2011_2015_report

The Catholic University of America– The Gentlemen of Flather
1
Gentlemen
of
Flather
2011-Present

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The Gentlemen of Flather Initiative was given the Strategy of the Year award for 2011-2012.
This award is bestowed on one strategy from the past academic year which has stood out in an
exceptional way. The Gentlemen of Flather Initiative won this award out of six
neighborhoods and fifty resident assistants.

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Table of Contents
History
 Story of Flather Hall
 Origins of the Gentlemen of Flather
Ideals
 Vision
 The Crest
 The Charter
 The Pledge & Charter Signing
Alumni
 Alumni Affinity Group 6
Appendix
 Reactions of past members
 Alumni Affinity Group
 Senior Year
 Gentlemen of Flather Charter
7
 Charter Signing
8-9
 Thoughts of the Class of 2015
10-11
 Observations of Area Coordinator
12
President Garvey signs the
inaugural Gentlemen of Flather
charter after delivering his

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Story of Flather Hall
Flather Hall was constructed in 1962 and named after Mary Flather, a friend and generous ben-
efactor of the University. In 2008, renovations created an extensive lobby and community area
on the ground floor of the building with a pool table, foosball table, and big screen television.
This large gathering space is essential to the Gentlemen of Flather as it provides an area within
the hall to enjoy events. Residents attend programs more easily given the close proximity of
the meeting space. Relationships are also built within the comfortable, safe, and exclusive en-
vironment of the building. There are also lounge spaces on each floor which help provide a
space for the communities of each floor to develop.
In 2011, the apartment of the
priest-in-residence was con-
structed along with the
Chapel of the Sacred Heart.
These two spaces allowed
for a spiritual presence and
focus in the hall. Once
again, residents more easily
attended masses in the chap-
el due to their relationship
with the priest-in-residence
and the quickly accessible
location of the chapel. Fi-
nally, in the fall of 2011
Flather Hall was converted
into a completely male first
year building. The begin-
ning of the Gentlemen of
Flather was possible only
through the creation of this
special demographic. A fra-
ternal community arose and
residents enjoyed a true ca-
maraderie between them-
selves as they all transi-
tioned together into college
life. The Gentlemen of
Flather guided this unique
community in a purposeful
way.

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The title, Gentlemen of Flather, refers to an initiative geared toward the first year residents of Flather Hall on the
campus of The Catholic University of America. The initiative sought to encourage and facilitate among all resi-
dents of the hall an expectation to participate in events based on Integrity, Perseverance, Virtue, and the Catholic
tradition of CUA, as well as reflect aspects of these qualities in their daily behavior. This program began during
the spring semester of the 2011-2012 academic year, under the leadership of the resident assistants (RAs) and the
priest-in-residence. The program has continued since due to the dedicated efforts of each year’s RAs. The princi-
ple of community-building and fraternal bonding guided weekly events organized by the resident assistants. The
environment created through these experiences provided a deeper and more unified experience of collegiate living
that brought these first year students into more genuine bonds of friendship and companionship than previously
encountered.
The Gentlemen of Flather initiative was developed by the Flather RAs – Daniel O’Connell, Christopher Prudente,
Kevin Rensch, Sean Wilson, and Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM, in response to the desire of the University administration
for a renewed sense of communal living within its residence halls. Flather Hall presented a promising opportunity
to create a fraternal community within a residence hall during the University’s transition to single gender housing.
The all-male population of Flather allowed the RAs to promote fruitful relationships among gentlemen. The RAs
and Fr. Sabak used a two-objective approach to the development of communal bonds of trust and common good
within the residence. The first objective was the creation of mini-communities on each floor of residents with a
focus on communal care of the floor and reliance on each other. The second objective consisted of a series of
monthly programs that brought all four floors together in mutual pursuit of a service goal or in sharing fellowship
and friendship with one another. The initiative fulfilled the Cardinal Residential Experience (CRE) outline of
CUA’s Residence Life in a direct and focused way in Flather Hall.
The Gentlemen of Flather initiative is organized in a way to appeal to the all-male generation of millennials within
Flather Hall. A charter-signing event at the institution of the program provided a foundation for commitment to
the ideals of the program. A crest was created to provide the Gentlemen of Flather with “brand” recognition.
Weekly events were based on the CRE learning outcomes directives and offered particular focus on one of the pil-
lars of the Gentlemen of Flather project. Events ranged from making sandwiches for the homeless to a service of
ashes on Ash Wednesday to a wiffle-ball tournament. Residents received “Flather Bucks” for attending events,
which were then put to use at an end of year prize auction.
The Gentlemen of Flather initiative produced numerous benefits. Most importantly, the student residents of Flath-
er Hall created a close and unique identity based on life in their residence hall. Every residence hall naturally cre-
ates a certain type of community. In Flather Hall, the community created was guided by the ideals of the Gentle-
men of Flather charter. Any prior negative stereotypes surrounding Flather Hall were weakened and disproved
through the conscious positive behavior of many of the Flather gentlemen. In addition, several strong and uplifting
relationships between both residents and RAs and the priest-in-residence were fostered. One’s freshman year
guides the future steps of one’s college career; as a Gentlemen of Flather every resident was given the opportunity
to take the first step towards becoming a well-rounded, considerate, and self-conscious man.
At the close of the 2011-2012 academic year the first class of Gentlemen of Flather celebrated a special “sending”
ceremony that facilitated the residents’ transition from their first to their future years at CUA. It is hoped that the
special bonds and ties created in this special building will be renewed and continued through reunions in later
years. In addition, it is desired that this program continue for future members of Flather Hall. This report is of-
fered as proof and incentive for such a continuation and the assistance of the founding staff members of the Gen-
tlemen of Flather Hall initiative is pledged to the future RAs, RMs, ACs, and Residence Life staff of this residence
hall.
Origins of the Gentlemen of Flather

