Editor,

A 35-year-old Loyola tradition, University Ministry’s Awakening retreat, is facing a terrible problem. Freshmen don’t know what it is. This is a particularly great concern as Awakening’s secret recruitment success weapon, Roma Gibson-King, is nearing retirement.Awakening has a tremendous influence on campus. After all, it is officially the largest facebook group at Loyola. And seriously, can you name the last UPB or SGA president or vice-president who hasn’t been an active participant at Awakening? It really is a tool of community development on campus. The friends that are made at Awakening stay friends – it is the nature of the retreat. This year’s Awakening, led by Maggie Conklin and David Robinson-Morris, takes place March 17-19. What our freshmen friends will learn is that by mid-March they are going to want to get away from campus, especially without the usual Mardi Gras and Easter breaks. And let me tell you, Camp Abbey is glorious. The Awakening experience is unique to each person who attends. Everyone takes something different from his or her experience, whether it is spiritual, social or the really great food. Roma has expressed much admiration towards this year’s freshmen class. She has an eye for leadership potential. Most freshmen don’t realize that when they come on Awakening they are being scouted to take leadership roles in the community. What a great opportunity to get involved on campus and to make new friends. It isn’t too late to sign up for the Awakening experience.

Michael Cowencommunications junior

Editor:

Your “growls” last week included a comment about the administration not programming a school-wide event in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.However, this year was the 20th anniversary of the MLK Week forPeace Celebration, which is co-sponsored by the university cosortium of Dillard, Tulane, Xavier and Loyola. The week included a candlelight memorial and interfaith service on Monday, which was actually held at Loyola this year as well as the widely attended Wynton Marsalis concert at Tulane. In addition to the Monday events, there was a keynote address on Wednesday evening (at Xavier), a huge community service project and step show on Saturday (Tulane) and dance (Loyola) on Saturday night. These events are sponsored both financially and with staff support by the administration, and many Loyola students generously donated their time and talents to help. This is an annual event, so if you missed participating this year, we invite you to show your support of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday next year by participating. Thank you to all who supported the week this year.

George R. GallienAssociate chaplain, University Ministry