Alumni are face of institution

I am very happy to share my thoughts about the alumni/ae, their role and contributions in this first Karnataka Province Digital Newsletter. The success of every Jesuit institution is who our students become. Our alumni/ae are men and women for and with others, who having been transformed themselves, will in turn transform the world. They are the face of our institutions and our vision in the larger society. They are our goodwill ambassadors of reconciliation and justice in the world outside.

Superior General of Jesuits speaking to the Alumni Associations in Kohima in 2015 had this to say: “…..Your education in a Jesuit institution was intended to help you open your minds to wider horizons transcending mere self-interest, to take responsibility for yourself and for society, so that you become agents of social change, ‘men-and-women-for- and with-others’. The values you have assimilated in Jesuit education prepare you to engage the world in all its complex challenges and make a significant contribution to creating a more humane society….”

The alumni associations of some of our institutions are full of energy and vibrancy.  Some of them are St Joseph’s Boys High School (SJBHS), St Joseph’s College of Commerce (SJCC), St Aloysius College (SAC), and St Joseph’s Indian High School (SJIHS). A number of alumni/ae have contributed much to the growth of our institutions in various ways. Some of them have contributed with their expertise while others have contributed financially to build infrastructure for their institutions. A very few alumni have gone to support beyond their own institutions reaching out to rural areas of North Karnataka where the Jesuits work. One such alumnus is Mr Allan Shenoi who has contributed much to provide alternate energy like solar and pure drinking water in drought prone areas of Karnataka like Manvi, Bijapur and Mundgod. May such tribes increase is my earnest prayer.

- Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