Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, October 25, 2002 Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president New leader recalls school’s storied past, pledges shared vision in future By Lou Jacquet NORTH CANTON – The weather outside was gray, rainy, and cold. Inside the Physical Education Building at Walsh University here, however, all was warmth and good feelings Oct. 19 during the installation of Richard L. Jusseaume as sixth president of the Catholic institution. The morning had begun with Mass at North Canton St. Paul, concelebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and Romanian Catholic Bishop John Michael Botean of Canton, Franciscan Father Donald Miller, Walsh chaplain, and nearly 20 diocesan priests. Father Patrick Manning, pastor of Alliance Regina Coeli Parish, gave the homily. Later, at the Physical Education Building, before the faculty filed in for the 90-minute ceremony wearing colorful robes, the Walsh University Chorale finished its musical prelude and the John Trapani Quintet played the processional. The chorale played the national anthem, and Father Thomas Dyer, pastor of Canton St. Joan of Arc Parish, gave the invocation. The Brothers of Christian Instruction, who had founded the former Walsh College in 1960, returned from across the country for the event. Brother Marcel Sylvestre, chair of the Walsh board of directors, greeted them and all in attendance. Following an inaugural reading from Romans 12: 4-6 by Brother Daniel Caron, provincial of the order, Brother Marcel presided for the surprisingly quick and quiet investiture and presentation of the presidential medallion to Jusseaume, a 1967 Walsh graduate — the first to ever finish with a 4.0 grade average — who had come back to head the university he formerly served as a Brother of Christian Instruction and a dean of students. Brother Marcel said he “gladly and confidently” invested Jusseaume with the presidency “as you lead in dynamic fidelity.” Jusseaume had served as the interim president for the past year since the untimely death of Kenneth Hamilton, fifth president. The bulk of the ceremony turned to calls of service from community leaders and a variety of persons involved in various levels of education, including Congressman Ralph Regula (16th District), who recalled being present when three Brothers visited him seeking a charter for the new college four decades ago. “All the things the Brothers promised have come true,” he said. “Walsh College has been faithful to its mission. We now look forward with great joy to your leadership.” Dr. Ronald Johnson, president of neighboring Malone College, told Jusseaume “my wife and I have been moved by your dependence on prayer” in making decisions; Jacqueline DeGarmo, superintendent of Plain Local Schools and a Walsh graduate, spoke of the new president as “a stellar model of professional integrity and active faith,” and said she “prayed that your noble work will continue.” In an especially moving moment, the returning Brothers and those still serving at Walsh came to the front to sing their anthem, “Anime de l’Amour,” with Brother Charles St. James at the piano. A standing ovation followed as the new president, who had been a member of the order for 10 years, sang along. More calls to service followed. Brother Joseph Power, speaking for the Brothers, noted his “deep fraternal satisfaction” with the new presidency and said that “the ideals of the Christian Brothers will burgeon and flourish.” Erin Pastorella, student government president, asked Jussueame to be like Don Quixote, “daring to dream the impossible dreams for Walsh.” Brother Francis Blouin, who had served as third president of Walsh, then introduced Jussueame by saying he had been “tireless” in remaining faithful to Walsh’s mission throughout his career at Walsh and in 17 years as a corporate executive. Jusseaume began his inaugural address by introducing members of his family, including his wife Terie and four of their five children (a fifth is studying in Spain), before getting a round of laughter when he told those present he had pared down his original 18-page address (“giving the final word on all aspects of human endeavor”) because his wife fell asleep while he was reading it to her. Instead, he said, he would offer three observations: — his life has been intertwined with the Brothers of Christian instruction “and parallels the development of Walsh University” — the founding mission of Walsh is “alive and well on our campus and is being pursued with great intensity” — the vision for Walsh University “is being created by the Walsh community and will constantly be recreated as we move forward.” He traced his own growth since coming into contact with the Brothers at age 11; his subsequent decision to join the order and his recollections of his days as a student brother and postulant, then as a young English teacher and dean of students in Plattsburgh, N.Y., before returning to Walsh in 1972 as dean of students at age 26. He left the order in 1973 before moving to Cleveland to teach and coach. In 1979, Brother Francis asked him to return to Walsh; he did so for five years as dean before entering the corporate world, eventually becoming president/CEO of Graphic Enterprises. He retired from both positions in 2001, 11 days before being named interim president at Walsh. “By now,” he said, “it should be obvious that the Brothers are second family to me. They have been very important in my life.” His wife and many of his family members are Walsh graduates, he pointed out. “My desire to learn, my liberal education, my commitment to excellence are all Walsh gifts,” he told those present. Jusseaume said the mission of the founding brothers is “alive and vibrant on campus today.” He traced the unselfish giving of the early Brothers, whose average salary in those early years was less than $4,000 annually, noting how they “saved the college” with loans, gifts, and forfeiture of salaries and raises. “Without the Brothers, Walsh would not have existed,” he stressed. “Without the Brothers, Walsh would not have survived. Without the Brothers, Walsh would not have such a clear mission of making Jesus Christ known to all.” The school now has some 5,900 alumni scattered across every state and in seven countries. In his final segment, the new president argued that what Walsh will become cannot be his vision alone. “Board members, faculty, staff and students must take ownership of to our students and to each other.” Father Miller gave the benediction and the Chorale and the Trapani Quintet concluded the event with the alma mater. A luncheon followed in the new David Family Campus Center.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001