Maronite Bishop Robert Joseph Shaheen (second from left) described Quincy University “as a little jewel close to St. Louis” during his visit to the campus last month. Escorting the bishop around campus were: Father Kurt Hartrich, vice chair of the board of trustees; QU interim president, David Schachtsiek, and Brother Ralph Parthie, vice president for mission and ministry. QUINCY - Maronite Bishop Robert Joseph Shaheen paid a visit to Quincy University last month, touring the campus and visiting with university officials and students.
"I was pleasantly surprised by the small campus and feel we have a little jewel close to St. Louis that not too many people know about, but that's going to change," said Bishop Shaheen.
A longtime pastor of St. Raymond's Maronite Catholic Parish in St. Louis, he was appointed bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2000, and ordained its bishop on Feb. 15, 2001. His parishioners stretch from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.
Bishop Shaheen was familiar with QU, as a number of his St. Louis parishioners had attended the university, and spoken fondly of their time on campus. But this was his first visit to QU.
"We are truly honored to have Bishop Shaheen take time out of his schedule to visit Quincy University," said Dr. David Schachtsiek, QU interim president. "We feel our relationship with the bishop will only strengthen our close ties with the St. Louis community."
Schachtsiek, together with Father Kurt Hartrich, vice chair of the board of trustees; Syndi Peck, director of admissions; and Brother Ralph Parthie, vice president for mission and ministry, served as hosts for the Maronite bishop's visit.
While this was his first visit to QU, it was not his first encounter with the Franciscans. "Growing up in Connecticut, I lived three houses down from a Franciscan parish and in Washington, D.C., I lived for a while in a TOR (OFM Third Order Regular) house, so the Franciscan spirit has always been in the back of my mind," said Bishop Shaheen.
Mallory Littlejohn, student senate president, was one of the student leaders who met with the bishop. "It was amazing to walk down the hallway and be stopped by the president to meet Bishop Shaheen," said Littlejohn. "That is a perfect example of why I love QU."
Bishop Shaheen said he plans to send his parishioners a letter encouraging families to look into Quincy University when selecting a college. "I'll tell them it's an excellent university close to St. Louis," he said. "It's a student-friendly campus and very welcoming. I just think it's a great place to go."
In departing, Bishop Shaheen told the university representatives, "It was my first visit to Quincy University, but I promise it won't be my last."