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Vision and Ideals
Vision
The vision of the Gentlemen of Flather, guided by the Catholic tradition, is to create a fraternal
unity centered on the virtues of Integrity, Valor, Unity, and Perseverance among the first year
residents of Flather Hall . The Gentlemen of Flather specifically helps to develop each resident
into a virtuous and mature young man during his time of transition into college and adult life.
The program seeks to engage each new class of residents in a vibrant tradition of chivalry that
helps build upon a pride of CUA and Flather Hall.
Purpose
The Gentlemen of Flather tradition is guided by six distinct goals. The goals serve a two-fold
purpose. The objectives are used to plan and focus the events and strategies for the year. These
aims are also used as benchmarks to gauge how well the program has succeeded in achieving
the objectives.
Objectives
-Create principled and mature young men, guided by the Catholic tradition, during their im-
portant and life-altering transition into college life and adulthood
-Achieve a building wide fraternal unity between resident assistants, student ministers, the
priest-in-residence, and the residents themselves
-Nourish school pride and spirit specifically as members of Flather Hall and the Gentlemen of
Flather community
-Create and market the image of a Gentleman of Flather to residents of Flather Hall
-Earn a commitment and investment from each resident to attend events and engage the com-
munity
-Forge a bond among each year of the Gentlemen of
Flather which persists through their collegiate career and
extends as alumni; Create alumni groups and future
events to foster the bond of fraternal unity

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The Crest
Virtue
The pouncing lion as a
foe to fear symbolizes
courage and moral
strength.
Integrity
The crossed keys are the
symbols of knowledge,
guardianship, and integ-
rity.
Perseverance
The gauntlet is a medie-
val symbol representing
a knight’s readiness and
perseverance.
Unity
The three rings are the
Celtic symbol for the unity
of the Holy Trinity.
The Gentlemen of Flather crest is the unique image of the initiative. It helps to achieve two
goals of the program. First, the crest promotes and markets the Gentlemen of Flather by
providing a quickly recognizable emblem. Every resident of Flather Hall became accustomed
to seeing the crest on advertisements and flyers for events. The crest caught the attention of
residents in a visually compelling way. The crest fulfilled the marketing objective of creating a
powerful image which represented the Gentlemen of Flather initiative in each resident’s mind.
The four heraldic symbols gathered on the shield have a meaning tied to the four virtues of the
program.
In addition, the crest was necessary to achieve the end of creating pride and spirit in both Flath-
er Hall and the program. The crest is special to and inseparable from Flather Hall. Residents
show pride in possessing their own crest. Campaigns have been held that involved each resi-
dent taping the crest to his window. From outside of Flather Hall a crest was visible in each
window which created an impressive and unifying sight to all those who walked past Flather
Hall. Thus, the crest serves an essential role as the main visual rallying point of the Gentlemen
of Flather.

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The Charter
We the Gentlemen of Flather…
promise to represent Integrity by adhering to the highest moral and ethical principles in all
our actions.
The crossed keys on the Gentlemen of Flather crest symbolize knowledge,
guardianship, and integrity. The lifestyle of a Gentleman of Flather sets an ex-
ample for the CUA community. A Gentleman of Flather excels in his adherence to
those moral and ethical principles that promote the common good. He does not com-
promise these ideals for anything or anyone.
We shall exhibit Valor at all times through our courage in the face of adversity.
The pouncing lion, “a foe to fear,” represents courage and the moral strength
possessed by every Gentleman of Flather. Valor is a rare quality in today’s
world. A Flather Gentleman embodies Valor when he either stands against his own
fears or defends the helpless.
We pledge to recognize and honor the Unity of the Catholic principles of The Catholic Uni-
versity of America.
Unity is symbolized by three joined rings that represent the Holy Trinity as mir-
rored in Celtic heraldry. The joined rings speak of the unity of the Trinity and of
humanity. A Gentleman of Flather seeks to uphold the social and ethical expectations
of the Catholic tradition. Humility, temperance, and kindness are, regardless of one’s
individual faith, Catholic principles expected of every Flather Gentleman.
We, as true gentlemen, promise to epitomize Perseverance in difficulties, obstacles, or dis-
couragement by persisting in a true course of action.
The gauntlet is a medieval symbol representing a knight’s readiness and perse-
verance. A Gentleman of Flather does not admit defeat. He refuses to surren-
der, standing tall for that in which he believes. The success of a Flather Gentleman is
made manifest through his perseverance in academics, community building and acts
of charity and selflessness.
A Gentleman of Flather is any man who resides in Flather Hall. Constructed in 1961
Flather Hall has been a home to CUA undergraduate students for over five decades. The rich
history of this residence hall united with the male camaraderie built up in its contemporary
incarnation affords its residents the unique opportunity to demonstrate to the larger campus
community the many ways that Integrity, Valor, Unity, and Perseverance embody a student
of CUA.

