Musical Intro Instrumental theme fades in and under intro. Kal Welcome to Lives of the Carroll Saints, a podcast where we share stories of the people who shape Carroll College in Helena, Montana. I'm your moderator, Kal Poole. And in each of our episodes, we invite someone from our community to host a conversation…with a guest who has a special place in the heart of Carroll College. Today's host is my colleague from the Office of Institutional Advancement, Dagim Degaro. Welcome, Dagim. Dagim Thanks, Kal. Kal Dagim came to Montana from Ethiopia to play soccer and was a member of the Carroll Saints men's soccer team in twenty twenty two and twenty three. After graduating, he stayed in Helena and now serves as our alumni and community engagement coordinator, helping foster connection across Carroll community. Dagim, it's really good to have you here. Dagim Good to be here, Kal. Thanks Kal So before we meet our guest, we like to begin with the host's own story. You have seen Carroll College from a number of different angles. You were a student, an athlete, an alum, and now a staff member working with alumni. So how did this place become part of your life? And what's kept you really connected to Carroll? Dagim Well, Kal, you know, this place is really special…From the time I was a student. And now I'm a staff, and I'm a very, amazing group of people and individuals as well. And, our guest is one of them. I'm really excited to introduce him later. But, yeah, this place is really special. I play soccer like you said. I have a lot of teammates that we still call and hang out, coaches, professors, and, yeah, it's really special. And my wife actually went here as well, so, she's also an alum and her grandparents are an alum, you know. So, it's really, once you…go deep into, like, the connections and all that, you'll realize it's, like, a really special place. That's where a lot of people come back to work here as well, including me. Kal The connections seem like a pretty common thread for I've noticed for a lot of the staff members, a lot of the faculty that have got some really deep ties. Dagim Yes. Kal Thanks so much for sharing that. It's always really meaningful, I think, to hear how these connections begin and how they grow over time. And in your time at Carroll, you've met a lot of people who embody what makes this place special. You said your guest today was one of them. Who have you invited with you today? Why did you feel like their story wanted to be part of the lives of the Carroll Saints? Dagim Well, Kal, I invited…the most famous person on campus. I'm not even kidding. He is the most famous person on campus, and that's Patrick Harris… I knew Pat when I was a student, and we were really close and even more close when I became a staff here. So I'll, just go ahead and introduce Patrick… I don't think Patrick really needs introduction, to be honest, because everybody knows him on campus. But, just for our audience, Patrick came from Yakima, Washington, in nineteen eighty seven, and he graduated from Carroll College in nineteen ninety. And he was a director at the Cathedral from nineteen ninety one to two thousand and one. And he was also the assistant director of Legendary Lodge, from nineteen ninety nine to nineteen ninety seven. Then, he became the assistant director of student activities at Carroll for twenty three years, and for those five years, he also served as the director of the Hunt Housing Activity Center. So… I can…go on, keep going, but that's our guest, Patrick Harris. Some deep connections to Carroll. Yeah. Welcome, Patrick. Patrick Thank you. Yep. I'm excited to be here. When Dagim called and said, do you wanna do this? I'm like, oh my gosh. Getting together with some buddies and talking about Carroll College, that sounds like a good time. Kal Yeah. We are so grateful to you, joining us on our inaugural episode of Lives of the Carroll Saints, and really thank you. Thank you for both of you for joining us. And now I'm really pleased to get to turn the mic over to our host, Dagim. Conversation's yours. Dagim Thanks, Kal. Patrick, welcome. Patrick Thank you… Dagim Me and Patrick, whenever we see each other… we…we have a good time, like you said, like, previous in the previous time, but at the same time, we we have some deep conversations as well in about a lot of things. And I couldn't think of anyone but Patrick when you gave me the opportunity. He's like, you wanna interview someone? I was like, yeah, I I can I interview Patrick? Kal suggested even to interview my wife, Megan, and I was like, I can talk to her at home but I can. I wanna have, I wanna have, I don't wanna get in trouble, but I wanna have a conversation with Patrick. Patrick Well, it's funny because when you ask, I'm like, oh my gosh, that guy makes my spirit happy, and…you just, are just good for my soul. And so I appreciate you asking. Dagim No. I really, really appreciate you. So, let's dive into our questions. Right? So our conversation - Pat, like, how did Carroll first become part of your life? Patrick I was in Yakima, Washington and part of a youth group that was… pretty much after high school. I was working on our farm. And a gal named Lisa from the admissions department visited our group and was talking about Carroll College. And, I had worked a couple of years after high school and went to Yakima Valley Community College and graduated