Piatkowski, Mark J.

English

epublications@Marquette

Conversations on Jesuit Higher EducationVolume 46 Article 179-1-2014myMAGIS: Living the magis is What I strive to DoDaily in Residence LifeMark J. PiatkowskiFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversationsRecommended CitationPiatkowski, Mark J. (2014) "myMAGIS: Living the magis is What I strive to Do Daily in Residence Life," Conversations on Jesuit HigherEducation: Vol. 46, Article 17.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversations/vol46/iss1/17Conversations 31myMAGISMark J. PiatkowskiLiving the magis is what I strive to do daily in Residence Life. Since I arrived at Canisius in 2005, I have had asign on my door that says, “If not for the studentstanding in front of me, I would not be here. Myposition exists because of this student.” This con-stant reminder of cura personalis is what keepsme motivated. Each student walks in my door andcomes to see me for a need. Whether it is aboutliving with a friend or a meeting about poorbehavior in the halls, each student comes with apurpose. It is my goal to look beyond the issueand educate the individual.There is potential inevery situation and every student…the magis.As each student walks away, I feel gratificationknowing that I made a difference. Even when thestudent’s action or conduct is in question, there is asilver lining. Learning comes in many forms and les-sons are found in many experiences. As an educatorit is my hope that in the future these students willdiscern and do “better”…the magis.Sometimes the mostrewarding moment comesyears down the line, whena student who made a poorchoice comes back andtouches base and says.“Thank You!” Sometimesgood people make baddecisions; and it is great tosee these students learn,graduate, and reflect. St.Ignatius and other Jesuitswould ask, “What have Idone for God? What am Idoing for God? What morecan I do for God?” Well, asI continue my tenure atCanisius, I will strive to takethe words of our Jesuitfounder and ask, Whathave I done for this stu-dent? What am I doing for this student? Whatmore can I do for this student? …the magis.Mark J. Piatkowski, is the assistant director ofresidence life at Canisius College.myMAGISPaula Uruburok-CastroFebruary 6, 2008. It wasmy fifteenth birthday,one of the most impor-tant moments in the lifeof any Latina girl.“You’ve got the universein your hands, look forwho are and what you’llbe,” mom wrote to me ina card. “There is a strongwoman within that littlegirl’s soul.” I didn’t understand herwords to me that day.Yet, looking back at theglittery card taped to mywall I can almost hearher voice pushing me tolook for more, to just goa little farther. I neverthought I would make itthis far; however, with-out realizing it my mom’s voice was always inthe back of my head pushing me to take onemore step, to walk just that extra mile, and togo beyond my own expectations. When thedays of “It’s too much!” and “I can’t handlethis anymore” come around, I sit back on mybed and look at the old birthday card. Iremember the woman who taught me to pushthrough the pain, to have faith in the world,and to be myself. And I realize what a trueexample of magis she was. I’m a simple 20-year-old college student whocame into her freshman year thinking, “Just goto class and head back to my dorm and I’ll getthrough.” But soon I realized that to make adifference I have to seek for more than therefuge of four walls. That to be more is to beme, to have no fears, to try new things, toappreciate others and the everyday blessingsin my life. And to learn that a simple smile canchange someone else’s life. Paula Uruburok-Castro, a senior atCanisius College, represented her school inJuly 2013 at the University LeadershipSummit of the Ignatian Solidarity Network.1Piatkowski: <em>my</em>MAGIS: Living the magis is What I strive to Do Daily iPublished by e-Publications@Marquette, 2014

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