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Major Minor of The Month

Major/Minor of the Month - Jennifer Christopher
Jennifer Christopher
Majors & Minors
Major: Psychology Minors: Catholic Studies, Pastoral Leadership
Hometown
Bartlett, IL

Favorite Saint: St. Thérèse of Lisieux

 

Career Goals and Aspirations: My career goals include becoming a practicing geropsychologist, a psychology professor, and a researcher. As a geropsychologist, I hope to demonstrate compassion towards older adults who are undergoing various life adjustments. As a researcher, I am interested in conducting research on neurocognitive decline in aging populations. Lastly, I would like to share my knowledge and experience with others as a professor.

 

Favorite Catholic Author: Flannery O'Connor

 

Best Catholic Studies class taken at Loyola: “All Things Ignatian” with Fr. James Prehn SJ, EdD and Fr. John D. Murphy SJ. It was such a wonderful experience to learn about Loyola’s Jesuit heritage. I was truly inspired by the life of St. Ignatius.

 

Favorite Service Experience: My favorite service experience was at the Assisi Health Care Center at Clare Oaks. I volunteered in a variety of settings including Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, Memory Care, and the Retirement Community. My responsibilities included performing initial and follow-up assessments, distributing the Eucharist, and assisting with weekly Communion Services. It was truly a blessing to witness the healing and strengthening power of the Eucharist in every day life. Also, I learned that one can truly help others just by being present, attentive, and compassionate.

 

Favorite Loyola Memory: I have had so many amazing experiences during my time at Loyola. One of my favorite memories was from my Psychology Maturity and Aging course. I had the opportunity to interview and compose a memoir for a Catholic Sister. At the end of the semester, Dr. Jennifer Fiebig invited me to be a part of her research team studying Women Religious. It was truly inspiring to learn about Women Religious. I learned so much from conducting research, composing a Thesis paper, and presenting at conferences.

 

Most important idea of all time: Matthew 22: 37, 39—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

  

Inspiration to do Good: My Grandpa helped plant the seeds of my faith. He shared with me that the most important thing in life is to help others. Until he was 97 years old, he made crucifixes, sold them, and donated the money to impoverished families. He truly led by example, and I hope to help others just as he did. Just as Mother Teresa stated, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

 

Central idea of Catholic thought that intrigues: I am very intrigued by Catholic Social Teachings, particularly the Life and Dignity of the Human Person. I feel that it is truly important to acknowledge that every human being is made in the image and the likeness of God; therefore, each person deserves to be treated with respect.

 

Involvement at Loyola: Leadership Team Member of Loyola’s Chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa: The Theology and Religious Studies National Honors Society, Executive Board Member of Loyola Italian Club, Employee at the Center for Tutoring and Academic Excellence, Student Ambassador, Member of Psychology Club and DOP, and a Eucharistic Minister at Madonna della Strada

 

Favorite Spot on Campus: Madonna della Strada Chapel

 

Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz  

 

Favorite Food: Chicken Marsala

 

Favorite type of Music/ Favorite Song: Frank Sinatra and the Beatles; “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles

 

Most important invention: The Printing Press

 

Any Body Piercings or Tattoos: Ears Pierced

 

Crazy fad went through in the past: Collected American Girl Dolls

 

Qualities valued in a person: Compassionate, Faithful, Understanding

 

Nicknames: Jen

 

Most Delicious Item at Portillos: Italian Beef Sandwich

 

Pizza Topping: Italian Sausage

 

Favorite Season: Spring

 

Dream Travel Destination: Cefalù, Sicily, Italy

 

Guilty Pleasure: Eating Ghirardelli Dark and Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate

 

Something you couldn’t give up if you tried: Spending time with family and friends

 

Favorite Green Vegetable: Zucchini

 

Meet anyone past or present, who would it be? Mother Teresa    

 

If you could be omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, or omnibenevolent, which would it be?  I would chose to be omnibenevolent, because I sincerely believe that loving one another unconditionally is what will ultimately lead to peace on Earth.

 

Favorite Olympic Sport (Summer or Winter): Ice Skating

 

 

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