. He was born healthy and very active. Within about 20 minutes of Vinnie’s birth he was up standing and nursing from his mother. Providence Providentia, also known as Tia, is a first-time mother and is only about four years old. The father is Gray’s Pride. Soon after finding his balance Vinnie was bounding and leaping off the ground.

For those who don’t know much or anything about alpacas, they are members of the camelid family which includes llamas and camels.  Alpacas are native to South America in the Andes Mountains of Peru and Chile.

Vinnie takes off running around the pasture after he was born. / Photo by Annie Jones

So what are they doing in Indiana then? The Sisters of Providence and the White Violet Center utilize all the by-products of the alpacas for funding projects around the campus and are part of the sisters’ sustainable community. Examples of the by-products include their fiber for hats and gloves and their excrement for fertilizer.

They now regulate all breeding for the alpacas to help with population control and pasture space. This fall the White Violet Center and the Sisters of Providence were expecting two crias. While one baby, Vinnie, has already graced us with his presence we will soon be welcoming another member to the alpaca family. Samantha, an expecting mother, is due Oct. 14.

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