Interview a Xavier senior about his/her thoughts on Xavier’s mission and blog about what they have to say. Friday, Dec 3 2010

After interviewing a Xavier senior, I’ve learned different perspectives on certain aspects of Xavier University as well as Xavier University’s mission.  At first when I asked him how he felt about the mission, he really didn’t take too much thought into it. I reminded him about some of the lines in the mission and then he got to thinking. He told me that college is tough, and to stick through it you have to have some type of drive for it. He said that the mission deals a lot with what you have to do. For example you would have to do certain hours of things so that your resume would look good, but he didn’t really mind doing much of the services. He also said that through your college years, you learn to become your own leader. You gain leadership qualities from having to realize what you need to do, like study instead of partying. He said that’s probably one of the hardest things you’ll first have to learn. He told me you have to learn not to be lazy and do what you know you should do. He said it doesn’t work out if you just think it. You have to act it. What’s a plan with no action? I also asked my friend about his outlook on the mission’s lines about humane and just society. He told me the world will always be messed up in some way or another. There’s just going to be people who try to fix their ciaos. Well, there needs to be people to fix their ciaos. He said especially with people working in the medical field, the workers must be civilized, good people. Who wants a crazy doctor? People want doctors who genially care and know their stuff. It’s important that there are students who honestly want to do well. Lastly he told me for all these years of school will be worth it. These years will change who you are, but hopefully in a good way, for the better.

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farmer tries to balance his desire to treat individualpatients with the need for his attendance at high profile meetings (p.260). Which of these two is ultimately more important? Week 11 Friday, Dec 3 2010

Treating patients is, of course, ultimately more important. What is a meeting to an actual life? If the meeting is so important then it can be rescheduled. Diseases can’t be scheduled. If you miss a patient for even a second, something could go wrong and that person could die. There are many other doctors that can go to the meetings also. Paul Farmer doesn’t have to be there. As for Haiti, not many doctors are willing to give up their time and money to work for free. Paul Farmer is one of the many selfless people who choose to go above and beyond his calling. Any doctor can just take care of his patients. Paul Farmer takes care of his patients, while taking care of their financial problems, while having to take care of himself, while have financial problems himself. If the patients in Haiti didn’t mean that much to Paul Farmer, he wouldn’t go through those troubles. That meaning so much to him makes it even more important because it matters to him. If you have a passion for something, it should be one of the most relevant things to him. It is even more significant because lives are at stake if Paul Farmer does not come to treat the patients. What would happen if Paul Farmer were to miss a high profile meeting? Nothing compared to a life. The more patients that Paul Farmer treats, the more people will become better off. For example, if Paul Farmer cured a mother of tuberculosis, she could be able to care for her children, instead of her dying and having her kids become ill because there is no one to care for them. The car and knowledge that he shares with his patients spreads across Haiti making treatment a bit easier than it used to be. The Haitians know him, or of him, and they trust him. He makes all the difference.

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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 post the names of the students and the number representing which week’s blog on which you commented (6,7,or 11). Week 12 Friday, Dec 3 2010

6 jadecromain

7 asheppar

7 mpritche

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What are your thoughts about Xavier and its mission after your first semester? Week 13 Thursday, Dec 2 2010

After this semester, I kind of get the feeling of how college life will be. I like how Xavier is a relatively smaller college compared to others. The classes are small and students are able to give feedback and ask questions. I’ve learned a lot more at a much faster pace compared to high school. I really like the teachers, staff, and students. They are always willing to help. I also like how there are free tutoring labs available. I wish we were able to take a more mixed variety of classes but we’re very limited in what we “should” take. I would also like Xavier to be more of a school spirit type of school so that it’d be more memorable and fun. Although the work is a tough load to adjust to, I’ve met some great people at Xavier that make school a little bit less stressful.

Now that I think about Xavier’s mission, I know that this a big part of Xavier University’s learning process. You can’t just have the brains without knowing what to do with it. It takes a leadership initiative to push yourself to do what you need to do. Xavier pushes us to become good students, and overall good people. I think that Xavier’s mission is filled with passion. It shows in its words through its students that teaching, learning, and service is going on. Even around the school things are changing. New homes are being built, just as how as freshman, new students are being brought up in this “new world”. I find that the mission drives us to make the world a better place. Through Xavier, we become more educated through academics as well as through our values. This is what sets Xavier apart from other schools. It’s not just about the degree. It’s about what you, as a Xavierite, will do with it. It’s what separates the good from the great. The possibilities are endless.

