Threshold Summer 2007

Wangari’s Homecoming
by Thomasita Homan, OSB

“…high on a hill in Atchison, our hearts will ever be…
Leaders of the future we are trained to be;
Facing every challenge with integrity…”
(Mount St. Scholastica College song when Wangari attended college 1960-64)





Sister Kathleen Egan (pictured at left), Wangari’s former professor, exclaims, “We must not wait so
long again!” They had not seen each other since 1992.

What a homecoming! On Sunday, January 28, Wangari Muta Maathai, Nobel Peace Laureate 2004, walked with quickened steps through the front entrance of Mount St. Scholastica into the embrace of former classmates, teachers, and the community of sisters. Other guests, and members of the press, applauded and cameras flashed as Wangari stretched her arms to embrace the crowd.

She who had come from her native Kenya to Mount St. Scholastica College in 1960 on a Kennedy Scholarship, who had graduated with a degree in biology and later become the first woman with a Ph.D. in central and Eastern Africa, who had founded the Green Belt Movement to fight deforestation, who had remained “stubbornly hopeful” during political imprisonment, house arrest, and unbelievable sufferings, who had earned the Nobel Peace Prize, who is an elected member of Parliament and Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, stood before us stunningly radiant.

In that radiance, we knew that she who had come to the Mount to learn is now the teacher, showing the entire world how to reverence and develop the planet and its people.

Photos courtesy of Sister Mary Agnes Patterson and Lea Murphy Photography. More photos online at our website (set 1 and set 2)and for viewing/purchase at leamurphy.com.

In the presence of more than 1300 guests, and after delivering her
challenging message on commitment, persistence, and patience,
Wangari receives the highest honor given by Benedictine College,
the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict. With Wangari are
Abbot Barnabas Senecal, President Steve Minnis, Sister Anne
and Sister Thomasita.




Classmates and friends for life! With Wangari are (right) Marianne Shea Oxler,
Eileen Marnell Bergman, Kathy Kreikemeier Jacobs and Sandra Feld
Kreikemeier (her biology partner);




Florence Conrad Salisbury, college roommate. Florence’s mother and several siblings, Wangari’s American family, added special joy to the homecoming.

Wangari with . . .



...Steve Penn, BC alum and KC Star columnist who wrote four superb articles on Wangari. Because of his article, the ticket agent recognized Wangari and offered her and daughter Wanjira first class seats.



...Sister Thomasita, long time friend, hoping this day will never end



...Sister Susana Kindole, a BC student from Tanzania