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Gentlemen of Flather Inaugural Charter Signing
The inaugural Gentlemen of Flather charter signing took place on Friday, January 13, 2012.
This event kicked off the beginning of the spring semester and introduced the Gentlemen of
Flather concept to the residents of the hall. Over forty residents attended the ceremony and
signed the charter while receiving Gentlemen of Flather sunglasses and “Flather Bucks.” The
charter signing signaled the start of weekly Masses, weekly dinners, and “Fight for Flather”
events for the rest of the semester. The charter signing was later awarded “Strategy of the
Month” by Residence Life for the month of January.
The inaugural charter (below) is hung in the lobby of Flather Hall. Each subsequent year of in-
coming Gentlemen of Flather have all signed the crest. Each crest has been framed and mount-
ed in Flather Hall as a reminder of the continuity of the program and persevering strength of the
ideals of the program.
As a Gentlemen of Flather, I pledge as a member of this community:
To Adhere to the Highest Moral and Ethical Principles
To Possess Great Courage in the Face of Adversity
To Uphold the Unifying Catholic Virtues of Humility, Temperance, and Kindness
To Steadily Persist in a Course of Action Against Any Obstacle

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The Gentlemen of Flather has formed an offi-
cial CUA Alumni Affinity Group. Find your
fellow Gents on LinkedIn at https://goo.gl/
kOWtq0 and get connected on a professional
level. Use the network you have built with your fellow Gentlemen of Flather and Fr. Jim to
help expand your own network and make strides professionally you never thought possible. Be
on the lookout for networking events and articles that may be of interest to you. Get started
connecting by using the attached handout detailing the future plans of your peers.
Gentlemen of Flather
Valor | Integrity | Perseverance | Unity
Est. MMXI
The Gentlemen of Flather are active on Face-
book! Since your first year in Flather Hall, as
the inaugural class, we have been promoting and
advertising for events on the Facebook page.
Continue to check in for upcoming social events, connect and keep in touch with your fellow
classmates, and share whatever you want with the group! If you don't already, go ahead and
like us at this link: https://goo.gl/5C33o0
The Gentlemen of Flather will continue after graduation!
Checkout the information below on the alumni affinity group, Facebook page and LinkedIn
The Gentlemen of Flather founders have been working closely with Fr. Jim and Alumni Rela-
tions to form a GofF Alumni Affinity group. This group will be headed up by six of your fel-
low Gentlemen and will be responsible for scheduling and coordinating events at Cardinal
Weekend like tailgates, tables under the tent, and contests with current GofF and planning fu-
ture Senior Receptions. Further, they will be your point of contact for all social media pages as
well as event proposals and local events that you would like to see throughout the year. Be on
the look out for future updates from the committee and if you are interested, contact Kevin
Rensch (kevrensch@gmail.com) about becoming an officer.

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Achievements and Awards
Successes of the Gentlemen of Flather Initiative
The Gentlemen of Flather achieved a great amount of success throughout the spring semester.
Over seventy-five percent of the residents in Flather Hall participated in the program in some
way. Residents were positive and enthusiastic about their experience and all understood the
ideals of a Gentlemen of Flather. Many residents strove eagerly to become principled and ma-
ture young men. The Gentlemen of Flather program succeeded in as much as it offered every
resident the tools and environment to become a gentleman. During students’ effort to find
themselves and become adults during their move to college, the program facilitated a positive
outcome. The fraternal community in Flather Hall allowed the residents to make the journey
together.
Future Options to Build upon Success
The Gentlemen of Flather initiative has the potential to grow in many ways. After only one full
semester of programming, many ideas did not have time to be achieved. The following ideas
could help the program build and become more successful in the future:
-Advertise the Gentlemen of Flather initiative on the Residence Life website in order to offer
first year students the ability to choose this unique living situation.
-Preserve the tradition of the Gentlemen of Flather and extend it year after year as a Residence
Life program.
-Create alumni and giving groups for each class of the Gentlemen of Flather to continue to
strengthen the bonds begun as first year students.
-Continue the close collaboration of the priest-in-residence and the resident assistants. Their
unique position of residing in the residence hall allows them to closely engage residents.
-Extend the idea of a unique mission of residential life to other all male or female residences in
order to build up positive and constructive identities specific to each residence hall.
Gentlemen of Flather Awards and Recognition
The Gentlemen of Flather initiative was recognized by the Residence Life department as a su-
perior program. Below is a list of the awards received:
 Strategy of the Year for 2011-2012. Residence Life presents this award to one out-

