PLACE Corps, Loyola Marymount University’s highly effective and nationally recognized training program for Catholic school teachers, commissioned Cohort 23 with a Mass in Sacred Heart Chapel and a ceremony attended by family, friends, and invited guests.
The diverse cohort of eight educators, “moved with compassion” to teaching as noted by Rosemarie T. Nassif, S.S.N.D, Ph.D., the executive director of the Center for Catholic Education, began their two-year commitment this semester of living in intentional community while exploring shared values and inclusive experiences with a commitment to social justice. Their teaching assignments at L.A. Catholic schools are augmented by classes and programs in LMU’s School of Education.
In addition to welcoming the cohort to PLACE Corps – Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education – SOE honored the work of the Shea Family Charities. The Father Albert P. Koppes, O.Carm. Alumni Award, named for LMU School of Education’s founding dean, was presented to Diana Hangar of Cohort 14.
Speaking of the profound impact of the Shea Family Charities, Nassif said, “Their compassion for those committed to teach — our teachers in our Catholic schools – is unbounded. From insuring that [PLACE Corps] community life has a sacred space in which to live comfortably, wholistically, and spiritually by renovating former convents to assuring that the students at our Catholic schools have the playgrounds, the laboratories, the classroom technology and equipment, the aesthetic and gymnastic spaces and resources, so they know their own worth and believe they can achieve more for themselves and for our world. We are inspired by the compassion of Shea Family Charities.”
This year, the director of PLACE Corps, Antonio Felix, Ed.D., took on a new leadership role in the School of Education as assistant dean of Preparation Partnerships. Nassif and Lauren Casella, Ed.D., director of the Catholic School Leadership Academy, are serving as co-directors of PLACE Corps as well as the CAST program.
Cohort 23 is comprised of eight educators from a range of universities, including LMU, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Marymount California University, University of San Diego, Whittier College, Marist College, University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and Grand Canyon University. Their assignments are at Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Los Angeles region.
The Mass on Catechetical Sunday, celebrated by Bishop Marc Trudeau, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and ceremony on Sept. 17, 2023, began with a welcome from Interim Dean Roosevelt O. Shelton of SOE, which was followed by the commissioning of Cohort 23 and presentation of the Father Koppes alumni award, given to a PLACE Corps alumna or alumnus who positively impacts Catholic education; makes the PLACE Corps a better program; shows a commitment to the pillars of the program; or who has benefited others by their service.
Hangar, a member of Cohort 14 and this year’s Koppes Award recipient, graduated from Santa Clara University. Her PLACE Corps PLACEment school was at Our Lady of Talpa School in Boyle Heights, where she continues to serve in her 10th year. This year Hangar has joined the Onward Leaders Program as the Resident Principal at Our Lady of Talpa School and she leads the Vincentian Marian Youth, a group dedicated to living out the Vincentian charism of prayer and service to the poor.
Nassif said, “Diana’s involvement and commitment to Catholic Education has made PLACE Corps a better PLACE. She continues to touch the lives of PLACErs as a colleague and mentor of many. We know that would make Father Koppes truly proud.”
Carrie Shea Tilton attended the Mass and received the SOE award on behalf of her family. The Shea Family Charities were led by John Shea, who passed away almost a year ago. He and his spouse, Dorothy, have generously donated funds and material to PLACE Corps, and millions of dollars over the years for scholarships, school and convent renovations, and support the operations of hundreds of Catholic education campuses across the nation. Tilton’s acceptance was met with a long, loud ovation of gratitude filling Sacred Heart Chapel.
