By
Joyce O'Connor Davidson
In spite of ice and snow and sleet and freezing rain, he
runs. On streets
made narrow by plows piling up winter's excess, he runs. Up and down the sand-
and salt-covered streets of Worcester and Auburn, he runs. Six days a week, at
6 a.m., he runs. Through unfamiliar city streets, in the dark and bitter cold,
he runs. No matter where he finds himself on the road these days, making the
case for the Cross, he runs. A veteran marathoner, Fr. McFarland has learned
to go the distance regardless of the terrain and weather. Serious runners need
strength, determination and the willingness to persevere. These attributes will
serve Fr. McFarland and Holy Cross well as the College heads into a comprehensive
campaign.
This winter, in addition to his workload on campus, which includes meeting with
professors, parents, administrators, staff, students, student organizations,
community leaders, donors and foundations; attending lectures, athletic contests,
speaking engagements and panel discussions; and celebrating Mass and participating
in Jesuit life, Fr. McFarland has been "on the run." Since early February
he has attended 10 alumni club gatherings in as many cities, and participated
in more than a dozen roundtable discussions in
cities across the country-from Boston to San Francisco and from Florida
to Chicago-meeting with alumni focus groups to seek feedback on several proposed
campaign priorities.
The alumni focus groups gathered at each roundtable included participants from
a variety of professions, ages and interests. Fr. McFarland met with these
small groups to get feedback on priorities under consideration for the comprehensive
campaign: increasing faculty resources, enhancing residential life, endowing
funds for the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture, renovating the Mary Chapel
and expanding the diversity of the
student body. In addition to the roundtable visits, Fr. McFarland has attended
alumni club events near-in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode
Island and New York-and at a distance-in Washington D.C., Detroit, Chicago, Scranton
and in various cities in Florida.
Given this travel-intensive schedule, Fr. McFarland has nevertheless been able
to stick to his exercise regime. "Running is a nice way to see a new
city," he says, noting that there have even been some great runs "on the
road." He remembers, in particular, having the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful
view of the city of Florence while running along the crest of a hill, during
a trip about the Study Abroad program. According to Fr. McFarland, his travels
have also enabled him to run in Tampa along the
bay; in New York City's Central Park; and along the Mall in Washington-making
the most of a schedule with which few people could keep pace.
After logging in thousands of travel miles, spending many hours in discussion
and running countless roads, what has Fr. McFarland discovered that the Holy
Cross loyal care about most? "Athletics," he says with a laugh, though opinions,
even on that topic, run the gamut.
Holy Cross parents, many of whom are quite knowledgeable about today's campus
and current issues, attended these gatherings alongside some alumni who still
picture the College as they left it.
Fr. McFarland says, "People are interested in the academic reputation of Holy
Cross and the quality of the education we offer." They care "very much about
religious issues, and the debates I hear are reflective of differences within
the American Catholic Church on authority, policy and moral and
theological issues." Father acknowledges that both academic quality and fidelity
to its religious tradition are fundamental to Holy Cross' mission. Continued
development of both are central to the College's strategic plan.
About all the traveling, Fr. McFarland says with a grin, "It's not as romantic
as people think." Being in Florida for six days in February might sound appealing,
but four alumni club gatherings and three roundtable discussions later, he found
himself stranded in an airport 600 miles from home while
one of this winter's many snowstorms raged along the New England coast. For some
travelers, delays allow for downtime, but not for this tireless
president: "I bring my laptop on long trips. I use it to keep up with e-mail
and for some writing. I also use the time to catch up on reading," he says.
The extensive travel of recent months has allowed Fr. McFarland to meet with
people who have a great love for Holy Cross-an experience that energizes him.
He says he has found edifying the opportunity to learn what aspects of their
time on the Hill have contributed the most to their lives. Fr. McFarland now
has heard from a broad cross section of the Holy Cross community, both on and
off campus. All have provided valuable input to help shape both the strategic
plan and the emerging priorities for a comprehensive campaign set to be launched
publicly in late fall.
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