Christian Union: The Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 37

reports from some of america’s most influential universities
The Spiritual Climate
on Campus
The following articles were written to keep readers informed about the
spiritual atmosphere at some of America’s leading universities. Some
stories will encourage you by highlighting ways God is working through
other (non-Christian Union) ministries and alumni. Other articles—
on news, trends, and events—are included to help motivate you to pray
for these institutions, their students, faculty, and staff, and for all of
the Christian ministries that work at these schools.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BROW N | On Campus
Growing in Grace
PETRO ’17 THANKFUL FOR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY AT BROWN
By Ayleen Sanchez, Brown ’19
lectual life, he “fell in love and decid-
ed on the spot!”
Four years later, Petro described
Brown University as having a “high-
ly antagonistic culture” that can cre-
ate a “hostile environment for just
about anybody,” not just religious
students.
As a leader who served on several
diverse boards and committees, Petro
said faith is often ignored by an ad-
ministration and student body who
seem to be unaware of the many vi-
brant religious communities on cam-
2
growth is a result of my experiences
in classes and organizations at Brown.”
Petro grew up in Norwood, Mas-
sachusetts and attended Saint Sebas-
tian’s School, an all-boys Catholic
school. When considering Brown, the
secular environment was not a con-
cern; instead, he was focused on the
acclaimed neuroscience programs at
the university.
Once he visited the campus in
Providence, Rhode Island and learned
more about the open curriculum, the
programs, and the stimulating intel-
M
ichael Petro, a member of the
class of 2017 who is consider-
ing th e priesthood, recently reflected
on his spiritual growth during his four
years at Brown University.
An anthropology and Latin Amer-
ican studies major, Petro said his in-
volvement with the Brown-Rhode
Island School of Design Catholic
Community helped him thrive, de-
spite the university’s marginalized
view of religion.
“My faith has definitely grown,”
he confidently stated. “Some of that
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