from there and was thinking that I might be working on the farm for the rest of my life. But my job on the farm was to raise about a million chickens a year… And, I found myself talking to the chickens and I said to my dad, I think I'm supposed to be talking to people… And so we had a conversation and my buddy, Joel Welly, and I, who were in the youth group together, took a road trip out to Helena, Montana and checked out the college. And we ran into some extraordinary people who worked here. And it immediately became obvious that this is where my path was supposed to take me. Dagim Well, Pat, not just for you but for a lot of people that you affected positively in your life, all the students and staff, that probably was the best decision you made because you touched a lot of lives. Patrick Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate that. It was hard leaving the farm because, you know, and family back in Yakima, and you know you're leaving something important. So, I always wanted to make sure my time here as a student but also even more so as an employee of Carroll College…was meaningful because I was given away something so meaningful that I wanted to make sure the time here, you know, equaled that value. And so, I'm so grateful for my time at Carroll College and for all the students I've met and the people I've worked with and the professors and the teachers that have shaped my life. And so, blessed. Just so blessed. Dagim Yeah. We're really blessed to have you here as well, Pat. What do you remember most clearly from your early time at Carroll? Patrick So earlier, I was talking about showing up and running into some extraordinary people. Some of the people I met right off the bat were Candy Caine and she was awesome as far as welcoming people in and she was head of admissions. One person who was incredible was John Downes. I took some classes from him, but that first meeting with John Downes definitely made Joel and I feel like we belonged at Carroll College Mhmm. And that this is gonna be our community and our home. Ran into Father Peoples at the time, he had his little couch that he sat on in the Saint Charles lobby, and that was kind of his spot. And we ended up running into him and having a conversation with him. And it just went on and on with the people that we met. And then probably shortly after that, after orientation and then being on Third South, it was obvious to me that the students, my co students that I was meeting. Were extraordinary people as well. And so I was just, I found myself in a wonderful community and around people who, you know, I wanted to be someone who…they they, could count on, that I had their back, that I supported them, and I felt that same thing from everybody around me. Yeah. You know, there's some common when we all talk about Carroll, the people, the people. Dagim I totally agree. Like, the people really make Carroll special. Patrick Yeah. Like, it's the best part of Carroll. Dagim I agree. Don't cry Pat. Patrick It's funny because John Downs, who's one of the people who had a big effect on me, often would be in class or at a community gathering. And when he would talk, he would get emotional and cry a little bit. And so, anytime I get emotional and cry a little bit, I always think I'm doing okay. John Downs did this and I really respect him and so, you know, I've always thought that, with losing John to cancer early… I wanted to be somebody who just really took on who he was. And I know I can never be a John Downs, but I definitely…wanted to be someone who was like him. And made a difference. Dagim Yeah. And you're making one. You're making one, Patrick. Patrick Yeah. Thanks. Dagim Gosh. Okay… Is there a place on campus that holds a strong memory for you? Patrick Definitely. I'd say Borromeo Chapel. My second year here, I moved over to Borromeo. I was in the pre-sem program. And, I would always go to Borromeo Chapel to pray, and it was only, like, three doors down from the hall that I was in. And it's funny because now as an employee, I'm about five doors down from Borromeo Hall. That place too. Dagim Borromeo Chapel, and I still go in there and pray and, kinda, you know, when I have some hard things ahead of me or when I'm going to be talking to students and I wanna make sure I have the correct words. I'll go in and take some quiet time and pray and get centered and, it's just yeah. It's just that place where I can go where I feel real close to God. Patrick That's true. Yeah. Dagim It's really small, nice one as well. I remember when I was a student. Patrick Yeah. We hardly ever find anybody there. Dagim No. And so when somebody does come in there, it's a very intimate feeling… Patrick It is. It is. Yeah. It's a beautiful place as well. Dagim So, Pat you kinda touched it earlier, but, like, when was a moment at Carroll when you feel like you truly belong here? Patrick Yeah. I think there's I don't know if it's just one moment. I think it's a lot of separate moments. Yeah. And I think kind of the theme that…that took place for me when I was thinking about some of these questions was that it's hard to name one person or one moment or one time because exactly what you said, Dagam, as far as the place is about people. Dagim Yeah. And with so many good people who make a positive difference in your life, it's…just one moment after another where you get the opportunity