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Acknowledgements
The success of the Gentlemen of Flather initiative during the 2011-2012 academic year stems
from the contributions of numerous individuals. A special and heartfelt thanks is extended
from the Flather Hall resident assistants to all those listed below:
 The department of Residence Life, especially Dean Sarah Daniels and Brad Troy. Their
support and recognition of the program provided needed confidence to continue the endeav-
or.
 President John Garvey. He supported and promoted the values of the Gentlemen of Flather
by speaking on chivalry in Flather Hall.
 Rev. Dr. James Sabak, OFM, Priest-in-Residence 2011-2012. Fr. Jim contributed his won-
derful personality and generous resources and worked very closely with the resident assis-
tants. A debt of thanks is due to Fr. Sabak for funding monthly pizza parties for the entire
building and for providing the resources to purchase tee-shirts for the inaugural class.
 Rachel Wainer, Assistant Dean of Students. She provided the Gentlemen of Flather with
the opportunity to create a campus-wide poster campaign.
 The North Neighborhood Two resident assistants, Lucie Blauvelt, Joanna Gardner, John
Henderson, Emily McDonald, Justine McQueary, Katrina Oteyza, Lauren Schene, and Ines
Zanotti. Their collaboration on certain events was greatly appreciated.
 Amy Kerr, North Neighborhood Two Area Coordinator 2011-2012, and her husband Dan
Kerr for providing critical feedback and steadfast support. Dan contributed his time and
knowledge to work with the resident assistants as an unofficial advisor on how to create fra-
ternal unity in residence halls. Amy lent her time, professional judgment, and energy which
allowed the resident assistants to succeed in creating this brand-new initiative.
Report compiled by Kevin P. Rensch, Flather Hall Resident Assistant 2011-2012

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the blessing concluded with the presentation of a goodwill gift – a candy bar. Even with
those who did not wish to have a blessing the student ministers and I still engaged them in
conversation and got to know a bit more about them (and they also received a candy bar!).
The dedication of the Chapel of the Sacred Heart as part of the Flather Lobby helped to fur-
ther the spiritual and religious aspects of life in Flather Hall. The late completion of the
chapel made it a bit difficult to incorporate this aspect fully. The need for signs and direc-
tions noting the location of the chapel will be helpful. The celebration of an Ash Wednesday
service at 10:30 p.m. in the chapel, however, was very well attended with participants lined
up into the lobby area of the hall awaiting ash distribution. On several occasions students
were seen praying in the chapel, especially before final exams of the spring semester. Fur-
ther use of the chapel for floor masses and other celebrations will strengthen attachment of
the chapel to the life of the residents.
The end of the year for the residents of Flather Hall was especially poignant as the RAs and
myself prepared to say goodbye. The singularity of Flather Hall as a first year men’s resi-
dence made departure from it a significant transition into their next three years on the cam-
pus. To mark this step in their lives we created a closing ceremony for the year where the
charter that established the Gentlemen of Flather was read once again and signed by those
who did not attend the establishment ceremony in January. We toasted and blessed the resi-
dents and presented each with a long-sleeve t-shirt that would identify them as having been
members of the first generation of a new Flather Hall experience. The Gentlemen were told
that if there was one item they were to keep throughout their four years at CUA it was to be
this shirt and what it represented of the communal care and good will we attempted to build
in Flather Hall.
I believe that the true success of the new venture into residential living in Flather Hall came
about in great part to the constant nurturing of the vision for building an ethic for communal
living among Amy Kerr, the Flather RA staff (Dan, Chris, Kevin, and Sean), and myself.
We all understood the great good and possibility that dedicating ourselves to such a project

