THE REVEREND ELIZABETH McCORD FOR CHRIST AND LEARNING For Christ and Learning is the English translation of “Christo et Litteris,” Carroll University’s motto “Thus says the Lord: As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you” –Isaiah 66:13a Alma Mater Reflections At our most recent commencement celebration, the Rev. Dr. Deboarh Block, chair of our Board of Trustees, playfully quizzed graduates on their Latin. “What does ‘alma mater’ mean?”, she asked. “Nourishing mother.” Carroll, their Alma Mater, formed and fed them to become the graduates they are now, and their “Nourishing Mother” will continue to be a place of homecoming, a source of care and wisdom in a life-long relationship. Two months later I went for a sunrise hike at Hungry Mother State Park. Named for the creek running through it, Hungry Mother is where I was raised in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Though it had been decades since I last hiked the Lake Trail, I still knew it: the curves around the shoreline, the smell of the forest and the sound of my shoes padding against the dirt and shale path. I breathed in my connection. I remembered where I came from, the mountain slopes that seemed to have formed the very shape of my small feet and stretched my bones into their current frame. Two days later, in another mountain town, we honored my mother’s life with a memorial service. She had passed away earlier in the summer. She, too, called the hills of Southern Appalachia home and was so happy to have moved back to those mountains just a few months before her death. Guests who had known me since childhood commented on how I had come to look more like her. It’s true. The older I have gotten, the more I have noticed her eyes, sitting atop round cheekbones, in my mirror. I am reminded that even in death, my mother is still with me, still in me, still reflecting at me with love. As the wise Rev. Dr. Block said to me, the loss of a mother is primal. Our mothers are quite literally our place of origin. We may journey far from our mothers. Time, the busyness of life and changing relationships may create many kinds of distance between us. Still, there is no denying where we come from. Our form reflects that of our birthmothers, just as our spirits reflect the many strong, nurturing forces that shape us throughout life. No matter where our pathways lead, these many “nurturing mothers” shine out into the world through us. I like to think that our graduates will look at their aging faces and be struck by who returns their gaze in time. I hope that gaze is gentle and affectionate, appreciating each well-deserved wrinkle. I hope in turn when they look outward into their lives, they see an undeniable resemblance to their Alma Mater: the care of its people, the values of its ethos, the kinship of its community. May our graduates bear forth the best of what Carroll has given them into the world and may each of us walk our path with humble gratitude for all our nourishing mothers. After all, they are with us always. REV. McCORD Continued from page 14 • Had a program-best seven consecutive weeks ranked in the top 25 • The first time the program won the regular season CCIW conference title and the conference tournament championship in the same season Wick, and her husband, Bill ’70, have always been avid supporters of Carroll athletics. They soaked up everything they could this season, attending several regular season games, being on campus for the televised NCAA selection show and snagging front-row seats for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, which Carroll also hosted for the first time since Wick’s team did it in 1984. “We are so very proud of this team. The atmosphere for the NCAA Tournament game was electric! The students came out in waves, and I loved how much support this team received. The future is bright!” Who knows what the present or future would have looked like without the historical passing of Title IX more than half a century ago. It has allowed women’s athletics to play a significant role in pushing universities like Carroll forward. Success on the court or field can lead to many ancillary positives across a campus. “This administration has had a greater focus on athletics. President (Cindy) Gnadinger has been an amazing leader with a vision to promote and enhance athletics,” Wick added. “The renovations on the horizon for the Van Male Field House are very exciting, much needed and will benefit all students and the community.” People love a winner, and Wick is hoping this is just the beginning. While Title IX was not solely designed with athletics in mind, it has allowed women’s sports to make an invaluable impact across universities nationwide. “It’s been inspiring to see the long-term effects and incredible strides in women’s athletics. A winning team raises the profile of a school, and in the end, success breeds success in all aspects of the university!” Amy Wick (#42) speeding past an opponent F1RST | Fall 2024 21
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