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Renovated science wing honors educator |
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Written by CARY ASHBY, Special to the Chronicle
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Thursday, 03 April 2008 |
MANSFIELD—The renovated science wing of Mansfield St. Peter High School is named after an education legacy — Joliet Franciscan Sister Bernard Marie Campbell.
The retired educator, a development associate for the last 12 years, started at St. Peter in 1946, teaching algebra and geometry. Nine years later, she was transferred to Chicago and Columbus before coming back to St. Peter in 1963. Sr. Campbell taught chemistry and physics for most of that time, plus photography through 1996.
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| Joliet Franciscan Sister Bernard Marie Campbell and Mansfield St. Peter pastor Father Anthony Borgia bless a science lab at the dedication of the renovated science wing named in Sr. Campbell’s honor at St. Peter High School. (Photo courtesy of Mansfield St. Peter) |
School officials dedicated the renovated science wing Jan. 27 — to the surprise of the 82-year-old religious. Construction began in May and finished in September.
“It’s a great honor. It’s a humbling thing. I was taken aback,” Sr. Campbell says.
“It’s been a privilege to be here,” says the nun, who lives in the convent space above the school. “I’m in my third generation of kids right now.”
Principal Tressa Reith calls Sr. Campbell a “people person” who has the unbelievable talent to remember where someone sat in her classroom — even after not seeing the person for many years.
“She’s very familiar with many generations of St. Peter students and parishioners,” Ms. Reith says.
There had been no structural updates to the science wing since 1958. Ms. Reith says the students “could do great things with the space,” but it needed to be updated to maintain high education standards.
Conversations about a renovation began in 2000. The school commission began searching for grant funding, but a capital campaign at St. Peter began in 2004.
“That was when the project got jump-started,” Ms. Reith recalls.
Four science teachers discussed the renovation with Mansfield architect Dan Seckel — a 1970 St. Peter graduate and one of Sr. Campbell’s former students — as well as Frey Scientific, a school consulting company. Mr. Seckel also worked with the St. Peter properties committee.
“We had the idea to dedicate the science wing to her [Sr. Campbell] all along, which is why we kept her out of the loop for a while,” Ms. Reith says. Sr. Campbell says she wasn’t suspicious, but figured it was time to do her current work and move on with “the next phase of my life.”
The chemistry lab was finished by the completion of the wing; renovations to the two remaining labs will happen as money is available. The updates include an eyewash, a safety shower and a new hood-and-exhaust system, bringing the wing up to current OSHA standards. The space also has two lecture rooms.
Ms. Reith believes the improvements provide a great opportunity for the students to do more computer work. Sr. Campbell says it provides more safety.
“She’s just a phenomenal teacher,” Ms. Reith says of Sr. Campbell. “She’s been able to impart everything students needed.”
Sr. Campbell, who was honored with the dedication, believes being a successful teacher includes “enthusiasm for your work,” subject knowledge and being fair.
“You have to love those kids,” she adds. “If you have those things, you can be a good teacher — period, whether it’s science or any other subject.”
Ms. Reith continued her praise for the retired educator. “She did what she did for the joy of education.”
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