Answering the Call to Serve
as featured in the Spring 2011 issue of The Bridge Builder

"The call to service that this fraternity embodies will likely have many Betas answering that call in post-grad service." -Patrick Carpenter '08

It is no secret that the idea of being a "man for others" is deeply rooted within the mission of both John Carroll University and Beta Theta Pi. A number of Eta Epsilon alumni have embraced that mission and gone on to engage in post-graduate service programs in the United States and abroad. We take a look at five brothers who share their diverse experiences and some valuable life lessons.

Jurell G. Sison '10
Appreciating the Everyday Moments

Jurell Sison is using the skills he developed as Eta Epsilon's member educator to serve as the director of food services and a part-time teacher at Cristo Rey High School in Detroit, Michigan as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). Since Cristo Rey is a small school just starting, Jurell wears many hats, including driving students to their work placements, facilitating the breakfast and lunch program, advising the creative design/literary magazine and the Mass choir, and teaching creative writing, music, and a college preparatory writing course.

Armed with a B.A. in English literature, Jurell embodies the Beta Theta Pi mission of what it means to be a "man of principle." His time and experiences at John Carroll inspired him to live a life of service, as he was "surrounded by people that had this life changing experience." He wanted to immerse himself in a struggling area in order to see things that he would never otherwise see. When the school year concludes, he will return to John Carroll as a graduate assistant and resident minister while he earns his master's degree.

Although there are a few students he has been working with closely who will always stay with him, Jurell appreciates the everyday moments with all of his students, realizing that while he is with them a short time, he has the opportunity to impact their lives. "They have learned to really trust us and depend on us," he remarked. "They've learned to take our advice, whether it's about girls, school, or just chatting about the days that go by. We are truly with these people and these are the moments I'll never forget."

Jurell has grown significantly through this experience. He shows up every day, teaching his students the value of hard work in a society that asks "what's the most I can get for the least amount of work?" While he thought he could save the world going into this year, he realized that he is no different than any other teacher trying to educate the younger generations. "I've come to realize that I'm not here to save the world but I'm here just simply to love," Sison concluded.

Patrick C. Carpenter '08
Blessed with Love and Smiles in the Classroom

Boston, Massachusetts has been home away from home for Patrick Carpenter the last three years. After receiving his B.A. in early childhood education in 2008, Pat became part of a program run by the Archdiocese of Boston called the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps. Volunteers serve as full-time teachers while attending Boston College (another Jesuit institution) to earn their master's degrees.

Given his undergraduate academic background, he knew that he wanted to pursue a position in education, and after his significant involvement with Campus Ministry at JCU, he knew he wanted to spend time serving after graduation. Enriched with the support of his Beta brothers, Pat made the "very easy" decision to commit to this particular program and engage in post-grad service.

The program was limited to twelve volunteers, focusing on community, spirituality, teaching as service, and simple living; they lived together in a renovated convent near Boston College. "I am blessed with love and smiles everyday in the classroom," Carpenter explained. "I know that I was making a difference and that that difference mattered. Living out my spirituality allowed me to grow even closer with God and see Him in so many new ways."

After graduating from Boston College in 2010, Pat stayed on as the house manager for the past school year. He is now moving back to Cleveland and searching for a position at public or charter elementary schools. One thing is certain – Pat will take the lessons of the past three years and be a difference maker for many years to come. "Helping struggling students, persevering through hard circumstances, and loving children who crave love have been just a few ways that I feel like I have lived out the mission of my service program, John Carroll, and Beta Theta Pi. I learned that we are all capable of anything."

Matthew G. Wooters '09
Living Simply to Walk, Listen, and Love

Matt Wooters is one of the John Carroll chapter's founding fathers who helped lay the groundwork for those who would follow, realizing the work they performed was not only for their benefit but for those after them. With this mentality, Matt joined forces with Jesuit Volunteers International, working at St. Peter Claver Parish in Punta Gorda, Belize. His primary role involves leading retreats in 30 different Maya Indian villages, creating a "safe space" for teachers to discuss the hardships they face on a daily basis. He also performs some administrative duties like organizing logistics for visiting service delegations from the United States.

