Who is the individual your group picked? Why did you pick this individual? Saturday, Feb 5 2011

My group and I selected Ernie and Antoinette K-Doe to research for our service learning project. Due to the fact that we knew limited information about the various individuals from which we made our selection, we choose these two simply to learn more about them and their heritage. It is interesting when one finds and shares valuable information and history with classmates during discussions, and that is exactly what my group intends to do. We would like to learn more about the rich history of the K-Does, and exactly what makes them so unique and different from any other burial nearby.

When first making a selection, our instructors were enthused about someone choosing the K-Does as a research term. At first, we hesitated to make a decision. However, we collaboratively decided to research the K-Does and look forward to finding out more about who they actually were. We plan to use various internet pages, written articles, and journals to discover all and any information made available to us. My main goal is to find out something special, whether they have family members that still reside in the New Orleans area, any special contributions made during their lifetime, and the lasting impact of their legacy on today’s generation.

I wonder if they had any interests or hobbies in music, dance, history, art, theatre, farming, or anything similar to such. This brings me to another point from which we decided to research the K-Does. We are able to find out something that is possibly rich in history and culture, and that we can share and explain to others. Maybe we will help to revive the interest in Louisiana history, and embrace the legacy and efforts of those who have passed before our years. I really look forward to working on this project, and I am eager to get started!

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From what you’ve read for this week, speculate how Save Our Cemeteries might play a role in the promotion of a just and humane society. Saturday, Feb 5 2011

The death of a loved one, or the remembrance of a significant individual or ancestor in one’s life, is very important. Some families like to share their heritage with newer generations, and cemeteries help to maintain and tangibly represent the availability of history at its best. Save Our Cemeteries is an organization, with a local chapter based in New Orleans, Louisiana, that helps to keep family history and tradition rich and cultured. Many may overlook the efforts of cemetery personnel, but their hard work and dedication means more than many of us may think. Save Our Cemeteries helps to promote a more just and humane society by proper burial procedures and tourism opportunities for families and visitors.

Xavier University of Louisiana’s mission focuses on promoting a more just and humane society. Likewise Save Our Cemeteries helps to promote a more just society by encouraging safe and protected burials. This is a respectful and honorable way to show allegiance to ones that were and still are loved. Some families do not even use burial or cremation techniques due to the lack of interest or proper funding.  This organization, however, helps individuals to share and to honor those who meant the most to us during their lifetime.

It also aids in the promotion of a more humane society, by assisting others in times of grief, to ensure that they are remembered in the best way possible. Individuals love to remember family members who have passed away in a positive, open, and loving light. Therefore, Save Our Cemeteries shares the history and the legacy of burials with tourist visits as well as informed and structured tour guides to humanely remember and honor significant and loved members of our time. They work extremely hard to bring comfort, information, and availability to anyone interested and should be commended for a job well done.

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Describe a memorable funeral you’ve attended. How did this make you reflect on your own place in the world? Saturday, Feb 5 2011

The most memorable funeral that I have attended is most definitely the home-going celebration of my maternal grandfather. It seems as if yesterday he just passed, but it has been more than a decade since that very day. Too many emotions, anxieties, and uncertainties mentally occupied the first moments when I actually saw him lying in the casket. However, I am willing to share something that is dearest to my heart.

My grandfather was a strong, intelligent, stern, and compassionate man who did all he could to provide for his family, friends, and loved ones. He passed is the fall of 1998, and ever since the day of the funeral, it has not been the same. I remember walking into a welcoming and lively celebration of my grandfather. My entire family was there, and numerous relatives that I had never seen, acquainted and embraced me and my immediate family. Soft and strong music notes mellowed the atmosphere, as many of us remembered and recollected thoughts of my grandfather’s life. It was then that I began to realize how much he meant to me. As I left the funeral, the only thing that I could vividly picture was the smile that stretched on his face. It’s as if he were smiling right at me, encouraging me to be my all and to stay inspired.

I have reflected on my place in the world in many ways after his death. For one, I will strive consistently to fulfill my purpose in life. I believe that we all are granted a life for a particular purpose. However, it is our duty to discover it and to manifest our gift to share with the world. I want to leave behind a legacy that many will feel inspired by, and I am doing my best to reach my deepest desires. My life is a journey, and I am willing to travel and grasp my destiny in its entirety.

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Farmer tries to balance his desire to treat individual patients with the need for his attendance at high profile meetings (p. 260). Which of these two is ultimately more important. Tuesday, Dec 7 2010

During Mountain Beyond Mountains, the protagonist, Paul Farmer, tries to balance his desire to treat individual patients with the need for his attendance at high profile meetings. As many would suppose, Farmer was under much pressure and attempted his best to successfully deal with this situation. Being a physician is by no means easy, especially when the one providing services has a love, a compassion, is committed, and is dedicated, and performs at his very best and proficiently. There were times of course, when Farmer questioned himself and wondered if he should remain in Haiti and continue to care for the sick children and patients, or if he should attend the high profile meetings which would allow him to share his skills and the information that could potentially produce cures.

