The Spring Hill College Magazine

Spring 2013

This issue features our students' service-immersion trip to Kingston, Jamaica, where they worked with Mustard Seed Communities. Also highlighted in this issue are alumni Drs. Courtland and Shonn Farni '91, twin brothers who are serving with the Navy Reserve Dental Corps, and Don Blackwell '80, author of an inspiring novel about his daughter's struggle with anorexia.

Jamaica II
Doing small things with great love in Jamaica
Friday, March 22, 2013

By Lindsay Hughes, MLA '08

The group had just finished painting a mural of animals on the wall of My Father's House, a home to children with physical and cognitive disabilities.

A little boy came out of his room to observe the new artwork, scooting his wheelchair with one foot because the other was of no use.

"All the artists were gone, but a few of us were able to witness him sitting there in awe of a new world, an escape he was experiencing," recalled Carolina Dominguez '13. "He wiped his hand over the mural and smiled."

Students in Cuba
Students gain understanding of life in Cuba through study abroad
Friday, March 15, 2013

By Mariah Holliday '13

"The experience was somewhat like stepping into a romanticized fantasy with all of the American cars from the 1950s, the Afro-Caribbean beats ringing in the streets and the vintage architecture of a bygone era," reminisced Chelsea Audibert '13 of her study abroad in Cuba. "But, on the other hand, looming portraits of Fidel Castro and propaganda of 'patria o muerte' ['homeland or death'] imposed quite another tone upon travel within the country."

Dear Ashley
Don Blackwell '80 pens inspiring book about daughter's eating disorder
Tuesday, March 12, 2013

By Lindsay Hughes, MLA '08

In the fall of 2006, a high-school graduate named Ashley left her home in South Florida to attend the University of Southern California.

Her future was bright. She was an accomplished scholar, an All-State choralist, a prolific writer and an aspiring actress.

But, three months later, Ashley's light dimmed, and she stopped eating.

Gobi Desert
Ashley Sanders '13 receives scholarship to study at The Beijing Center
Friday, March 15, 2013

Ashley Sanders '13 had never had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States before receiving a scholarship to study at The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies.

"This experience has provided me with a new outlook on life and worldview," Sanders said. "From gaining language skills to insight into another culture, I was able to truly immerse myself in Chinese life for five months."

Comm Arts
Movin' on up: Communication arts and graphic design students enjoy new space
Tuesday, March 12, 2013

By Erinn Vogel '15

Communication media and related tools are changing at break-neck pace and, though Spring Hill College's communication arts and graphic design programs have continually evolved, their new space reflects the digital nature of the programs.

"The communication arts department is about 40 years old, and we were in Moorer Hall for about 20 years, so it's a fitting time in the life of the program for this move," said Dr. Sharee Broussard, associate professor and department chair.

Courtland, left, and Shonn Farni
Courtland '91 and Shonn '91 Farni join U.S. Navy Reserve Dental Corps
Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Farni twins have answered the call to share their expertise in dentistry around the world.

Courtland and Shonn Farni, both class of '91, have their own dental practice in Saraland, Ala., Farni, Farni and Ginn Dentistry. After graduating from Spring Hill, Courtland and Shonn went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to earn their Doctorates of Medical Dentistry. They have been practicing dentistry since 1996.

Ronald McDonald House
Mobile alumni return to the Hill to serve
Tuesday, March 12, 2013

By Bridget Oswald '14

One of goals of a Spring Hill education is to form leaders in service, and on Feb. 26 history was made during the first Mobile Alumni Day of Service. Spring Hill College alumni from Mobile and Baldwin counties, Spring Hill faculty and staff, and the graduating class of 2013 reached out together to serve the Mobile area.

D.C. Alumni
D.C. alumni reach out to the community
Tuesday, March 12, 2013

By Bridget Oswald '14

Following in the mission of St. Ignatius, Spring Hill College alumni from the Washington, D.C., area sought a new way to come together through service.

On Sept. 22, a group of local alumni partnered with We Are Family Senior Outreach Network to deliver groceries to low-income seniors in their neighborhoods. Afterward, they rejoined to reminisce with their fellow Badgers and watch the Washington Nationals win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park.

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