SEA TO SHINING SEA: A brief walk through Franciscan University

DAY 71 - July 23, 2013 - A work day in a motel below the hill that is home to Franciscan University here in Steubenville. I put a Travelers Series together, Cape Cuisine about Serendipity, a column for Friday's paper about initiative and referendum for a Sussex parks system, and an editorial about the Corps of Engineer's responsibility at Indian River Inlet.

We hiked up to the campus after lunch and looked at sculptures and architecture on the 60+year complex.

One student giving directions to conference attendees, told us he just finished his first year at Franciscan and loved every minute of it.  He said the school is not a divinity school but is operated by members of the Franciscan Order.  "All of the classes have a Catholic flavor to them," he said.

I asked him if had read the Harry Potter books.  He said yes.  "I loved them."

"What do you think was the underlying message of the books?" I asked.

"Good vs. evil," he said.

"I think so too."

And so too, I thought, is Franciscan University. Spreading the message of the man who said the meek shall inherit the earth, that we should love our enemies and turn the other cheek, and that those without sin should cast the first stone.

Dark vs. light. Exclusivity vs. inclusivity. Ignorance vs. enlightenment. Fighting the strong forces of the ego.

No miles today.  We start riding again tomorrow and the weather forecast is sweet for our entry into Pennsylvania.

Here are some pictures from the campus.