Homepage: www.qufriary.org/Lakers

Friar John Joseph Lakers Order of Friars Minor Since 1966, people involved with Quincy University have been my family. In that year, I began my life as a teacher at Our Lady of Angels Seminary and lived in the building now known as the North Campus. At the time, since there were over 200 seminarians in residence there, we offered a full philosophy program apart from the University. As a result, my immediate involvement with the college community was largely limited to support for the soccer team. By 1974, enrollment in the seminary had dropped precipitously. And since Fr. Pacific Hug was retiring as Chair of the Philosophy Department, I was invited to replace him and to become a member of the Friar community at the college. This assignment initiated thirty years of active involvement in all aspects of college life. Over the course of the years, I always learned more from any course I offered than my students did. Some courses stand out. In the early years, I was surprised to discover that I enjoyed a two-semester course for freshmen entitled Origins and Development of Western Philosophy. As one component in a Humanities Program, this course involved me in an on-going dialogue with faculty members who taught the courses in literature, history and art as well as with my students. In later years, I was grateful to the Chair of the Theology Faculty who allowed me to offer a course on Christian marriage. (To indicate my lack of qualifications as a theologian, the course was entitled "Guide to Christian Marriage".) My years at Quincy University brought many gifts. In the early years, we had lively discussions involving faculty members from many different disciplines. My students, too, were a constant stimulation, and I was especially grateful to those who participated in several courses I offered. Since my students were youthful members of my University family, I doubly enjoyed attending their athletic events, concerts and dramatic presentations. During my years of active involvement, graduation was always both a joyful and painful event. Students with whom I was personally involved moved on to new lives. Now, in my retirement, I miss my captive audiences greatly. But even as events remind me that I can no longer be involved in the way I once was, I find myself recalling so many individuals and events with gratitude. I reside at Holy Cross Friary, with Friars who are still active at the University. And as a graduate of Quincy University myself, I try to contribute to the community in any way I can. Check out Fr. John Joe’s website at http://www.qufriary.org/Lakers.