Time of Thanks

President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., recently shared his thoughts on the many ways Seattle University has been blessed over the past few months. Following is an excerpt of Fr. Steve's list. Enjoy-and happy Thanksgiving to all! 

• Our new first-year, transfer, graduate and law students-all 2,150 of them 

• The exceptional spirt of the first-year class in being more engaged than any class in our history 

• Holding our first-ever Transfer Student Convocation 

• Visits to campus by Sybrina Fulton (mother of Trayvon Martin), Ben Bernanke (former Fed chairman), Ursula Le Guin (science fiction author) Alan Mulally (former president and CEO of Ford Motor Company) and Jamie Nordstrom (president of stores at Nordstrom) 

• Sue Rankin and the survey on diversity and inclusiveness that will guide our efforts to improve SU's campus culture 

• Record involvement in this year's Family Weekend 

• The extraordinary class of 2014 for honoring the memory of their classmate Max Snyder 

• The many wonderful traits of longtime SU friend and past recipient of the St. Ignatius Medal, Ginny Meisenbach, who passed away in October 

• The voices of our students standing up for black students at other universities and praying for victims of violence on all continents 

• Good counsel provided by our trustees, including five new excellent members, and a newly spirited Board of Regents 

• Michele Murray in being honored as a top businesswoman in the state 

• Gary Brinson and Mohammed Alabbar, both alumni of our Albers School of Business and Economics, who have been recognized as two of the most influential graduates of business schools in the world 

• The best-ever accomplishments for fall sports 

• Our work to renovate the Connolly Center as it nears completion 

• Additional resources being committed by our friends for needed investments in making us an even better university 

What are you grateful for? Feel free to share the ways in which you think SU is blessed by e-mailing The Commons.