Lou Holtz once said, "You don't go to Notre Dame to learn how to do something, you go to learn how to be someone." Over my three years at Notre Dame this sentiment has proved true. For the first 18 years of my life my parents served as the most prominent influence, but as I embarked on my journey to college, I left my parents convinced that at Our Lady's University I would be in good hands. I was right. Here, I have had the pleasure of not only learning from the most brilliant minds in America, but also getting to know these men and women on a more personal level. My involvement in ND Response and Right to Life has given me the opportunity to meet and become friends with the Kirk family.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk are people I came to Notre Dame to learn to be like. The courage they displayed in standing up for what was right, no matter the consequences, is something I aspire to have. With the only details of the events surrounding Mr. Kirk's firing being, it was part (or perhaps the only part) of Fr. Doyle's new restructuring of the Residence Life Office, I can't help but think it was Mr. Kirk's courage that caused his firing. Thomas More was once in a similar position. When asked if he would disobey his conscience he replied, "When we die, and you are sent to heaven for doing your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing mine, will you come with me, for fellowship?" Mr. Kirk, I can't help but think you are in good company, and the students of Notre Dame whose lives you have changed through your example will miss you.
Mary Forr
senior
Pasquerilla West Hall
Sep. 3
