On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Sacred Heart University’s Dr. Susan L. Davis and Richard J. Henley College of Nursing hosted an event titled “A Dialogue on Compassion: Living Our SHU Mission in Action.” This event, moderated by Dr. Charles Gillespie, took place in the University Commons at West Campus and featured a panel of professors.
Gillespie, an Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies and Director of the Pioneer Journey, explored the essence of compassion and its role in shaping the SHU community.
“I believe the Center for Compassion here at Sacred Heart University exemplifies the impact of allowing our mission to inform everything we do. Not only did we engage in a robust discussion for two hours, but we also embraced the interdisciplinary nature of our dialogue,” said Gillespie.
He said, “Together, we can discover ways to connect as humans that enliven our spirits, give us hope, and remind us that compassion is a promise. Though we may suffer as humans, we need not do so alone.”
The panel included insights from student nurses and faculty members from various departments, including the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development, the College of Health Professions and the Davis & Henley College of Nursing.
Among the faculty contributors, Associate Professor Katie Cunningham highlighted the role of compassion within the education field.
“Etymologically, compassion means ‘to suffer with’ and I think a lot about the compassion educators need in order to understand the struggles that students experience whether those are struggles in learning, struggles with friendship, struggles at home, struggles to be kind to themselves, and countless others. Connection is central to teaching,” said Cunningham.
“In our teacher education program at SHU, we remind ourselves that no one cares what you know until they know you care,” said Cunningham. “Developing skills in connection and compassion will make my students better teachers because compassion often distinguishes great teachers from good ones. Ultimately, the connection is why we are all together here.”
Each faculty member emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of compassion, illustrating how it intersects with teaching, nursing and all professional careers.
This talk encouraged students to lead by example and inspire their peers by being their most authentic selves. The dialogue challenged participants to apply the principles of compassion in all aspects of their lives.
“Sometimes, we learn the most from our students. One thing I always think about with compassion is that it’s about making compassionate choices. There are always two solutions to every problem: what you want and should do. Ask yourself what a compassionate choice would be. Just pause, and your heart will guide you. That is how you live a life full of compassion; you infuse it into every decision you make,” said Karen Daley, Dean of the Davis & Henley College of Nursing.
Gillespie said that discussions like these are crucial for shaping the next generation of leaders. Having events like this at SHU underscores the importance of living the Pioneer Journey daily.
“My final thoughts are to say yes to taking risks, especially while you’re in the safety of this learning community. Seek out interdisciplinary opportunities that may not exist in the same way at other universities,” said Gillespie.