to be gifted…by others with their knowledge and their love and what they have to teach you. Patrick Yeah. And over and over again, you feel accepted by your professors and your teachers and the faculty and the staff and, uh, we and then also, just the community…that I experienced on Third South with all the fellow students. Yep. It was very important as well. I was what you call an OTA, an older than average. Because I had already gone to a couple of years, to Yakima Valley Community College. And so when I showed up, my class was a lot younger than myself. Dagim And I wasn't sure how that was going to go. Patrick But it turned out just fine. And I ended up being somebody who probably was a little bit more mature than my class. But it helped in a lot of ways because I could give good advice and…be a friend to those people on Third South. Dagim Yeah. And yet at the same time be young enough that, I really enjoyed our time together. Patrick And that's true. Our experiences and our activities and all this all that kind of stuff. Dagim That's true. I can definitely relate to that because, I might probably be a year or two older than, my freshman year. Patrick Like…not roommate, but, classmates and all that because they're graduating this year to a class of twenty twenty four. I I was all with, like, I was with them in Gouad the whole time because I was in Gouad my freshman year, quote unquote. But, yeah, I can definitely relate to that. Dagim You're not too old. You're not, like, as you're not eighteen, you know. Patrick But at the same time, you're not twenty five or twenty six, there's, like, a year or two difference, but, you know, it’s fun. And that experience has been valuable because being responsible for orientation and having, people who are coming in as transfers or maybe, somebody who's an OTA a little bit older. Mhmm. I can share that experience with them as well and let them know they're gonna be okay and accepted and that there's gonna be a place for them here at Carroll. Dagim Yeah. Yeah. Definitely. Patrick You know, I really, like, I didn't go to the orientation that year because, uh, we were playing soccer in, Spokane. We had to travel, but I I still get bummed missing that because I know how fun it is with the students. You guys, you guys did a really good job with that. Dagim Yeah… again, who is someone…connected to Carroll who changed how you saw yourself or what was possible? Patrick So I'm gonna stay with that theme about a lot of people. There's a few people that came to my mind, Father Peoples, taught, theology class. And, he taught us about what was called the horizontal horizontal view of reality. And what that was about is looking at everybody as equal, instead of looking at as a vertical hierarchy. And so it taught me that regardless of what position or, who you have in your life, what position they hold, president to faculty, staff to, facilities. Everybody is equally important. Dagim Yes. And nobody should be held higher than anybody else. So that was really important through Father Peoples. Patrick Again, John Downes taught me how to be empathetic and that it's okay to cry and that, to be a to be a servant. Yeah. He always talked about going out and being a servant to other people and making a difference in the world. Sister Annette always talked about, celebrating life even through the struggles to continue to celebrate. Jack Oberweiser is one of my most favorite people and we still get together on Friday mornings for coffee to talk Carroll in life and he's just somebody who, uh, taught me about just showing up and being present. And, he's a wonderful friend. Dagim And then Father O'Donnell was, I went through the pre-sem program, was very much like a second father to me. And I would say that he taught me very much about being humble…with the knowledge that, with the knowledge of the gifts that God has given me. Patrick Yeah. To not take, like, to not be… uh, like, big egotistic person as far as, like, the gifts that you've been given instead to be humble and to realize that those are something to share and not to boast about. Dagim Yeah. So it's a lot of different people. I could go on naming more people… but, yeah, again, it's just…over and over again through the classes, through walking around campus, and then again, I've just learned a lot also from my fellow students as well. Patrick Oh, yeah. And, in the conversations that we had because you have one one experience that as an individual person coming from Yakima, Washington, growing up on a farm, going to finally going to a Catholic high school called Carroll High School and come to the realization when you come to college and meet all these people that you have one experience and one reality… Dagim And there's a lot of other experiences and realities out there. Patrick And the sooner you are able to…recognize and, hold up the integrity…of an individual's…journey and their, you know, their experiences. Dagim Yeah. I think the sooner you're gonna start, relating and and, what our mission statement says is, the search for the ultimate reality. Yeah. Or the search for the ultimate truth. I think you're gonna get really a lot closer to that truth by recognizing that we're all different. Patrick Yes. Yet all the same as well. Dagim That's true. And that's the beauty in it, right? Like, everybody comes from different background, different