It takes a university …

Many parts of the University were involved in a heartfelt project last year to help an orphanage in far-away Tanzania. It actually began the year before, when the University’s mechanical engineering students built a desperately needed water purification system for Saint Agnes Orphanage and school. But the equipment languished at Saint Martin’s, hostage to high shipping costs and fears it would disappear along the way.

Darrell Born, chairman of the Department of Music, stepped in with a fundraising concert, “Pure Water,” staged in conjunction with the University’s offices of Campus Ministry and Campus Life and many other talented members of the Saint Martin’s community. Among them was Sister Beatrice Kapinga, O.S.B., a nun from Saint Agnes who was studying at Saint Martin’s and who could shepherd the water purification system to its destination. She delighted the audience with Tanzanian folktales. Brother Luke Devine, O.S.B., Saint Martin’s Abbey, illustrated them, showing his fanciful art on a large screen. Performing the music were the Saint Martin’s University Chorale, Women’s Ensemble, Men’s Ensemble, and, for comic relief, Dame Ima Ditz, a University staff member’s alter-ego.

The concert exceeded expectations, raising double the money necessary. The extra was sent to Saint Agnes for educational supplies.