2008 Woodie Awards
Senior Snapshot: Michael Gambone
David Spain '08
Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: Features
For many students, lessons learned during their college careers are life-affirming.
For 22-year-old senior Michael Gambone, they were earth-shattering.
"I am a joyful person now," said Gambone. "I was a very angry person when I came here."
Born and raised a Roman Catholic, Gambone said he has always been a religious person. Although an English major at the start of his college career, he soon realized that his writing was always theologically-driven, so in the beginning of his sophomore year, he became a theology major
Reflecting upon those first two college years, Gambone, whose brown, wispy hair and glasses lend him a learned look, described himself as "very narrow-minded." Although "amiable and big-hearted," he said he was defensive of his own opinions and did not accept open dialogue that called his own beliefs into question.
"[My mindset] had to change," said Gambone. "I held onto it so dearly, so white-knuckled."
In the beginning of his junior year Gambone began to reassess what he found to be a provincial and defensive mindset. After attending a vigil for victims of violent crimes due to sexual identity, Gambone decided that he needed to be more receptive to the opinions and lifestyles of others. That night, he went home and cried.
The change was definitely for the better, he said.
Two years later, Gambone is graduating as a double theology and philosophy major with a faith-justice minor. In the fall he will begin a stint with the Jesuit Volunteer Corp, teaching religion at Christ the King Preparatory High School in Newark, N.J. The program is perfect for him, he said, as he ultimately wishes to become a teacher.
"My hope is that the school will hire me after my work as a volunteer ends," said Gambone, although he added that he eventually would like to work in higher education.
In his junior year, Gambone began to take part in weekly service with some of his friends, eventually becoming a service leader. He also applied to take part in a summer service immersion program to El Salvador through the Office of Mission. His experiences in El Salvador were "eye-opening," said Gambone, and encouraged his decision to take part in JVC after graduation.
Although excited to begin the JVC program in July, Gambone will miss his life at St. Joe's, especially attending the 10 p.m. Mass every night and seeing the same people each time, people like him, he said, who are "trying to be better."
"Attending Mass helped me to be open to change," said Gambone. "It's not only what I believe but also what I do now that defines me. I put love before a lot of other things now, and that's harder than forcing people into a category."
For 22-year-old senior Michael Gambone, they were earth-shattering.
"I am a joyful person now," said Gambone. "I was a very angry person when I came here."
Born and raised a Roman Catholic, Gambone said he has always been a religious person. Although an English major at the start of his college career, he soon realized that his writing was always theologically-driven, so in the beginning of his sophomore year, he became a theology major
Reflecting upon those first two college years, Gambone, whose brown, wispy hair and glasses lend him a learned look, described himself as "very narrow-minded." Although "amiable and big-hearted," he said he was defensive of his own opinions and did not accept open dialogue that called his own beliefs into question.
"[My mindset] had to change," said Gambone. "I held onto it so dearly, so white-knuckled."
In the beginning of his junior year Gambone began to reassess what he found to be a provincial and defensive mindset. After attending a vigil for victims of violent crimes due to sexual identity, Gambone decided that he needed to be more receptive to the opinions and lifestyles of others. That night, he went home and cried.
The change was definitely for the better, he said.
Two years later, Gambone is graduating as a double theology and philosophy major with a faith-justice minor. In the fall he will begin a stint with the Jesuit Volunteer Corp, teaching religion at Christ the King Preparatory High School in Newark, N.J. The program is perfect for him, he said, as he ultimately wishes to become a teacher.
"My hope is that the school will hire me after my work as a volunteer ends," said Gambone, although he added that he eventually would like to work in higher education.
In his junior year, Gambone began to take part in weekly service with some of his friends, eventually becoming a service leader. He also applied to take part in a summer service immersion program to El Salvador through the Office of Mission. His experiences in El Salvador were "eye-opening," said Gambone, and encouraged his decision to take part in JVC after graduation.
Although excited to begin the JVC program in July, Gambone will miss his life at St. Joe's, especially attending the 10 p.m. Mass every night and seeing the same people each time, people like him, he said, who are "trying to be better."
"Attending Mass helped me to be open to change," said Gambone. "It's not only what I believe but also what I do now that defines me. I put love before a lot of other things now, and that's harder than forcing people into a category."
Be the first to comment on this story