countries even sometimes. Patrick Yep. And different religion, different like race and all that. Dagim And that's the beauty in it. Right? Patrick Like, we're all different like you said, but we're all the same at the same time. Dagim Exactly. That's the beauty in it. Patrick Like And our mission statement talks about upholding… the integrity and, being kind and caring, the dignity. Dagim Yep. all of I love our mission statement. Patrick Yeah. And, uh, I could see our faculty and staff living that as a student. And that's what I was so excited about as far as being asked to work at Carroll College as well. Dagim Yes. You were gonna have the opportunity to live that mission statement. Patrick Yes. Yeah. Dagim Especially, like, for with the poor and marginalized. A lot of people think when they hear the word poor, all they think about is the, like, the money. Right? The money aspect of it. But there's a lot. Patrick Like, there are a lot of people who need people. You know, like, who don't have a lot of friends, who don't have a lot of family members. And, like, technically they're marginalized as well. Right? Like, poor is not just money or…assets. Dagim So, that's something you I found at Carroll as well. Like, just I met a lot of people, a lot of friends, a lot of family members even…that we still contact, that we still hang out, you know? And I think that's part of the mission statement as well. Patrick Oh, definitely. Yeah. Yeah. Dagim That's awesome. Patrick Yeah. That's yeah. Dagim Well, that was great, Patrick… Patrick This is this is fun. Dagim So was there a season at Carroll that challenged you in a way you still think about? Patrick When I saw that question, I thought about, I was in the pre-sem program and, was going through the discernment process, and that was a challenge. It was definitely a challenge because I knew I wanted to be a servant and serve people, and I thought the priesthood would be a possibility for me. And so yeah, I I think back on that whole process…and was very, I'm very pleased that I was able to be in the pre-sem program and do that discernment and, think about…my journey and my gifts and how that was going to, go. and, I think it served me well because my ten years at the cathedral as the youth minister, I met a lot of different priests who were coming out of the seminary as well. Yeah. And, I could relate to them and I could, help them…help them through some of the struggles that they were having as new priests. And also just got to got to, in a lot of ways, serve in the same ways that they were serving. And so I think I chose correctly. I always do still still think it would be kind of fun to to be a priest. But, uh I got married to a wonderful woman. I wouldn't change that for anything. No. Four stepdaughters who are just wonderful people and I and have blessed me. And, yeah, I wouldn't I wouldn't change that for for anything. They're they're, I've got a wonderful family and it's been a wonderful journey both in my personal life and also, here at Carroll College. Dagim Yeah. I Yeah. Totally agree with that. Yeah that’s beautiful. Thanks Pat. So…when you think about your time connected to Carroll, of course, and what surprises you think about who you were then? Patrick So… I started laughing about this question because the thing that came up was, how much I thought I knew…at that time. And now looking back, how little I knew…And so, it's, uh…yeah. I think life is interesting because it's a journey. And, when I think about those days at Carroll, I was learning so much every day and, getting such great information from my faculty and staff and friends…that, I thought, gosh, yeah, I got this. And this is all I need. This is all, you know, this is all I need to know. Yeah. And definitely, as life goes forward, you realize that's a great foundation. It's a wonderful foundation. It has served me well. Dagim Yeah. But at the same time, you've always got a lot to learn. Patrick Yes…There is always a lot to learn. Kal Probably helps you relate to students these days. Patrick Oh, yeah. Definitely. I was sitting in, an ASCC meeting the other day, and, we talked about the issues at Carroll College, and our ASCC is wonderful. Patrick Yeah. They serve the students very well. Patrick Yes. But every once in a while, they'll get on, a topic that they'll, you know, complain about. And I'll sit back and not say anything but think to myself, this is really, like, petty…And so and I and most of the time, they catch themselves through through the the conversation to realize that, oh, no. We got it pretty good at Carroll College. But every once in a while, somebody will start complaining and I always think to myself, look at the big picture. Kind of the you're at Carroll College. Think how blessed you are. Dagim Yeah. Patrick And, I think it's really important a lot of times to step back and to recognize, all the gifts in your life. And I I think that's kind of hard sometimes when you're, younger college student, emotional sometimes, and, thinking that the relationship that you're just in that didn't work out is the end of the world. Knowing knowing that there's probably going to be three or four of those…five five of those before you end up with the person that you're going to end up with but it like like we're talking about though it does help as a counselor of students to…to recognize those emotions to