Former Spring Hill College president gives final lecture

Published: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 6:45 AM

Rev. Greg Lucey, the former president of Spring Hill College, will become president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. ?(Press-Register file/Mary Hattler)

MOBILE, Ala. -- The Rev. Gregory F. Lucey gave his “Last Lecture” Monday night at Spring Hill College.

In a joking nod to students, faculty and staff, Lucey walked to the podium at Byrne Hall on campus wearing a boat captain’s hat, which drew loud laughter from the crowd.

His annual welcoming address to students, as Spring Hill’s president, Lucey would tell students they would have a “shipwreck” during their next four years in college.

Once behind the podium, the 77-year-old Lucey threw his hat into the crowd at Byrne Hall.

Lucey retired in 2009 after 12 years as Spring Hill’s 37th president.

He has been named president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is moving to Washington, D.C, in January. He will assume his new post June 30.

The idea behind the “Last Lecture” concept, which has become popular at college campuses, is to allow someone to speak one final time before the student body.

A native of Wisconsin and one of seven children, Lucey reflected on his parents during his speech, titled “Honor Your Mother and Father.”

Lucey recalled that in 1973 at age 40, he went into cardiac and pulmonary arrest and thought he was going to die. During his recuperation, he jotted down memories of his parents.

His father was a farmer who eventually operated a general store and a John Deere tractor business.

Lucey said it wasn’t unusual for his father to bring the homeless into their home for a meal or a place to sleep.

“I share my father’s story as a way of thanking him for this wonderful gift he gave me,” Lucey said.

He recalled the day he told his father he was going to become a priest. It was during the Korean War.

“He said, ‘Are you sure you aren’t avoiding the draft because of the Korean War?’” Lucey recalled. His father later said, “There is nothing I would rather have you do.”

Under Lucey’s 12-year-term, the school spent an estimated $100 million on renovation and construction projects.

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Spring Hill College undergrads tutor LeFlore students for ACT test

Published: Monday, November 08, 2010, 6:30 AM

MOBILE, Ala. - LeFlore High School student Courtney Johnson is learning about time management.

The 16-year-old sophomore hopes it will help her get a high score on the ACT college entrance exam, or at least a higher score than her practice ACT test. The teen ran out of time before completing the reading portion of the practice exam.

“I was nervous,” said Johnson, sitting in a classroom at LeFlore recently with her tutor.

With the help of some Spring Hill College students, Johnson is learning how to manage her time better.

She is one of 110 LeFlore students staying after school for ACT tutoring.

With the aid of a $50,000 grant, Spring Hill College developed the College Access Initiative, which is designed to increase the percentage of low-income, public school students who apply to college. The college students are helping with ACT test preparation and financial aid workshops.

E.G. Scott, post-secondary specialist at LeFlore, said the number of students taking the ACT has doubled in the past two years. Last month, 150 LeFlore students took the ACT test, but haven’t yet received results.

Statewide, more students in Alabama are taking the ACT, according to the Iowa City-based ACT Inc. The college entrance exam is a voluntary test that colleges in the South often use to decide which students to admit and to offer scholarships,

Locally, Scott credits the increase in students to the Spring Hill tutoring program and the fact that LeFlore has been declared an ACT national test center. LeFlore students can now take the test at their own school.

Taking the test in familiar surroundings, said Scott, alleviates a lot of anxiety and fear for students.

“When they walk in that door and see a familiar face they are at ease,” said Scott.

On a recent afternoon, the Spring Hill and LeFlore students met in three separate classrooms preparing for next month’s ACT test.

“These are kids who are ambitious and with assistance could get scores higher into scholarship range,” said Kathleen Orange, director of Spring Hill’s Foley Center, a community service group.

Spring Hill junior Rachel Woods knows tutoring can help improve a score. She credits a tutor with helping her study for the exam.

“It gives people more confidence and helps them know what to expect,” said Woods.

LeFlore student Lindsey Ramos felt comfortable with her tutor, Spring Hill freshman Shardena Jones. The two played softball together last year at LeFlore.

“It’s beneficial to give back to the school I attended,” said Jones, a LeFlore graduate.

LeFlore junior Eddie Thompson said he plans to get a high score.

“I know if I fail, I can take it again,” said Thompson.

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