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Do some research on Katherine Drexel. Do you think she would be happy with Xavier today? Why or why not? Thursday, Dec 2 2010

           I think that Katherine Drexel would very happy with the results of Xavier University. She brought up Xavier University. That alone should have made her very happy. Her parents raised her to be a very selfless person. The main push on her to do the things she did is because of the inequality that certain people received. She saw how they were being treated and wanted to make a difference. Her dedication led to many great things. Many schools were built and an organization of nuns for the pure purpose of helping others, particularly Native and African Americans, was created. Now many of her fellow sisters are teachers at these schools.

            Xavier University is renowned because of its accomplishments. I think that she would be very happy with the students at Xavier. Many have gone off to many different places to do well with their knowledge. I also think that she would appreciate that Xavier University tries to help with financial problems of their students. They offer many scholarship opportunities. Katherine Drexel would be very happy about the values that Xavier University teaches their students. Even though Xavier prides itself on its academic achievements, Xavier also has a strong will to teach their students to do the right thing. The mistreatment of Native and African Americans pushed Katherine Drexel to fight for a just society, as how Xavier pushes their students to live. I think that Katherine Drexel would be happy that Xavier University is a historically black and Catholic college. This school gives many opportunities to many people. Xavier University is even ranked number one for sending African Americans to medical school. I believe that would make her very proud. She has made a minority the majority! It is very important that everyone gets treated equally, and at Xavier University every student is able to receive that luxury. Katherine Drexel would especially be happy about that.

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What role does Farmer’s Catholic heritage play in his work? Does your religious heritage influence your work? Thursday, Dec 2 2010

           Farmer’s Catholic heritage plays a vital part in his work. As a child, you usually learn a lot about what is right and wrong from your religion. For example, one important message that catechism teaches you is that you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Farmer cares for others more then he cares about himself! Farmer uses his talents to do good for people. He knows that Haiti needs the aid, and he is willing to do whatever he can. His Catholic heritage also gives himself perspective. He understands that people have different views and he uses that to utilize his abilities to help cure patients. Some of the Haitians viewed him as a saint because he was able to do the things that he did. He was majestic in his works. Paul Farmer recognizes when things shouldn’t be the way they are, and he tries to make a difference about them.  

            My religious heritage coincides with who I am. My teachings from catechism school have bestowed upon me many different mindsets and values. I have a pretty clear sense of what is right and what is wrong, and this helps me make different decisions. I know that whatever God gives me as a talent, I should use to help others. Just as Farmer did whatever he can, I’ll try as well. If I am able to fulfill my goal of becoming a pharmacist, I would be able to make medicine to help the ill. God portrays doctors and pharmacists in a symbolic way. It is as if he especially made us to do the things that we can since God is not here to physically do it. We act as his “hands of healing”. Another way that my religious heritage influences my work is the feeling of support that receive from it. No matter what, I know that God is with me throughout the journey.

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What role does money play in Farmer’s quest to provide health care? Cite specific examples (hint: read chapter 9) Monday, Nov 22 2010

                Money plays a huge part in Farmer’s quest to provide health care. Majority of the reason for his ethics on work revolve around money. if Haiti was a developed country, Farmer probably wouldn’t be there. Because Haiti is in poverty, he believes that he should help. Curing diseases in Haiti ultimately helps the whole world. The less people who have diseases, the less diseases are available to travel around the world. On page 91, Farmer says, “clean water and health care and school and tin roofs and cement floors, all of these things should constitute a set of basics that people must have as birthrights.” In Haiti, this is a luxury. The Haitians don’t have enough money to have all of these things, even though, in America, basically everyone has all of that plus more.

                Another way money is a factor is because it takes so much of it to treat a person. First of all, you need a lot of money just to build the building in which you will treat the patients. On top of that, there’s all the equipment and medicine to purchase. Farmer gives up all his money to help the Haitians. He even gives stipends to the Haitians because he knows that it will help cure them. The Haitians don’t even have to pay for treatment! Farmer allows all Haitians who are women, children, are those who are near death get free treatment. This includes majority of the Haitians. During the end of chapter nine, Farmer signs over his check to his cause.  Tom White visited him and gave him money because he looked “hungry”. The truth is he was because he had no money. Farmer then told him about signing all of his money over. White said it was impractical. Farmer replied, “Well, God sent you today.” Although Farmer lives his risks of having nothing, he knows things will be okay, even if it means him being broke all of the time. It is worth it if he is able to save just another Haitian.