uphold their dignity. Dagim That's true. Patrick And to not take those emotions away from them but at the same time have the great confidence to say you're gonna be okay. You're gonna survive this. Yeah. And I'm pretty sure students have pretty much all the support they need Carroll to help them with whatever as well. Dagim Oh, yeah. We have a great support. Patrick Anywhere they go, they run into people who are ready to, you know, have a conversation and sit down and help and, we got a great counseling department. We got, wonderful faculty and staff everywhere. And over in Boro, that's that what the building is all about is helping students succeed or get past anything that they're struggling with. And so it's fun to be a part of that. Dagim Yeah. No. It's I totally agree with you. I can relate to that as well. Alright, Pat…What is a small moment from Carroll that felt ordinary at a time…but meaningful now? Patrick So I when I thought about this, I thought about all of the different trips, the back and forth between…Yakima and Carroll Mhmm. During, you know, fall break, spring break, Christmas break, maybe Thanksgiving. Driving that road between Yakima and Carroll College. And…uh, I recognized at the time, every single time I would take that trip, it would be a time of, like, reflection. To think about my life. …And I also, throughout my life now that I've been in Helena for so long and probably have driven that road over a hundred times maybe, you know, so many times that every single time I drive down that road, you find yourself at the same place, seeing the same things, but life is totally different. Dagim Yeah. And so, you recognize you're a different person, you recognize time has passed, you recognize that time is limited… Patrick And, you think about the things you thought about on the last trip, and how much has changed. And the things that you were concerned about that are not a concern anymore… Dagim Yeah. Patrick And so I just think that whole journey, that whole piece of being a Carroll student, but also just being a student of life, is very interesting. Erin and I talked—my wife, Erin, and I talked about it. We go to Lincoln City…stay at the Esther Lee. And throughout our lives, we've done that. And now we're getting older, and we are thinking back about all the different times we were there. Dagim Yeah. And how strange it was just to be where we're at now, and having a grandchild, and watching our kids grow up. And I just think it's so interesting to actually pay attention to your life's journey, to recognize the way you're changing and the things you've learned, the things that you're concerned about that you're not concerned about anymore. Patrick Yeah. Just the whole growth process and the maturity process. And…so I think those trips really made a difference in my life. If you take the time to actually reflect and think about that, I think it's really important to your life's journey. Dagim Yeah. I agree. Patrick I agree. Dagim Thanks, Pat. When did you first realize that Carroll was shaping more than just your education? Patrick So, as a student at a liberal arts college, you go to theology classes, learn how to give a speech, child psychology, philosophy, poetry. And then, when you place all of that in the context of the mission statement, you begin to form an idea of who you want to be. Dagim That's true. What motivates you? Patrick And also, because of the people that you're around, you want to be a person who goes out and makes a positive difference in the world as well. So I think it's through the education and the classes, but also everything that takes place outside of the classroom… it starts a thought process of who you want to be as a person. And also, you meet a lot of people who you're like, oh, no, wow, that person is very kind, caring, we need more people like that in the world. Dagim True. Patrick And then you're like, well, I could be that person too. Dagim Yeah, yeah. Well, I could be like Patrick. That's what I was saying. What part of the Carroll experience do you carry with you into your life today? Patrick I would have to say the mission statement. The mission statement of Carroll College has shaped my life. And it's funny because it's not just at Carroll College. I try to live that mission statement with my family and friends and outside of Carroll. Anything that I'm doing, anything that I'm volunteering for. So grateful for our Carroll College mission statement. Dagim Yeah. Patrick I love that idea. Like I said earlier, the ultimate pursuit of the truth, to find the ultimate truth. I love the idea of upholding people's dignity and integrity. I love the fact that it's faith-based and that it builds such a strong foundation to live a good life. Dagim Yes. Patrick And so, yeah, I feel very blessed and grateful to have had that mission statement in my life. Dagim Yeah. Patrick And anytime that we're working as a student government or we're making decisions as a Carroll Student Activities Board, we look at those activities and those decisions and we make sure that they reflect our mission statement.It's a wonderful way, it's a wonderful filter to figure out whether we're doing things correctly or not. Dagim Yeah. I agree. We have a great mission statement. and I'm pretty sure students—I assist…when I was a student, I didn't pay that much attention to the mission statement because, you