Brother Francis Blouin Urges Walsh Grads to Find Meaning and Purpose in Life

To connect with graduates Sunday, Brother Francis Blouin shared something that meant a great deal to him.

It was a book that not only captured many of life's lessons that he hoped would stick with the grads — but it gave a clearer picture of what now faces Blouin, the university's third president — as he progresses into his 80s. That, he shared, was a life with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Blouin, now 83, said he revisited Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie after his ALS diagnosis. In the book, Albom meets with Professor Morrie Schwartz, who was dying of Lou Gehrig's disease, every Tuesday for discussions about both life and death.

Blouin, a native of Maine, concentrated on the book's life principals that the graduates could apply to their own lives as he spoke at the university's 49th commencement ceremony inside the Gaetano M. Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex Sunday.

"The way we find meaning in life is to devote ourselves to loving others, devote ourselves to the community around us, devote ourselves to something that gives us meaning and purpose," Blouin said.

"One cannot substitute material things, money or power for love, gentleness or tenderness, no matter how wealthy we become, or how powerful we become. Unless you're able to share your love with people, you will not lead a meaningful, successful life."

He urged the graduates to evaluate their decisions and consider how those decisions will affect their futures. In 30, 40, 50 years, what will give their lives meaning and substance?

"I have found from experience that what brings me satisfaction and deep contentment is when I realize that I have made a small difference in the life of another person. Whenever I can bring some support or some help to anyone in crisis, or if I can empower somebody, or if I can provide tuition to a student so that that student can graduate, that brings me satisfaction and that is what I remember.

"It's not the awards. It's not the recognition. It's not the travel. It's how do I impact other human beings."

But, when it comes to those things — awards, recognition and travel — there's no denying Blouin has seen his share.

Blouin, Walsh University president from 1978 to 1992, was Mother Teresa's personal escort when she toured the campus in 1982 and even flew on a plane with her.

He also was personally responsible for bringing four Nobel Peace Prize winners to Walsh’s campus: Mother Teresa, former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, Argentine human rights activist Adolfo Perez Esquival and Elie Wiesel, author and Holocaust survivor. He also brought in Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King.

And, because of his efforts internationally, Walsh has a global learning program in Uganda, an MAED program with Kisubi Brothers University and several other initiatives that include a “train the trainer” counseling program in Gulu, a micro-finance project for women in the village of Ziika and Walsh administrators are helping to found a new university for the Archdiocese of Gulu. (Gulu is in northern Uganda and was heavily impacted by the war of Joseph Kony, as highlighted in the Kony 2012 video).

BLOUIN GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Sunday's ceremony also marked the formal announcement of the new Blouin Global Scholars Program, which will combine scholarship and service to address major global issues. The program will be based out of the University’s Office of Global Learning.

Walsh Blouin Scholars will live in the new residence hall currently under construction, slated to open in August 2012. All classes will be built into the core curriculum and center on a common global theme. Students will be able to choose their desired majors and minors. Those selected to participate as Blouin Scholars will be supported with opportunities such as global learning in Africa and Europe, special lectures and co-curricular activities, and priority registration and advising procedures.

WALSH FOUNDERS AWARD

Blouin also was honored with the Walsh Founders’ Award, which was established in 1985 and is awarded to those who have achieved national stature by illustrating in their lives the same ideals that inspired the Venerable John de La Mennais, saintly founder of the Brothers of Christian Instruction. The ideals are faith in God, fidelity to the Catholic Church, active concern for Christian education, dedication to authentic social justice and courageous promotion of human welfare especially among those less fortunate and disenfranchised.