By Stan Slowick '74 President of the General Alumni Association

Last summer, a wonderful thing happened at a school for handicapped children in Warwick, R.I. Mary Clare Hayes '00, a psychology major from Portsmouth, R. I., spent part of her summer vacation working as a classroom aide with young students who have severe neurological handicaps. She is the latest in a long line of Holy Cross students who have participated in the Holy Cross General Alumni Association's Summer Fellowship Program. Since the program's inception in 1992, over 100 students from 10 regional alumni clubs have provided mutually beneficial services to those less fortunate. Mike Shanahan '78 has been involved as chairman of the committee from day one. He says that the purpose of the program is "to provide meaningful summer positions for Holy Cross undergraduates with not-for-profit agencies which will represent learning experiences for the students and provide needed assistance to the agencies in the spirit of 'educating men and women for others.'" The Summer Fellowship Program began with four students from two clubs in 1992 and has grown to 17 positions from five clubs in 1998. With a total of 37 regional clubs on the roster, there certainly is room for growth. 

Mary Clare Hayes came into her fellowship program with a simple goal. She wanted to combine her love of music and her major of psychology to help these children with special needs. Last summer, Mary Clare worked hand in hand with teachers and other rehabilitation professionals. In addition to attending in-service training, assisting on field trips and in the classroom, and interacting with parents, she was asked to design and implement a music program commensurate with the skills and interests of the class. Mary Clare's approach to the task was to plan a class project where each child would learn to make his or her own musical instruments and then 'play' along with selected music. These lessons required much preparation and patience, but the results were heartwarming. The feelings of success and accomplishment were tangible. In a note she wrote summarizing her experience, Mary Clare touched on the very purpose of the Summer Fellowship Program. She writes, "This fellowship has furthered my exposure to a field I would not have otherwise had the chance to experience. Through this program, my desire to enter the music therapy field has strengthened. I value everything I have learned and know that my final two years of study will be enhanced by the practical experience afforded me by the fellowship." 

For Regional Clubs, Mike Shanahan has prepared a comprehensive package of information including detailed instructions on how to implement a fellowship program. The kit addresses all the concerns a club might have when considering the program. Applications, budgets, and management are all covered in detail. If your club is interested in receiving the information, please contact Mike at his e-mail address: mshanahan@egancapital.com If you are a student, please contact the Director of Alumni Relations Office on campus to see if your home club sponsors a fellowship.