know, you get caught up with a lot of stuff. But I wish I did, and I highly encourage our current students, staff, and faculty. I'm pretty sure they do a good job too. But just to go look at the mission statement… Dagim We do that before our meetings in OIA. Before we start the meeting, we read the mission statement. Everybody takes a line or two going around, reading a part of it. Patrick Yeah. It's cool. It gets you focused on what you should be thinking about. Dagim Exactly. Keith started this and now we still do it because it's a good tradition. It's cool. Patrick Yeah. And I love that. Dagim Yeah. It's great. Everybody has a turn, goes around and reads the mission statement. Patrick I have the mission statement on my wall right next to my desk. And so when we're talking about decisions for Carroll College, or if I'm talking to a student, I'll often glance up there and find the line that I need to recognize in order to come up with the right words or direct the conversation the right way. So that we can get to a solution that makes sense. That's true. Dagim Yeah. I agree. Patrick Yeah. Dagim If you could thank one person from your Carroll story who might never hear otherwise, who would it be and why? Patrick So I'll give you one at the end, okay? But it's hard to just choose one. Dagim Yeah. Patrick There's just so many people that made such a big difference. In my office, on my shelf, I have photos of probably eight or nine different people who I think were foundational to my journey at Carroll College. Father Peoples is up there, Sister Annette, John Downes, Father Dara, Father O'Donnell… I probably have about seven or eight people. And so I always think if I can just repeat the words or the lessons that they gave me, then I'll be doing a good job as an employee at Carroll College. Dagim You are already doing a good job, Patrick. Patrick And so I think that's important because that is our foundation. At least that's my foundation. Dagim Yeah. Patrick And as a college, and what our mission statement means, they were foundational to that mission statement as well because they lived lives that reflected that. And so a lot of times as we move forward, and we have to make different decisions, I always think it's important to look over at that shelf and remember their words so we remain Carroll College. Dagim Yeah. Patrick And so, if I had to choose one out of all of those people, probably John Downs. Dagim Yeah. Patrick Yeah. Dagim That's amazing. Patrick Yeah. I'm pretty sure everyone that relates Carroll to their heart has a group of people, individuals that paved the way for them, helped them be there, give guidance, or just… Patrick Yeah. Dagim If you talk to pretty much every alum, staff, or faculty, they have someone they look up to and say, yeah, this is why. Patrick You hear those stories over and over again. Yes. You got Al Murray…Guido Bugni…Candie Cain…and the list just goes on and on as far as the professors who took them aside and said, you can pass this class, or you're going to be able to make it at Carroll College. And also, you hear so many stories about how often students were given help financially. Dagim Yes. Patrick Yes. To remain at Carroll College because the professors and the staff believed in them so much. Dagim Yeah. Patrick And you hear so many stories about how that changed their lives and how much they appreciate Carroll College. Dagim Yes. Patrick That assisted them with that gift. Dagim Yes. I'm one of those students that stayed at Carroll because I got help from people that I didn’t even know at the time. Like Ray Kuntz. I didn’t know Ray. He didn’t know me. He just decided…he heard. He did…we hadn’t even met. He heard that I needed help to stay at Carroll because my student loan got declined. And he just jumped in to help me. I didn’t even know that guy. But if you talk to Ray, I actually did a podcast with him here. He talked about…because he had nothing when he came here… Like nothing. And he talked about his professor… I’m not sure exactly… Patrick Might have been Al Murray…? Dagim Yep. that how like he struggled really bad to the point where he was he has to almost quit because you know, the grades were not looking good but the professor had called him to his office hours and Ray thought, okay you know, he's gonna tell me like, I'm fired or, you know, I can't do it anymore. And he told him I'm gonna help you. know? Let's figure it out. And he helped him and he passed. Patrick I I like I love that. Dagim Yeah. And, he still remembers it. You know? Like, that helped him to stay here. And now he's helping a lot of people. Patrick That's like a beautiful Carroll story, you know. He's given back hugely to Carroll College. Yes. And we like and he's…touching a lot of lives as well. Dagim Yeah. Including mine. Alright… when you think about Carroll experience, Patrick, like what's the moment that feels distinctly just Carroll in a way that you it would be hard to, replicate anywhere else in the world? Patrick I would have to say orientation. You you had talked about that earlier. But orientation is just amazing to me where students come in and, our focus is in making sure that everybody is invited into the community. But what's amazing to me is that we have so many upperclassmen who volunteer to come back to help Move in day. Move in day. Yes. And just to meet and greet our new freshmen