Students and Faculty Ponder "Where Do We Go From Here?"

(Photos: Emily Schneider)

On September 5, students and faculty of Regis gathered on the steps of the Dayton Memorial Library for a recitation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “Where Do We Go From Here?” As concerns for civil rights sweep the nation as well as our campus, Regis continues to invite discussions about where we go from here.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to this question when the 1960’s were coming to a close and his words are preserved through time.During the first weeks of school, this question has rung loud as the motto of the class of 2021. A multitude of powerful ideas were expressed in response to this question at the steps of the library.

“All of society needs to make serious choices about how we live together,” according to Allison Peters, which is why this speech is important again now. Martin Luther King Jr. was addressing some of the same issues in 1967 and we continue to have an obligation to change the social landscape. Peters reflected her hope for the future and was encouraged by the turnout of staff and students at the public reading.

Kevin Burke, Vice President of the Mission, recounted his experience on the day of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. Burke was 15 years old, in his first year of high school. As he sat with the first four African American students to attend a Jesuit high school, it struck him that loss of Dr. King was a loss to our family: the family of humans. King wrote, “What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and that love without power is sentimental and anemic.” Burke encouraged everyone to exercise our personal power. “We can no longer sit back,” he said as he urged us to, “Own our moment.”

Student Body President John Casillas closed the discussion with acknowledgments to the importance of these events at Regis. Regis can expect to see more conversations regarding the social/political climate, as it is an ongoing discussion.

Dr. Jason Taylor reflected on the value of this reading and reflected his hope that we can affirm dignity in others, thus enhancing their personal power. He further emphasized that the reluctance people have to espouse violence toward dignity has created immense tension. “The speech reveals something that was as true then as it is today, that racial progress in the United States is calibrated to white comfort and that we will make no genuine progress until people move away from that,” Taylor commented.

In his closing, Father Fitzgibbons shared that now and again, we all need to be reborn. Society needs constant renewal and this is as poignant now as it ever has been. May we continue to see unity and compassion this year at Regis as we navigate uncertain political waters.

Trevor Pyle
Staff Reporter

Rangers For Change

(Photo: Courtesy of John Paul Casillas and Nick Stofa)

               Since the age of five, John Paul Casillas and Nick Stofa have been best friends. They have spent the past sixteen years developing a strong relationship long-rooted in teamwork. Between them is a far-reaching, cohesive chemistry that most political duos would kill (or at least embezzle) to have.

               Casillas and Stofa are running for the highest office students can hold on Regis’ campus: President and Vice President. The President is in charge of student funding, it’s allocation, and meeting with all the branches of RUSGA. The Vice President runs and manages the Student Senate. Both are in a position to effect campus wide change. So why vote for them?

               The President and Vice President bridge the gap between the students, the faculty, and the administration. They ensure that the students’ needs are heard by authority figures. Stofa says, “Our biggest goal is to make sure we keep listening to what students want and trying our best to implement them - hammocking posts anyone?”

               The pair is backed by years of experience on either side. Collectively, they have been RAs, TAs, Orientation Leaders, Ranger Week committee members, presidents of some clubs, and founders of others. Both have worked in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence and have a history of student government experience behind them.

               Casillas, running for President, is a first-generation, bilingual college student and an officer in Res Judicata. Stofa is President of Res Judicata. Together, they also founded the Young Democrats chapter at Regis.

               The platform of these “Rangers For Change” includes bridging the gap between traditional and commuter students and returning to high school-spirit, by coordinating events like tailgates, pep rallies, and more activities on campus. John wants to streamline Senate, as he has “heard that students feel that it is currently a bit arduous and perhaps outdated”, but still believes it functions as an “extremely important apparatus of the student body.”

               The largest focus of the two is student representation. “Our biggest job,” says Stofa, “will be making sure that we are accountable and receptive to student needs, whether it be a first year student on campus or a second semester commuting senior.”

               Students voting for Nick and John appreciate this campaign goal. Students voting for  Casillas and Stofa commented, “Nick actually knows the first-year students, and I feel like he will take our voice into consideration when other upperclassmen will not.”

               In his campaign profile, Casillas writes, “I believe that my passion for this institution combined with that of my best friend and running mate Nick Stofa’s, makes us an unstoppable team.”

Marirose Bernal Staff Reporter

RUSGA Campaign Profile: John Casillas

To my fellow Rangers,

            My name is John Paul Casillas and I am proud to announce that I am seeking the student body Presidency for the 2017-2018 academic year. I am a first Generation college student who proudly calls Regis University my home for over 3 and a half years now. I have served the Regis community from a variety of different positions. From the Office of Diversity Engagement & Inclusion, to being an RA, to a member of the Student Judicial Board and various other officer positions around Campus. I have made it my mission to try and be involved in every way possible, so I can better understand what it means to be a Ranger from every angle.

            I want to continue serving my community by becoming a representative to the student body. I believe that my passion for this institution combined with that of my best friend and running mate Nick Stofa’s, makes us an unstoppable team. We want to be transparent and easily accessible to all students so that we can truly serve the community better.

            I am prepared to work day in and day out for this University and my fellow Rangers. I promise that if I am elected, I will always strive to be the President that this institution deserves.

With the utmost respect and dedication,

John Paul Casillas