OA Reunion

More often than not an earthly angel in the form of a VU staff or faculty member made an indelible mark upon a Valpo grad that resulted in a lifelong bond with the alma mater. For the numerous VAN members who once served as summer freshman orientation assistants (OAs), that angel was Lisa Barry Kerouac (VU ’90), an admission counselor who recruited, trained, and managed the OAs for nearly a decade.

On a recent Saturday, more than two dozen former OAs from coast to coast gathered at Lisa’s Chicago-area home to engulf her with love and appreciation and to sustain her in an intense battle with cancer. Some who could not attend sent love gifts and messages from as far away as Africa.

Of course they had showered Lisa with emails, cards, visits, and phone calls since her diagnosis. But this gathering provided a unique opportunity for these Valpo angels to honor the bond between them and the young woman who was so instrumental in molding them into who they are today.

As Director of the Center for Student Involvement at Roosevelt University, Sarah Manzeske (VU ‘00) has followed in Lisa’s footsteps, now planning new student orientations herself.

“Working with Lisa was a life-changing experience,” Sarah states. “She encouraged me to look inward and to learn about what makes me unique and special and then offer that to others. The OA training was intense and is still one of the best training models I have experienced. Lisa leads with her genuine spirit and strength of character, and I reflect on that fortitude often.”

Erik Archambeault (VU ‘99) declares that he is who he is today “because of what Lisa taught me to find within myself.”

“I was still a kind of quiet, insecure student when Lisa interviewed me for an OA position,” Erik explains. “This is where I changed. Through the OA experience, she gave me confidence and the gift to see what my college experience was meant to be. I now work in a position in which I do corporate trainings. I facilitate meetings with business owners and advise them on how to get the most out of their employees. I bring that OA enthusiasm to work with me everyday.”

Now a human resources director, VAN member Tina Musgrove (VU ‘89) notes that the day ended with hugs and some tears.

“Through various means though,” she adds, “the former OAs continue to encourage Lisa in her fight with cancer and she continues to inspire them on a daily basis. Just as Lisa left an indelible mark on the OAs as students, they continue to touch her life as alums.”    

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