The update(Asanteni Sana!)
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Date
2017-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
A
s I come to the end of nearly five years as Principal of
Tangaza, I am first of all filled with an overwhelming
sense of gratitude. To be able to dedicate yourself to a cause
greater than yourself is one of life’s greatest blessings, and
I am deeply grateful to the Board of Trustees for having
giving me such an opportunity. I am also thankful to the
Governing Council and my administration team, especially
the Deputy Principal Academic (Dr. Beatrice Churu),
the Deputy Principal Student Life (Dr. Andrew Lujuo), the
School of Theology Dean and all of the Directors. Like-
wise, we wouldn’t have accomplished anything had it not been for the middle management and other staff, the lecturers,
the
superiors
and
formators,
and
of
course
the
students
themselves.
I want to say “thank you” to each and every
member of the Tangaza family, and I am confident that
you will continue to offer the same support and encouragement
to
our
successors,
the
new
VC
and
DVC
Academic.
I began in August 2012 with the reassurance that
my term would likely be uneventful, since we were not expecting
any
big
changes
or
crises.
The
BOT
just
told
me
to
focus
especially
on
promoting
the
unity
of
Tangaza.
So
I
did
my
best
during
my
first
year
to
meet
as
many
Tangaza
family
members
as
possible
and
to
be
present
at
every
Tangaza
gathering
in every Tangaza institute, whenever I could.
In November 2013, however, everything changed
when the Commission for University Education (CUE)
gave us an ultimatum, either to apply for a university char-
ter or else to hand over Tangaza to become a campus of
CUEA. The Board of Trustees chose the charter path, and
since that moment the process of transition to university
status has become nearly all-consuming. I am grateful to
the Transition Coordinator (Dr. Joseph Mwangi) and the
Transition Committee for their tireless work. Even the failed merger negotiations with Marist were a blessing
in their own way, because Tangaza and the Marist International
University College got to know and understand
themselves and each other much better in the process.
At the same time, I recognize my many shortcomings
as
Principal
and
I
apologize
to
anyone
whom
I
might
have
disappointed
during
the
past
five
years.
Thanks
to
the
combined
efforts
of
so
many
of
you,
many
positive
changes
occurred.
But
of
course
we
never
manage
to
achieve
all
that
we
hope
for.
The
biggest
disappointment
is
that,
despite
our best efforts, we have not yet obtained the university harter. As I prepare to step down, I have often joked that I
feel a bit like Moses on Mount Nebo, able to see the Promised
Land
close
at
hand
but
not
allowed
to
lead
the
people
into
it.
Still,
I
truly
believe
that
the
charter
will
come
soon.
Finally, I feel honoured to have served Tangaza
as a member of the Discalced Carmelites. We are not the
largest or most influential among the 22 corporate member
congregations, but we are proud that you have entrusted
our members, including myself, with various roles of service
to the college. Our friars hope to continue as lecturers,
student
leaders,
and
sponsors
of
the
Institute
of
Spirituality
and Religious Formation for many years to come.
Meanwhile, I will be taking a sabbatical for some
months. My provincial has not yet said where he will assign
me
afterwards.
But
whether
I
continue
in
some
other
capacity
at Tangaza
or return
to
the
USA,
Tangaza
will al-
ways be in my thoughts and prayers. I truly believe that Tan-
gaza is a work of God, and that therefore it will continue to
go from good to better in the years ahead. Asanteni sana to
the extended Tangaza family, and may God bless you all!
Description
Keywords
Thank You, Graduation Day 2017, Empowering to Become Holistic Transformers, Graduation in CUEA, Sustainable Peace and Security, Stages of Learning