LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lourdes ready for role as university

8/20/2011

As this new academic year begins, Lourdes College has completed its strategic transition to university status and is now renamed Lourdes University. The transition is not just a celebration for Lourdes. It is something the entire community -- the entire region -- can celebrate with us.Lourdes University is another reason that people should stay in this community, another reason that businesses should relocate here, and one more reason that northwest Ohio is a great place to live.

Lourdes is a growing, thriving, mission-centered community resource. Enrollment has gone from 1,200 students to 2,700 in seven years. New buildings meet the increasing needs of our students.

Undergraduate programs are expanding, and new graduate programs have been added in business, education, nursing, and theological studies. A student residential program is attracting students from across the United States.

Athletic teams, including intercollegiate baseball, basketball, golf, and volleyball, are competing with other universities in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, for all to enjoy.

Becoming Lourdes University is much more than a mere name change. As we have become a comprehensive institution of higher learning, we feel the responsibility to engage further in academic research and economic development to support our local community.

This will require top academic programs and faculty to meet the needs of our region and our country. We are ready for the tasks and challenges associated with being a university.

We at Lourdes are fortunate and thankful to be a part of this region, with its incredible people, businesses, and cultural attractions.

As Lourdes continues to graduate educated, values-centered alumni, all of northwest Ohio can be proud of the wonderful asset that is Lourdes University.

Robert C. Helmer
President Lourdes University
Sylvania

Not all experts are 'moonstruck'

Your Aug. 17 editorial "Moonstruck" said "scientists theorize" about the possibility of Earth once having had a second moon, as if all scientists are agreed.

You should have stated that "some scientists theorize" and "some scientists believe," because not all reputable scientists accept Darwin's Theory of Evolution and the debate on the age of the universe.

Whether these scientists are in the majority or in the minority, they do not deserve to be ignored when you discuss scientific opinions.

David Menichetti
Willys Parkway

Elections board on right course

As a participant in the recounting of provisional ballots last year, I thought it seemed like a slap in the face to see all of the blatant errors committed by former officials of the Lucas County Board of Elections, which gave Carol Contrada the seat as Lucas County commissioner ("Elections board jobs targeted," Aug. 3).

All of the ballots should have been thrown out and the election redone. It was an abomination.

Americans' right to vote is the most precious of freedoms and should never be abused, no matter your party affiliation. We all must demand honesty in the voting process.

I applaud The Blade for helping to expose the problems at the elections board.

I believe that county Republican chairman Jon Stainbrook, Republican elections manager Meghan Gallagher, Republican booth official Thomas Morgan, and Republican elections board member Anthony DeGidio bring honesty, integrity, and openness back to the elections board.

John Marshall
Sylvania Township

Editor's Note: The writer is a Lucas County Republican committeeman in Sylvania Township.

Marchionne needs to shift his focus

I appreciate the enthusiasm with which The Blade welcomed Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to the Toledo community ("The man with a plan; CEO holds key to Toledo plant's future," Aug. 14).

However, I wonder about the focus of a car executive who states: "I am not in business to make cars. I am in business to make money."

I wish his goal was to provide a quality product that has high value.

Jane Lutz
Petersburg, Mich.

Car exec's view a sad commentary

Wondering what is happening in the world? Go no further than Sergio Marchionne's comment: "I am not in business to make cars. I am in business to make money." Life is not about anything else.

Charlie Leininger
107th Street

Golf head, driver are class acts

On the Saturday before the 2011 U.S. Senior Open golf tournament, we attended the party for volunteers at Inverness Club. It rained hard that night. Our vehicle got stuck in the mud in the parking lot, halfway between the merchandise tent and Hill Avenue.

Looking in my rearview mirror, I watched a man leave the tent and head toward us. He arranged for assistance and walked to Hill Avenue with my wife to await the tow truck.

In the meantime, a man in a four-wheel-drive vehicle stopped, crawled under my van in the mud, hooked up a chain, and pulled my vehicle to a dry spot.

The first man was Judd Silverman, the tournament's director. We are sure he had more important things on his mind than a vehicle stuck in the mud. The other man was John Pedro, who took the time to help a stranger in need.

These men are class acts. We can't thank them enough.

Joe and Barb Marquis
Northwood