My blessings have been abundant

By Kizito Kiyimba, S.J., Ph.D.  

Greetings, fellow Seattlelites!

I come to the end of my stay at SU as the LeRoux Chair. It has been a privilege being here and engaging with you. Because of my busy schedule as Vice-Chancellor of Arrupe Jesuit University in Zimbabwe, I had to split my visit into two-five weeks apiece. At the end of my first visit in October 2019, I presented a paper on artificial intelligence systems. During this current visit (January to February) I have taught a course: Philosophical Questions in Artificial Intelligence. 

My blessings have been abundant. I have made so many friends on and off campus. I have been mentored by men and women of great experience in many sectors of the life of Seattle University. Of particular mention is President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. Joe Orlando has been the manager of my programme for meeting new people and making strategic partnerships, on and off campus. I pray and hope that the friendships and the partnerships will last for a long time to come.

My unique privilege has been to teach in a U.S. classroom. I enjoyed the energy, the engagement, the curiosity to learn and the sheer friendliness of my students. 

My Jesuit companions at Arrupe Jesuit Community are a unique blessing. I do not take their warmth and hospitality for granted. They have found a balance between having a busy academic and apostolic schedule and remaining humane. And I have fully benefited from the religious community atmosphere in the house. 

On many occasions, I have received a smile or some friendly acknowledgment on campus from Seattlelites I did not know. That was a boon. The gym has kept me in great shape. And the weather has done nothing to dim the glow in my heart. 

Please do come and visit Arrupe Jesuit University in Zimbabwe! I can assure you that we get worse press than we deserve.

Stay well and stay blessed!

(Pictured above: Father Kiyimba, far left, with his students at SU)