Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 2
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
W
elcome to the second edition of the
Bryn Athyn Alumni
Magazine. We hope you enjoy
this issue as we celebrate the
class of 2016. Our faculty and
staff delight in witnessing the transformation we
see in students’ lives as they progress from incoming freshmen to graduating seniors. The students
become deeper thinkers, gain perspective on what
they have learned, and internalize the values that
Bryn Athyn College promotes. Over graduation
weekend, I heard from many appreciative parents
about how fortunate their children are to have
received a Bryn Athyn education. We feel equally
blessed to walk the journey with our students
and their families. Our entire College community
shares in the sincere joy of wishing each graduate
much success and happiness as they pursue their
use in life.
Spiritual life through New Church theology
is one of the many levels upon which we connect
with our students here. In the article “Spiritual Life
Today,” Rev. Thane Glenn examines the work being done to bring spiritual thinking into students’
lives. Efforts at Bryn Athyn College to encourage
students to consider spirituality and the value it
brings to one’s life are ongoing and rewarding. Radiating—at least in part—from these efforts, there
is a culture in the College that promotes caring for
the neighbor and thinking about others. Visitors
often remark on the environment of kindness that
is tangible almost as soon as someone sets foot on
campus. We are proud of this and are happy to
say that it extends beyond the boundaries of our
classrooms and into the athletic arena as well.
The practice of putting charity into action is
illustrated in this issue’s featured article on our
athletic programs, highlighting the leadership of
our athletic director, Matt Kennedy. The article is
titled “Beyond the Win,” and it demonstrates how
our coaching staff and athletes look to find what
athletics should really teach us about teamwork,
sportsmanship, community service, and caring
for others.
Also in this issue, you will learn more about
how we would like to expand the uses of the College through programs that build on our heritage and traditions. Our growing building arts
program, which is a natural complement to the
Historic District, is one example. The beauty and
power of the arts which went into building the
Cathedral and Glencairn is taught through the
College’s building arts courses in stained glass,
iron work, and stone carving. These courses are
gaining in popularity, and the article in this issue
illustrates the signficant potential of the building
arts program.
We will keep you informed as new or expanded academic programs are developed; Bryn Athyn
College is on the move! We always welcome you
to visit us. Please contact our Alumni Relations
Office at 267-502-6045 to arrange a tour and get
a firsthand look at what’s happening. We would
love to see you.
BRIAN BLAIR
PRESIDENT, BRYN ATHYN COLLEGE
ALUMNI MAGAZINE
managing editor & layout Serena Silverman Sutton senior editor Angella Irwin (BA ’08)
contributing editor Sasha Silverman (AA ’99) assistant editors Holly Adams (BA ‘14), Amanda Lichtenstein
contributing writers Allen Bedford, Ph.D. (BA ‘89), Wendy Closterman, Ph.D. (BA ‘91),
Rev. Thane Glenn, Ph.D. (AA ‘92), Greg Rose, Ph.D. (BA ‘83)
contact us
[email protected] | 267-502-6045 | Bryn Athyn College, Alumni Relations (#302), P.O. Box 717, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
2 | SPRING/SUMMER 2016