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The Gentlemen of Flather provided me a unique means to grow individually in addition to help-
ing my own residents develop. I developed very close bonds with many of my residents and
enjoyed the company of all of them. I look forward to reuniting with my floor as the inaugural
Class of the Gentlemen of Flather. This initiative allowed both myself and the other RAs to
create a close community which will remain together even after we no
longer physically live in Flather. The Gentlemen of Flather was a
framework which promoted and necessitated a certain amount of col-
laboration between the RAs of Flather Hall. The massive amount of
time and commitment I poured into this position was compensated
A resident dresses up
for a special event.
I was very proud to be a member of the Residence Life, NN2, and Flather Hall communities
this past year. The ability to instill pride in one's community is one of many goals of a Resident
Assistant at CUA and I think that Fr. Jim, Sean, Chris, Kevin and I were able to inspire a sense
of pride into many of the residents of Flather Hall. Guided by the concepts of Valor, Integrity
and Perseverance, I think that the Gentlemen of Flather congealed into much more than a group
of first-year college students enjoying their freshman year, but a thriving community of young
men growing and learning together. Besides learning how to be a better RA as the year pro-
gressed, I learned alongside the inaugural Gentlemen of Flather about chivalry, virtue and faith.
I find that being a member of the Flather Hall community has fostered in me a sincere passion
for the entire Catholic University community. I am extremely excited to continue my work as
Resident Assistants’ Thoughts on the Gentlemen of Flather
The Gentlemen of Flather was an ambitious undertaking that strove to
deliver a high standard of living within Flather Hall under the new sin-
gle gender housing. The initiative called students to exhibit a high
level of moral and ethical behavior. The RAs of Flather Hall, along
with Father Jim, sought a living experience that students could learn
lifelong values from and leave a legacy behind that others could emu-
late. Fr. Jim’s generosity and passion was instrumental in bringing
together the different floors because he really got to know everyone.
The Gentlemen of Flather initiative was something that I am very
proud of to have been a part of. I believe that it is something that can
give Flather an identity beyond being simply a residence hall. The
idea of giving residents a legacy to be proud of and an experience that
they may not find somewhere else is what will allow this program to
continue for years to come and make the Gentlemen of Flather an even
greater program.
~Sean Wilson, 5th
Floor Resident Assistant~

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A resident proudly wears his Gentlemen of Flather tee-shirt during
graduation from the program.

17

18

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RA Dan O’Connell, 2nd
Floor, led the charter
signing with a reading of the official Gentlemen
of Flather Charter.

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Events held:
 Inaugural Charter Signing,
 Monthly "Pizza Night with Fr. Jim”
 Semester Floor Meetings
The virtue of Integrity and the CRE goal of Living Cooperatively complement
very well. The Gentlemen of Flather initiative began with an emphasis on Int
the Inaugural Charter Signing. This event involved an explanation and readin
ter followed by a signing commitment. This began to create the fraternal bond
residents of Flather Hall. In addition, the charter made clear the expectations
inherent to life in the hall. Residents committed to the ideals of the program b
come to a certain number of events.
In addition, the monthly “Pizza Night with Fr. Jim” offered residents the chan
communication skills between each other, the resident assistants, and the pries
residence. Articulate communication is a key aspect of living cooperatively an
integrity when residents are able to defend their beliefs and decisions. Many r
tended the pizza nights and established a rapport with their resident assistants
through this social event. Each event was planned by Fr. Sabak around a spec
as well. For instance, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the feast of St. Jose
highlighted due to their positive association with men’s spirituality.
Finally, floor meeting were held at the beginning, middle, and end of the sprin
These gatherings of residents for each floor gave every resident the chance to
bling or disruptive behaviors. Residents built integrity by confronting their ow
and that of their hall mates. Integrity is the building block of personal cha
affects how each person interacts with those around him. Thus, integrity w
duced to residents first.
President Garvey signs the
Gentlemen of Flather charter to
become an honorary member.

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t each other
egrity during
ng of the char-
d between the
and standards
by pledging to
nce to learn
st-in-
nd relates to
residents at-
and Fr. Sabak
cific feast day
eph were
ng semester.
address trou-
wn behaviors
aracter which
was intro-
Valor: Develop Self Awareness & Learn and Applying Life Skills
Events held:
 March Madness Bracket Challenge
 Safe Spring
Break Mock-tails
 Wiffle Ball
Tournament
 Monthly
Community Din-
ners
Valor, as a pillar of the initiative, is supported by the CRE objectives to Develop Self Aware-
ness and to Learn and Apply Life Skills. One component the CRE mentions in developing self
awareness is to “create connections” with others through the sharing of common interests. The
March Madness Bracket challenge helped residents grow closer over their avid basketball inter-
ests! The ability to find support among one’s friends gives a strong support to the exercise of
valor.
The Safe Spring Break event, where delicious mock-tails were served, was meant to educate
and empower residents to make correct choices regarding drugs and alcohol over the break.
Residents were meant to realize the impact their actions would have on themselves and their
friends. Personal valor and strength is necessary during moments of peer pressure and stress
and this event prepared residents for the future.
Learning and Applying Life Skills also calls for a “healthy diet and exercise” and this was
achieved through an intense tournament of Wiffle ball between the four floors of Flather Hall.
Every sporting activity calls for good sportsmanship as part of valor as well. Finally, the
monthly community dinners in the Pryzbyla Center promoted stimulating conversation between
residents, resident assistants, student ministers, and Fr. Sabak. Developing self awareness and
learning and applying life skills lent themselves to the building up of valor as well.