Since his time at Georgetown Preparatory School outside of his hometown in Maryland, Matt has had a strong desire to engage in service abroad. His time at Carroll with immersion experiences, Campus Ministry, and Beta "fanned the flames" of that aspiration. For two years, volunteers with JVI live in community, witness their faith, live simply, and work for justice.

With thousands of memorable moments to reflect upon, one that Matt certainly won't forget is getting Dengue Fever within his first week in Belize. It is nicknamed "bone break fever" because it feels like, as he describes, "all your bones are snapping inside [of] you. Needless to say it wasn't the most enjoyable experience."

Through his post-graduate service, Matt has embraced the idea of simplicity, stating that being is more important than doing. "As Americans, we have such a need to do, fix, and build that many times I have found just sitting with someone, accompanying them in their joy or suffering, really listening to them is much more important than trying to fix their problems," he said. "In the end, all we can do is just walk with people, listen, and love them."

Matt returns to the United States this summer for the first time in two years. He looks forward to reuniting with his family and friends (especially his new nephew), and then will embark on a journey to Detroit, MI. There, he will use his B.A. in political science and most recent experience as a Jesuit Volunteer to walk, listen, and love as he teaches seventh and eighth grade social studies and geography. Matt is a caring, personable, and grounded individual, and his students will be fortunate to have such an outstanding role model in their lives.

Brandon R. Sheil '10
Ready to Advocate for Education Reform

Brandon Sheil, who earned his B.A. in communication and political science in 2010, stayed local with City Year Cleveland as a corps member in Franklin D. Roosevelt Academy. He follows an eighth grade classroom throughout the day, acting as a tutor and mentor.

After he got more involved on campus – specifically with service – thanks to his membership in Beta Theta Pi, one of his college advisors thought post-grad service would be a great opportunity for him before returning to graduate school. As a lifetime resident, he wanted to give back to the Cleveland community. Brandon remembers one striking conversation in the past year with a male teacher who had such passion for his job to educate his students for a successful future. "It was a really inspirational moment that showed me the committed relationship that great teachers have with their students," Sheil exclaimed.

This fall, Brandon will return to the classroom as he begins work on his master's degree in nonprofit administration at John Carroll University. He is also seeking employment in a related field. A year of service certainly made an impression on Brandon: "I learned that I can push myself to do things that I never thought I would be willing to do and that I can really be a leader and advocate for education reform."

Jeffrey A. Bartolozzi '10
Immersed in the Culture

While many post-grad volunteers stay within the United States, it was no surprise given his personality to see Jeff Bartolozzi take a different approach. He is a Peace Corps Volunteer for the next two years in Mali, half way around the world in western Africa, working with a chicken farmer's association. His small village does not have the ability to raise its own eggs because of high temperatures and costly medicine; villagers do not know how to go about getting chickens from France or Brazil which can produce better eggs. It is Jeff's goal to make sure that the village is able to raise its own eggs, be more economically stable, and much more secure in its food supply.

Beta Theta Pi strengthened Jeff's personal philosophy and value of helping others, and joining a volunteer organization like the Peace Corps after he earned his B.A. in philosophy was "simply natural." Although he intends to enter law school, he feels strongly that everyone should engage in some type of service in one's lifetime, and the Peace Corps was a great fit because it allowed him to go abroad, learn a foreign language, and help those who need it most. Mali is one of the top five poorest countries in the world.

Much like Wooters, Jeff also had a significant health scare earlier this year when he contracted malaria within his first month as a volunteer. "When I was most ill I felt like I should have gone home," he reflected. Thankfully he recovered, but sadly one of his host family members was not as fortunate and died of the parasitic disease. He realized that "explaining the importance of mosquito nets can make a big difference. Since then I've never thought about going back home."

A simple man, Jeff has learned that he can live in a developing country and learn a foreign language simply by immersing himself in the culture. There is no doubt that his village in Sikasso, Mali will benefit from his presence.