Vincentian University – race and equality – systemic change! That is quite a bit to put in one headline. Yet with the inauguration of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equality and Mission these three concepts come together. It is also a wonderful expample of collaboration between “town and gown,” univeersity and local community.

“In alignment with the Catholic and Vincentian mission of Niagara University, the Ostapenko Center will serve as a resource on issues related to race relations on campus and racial equity in the community,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “We will engage our students, faculty and staff to work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to leverage change in the academy and across sectors of education, business, government and the community.” This certainly contains the seeds of systemic change without the name!

“It is to be a place of encuentro/encounter. A place where we truly listen to one another and learn from one another. In an age in which we hear too much of building walls, let this be a place of building bridges. Niagara University President, James Maher, CM  Video announcing the Center.

Father Maher pointed out that the center draws inspiration from the works of St. Justin De Jacobis, C.M., a Vincentian missionary to Ethiopia from 1839-1860. Despite significant opposition to his evangelization efforts in Ethiopia, Father de Jacobis founded a college and seminary, was ordained a bishop and is considered an apostle to Africa, and the founder of the Abyssinian mission. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.

Beginning in the fall, the Ostapenko Center will:

• Generate and sustain both faculty and student research on issues of race, equity and poverty.
• Highlight faculty research and student engagement by providing a forum for scholarship, including roundtables, conferences, speaker series, as well as a clearinghouse of scholarly works in this area and internship opportunities for students.
• Provide the Niagara University community with professional development and service to continually educate the campus community on challenges regarding race, equality and equity in education.
• Cultivate opportunities to bring together scholars and students for research and collaboration, with a particular focus on scholarship, teaching and service across the Vincentian universities.
• Serve as a resource for the community, expanding opportunities for service and engagement related to racial equity in the greater Niagara region.

The story behind the Center

It is appropriate that a life touched, touches other lives in a year in which the Vincentian Family focuses on “Welcoming the Stranger.”

Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko, immigrant author of “An American Dream”, developed a friendship with the Fr. Francis X. Prior, C.M., who served as NU’s vice president for institutional advancement. Out of that friendship springs forth the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equality and Mission.

A native of Germany who immigrated to the United States in the 1930s, she went on to be a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. Utilizing her talents as a clothing designer, Ostapenko opened The Sewing Shop in Washington, D.C., the precursor to The House of Fine Fabrics, a 17-store corporation. She sold the fabric store chain in 1978 to Fabri-Center of America.

Source: Niagara University