Farmer ultimately decides that both are equally important, as he does his best to make arrangements to attend these meetings, while also caring for the sick and helpless in the Haitian villages. I believe that he truly has a love for what he does, and he is doing his best to make as many contributions that he can in his field of medicine. Truly, I admire such an energetic, focused, intelligent, and compassionate physician like Paul Farmer. He definitely is the epitome of how health professionals should be.

Lastly, I do feel as if Farmer is driven by his desire to help as many as he can. He knows that he has an incredible gift, and does what he can to reach out and benefit those who need it the most. With that being said, I strongly agree with most of the decisions that he has made thus far. He might not be the perfect physician, but he sure is one of the best. Whether he is fictional or not, he inspires us all through his work indeed.

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Do some research on Katherine Drexel. Do you think she would be happy with Xavier today? Why or why not? Monday, Dec 6 2010

Saint Katherine Mary Drexel, better known as St. Katherine Drexel, was an American nun, philanthropist, and educator.  As a supporter of and leader to African Americans and other minority groups, she dedicated her life and inheritance to the needs of minorities and disadvantaged groups in the western and south-western United States of America. One of her greatest contributions was the establishment of the Sisters of Blessed Sacrament, whose initial purpose was to address racial injustice and to spread the gospel among individuals. She financed more than sixty schools around the United States; moreover, she is the founder of Xavier University of Louisiana.

If Saint Katherine Drexel was around to see the legacy that she has established and the productivity of Xavier, I believe that she would not only be happy—she would be elated. As a philanthropist, she was willing to sacrifice most of all she had to benefit others, and I strongly believe that her heart would be over-filled with joy. Saint Katherine Drexel gave up so much of her time, effort, finances, and commitment, that it would almost be impossible for her not to be satisfied with the legacy that she initiated, and the results that have been produced thereof.

My only hope is that Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black, Roman Catholic University in the United States of America, continues to excel as it has done in the past. Our ambition as a school should be to increase and improve our statistics every year, and I am confident that the administration, faculty, as well as the staff and students at this institution, are working diligently to maintain the dream of Saint Katherine Drexel. And, just as she did, our purpose should be to promote a more just and humane society, not only for ourselves, but for our posterity and the generations to come.

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Interview a Xavier Senior about his/her thoughts on Xavier’s mission and blog about what they say. Sunday, Dec 5 2010

Per request of our instructor, Dr. Michael M. Homan, I have interviewed a Xavier senior about his thoughts on Xavier’s mission. This student has opted to remain anonymous in this review, and I will do my best to ensure that his confidentiality is not compromised. He is Biology (Pre-Medicine) major and has consistently made the Dean’s list over the past 3 years at Xavier University of Louisiana. Also, he has shown a commitment to leadership excellence and is involved in more than a dozen of student and community activities and organizations. Below is a detailed transcript with the questions and answers during the interview.

Question # 1: What do you like most about Xavier University of Louisiana?

Answer: “I appreciate the time and commitment that the administration and faculty put into their students. I have numerous of friends that attend a number of colleges and universities, and they do not even come close to the connections that I have because I elected to come to a smaller and more focused school. At first, before I decided to come to Xavier, I was unsure as to how it would work out. However, things have worked out quite well and I am glad that I choose to attend this university.”

Question # 2: Do you know what the mission of Xavier University of Louisiana is?

Answer: “Its mission is to promote a more just and humane society, right?”

Question # 3: Well, since you are familiar with the mission of Xavier, do you believe they have been successful in fulfilling that mission?

Answer: “I feel as if they have done an outstanding job in reaching this mission. Being that Xavier is a small school, there are plenty of activities that can be done as a university to give back to community and develop as a leader across the campus. As a student leader myself, I do feel that I have not only matured, but I have also developed because of the seminars and activities that I am a part of on campus. “

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Pick three other students in your section and leave detailed comments on their blogs for weeks 6, 7, or 11. Comments need to demonstrate engagement with the text. For your entry just posts the names of the students and the number representing which week’s blog on which you commented (6, 7, or 11). Sunday, Nov 28 2010

Tierra: (Blog for Week # 6)

I can definitely say that I really did enjoy reading this blog. I admire the fact that you credit your Christian heritage and the influence that it has had on your life thus far. I believe that we should all give credit to some aspect of our life, whether it is family, friends, education, religion, or spirituality. None of us made it where we are today on our own and it is quite evident that you understand this. Also, I agree with you when you expressed your ideas about Farmer. He does have a caring and interactive mentality and sociability when he is with his patients. He is certainly a great example of how we all should be.

David: (Blog for Week # 7)

You hit every point on the nail! Surely, you made valid points that I can identify with, and I like the idea that you used specific examples from the text to support your claims and ideas. I, too, have similar ideas about the need and importance of money in the healthcare system.  Without money, there wouldn’t be any way of gaining or manufacturing the needed supplies and health facilities needed to properly continue healthcare, itself.  Keep up the good work, and I look forward to viewing your prospective posts.

