Mount Saint Mary College students enjoyed sweet treats and got the scoop on campus heritage at the recent “Sundaes with the Dominicans” gathering on Tuesday, September 22.
Organized by the Mount’s Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI) in collaboration with the Dominican Scholars of Hope Club, the event brought together the broader campus community and students in the First-Year Experience program for an ice cream social and cultural deep dive. Attendees explored the four foundational pillars of Dominican life: study, spirituality, service, and community.
Charles Zola, Assistant Vice President for Mission, Director of the CDI, and associate professor of Philosophy, led a presentation tracing the life of St. Dominic and the Dominican charism. Zola highlighted the virtues of four Dominican saints whose lives exemplified each of the four pillars, illustrating how those same values shape campus life today.
Following in the footsteps of St. Dominic, the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh established the Mount as a four-year institution more than 60 years ago, noted Zola. The four pillars of Dominican life remain just as vital and integral to the Mount experience today as they were six decades ago.
The event also featured a special reflection by Sr. Lucy Povilonis, O.P., who offered words of encouragement and purpose to the students. She assured attendees that “God has a special plan for each of their lives,” urging them to draw daily inspiration from the Dominican charism and place their trust in God.
The Catholic and Dominican Institute continues to promote the heritage of St. Dominic, advance the Dominican charism of study and service, host dialogues on contemporary ethical issues, and enhance interfaith initiatives, including Catholic and Jewish dialogue. Welcoming individuals of all faiths, the CDI views diverse religious traditions as essential components of the college's intellectual and spiritual vitality.