Grants to reinforce DePaul’s Vincentian character
January 25, 2013
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Sixteen projects designed to enhance the Catholic and Vincentian character of DePaul received grants from the Vincentian Endowment Fund (VEF) Board during the 2012-2013 funding cycle.
The projects were awarded $71,368, according to Fiona Vaughn of the Office of Mission and Values, who coordinates the awards. Since its inception in 1992, the VEF has awarded 530 regular and discretionary grants totaling more than $1.6 million. The average award for a VEF grant is about $4,100.
“The Vincentian Endowment Fund continues to be the cornerstone of all the university’s efforts at enhancing our Catholic and Vincentian identity through the primary bearers of that identity: our faculty, staff and students,” says the Rev. Edward R. Udovic, C.M., senior executive for University Mission.
Here are the newly funded projects and their directors:
“Toward an Archaeology of Monastic Prayer: Case Studies from Late Antique Palestine and Egypt.” Professor Scott Bucking, Department of History, $1,500 to support understanding ancient monastic prayer practices in late antique Palestine and Egypt. Archaeological and epigraphic data from case-study sites will be combined with literary evidence to provide new insights into the complex interplay between prayer, physical space and materiality.
“Voices of Charity: A Centennial Book and CD for St. Vincent de Paul Center and Marillac Social Center.” Professor Amy Tyson, Department of History, $3,000 to produce a book and CD to commemorate the forthcoming centennials of the St. Vincent de Paul Center and Marillac Social Center. These materials will feature oral histories, archival scans and concise historical essays that will contextualize the contents contained therein.
“From Galley Slave to Deathrow: St. Vincent and the Heritage of Prison Ministry.” Professor Mary Jeanne Larrabee, Department of Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies, $3,000 to support bringing Sister Helen Prejean to DePaul from April 18 to 25. This week-long visit coincides with World Catholicism Week and includes several events for the DePaul community.
“Haute Future—Improving Economic Prospects for Haitian Artisans via Technology.” Tina Cajigas, Enrollment Management and Marketing, $3,000 to engage College of Computing and Digital Media students to build an e-commerce website that utilizes crowdsourcing to prove a business concept that will empower Haitian artisans to directly access the American market.
“School-Based Mental Health Clinic in the Auburn Gresham Neighborhood.” Professor Orson Morrison, Family and Community Services, $5,000 to expand services to the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood by establishing a school-based mental health clinic at Chicago Youth Development Institute, a school serving at-risk, African-American youth.
“Vincentian Social Responsibility.” Professor Marco Tavanti, School of Public Service, $2,500 to provide assistance to the Vincentian Center for Social Responsibility in the analysis and communication of its impact for academic social responsibility and sustainable community development.
“Presence Prayer and Perseverance: Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy Witness to the Detained/Deported.” The Rev. Craig B. Mousin, J.D., Office of Mission and Values, $5,855 to produce a video of Sisters of Mercy JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy’s ministry modeling DePaul’s mission of service with an accompanying audio biography on this ministry to the detained and deported.
“Discover DePaul.” Professor Christie Klimas, Department of Environmental Science and Studies, $5,000 to address issues including sustainable food systems, youth engagement and natural areas exploration, soil quality and urban farming with an immersion course where youth from the low-income Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood are introduced to opportunities in applied science and Vincentian service at DePaul and Chicagoland.
“Grow Strong Community Garden: A Place for Health Learning.” Professor Kim Amer, School of Nursing, $6,324 to develop a collaboration with St. Stanislaus Kostka Elementary School and the School of Nursing in which a community garden at the St. Stanislaus Kostka school will be built and managed by the students. Basic health and nutrition curriculum will be taught and evaluated.
“The Name Project.” Professor Ronald Fernández, School of Cinema and Interactive Media, $4,350 to produce a documentary that will explore the lives of the homeless and transient people who live outside the edges of our university and everyday existence. With special concern for the deprived members of society, the film will introduce us to the forgotten souls who share our community.
“Tulsa: Hate Crime Capital?” Professor Andrea Lyon, College of Law, $7,500 to support a groundbreaking exploration of the media's coverage of hate crimes spanning 90 years in Tulsa in conjunction with Lioness Media Arts and the Center for Justice in Capital Cases.
“Students Supporting Dreamers through Legal Aid.” Professor Siobhan Albiol, College of Law, $5,000 to provide legal services to undocumented individuals who may be eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic seeks to meet the urgent need for reliable advice and representation by training, supporting and placing DePaul law student interns at not-for-profits serving immigrants throughout Illinois.
“Ecumenical Pilgrimage.” Matt Merkt, Catholic Campus Ministry, $3,000 to support an ecumenical pilgrimage to Geneva, Switzerland, and Taizé, France, in summer 2013 focusing on education, spirituality and service. The target audience is Catholic and non-Catholic Christian student leaders who will take a lead role in building the framework for enhanced ecumenical ministry at DePaul.
“Sankofa Black Student Leadership Project.” The Rev. Guillermo Campuzano, C.M., Office of Religious Diversity, $4,500 to support the collaborative effort between various Student Affairs offices aimed at identifying and developing black student leaders. Retreats, workshops, mentoring and personal reflection will focus on Vincentian values, black spirituality and professional development.
“Creating a Vincentian Geographic Information System – A Digital Humanities Project.” Professor Alex Papadopoulos, Department of Geography, $4,900 to support the building of a historical Geographic Information System for data related to St. Vincent, St. Louise, the Congregation of the Mission and the worlds they inhabited which will allow the organizing of large datasets and greater possibilities for digital humanities research related to the Vincentian experience.
“Managing the Patrimony of the Poor as Wise Standards.” Professor Scott Kelley, Office of Mission and Values, $6,939 to support a workshop for members of the Vincentian Family who have primary responsibility for managing assets. Participants will reflect on the legacies of the Vincentian founders and use key themes from modern Catholic social thought as a way to reflect on best practices in asset management.