My name is Jeff Austin, and I am a senior at St. Mary's Winona campus. I would like to share some concerns I have about the proposed Veterans Memorial Project. My first concern is the absence of publications of this memorial to the general campus. As a student enrolled since fall of 2005, I have not heard anything of this project until November of this past year. It seems to me that this would be an exciting undertaking for the Alumni and they would want to get the future alumni excited about it as well. My second concern is to the nature of this memorial. I would like to know more about the structure and reasoning beyond the brochure information. Our Catholic faith holds war to be unjust and unnecessary, and a memorial to the military seems to be contrary to our faith values. If this is to be a gift to the campus community, I feel that there are other ways to honor the lives of those who have served beyond simply honoring the military in general. From what I know of this project, the Alumni borard is under the impression that the students are aware of this project and supportive of it. To my knowledge, the students are unaware of this project and should be informed before they return next semester and find another structure on campus. It would be appropriate for the Alumni Board to present this memorial to the campus in order to explain the reasoning behind it, and be open to feedback from the student body. As LaSallian learners, it is important to be informed and involved in our community because SMU is our (alumni, students, and faculty) Home. Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns. As a future alumnus, I look forward to working with my fellow alumni to building up Saint Mary's University as a Catholic and LaSallian Institution.
In Christ,
May Christ's love bring you Joy!
