A Message from President France:
Dear Saints:
The last week of unsettling violence in the Middle East - indeed, the past several months of strife in nations such as Ukraine - may have disturbed many of you, as it has me and the faculty and staff of the College.
It is, of course, terribly disheartening to see the peaceful life of any community, any country, so horrifically disrupted. And it is difficult, almost impossible to comprehend how such violence can arise in the world.
During the past half-dozen years, as St. Clair's international enrolment has grown so substantially, the College has naturally developed something of a "global conscience", and certainly a deeply caring appreciation for the many cultures represented by the 80-plus nations which have now furnished students to our classrooms.
That being the case, when any part of the world is in turmoil, chances are that a number of St. Clair students may be quite directly concerned about the well-being of their homelands, and of the family members and friends who reside there.
It is my position that when one Saint is affected in this manner, we are all affected. We share your care and concern, and we hope and pray with you for a peaceful resolution of these dire circumstances.
I hope, also, that each and every St. Clair student - and staff member too – will view the College as a "safe haven": a place where your culture, nationality and faith are respected and celebrated; and where you can feel support, reassurance and a degree of peace even in what may be times of crisis in your homeland.
As is the case whenever you are dealing with any sort of dilemma in your life, please reach out to counselling staff, faculty members, your student organizations, our Health Centre, or any St. Clair administrator - my office included - when your worries may be getting the better or you, or when you just want to talk.
Regrettably, the world-at-large may be alarmingly uneasy on far too many occasions. Saints Nation, in contrast, is always a community which practices respect and care for all of its members. Because that’s what Saints do!
Sincerely,
Patti
Patricia France, M.Ad.Ed., LLD.h.c.
President