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Unity: Explore Faith and Spirituality & Establish a Commitment to Social Re-
sponsibility
Events held:
 MLK Sandwich Making Project
 Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday Celebration
 Ash Wednesday Service
 Relay for Life
 Bi-weekly masses in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart
The Gentlemen of Flather program is based firmly upon the Catholic tradition and values of
The Catholic University of America. Thus, Unity is based on the Catholic principles of humili-
ty, temperance, and kindness. These qualities can be shared by every person, regardless of indi-
vidual faith. The CRE goal to Explore Faith and Spirituality is fully integrated with unity. The
CRE goal to Establish a Commitment to Social Responsibility is the expression through actions
of the ideals of the Catholic tradition. A Martin Luther King Day sandwich making event for
the homeless was the first service event of the year in Flather Hall. This engaged the residents
in service to others and gave them a practical means to express their faith.
The combination of a Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday celebration followed the next day with by an
Ash Wednesday prayer service was a great success. Residents were exposed to the teachings
and meaning behind Lent. The prayer service was open to all by Fr. Sabak’s invitation. The
physicality of receiving ashes on the forehead awakened an interest in the visible Catholic char-
acter of CUA. The Relay for Life event helped “demonstrate

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Perseverance: Cultivate a Passion for Learning
Events held:
 Chivalry Talk by President Garvey
 Gentlemen of Flather Graduation
 Exam Week Study Break
The virtue of Perseverance finds a counterpart in the CRE aim of Cultivating a Passion for
Learning. President Garvey was invited to speak to the Gentlemen of Flather on the theme of
chivalry. This educational lecture gave the residents insights into what President Garvey con-
sidered essential aspects of manhood. President Garvey signed the charter as an honorary Gen-
tlemen of Flather.
The Exam Week Study Break was a terrific help to fortify the strength and perseverance of the
The inaugural class of the Gentlemen of Flather celebrates the end of a successful year at the
Gentlemen of Flather Graduation and banquet.

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"Flather was never unexciting." I liked how Flather was always active, the events, RA's, RM's,
and Father Jim were great.
It was an honor to be in the first class to ever be inaugurated as a Gentleman of Flather. While
making new friends, we also learned to have respect for one another. We would come together
as true gentleman and participate in exciting events and have a great time. The RAs of Flather
volunteered to make these great times and memories nobody will forget. All Gentleman of
Flather appreciated our wonderful dorm chaplain, Father Jim, for all that he did, from saying
mass in our Flather chapel to blessing our donuts and coffee on nights before our finals. Be-
coming a Gentleman of Flather really made my college experience one I will always remem-
It was really cool because I was able to meet everyone quickly. We became friends quickly
and will probably stay friends longer. Plus, it is pretty awesome being the first class in the
Gentlemen of Flather.
Flather Hall was one of the most comfortable
surroundings within which I have ever lived. It
was my home away from home. I met so many
wonderful people and I wish I could have met
more!
Two Flather Hall residents enjoying a toast
of sparkling cider together.
I would like to say that being a Gentlemen of Flather is awesome. Hanging out with the guys
in Flather Hall was cool because we really got to know each other. We were the all guy hall
that was not in CV. Being a Gentlemen of Flather is like being a marine, there is a certain level
of comportment that is expected and I’m sure we all accepted the challenge.
I certainly made friends and bonded with peo-
ple I would have never met, had I not been a
Gentlemen of Flather. Its always good to be
part of something that has a positive and en-
riching agenda.
Residents’ Reaction to the Gentlemen of Flather
The Gentlemen of Flather last year helped our
hall come together as a community. I owe it to
that sense of community for allowing me to be
fortunate enough to become friends with great
people.

25
The Gentlemen of Flather provided me a unique means to grow individually in addition to help-
ing my own residents develop. I developed very close bonds with many of my residents and
enjoyed the company of all of them. I look forward to reuniting with my floor as the 2011-
2012 Class of the Gentlemen of Flather. This initiative allowed both myself and the other RAs
to create a close community which will remain together even after we no longer physically live
in Flather. The massive amount of time and commitment I poured into this position was com-
pensated abundantly by the response of residents.
~Kevin Rensch, 4th
Floor Resident Assistant~
Thoughts of the Class of 2015 GofF:
Adjatay “Yondo”
Nyadjroh dresses up to
celebrate the end of his
freshman year.

26
Priest-In-Residence: Fr. James Sabak
Fr. Sabak gives his closing
speech to the Gentlemen of
Flather who affectionately
The Image of a Gentl
A key aspect of the Gentleme
“brand” the events with a dist
The goal of promoting the im
and investing residents in Flat
different marketing means.
The Gentlemen of Flather cre
quickly recognized. As discu
to the program and Flather Ha
the crest helps to build pride a
Two marketing campaigns we
series of flyers (bottom left) im
advertisements highlighted ce
exemplary models of characte
community in a positive way–
the building!
Another series of advertiseme
right) was geared to attract res
certain events. These fliers w
after “The Most Interesting M
World.” The use of recogniza
and images from American cu
make the Gentlemen of Flathe
evant and normal to the reside

