Ohio Dominican Dedicates Theatre to Past President, Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, O.P.
September 1, 2005
In a special ceremony during Ohio Dominican University ’s annual Convocation on September 2, 2005 , President Jack Calareso led the dedication of the in Erskine Hall. For the ceremony, President Calareso was joined by Distinguished Faculty Member Bishop James A. Griffin, who blessed the theatre; ODU Board of Trustees Chairman Donald McConnell; and Mickey Edwards, one of Sister Mary Andrew’s three sisters.
Formerly known as The Little Theatre, the Matesich Theatre has been an integral part of the University since Erskine Hall was erected in 1932.
“Today we gather in a hall that has served as a community gathering place for so many Dominican events. In this theatre, we have heard extraordinary lectures dating back to the Erskine Lecture Series in the 1930s. We have prayed together as we celebrated liturgies and special prayer services. We have celebrated the arts and our cultural diversity through drama, music and dance. There is no place on campus that better captures our Dominican life as a university. And there is no person that better embodies the meaning of Ohio Dominican University than Sister Mary Andrew Matesich. So, from this day forward, this Dominican space… this special place…will be called the Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, O.P.Theatre,” said President Calareso.
Following the blessing by Bishop Griffin, a series of renderings was unveiled by McConnell and Edwards. The renderings depict the eventual look of the wall on the Second Floor of Erskine Hall, which leads into the theatre.
To the left of the left set of theatre doors, the display will feature a piece of artwork done by world-renowned and Columbus-area artist Aminah Robinson. The piece, entitled Study for Elijah’s Angel, was created by Aminah to demonstrate her close spiritual connection to her mentor, Elijah Pierce, another local artist of international recognition.
The piece was purchased by the Ohio Dominican University faculty to honor Sister Mary Andrew, and was presented to her at a special reception in May 2005. The faculty chose the piece to symbolize Sister Mary Andrew’s lifelong commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in the ODU community.
Along with the Aminah Robinson piece, the faculty presented Sister Mary Andrew with a commemorative plaque describing the artwork and noting her academic history at Ohio Dominican. The plaque and artwork will be housed together on the wall, encased in Plexiglas.
Immediately to the right of the same set of doors, and to the left of the medallion that is in the middle of the main wall outside the theatre, will be the name of the theatre – The Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, O.P. Theatre. The name will appear in gold raised lettering, and will fill the left side of the main wall.
The medallion, inscribed in Latin, depicts the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
(“Septem Dona Paracliti”). Going clockwise around the plaque, are the words “ Timor ”(Fear), “Pietas” (Piety), “Fortitudo” (Fortitude), “Intellectus” (Knowledge), “Scientia” (Understanding), “Consilium” (Counsel) and “Sapientia” (Wisdom).
On the right side of the medallion and to the left of the other set of theatre doors, will be biographical information about Sister Mary Andrew, along with a photograph that was taken on the steps of Erskine Hall at the time of her retirement. Superimposed over the photo will be a quote from Sister Mary Andrew. The bio, photo and quote will be constructed in Plexiglas.
The quote reads: “Everything God created is good and worthy of study. Truth must be sought everywhere and from every source; our study should be characterized by openness to diverse ideas and should be carried out with academic rigor. Because truth is one, there can be no ultimate contradiction between faith and reason. The Life of the Mind is fulfilling in itself and leads us to the knowledge and love of God. Our life of study is incomplete unless we share what we learn with others; in our families, our churches, our workplaces, our local communities, and the world community.”
Finally, to the right of the same set of theatre doors, will be two black plaques of the Ohio Dominican Mission Statement and the University emblem. The plaques were previously hung underneath the medallion on the center wall.
