Florence program adds building, dean but its heart remains unchanged – Forever Florence

By Dale Goodwin

Gonzaga-in-Florence begins its second 40 years with a new building and dean, but with the same vision that has guided the program since its founding in 1963.
"It's actually the same vision that has guided Gonzaga for 116 years and Ignatian education for more than 460 years," said Father Michael Maher, S.J., who takes over as dean in August.

"The emphasis on the liberal arts will continue to be the foundation of the program with all the rich resources available to us in the city of Florence, the country of Italy, and other nearby countries," Fr. Maher said.

"Students come in on an equal footing," said Florence history professor Father Anthony Via, S.J., who returns to the classroom full time this fall. "All are confronted by an equal blast. Their attitude quickly becomes, 'We shall overcome; challenges met and triumphs celebrated…together.'"

Tom Tilford was a member of Gonzaga's first Florence class and has sent three of his children through the program. He went back in April for the 40-year reunion, attended by more than 300 Florence program alumni. He observes that the more things have changed the more they have stayed the same.

"Then, as now, there were never enough dollars but more than enough imagination and ingenuity to make every weekend trip memorable regardless of resources," Tilford said. "And in spite of all the changes, the essential elements of the program remain very much as they were 40 years ago when Father Neil McCluskey founded the program…dedicated administrators lead a group of young, inexperienced students on a trip of self-discovery. An intense bonding with fellow students is blended with a wondrous discovery of foreign places and people. Classroom education is enhanced and enriched by these three-day road trips. And, finally, there is a realization for each student that his or her life has been profoundly and forever changed.

"These are the constants that transcend the generations," Tilford said. So does the passion for the program from those who have live it.

"Talk to any Gonzaga-in-Florence alumnus, and he or she will often say that their year in Florence was a life-changing experience," said Margot Stanfield, whose daughter Laura Stanfield attended the program 10 years ago. Both returned for the reunion in April.

"But the one statement I heard over and over is 'It's OUR program'," Margot said. She recounted a conversation with her daughter. "Laura told me, 'We were far from home, we had no family here, we had left our friends on campus. The language was different, the customs were different, the food was different. Everything was foreign. So we survived by being together, making new friends, by traveling together, by experiencing art, history, food and culture that we had never known before. And we succeeded. We all shared something special that will be with us the rest of our lives. It's OURS'."

The Florence class of 2004 will have an experience that none of their predecessors had – the benefit of a new building, owned and operated by Gonzaga. The four-story building was purchased last year for about $4 million, and funds continue to be raised to cover its purchase cost. It replaces the leased space in the Palazzo Antinori, which housed the program for many years.

"The new building is considerably bigger than the space we have now," Fr. Maher said. "It will include a multimedia classroom, a computer lab with 20 computers and wireless Internet connections, and a larger and vastly superior library to other international programs here."

The building is located near the center of Florence academia, a short distance from the University of Florence. The University's botanical gardens are directly across the street, and the Duomo is visible and within walking distance. Students will still reside in pensions, Fr. Maher said. Fr. Via is excited about returning full time to the classroom.

"I didn't like to idea of having to leave the classroom when I became the dean (20 years ago), and I never thought I'd stay in that position as long as I did, I much prefer the academic life to the administrative life. So I'm looking forward to the change."

Fr. Via has been guiding force in renovation of the new building, and will serve as adviser to Fr. Maher. Father Bruno Segatta, who also has been with the Florence program for 20 years, will continue to serve as assistant to the dean for student affairs, leading tours and working with students as he has done for 20 years.

Fr. Maher comes to his new position after teaching history at St. Louis University for the past six years. He was selected in April after a five-month national search. Father Mike Moynahan, S.J., left his post as dean last December to become rector of Gonzaga's Jesuit community, heeding a call from his Superior General. Fr. Via has filled in as acting dean for the past seven months.

"I find a lot challenges awaiting us," Fr. Maher said. "How best to utilize the new building, how to encourage young men and women to make good decisions in their new culture? These are wonderful challenges and I feel very supported by my colleagues here. We will tackle these challenges together." With the expanded space, Fr. Maher will look to moderately expand the program. Already the summer schedule is busy with Gonzaga's traditional undergraduate summer program, A Law School summer program, and a School of Professional Studies program.

"On top of that we hosted member s of the Board of Trustees for 10 days this summer, and the reunion," Fr. Via said. "We will look at the possibility of hosting summer programs for the School of Education and the School of Engineering as wee," Fr. Maher said. "Our intention is to maintain the high quality of the program, considered by many to be among the best foreign programs here, continuing the traditions that have spanned the decades, while enhancing curricular and other academic programs without taking away from what we have," said Fr. Maher. "I've been nothing but impressed with this program."