27
Integration of Gentlemen of Flather with the CRE
leman of Flather
en of Flather initiative was to
tinct and memorable image.
mage of a Gen- tlemen of Flather
ther Hall was achieved through
est provided the initiative with a visible symbol that every resident
ussed earlier, the crest is a compelling and unifying image unique
all. Similar to the affection felt towards a school mascot or colors,
and recognition between members.
ere used to engage residents and attract them to the program. One
mitated the popular “Chuck Norris” style of one-liners. These
ertain individuals who participated in the program and were
er. These fliers inspired residents to act and engage with the
– so that they might also have their names featured throughout
ents (bottom
sidents to
were modeled
Man in the
able themes
ulture helped
er appear rel-
ents.
I don’t always eat at the
Pryz
But when I do it’s with the
Gentlemen of Flather

28
Collaboration with the Dean of Students Office
Rachel Wainer, Assistant Dean of Students, created an advertising campaign for Sexual Assault
Awareness Month. This month is devoted to raising awareness about violence against both men
and women. The Gentlemen of Flather were fortunate to help make two flyers for this cam-
paign (below). These posters allowed residents to actively engage in the campaign though plan-
ning and acting for each photo-shoot. This collaboration between Dean Wainer and the Dean of
Students office was very fruitful and helped strengthen the residents’ ideals of Integrity and
Valor. This campaign also helped give the Gentlemen of Flather a campus-wide exposure.
These marketing campaigns achieved the goals of promoting the Gentlemen of Flather image
and helped residents in-
vest in the program.
The moment one see a
crest both in the hall and
throughout campus cre-
ates a feeling of pride
and commitment.

29
President Garvey signs the inaugural
Gentlemen of Flather charter after
delivering his lecture on chivalry.
Event Highlights from 2011-2012

30
Sam Wilcoxsin assists with daily
Mass by lecturing. Masses were
held twice a week in the Chapel of
the Sacred Heart during the week.
James Marafino and Peter Gohm assist during the dedication of
the Chepel of the Sacred Heart .

31
The Gentlemen of Flather
participate in a pool game
while wearing drunk
goggles as part of the
NCAAW campaign. Many
saw no change in
performance. . .
Fr. Sabak generously provided pizza parties once a month for all the residents of Flather
Hall. Pizza parties were themed around specific feast days each month. Some includes, the
feast of St. Francis of Assissi, feast of St. Joseph, and

32
An example from a series of posters based loosely on
the “Most Interesting Man in the World” advertise-
ments. Outstanding residents on each floor were
The Gentlemen of Flather make sand-
whiches for the homeless. This was
one of a monthly series of service pro-
jects.

33
End of Year Banquet and Graduation
The inaugural Class of 2015 Gentlemen of Flather celebrating
the end of a successful year on April 25, 2012.
The Gentlemen of Flather celebrated the end of their first year with an End-Of-Year Banquet
and Graduation. Each resident living in Flather Hall at the end of the year received a free shirt
through the generosity of Fr. Sabak. Active residents who participated in four or more events
were rewarded with customized glasses. Everryone celebrated with appetizers, cake, and a
toast led by Fr. Sabak. The night culmintatted in a live auction for an xBox, camera, and gift
cards which went to the resident with the highest amount of “Flather Bucks.”

34
Class of 2015 Senior Reception and Send-Off
The inaugural Class of 2015 Gentlemen of Flather celebrating
the end of a successful year on April 25, 2012.
The Gentlemen of Flather celebrated the end of their first year with an End-Of-Year Banquet
and Graduation. Each resident living in Flather Hall at the end of the year received a free shirt
through the generosity of Fr. Sabak. Active residents who participated in four or more events
were rewarded with customized glasses. Everryone celebrated with appetizers, cake, and a
toast led by Fr. Sabak. The night culmintatted in a live auction for an xBox, camera, and gift
cards which went to the resident with the highest amount of “Flather Bucks.”

35
Toasting the Gentlemen of
Flather as they prepare for
finals and their last few
weeks in Flather Hall.
Flather 4 eagerly awaits
their shirts!

