Dear Editor,

(Re: Oct. 19 “Donor disrupts dinner, insists on hearing a Catholic speak”) I would like to begin by stating that loud outbursts such as the one covered, especially in a formal setting, are, in my opinion, inappropriate.

However, while a sense of awkward confusion was in the air, I was a Loyola alumna present during the occasion. Aside from the timing and presentation of the opinions stated, I’m not inclined to disagree. However, this was obviously a passionate subject for the man.

The article discussing Douglas Schmidt’s outbursts suggests audience members laughed and clapped at another witty remark. However, in my observations, others (not all) continued to show support for his words. To me, this indicates Schmidt was not alone in his disagreements.

While I agree he crossed a boundary, I contend that often it takes a single individual to confront and question a situation in order for any type of change or recognition to occur. I completely believe those women worked a great deal on their speeches and deserved recognition. While I don’t believe Schmidt’s statements were directed towards these women, I comprehend how it must have appeared that way. I hope they each continue to embrace their own uniqueness and values.

As stated previously, I don’t believe Schmidt was asking them not to do so, only to give someone with Catholic faith the same opportunity. However, I agree that it does seem odd (perhaps politically correct?) that out of all of the scholarship winners, there wasn’t a Catholic recipient publicly accepting his/her award.

I went to Loyola. I know the variety of students that attend. That’s wonderful. I can’t help but wonder in a private college based on Catholic ideals how many scholarship recipients used their Catholic faith as a guide, and why none did to express their stories. It is, after all, possible to “respect differences in other” students without ignoring the majority of those attending Loyola.

I’d like to change the subject a little as I conclude this letter. I laughed out loud when Victoria Frank, vice president of Institutional Advancement, stated Schmidt’s attitudes and beliefs in no way reflect Loyola, and that the university will ban him from future events.

However, no one seems to have a problem accepting his $25,000 scholarship contribution. If Loyola administration truly believes the negative “non-Loyola” point of view so strongly, it seems odd to ostracize an individual from annual dinners but welcome monetary contributions without hesitation. Provided these individuals remained seated throughout the ceremony, would they accept a donation from O. J. Simpson? Ted Bundy? What about Adolf Hitler or Osama bin Laden?

In my opinion, Schmidt is a passionate, religious, outspoken individual that expressed his concern at an inappropriate time with less than perfect tact. In the last article, he clarified his point of view, stating he only wished that at a Catholic function given by a Catholic University, a Catholic individual had also been included.

To say he sees “other human beings as a way that is unacceptable to Loyola,” in my opinion is an example of an ill-informed opinion and assumption made about an individual who when given the chance, attempted to explain his words. If this is in fact the opinion of the university, why accept such a generous donation named after a man perceived to posses a “manner and content” that conflicts with the ideals of the university at all?

Hear him out or find that kind of generosity from someone else, Loyola. You can’t have it both ways.

Sincerely,

Lilly Buse

A’07