Winter Quarter Update from Dean Butch de Castro

Throughout winter quarters, I make the effort to employ the spirit of the Ignatian Daily Examen to look back and reflect on the past calendar year. Thinking on the levels of the world around me, there were things that brought consolation, but also things that prompted desolation. For example, I was fortunate enough to go on a week-long silent retreat that allowed me to step out of the day-to-day routine to meaningfully appraise how I can better fulfill my role as Dean. On the flip side, I traveled to the Dominican Republic with a group of administrators from other Jesuit colleges and universities to spend time in accompaniment with Haitian migrants who, as a consequence of historical and present-day discrimination, live in abject poverty, work under exploitive conditions, and are rounded up in deportation raids. While the silent retreat restored my sense of purpose and joy as a Dean at Seattle University, the Dominican Republic trip reminded how structural, systematic oppression and being unloved can ravage futurity. These were deeply powerful experiences for me, which together, inspire me to put into action Jesuit teachings in how I lead in service to the university community and beyond.

From this and with spring approaching, I endeavor to pause and mark the emergence of warmer days, brighter skies, and blooming flora—enthusing renewal, vitality, and growth, then encouraging me to take note of the good in the everyday around me, especially that done by individuals connected to our College of Nursing. For example, I was glad to have met alumnus Dr. Shana Charles, at the Washington State Nurses Association Lobby Day event, who is deeply committed to working with underserved populations as a nurse practitioner.

I look forward to meeting other alumni and supporters to get better acquainted through upcoming in-person engagement events planned for a variety of regional locations this spring, so look out for announcements!

Also, I am very excited that Elizabeth Schenk, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chief Environmental Stewardship Officer-Providence, will be this year’s speaker for the Drs. Luth M. and Narciso P. Tenorio Endowed Lectureship on the afternoon of April 30, whose talk is importantly titled, “Planetary Health: Solutions for Health Care.” More information about the event is located here.

Lastly, I anticipate expressions of good through the show of selfless generosity and support for the College of Nursing during SU Gives on March 4 in recognition of all that our students, faculty, and staff do to transform health care for a just and humane world.

As we break into spring, I encourage you to join me in continuing to look out for the good all around us—in the work we do, the persons we strive to be, and the relationships we foster. My best to all.