36
Reflection on 2011-2012 by Rev. James Sabak, OFM
I was asked by CUA President John Garvey, Vice-President for Student Life Sue Pervi, and University
Chaplain Fr. Jude DeAngelo to undertake the role of Priest-in-Residence in Flather Hall for the 2011-
2012 academic year. I was concluding my Ph.D. dissertation this year and felt I could devote myself to
this charge. The placement of a Priest-in-Residence was a part of CUA’s new initiatives to promote a
more integral experience of residential life based upon the principles of communal living found within
the Catholic tradition. The presence of a Priest-in-Residence in Flather Hall was a new venture for the
university. The initial mission of a Priest-in-Residence was relatively simple: to be available for the
sacrament of penance, to preside at a weekday Eucharist in the chapel, and to be a “minister-of-
presence” in the hall. After the first month, however, I realized that the role I would play in Flather Hall
would be more connected to the life of the hall than originally thought.
The move to single-gender housing for the 2011-2012 academic year was a course that would affect the
position of the Priest-in-Residence. While this decision was met with resistance and skepticism by
some, others, including myself, believed that it would offer a whole new dimension of communal living
among residents, especially among the first year men who would be residing in Flather. This unique
demographic provided a unique and original context in which to begin a new phase of undergraduate
living at CUA.
In July of 2011, Amy Kerr, Area Coordinator for North Neighborhood 2 (NN2), which included both
Ryan and Regan Halls as well as Flather, sat down with me to talk about the position of Priest-in-
Residence. The addition of her insight and vision allowed the role of Priest-in-Residence to take on a
more definite shape as an important member of the residence life staff of NN2. In our discussions Amy
and I determined that for the role of Priest-in-Residence to be of ultimate value to the goals of residen-
tial life on the campus of CUA, the individual holding the office would best serve as a catalyst for build-
ing a unique communal experience for the residents of Flather. Since the first year students who would
reside in Flather would do so only for their first year, the hall would serve not only as a residence for
men, but more importantly as a residence that would shape the transition of these men to collegiate life.
In this way the daily activity of the hall would be organized to bind the residents together with a com-
mon beginning, introduce them to the life and values that make the campus of Catholic University
unique, and encourage them to embrace behaviors and attitudes that would bring out the best in them in
light of the Catholic tradition. These goals were outlined in Residence Life’s Cardinal Residential Ex-
perience which provided a model for residential life. The specific direction in Flather Hall was to create
a fraternal cohesion among residents that would identify a “Flather Man” by a particular set of standards
and goals. The link between a certain residence hall and the residents within that hall was a unique and
new approach to the Cardinal Residential Experience.
Amy began the communication between the Flather Resident Assistants and me. Daniel O’Connell,
Christopher Prudente, Kevin Rensch, and Sean Wilson proved to be an especially gifted group of men
who whole-heartedly embraced the vision of building a community among the first year residents of

37
Many member contributed to the development of an identity for the residents of Flather Hall. The Resi-
dence Life department supported our efforts and provided the Cardinal Residential Experience model,
Amy provided continued insight and guidance, Amy’s husband, Dan Kerr, sparked new ideas from his
experience as a Resident Assistant at Texas Tech University. From these sources arose the residential
initiative for Flather Hall: “Gentlemen of Flather.” This initiative consisted primarily in building up the
image of what type of gentleman every resident in Flather Hall could strive to be. Such a gentleman
would be representative not only of high standards of friendship and support but also representative of a
men’s spirituality that would foster positive exchanges and investment with others in the campus com-
munity.
The RAs based the idea of a “Gentleman of Flather” upon four attributes: Valor, Integrity, and Perse-
verance, tied together by the unity of Faith. These became the foundation upon which we built the com-
munal identity of the hall.
My role in engaging the residents of Flather Hall with the “Gentleman of Flather” vision began with the
task of getting to know the one hundred and seventy residents of Flather Hall. This was in itself a tre-
mendous undertaking, but one that eventually rewarded itself with the creation of a connection that came
from simply knowing another resident’s name. I believed that the continued growth of identity within
the hall built upon the programs developed and sponsored by the RA staff of Flather Hall could be en-
hanced by regular social engagement brought about by the Priest-in-Residence himself. To this end I
sponsored monthly “late-night pizza breaks” in the lobby of Flather Hall with thirty extra-large pies pur-
chased for the residents. These pizzas were not, however, just “thrown out there” for the students to take
and disappear with, rather, the RAs, Dan, Chris, Kevin, and Sean, would distribute slices of pizza along
with soft drinks as an act of service and hospitality. The residents on their part stayed in the lobby area
to enjoy not only the pizzas but also each other’s company. The monthly regularity of these pizza-
breaks helped forge a distinctive sense of life in Flather Hall that was seen to be different than life in
other residence halls. They contributed to bring about a sense of pride and ownership for the communal
life in the hall reflected in the anticipation Flather residents had toward these moments and the enjoy-
ment they received from them. At finals time in the fall and spring semesters we also hosted a midnight
coffee and doughnuts hour. These times of sharing food and fellowship, in itself a sacramental experi-
ence, brought the residents of Flather Hall together in very positive ways.
I realized that if Flather Hall was to become more than just a residence where one dropped one’s books,
had a bed, or kept their clothing, it had to become a home, and it had to become my home also. I, there-
fore, placed myself into the midst of life in the hall. Taking Amy’s suggestion to accompany the RAs in
their community walks in the evening I used this opportunity to get to know the residents in a very casu-
al and comfortable way. I generally took the 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. midnight walk, and if I was
back in the hall early enough the 7:00 p.m.; although on Thursday to Saturday nights I could not rally
myself to do the 2:00 a.m. walk. By way of these walks I was able not only to ease the burden of the
RAs on duty by providing another presence with them, but through humor and genial conversation with
the residents enabled the first year students to see the RAs and myself as co-journeyers with and advo-
cates for them throughout the year.
My role in the hall was not disciplinary and at times the community walk unfortunately encountered an

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