Greg Carpinello has stepped up as the new Interim Director of the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice, replacing David Johnson who has moved to the Office of Student Life and Leadership.
Newswire was able to talk with Greg concerning his plans for himself and for CFJ.
- Xavier Newswire: First off, are you excited about the position?
- Greg Carpinello: I am always willing to serve Xavier in whatever way I can, so I am honored to continue working with the CFJ as the Interim Director.
- XN: Where are you from?
- GC: Cincinnati, Ohio.
- XN: How did you end up at Xavier?
- GC: I moved into Kuhlman Hall as a first year student in the fall of 1997. I graduated in 2001 after majoring in English with minors in Peace Studies and Theology. After a year away, I coordinated retreats at Xavier from 2002 until 2006. I spent four years in Boston finishing a Masters Degree at Boston College in their School of Theology and Ministry and working in their Campus Ministry department. My wife and I moved back to Cincinnati in 2010 and I have been involved in a wide array of projects for CFJ since then.
- XN: What sort of things do you plan for the future of CFJ? What do you think you will bring to the table as interim director?
- GC: My hope is that the CFJ can continue to be a place where students are supported and challenged. Our staff is highly creative, motivated, hardworking and passionate about walking with students as they make meaning in their lives. Even though Dave Johnson has shifted to serve our division in a new way, our focus right now is maintaining our services and programs for students.
- XN: What are your goals during your time at CFJ?
- GC: We want all students who walk through our doors to gain a better understanding of themselves, of their own spirituality, of their place in the world. We want them to leave us ready to make the world a better place through their passion, their expertise and their care for others, or as St. Ignatius said, “ready to set the world aflame.”
- XN: What is one thing you love about what CFJ is doing now?
- GC: I am amazed at the significant, worthy questions that students ask each day. Come into our office sometime and you will hear conversations happening about all kinds of topics and issues. It is a remarkably vibrant place to work.
- XN: What is something that could use improvement?
- GC: We are always looking for new ways to reach out to students and that will never change.
- XN: Anything you want students to know?
- GC: If you have never visited CFJ on the third floor of Gallagher or participated in a program sponsored by our office, I encourage you to check us out.
Former CFJ director Dave Johnson had a few comments regarding Carpinello stepping up as the new director.
“Greg, like the rest of our Center’s staff, is a remarkably talented individual who loves to work with students as they explore how they might live the BIG questions associated with faith, justice and pluralism. If you have not met Greg, or the other staff from the CFJ, you should,” Johnson said.