Bloomfield Graduates Praise the College

Monday, June 01 2009, 01:49 PM EDT

Contributed by: NLomberk

In his address to those gathered at the President’s Dinner, Dr. Levao identified some of the outstanding achievements image:

President Richard Levao

Bloomfield College has experienced during 2009: Through a total of $50,000 from general mission contributions augmented by Partnership Group representing New Jersey presbyteries, the Synod of the Northeast contributes to the spiritual leadership and nurture on campus through its chaplaincy program. The Rev. Todd Shumpert is in his eighth year of service as Chaplain; Dr. Richard Levao has served as President since 2004, and h150as been recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU).

The Rev. Todd Shumpert

Each college strives to accomplish its mission through a combination of academic and extra-curricular programs. While each school has its own distinct mission, there are some common themes:

Educating students intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually
Educating for depth and breadth — helping students to master a particular field of knowledge while understanding the wholeness of knowledge as a search for truth
Developing ethical and moral standards, spiritual values, social responsibility and respect for others
Preparing students for a world that is rapidly changing, global, diverse (multi-cultural) and technological
Equipping students with analytical, communication and leadership skills
Providing opportunities for interaction with faculty and for independent study
Providing opportunities for volunteer service, internships and study abroad
Helping students to appreciate aesthetic qualities and realize their creative potential
Preparing students to lead honorable, purposeful and successful live

Presbyterian colleges are independent, non-sectarian institutions with historic ties to one or more branches of the Presbyterian Church. Some place particularly strong emphasis on Judeo-Christian beliefs and Reformed traditions. All welcome students of all ages, faiths and cultural backgrounds.

President Levao's address to be posted soon.

It was stunning to listen to the dozen students or more who told their stories of hope, dreams and achievement as they approached graduation from Bloomfield College, the only Presbyterian-related college within the bounds of the Synod of the Northeast. They told their stories of triumph, often through hardship, at the annual president’s dinner on the evening prior to graduation. For instance, two young women spoke of their having no hope of being able to afford a college education, but being welcomed by college staff, given hope and a scholarship that bore fruit. Another student spoke of the high quality demanded of a professor, whom she thanked for his care and critical eye. “When he praises something you do, then you know it means something,” she said, with admiration and affection. More than one woman with children spoke of the challenge of going to school and raising a family; one of those women was a single mom. They excelled. Several students took five or six year to graduate because of the need to balance their education and personal circumstances; all spoke of the support they received and the utter inability to fail with such support behind them. These were moving tributes, whether students were graduating in the nursing education program, from the graphics arts program, with a concentration in finance, or whatever. Hearing their storied made you proud that Bloomfield is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, and that the school honors the values associated with being a member institution of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (for a more complete connection to ACPU values, go to www.presbyteriancolleges.org/aboutpresbycolleges.htm.

In conversation with Chaplain Todd Shumpert, Synod Executive for Partnerships observed that the college, with its attention and commitment to both diversity and its community, had something to teach congregations in this changing world about engaging neighbors, being a light to which others can turn.

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The Synod of the North East
http://www.synodne.org/article.php/2009060113494139