Jade: (Blog for Week # 6)

I can honestly identify that you are truly passionate about your religion, and you try your best to incorporate it into your life as much as possible. Thank you for sharing some of your personal life with us. Sometimes, one can be ashamed of sharing their testimony of religion and how it has affected them due to the fear of rejection or judgment, but you, apparently, are very open as you stated, and only expect others to do the same towards you.  I also like that you plan to give back to the misfortunate when you are established. My hope is that you will do well, and be sure to keep the same motivation and deeply, rooted beliefs that you have deemed as importance in your life thus far.

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What are your thoughts about Xavier University of Louisiana and its mission after your first semester? Sunday, Nov 28 2010

When I first arrived at Xavier University of Louisiana, I had an idea of what to expect, but was unaware of how it would ultimately turn out. My expectations were simply to have a successful, first semester that would expose me to the pros and cons of being a college student, meet friends and colleagues with mind-engaging, similar and/ or identical interests as mine, as well as grow mentally and professionally as a student, while also enjoying the typical college life.  With these objectives in mind, I was also exposed to what is referred to as the Xavier mission statement.  It reads as follows:

Xavier University of Louisiana, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is Catholic and historically Black. The ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society.  This preparation takes place in a diverse learning and teaching environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including research and  community service.

As mentioned by the above statement, Xavier’s mission is to ultimately contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. With this being stated, I definitely believe that Xavier University of Louisiana holds true to this statement. The faculty, staff, and administration do their best to ensure that students are not only learning, but are maturing through the means of integrity, community service, personal  courage, professional development, and social awareness.  The student organizations and activities that are held on campus do a superb job of standing true to these objectives, as the sole purpose is not to just join and organization to serve as a resume builder, but to develop personally while also giving back to and serving the underserved.

Lastly, I find it very compelling that Xavier University of Louisiana even mentions its mission statement to the students.  Never have I even heard of or met someone who speaks of the mission statement or knows if their University or College even has one.  For this reason, I not only credit the personnel of Xavier, but I truly and sincerely thank them. I believe that it is important to know that the University one attends has actual intentions of helping them to mature educationally and socially.

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Send an email to your favorite teacher at Xavier thanking them for their work, and post the text of the email in your blog. Friday, Nov 26 2010

Dr. Homan:

As a first semester student at Xavier University of Louisiana, I truly appreciate your compassion and understanding towards not only myself, but all of the students enrolled in your Freshmen Seminar course. Every since day one, you have been an open and honest person with whom we can discuss our circumstances and depend on for guidance.

Primarily, you have displayed a rare sense of expectations from your students that I really appreciate. You understand that this is our first semester, and have allowed us to responsibly complete and submit assignments with the hope that we will be mature enough to meet the deadlines. You do not “stress” the submission dates, but you allow us ample time to complete them within our schedule, which benefits our time management and prioritization skills. And, for this, I thank you.

Secondly, you are a master of free and open discussions which helps to mold our communication and interpersonal skills. I can remember our very first class discussions, when you absolutely made a conversation from nothing. Truthfully but ironically, some students elected to engage in these conversations. And, as a result, these interactions developed into very interesting and engaging class discussions.

Lastly, I earnestly thank you for the time that you allotted to help me with my class schedule for next semester. You were capable of signaling out resources and various ways that I could make the perfect schedule fit for my personal circumstance and advanced standing.  Many teachers would not do this, and they would just advise students to speak with their advisors for further guidance. However, you did not do that at all. You understood that my objective was to seek help, and you made every effort to help me in all the ways you knew were possible.

Once again, thank you for all of your help, and I look forward to another productive semester in the spring of 2011.

Antonio Demektrick Roberts
Xavier University of Louisiana ’14

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
- Harriet Tubman

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What role does money play in Farmer’s quest to provide healthcare? Saturday, Oct 16 2010

As a health professional, one question that always seems to be the topic of discussion is: Are you planning to become a physician for the money? Contrary to what younger individuals may sometimes think, healthcare ought not be based on how much money one can obtain, nor should money be the only reason that someone decides to become a physician or any kind of health professional. It should be all about service, love, compassion, and commitment.

However, money does play a vital role in the business aspect of hospitalization and in this case, Farmer’s quest to provide healthcare. A physician cannot properly provide for his patients without the expensive, but necessary equipment needed. The only way that the tools and medicines will be available is if funding is there to make an exchange. This may sound cliché, but money does make the world go round. For example, in Chapter 9 of Mountain Beyond Mountains, Paul Farmer explains that he donated his whole paycheck to medically benefit someone diagnosed with the HIV/AIDS virus. This was an event when money was a major deciding factor on the treatment that one would receive medically, therefore putting the patient’s life at risk.

Lastly, during Paul Farmer’s journey, he has dreams and hopes of establishing a better healthcare system for Haiti areas cluttered with poverty and disadvantages. Unfortunately, Farmer lacked the necessary funds to do so, which hindered his plan, and this ultimately limited his service. As a result, Farmer attempted to raise the funds that he needed to make his dream a reality, but in the end, he was short in profit. This only proves that in order to have a fully formed and functional business, especially in healthcare, one must have the finances to do so. Even if one’s goal is not to become rich due to the field of medicine, he or she must understand that money does play a major role in healthcare.

 

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