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How has poverty benefited Haiti and New orleans?How has it hurt Haiti and New Orleans? Do you believe in the preferential option for the poor? Sunday, Nov 21 2010

Poverty has benefited New Orleans and Haiti in many ways. Since we do not have the money to care for certain things, many people and organizations make donations or Haiti and New Orleans. A big reason why they have gotten so much funding is because of natural disasters. Since natural disasters do not occur every day, Haiti and New Orleans aren’t getting enough funding for their problems. This is hurting Haiti and New Orleans because it’s just not enough to fix everything. There are too many issues with health, crime, education, the unemployed, and much more. Majority of the time, the money isn’t being used correctly. Many people use the money to spend on pointless, materialistic things. Education plays a huge roll too. Education and values sort of intertwine.  For example the people of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina were looting many places. A lot of items were not necessary to steal for living. If the people had more intelligence and values, they would have known to work together, to figure out a better solution. They would have helped each other instead of killing each other.  

A part of me believes in the preferential option for the poor, but another part of me doesn’t. Some places really do need it. For example, if we help Haiti, maybe there will be fewer diseases in the United States. If we educate more people on diseases and health care, there will be more knowledge for the future. The poor have potential, but they do not use it. This is why a part of me does not believe in a preferential option for the poor. It’s not fair that there are people working hard for their wants and needs, while the poor get everything handed to them. It’s not right that people just give free things to people who aren’t even trying to make something of their lives. If they’re not educated, they won’t even know what the right thing to do with their free money is. Preferential option for the poor really depends on the circumstance.

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What type of leadership skills does Paul Farmer possess? (cite specific examples). What type of leadership skills do you possess? Sunday, Nov 21 2010

Paul Farmer is the epitome of a leader. He does what he wants to do, but it’s a good thing. He does the right thing while still keeping his values. He always tries to help others, while also learning. He teaches his patients as well as his students. On page 79, Paul Farmer states “I’m an action kind of guy.” Farmer is action. Whatever he wants to do, he goes out and he does it. He doesn’t just “talk” about it like an idea. He has the leadership characteristic of dedication and passion. If you have the drive to do something, anything is possible. Farmer was also very selfless. He would give up all of his paychecks just to help the Haitians. Farmer had a personality which connected with people. On page 69, Ophelia said, “How does he know what to say to me that would be comforting” referring to Paul Farmer. Paul had a way with people that made them feel at ease. People felt as if they could trust him and they could. Paul farmer had the brains, the talent, and the drive. All he needed was a reason; the Haitians. I don’t really consider myself a leader, but I think I may have some leadership qualities. I’m a good “people-person”, so I would be able to talk to people. I am very organized. I can also be very patient and understanding. I like to think of different ideas to do different things. If I know how to do something, I can teach others. When I don’t know certain things, I can step back and let others teach me. I know I don’t know everything so I take in ideas from other people. I am able to connect with people on different levels. I know to prioritize certain things over others when it’s concerning other people. I know that I can lead if needed, but I don’t push for it. A leader knows when it’s the right time to lead.

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Send an email to your favorite teacher at Xavier tahnking them for their work, and post the text of the email in your blog. Sunday, Nov 21 2010

Dear Dr. Holman,

                Thank you for being so easy going. You’re pretty “real” compared to other teachers. You don’t take this class too seriously. You understand that other classes are more important. Thank you for allowing us to turn in our work late, because God knows majority of the class would have failed if you didn’t. Thank you for not being uptight. Even though you’re our teacher, you can talk to us, like really, “talk to us”. You’re kind of cheesy sometimes, but it’s funny.  You have personality, which keeps us awake in class. You make us feel at ease in class. You remind us of what we need to do and you help us along the way. You do not make this class strict. This gives us room to breathe and relax from the stress over our other classes. Thank you for even trying to teach us. I know you know that most of us don’t even care about what you have to say, but you still try. That’s funny, too. I don’t mean that we really don’t care, but the topics aren’t much to us now. I mean its freshman seminar!  We’ll figure it out sooner or later, though.  Thank you for being a teacher. You actually have hope in us. I think! I’m not sure if you understand what I’m saying. I don’t know how you teach in your other classes. Maybe I’ll get the chance one day. You’re a very good teacher just for the fact that you understand us, our perspectives, and our stress. We’re freshman! How much can you expect? It’s pretty bad that I actually said that. I know some students are overachievers and do everything perfectly. What I mean is thank you for giving us “a break”. We really do need it. Well, some of us. Thanks again, for everything.

Cindy Nguyen

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