and our new students and they don't they don't have to do that. Dagim No. But every year, they show up because somebody showed up for them. Yeah. And so, yeah. If the world was like that Oh my we would have a we would have a great world. Patrick And, but, yeah, I never take that for granted and I always get emotional when I'm thanking the students for show showing up, and I stand up I stand in front of them and I tell them, gosh, yeah. You don't have to be here and I just appreciate you so much for giving back Yeah. Because somebody gave to you. Yes. And so and that's so that's so Carroll. Dagim Yeah. And you know, our moving days we, when I first get started, right, when I was a staff, we we were giving out hangers and stuff. So so students usually it's the easiest thing to forget like clothes hangers. We were just handing out hangers. And… a lot of parents will come to us and say, hey. You know? We've never seen…anything like this. Because…the moment they pull to, like, the quad parking lot, they're, like, lines of students. I don't know if you've - I'm pretty sure you'll see it next year Kal. Patrick Lines of students, like seniors, juniors, you know, sophomores, and, like, student athletes, and all of them, like, they will just make lines and they'll just cheer, like, when parents, like, drive their kids to, like, the parking lot. And you can see some parents just, like, get so excited. Some, like, we're, like, what? I didn't expect this. And at the end, they don't sometimes they don't even touch stuff. Like, the students will come, like, from everywhere and just carry their bags, like, all their stuff and it's like it's amazing. A lot of parents will come to us and say hey, you know, I I shared that with you too. Like they were like we didn't expect this. Like we barely carried anything. This is amazing and I think it's the best thing. Dagim I agree with you. I think it's the best experience as well. I I just think it's so important for students, right, when that very first experience to know that they're they belong. And that's kinda that's kind of our theme right now at Carroll College is that you belong. Patrick And that we've been doing that for years. And it's all about letting them know that they're welcomed. And that they belong at Carroll College and that you're not going to be alone. Dagim Yeah. Yeah. There there's a community here for you. Pat, what excites you most about Carroll these days? Patrick I think we have wonderful people. I think that the you know, I've talked about a lot of people in the past.. But…I'm just so pleased and excited and happy about the wonderful people we have at Carroll College right now. So it's different, different people, different gifts… But…people who, just care so much…about the students and care about one another. They do. They show up for one another. I love where we are as far as moving…forward in a faith minded way Yeah. But also being… inclusive. I think as a world and as a college, we can always, you know, work on that and and do better. Yeah. but, that, spirit…among the students of community and caring for one another. That has remained the same. Dagim That's true. I’m so excited about the great students that we have at Carroll College. I agree. and so…yeah. Patrick In the, uh…in the college world right now, it's hard to make it because there's just less students out there to pull pull in. And so, I think our retention rates are good because when they get here, they they really like the experience Nice. And they feel a sense of belonging. Yeah. But, yeah. I just I just think that anybody that comes to Carroll College is going to find a home. Yeah. And that if if you can say that, then I think you're doing pretty good. Dagim That's true. And when you mentioned that earlier about, like, having the staff and, like, that actually cares and all that, how about, like, literally having a president that's one of our own? Patrick I know. Jennifer's awesome. Yes. That makes a huge difference as well. Dagim I just…one question that I always wanted to ask you… What’s some like, since you were here back in the days. Right? Like, what's something…that you guys did? Like, as a tradition, that could be fun or anything because I hear a lot of stories that you think we should bring back now. Patrick Oh, interesting… Well, we used to, have a Carroll C on Mount Ascension. And so we would always go up and whitewash the C. And it was, it was a thing the seniors did with the freshmen. And so, we don't, have that C on the mountain anymore. But I I just loved that tradition. And it was a way for seniors to connect with freshmen. And so it's, again, building that community. And, making connections. But I always thought to myself, gosh, this is so much fun. When I was my first year here, going up with the seniors and having them be so kind and caring to the, you know, the youngest of our our community. And so those connections – it was fun. Whitewashing the C was fun. Having the C up on the on the mountain to, you know. To show that Carroll College is here. Dagim That was is that was all great. I think we we shouldn't bring that back. Patrick Yeah. I don't know who to talk to or who to talk to. I think we should bring it back. Nowadays, you have to go up to the H and you have to turn it into a C. Kal I think that's been done. Yeah. It's like Capital, I think. Capital High or Carroll. Patrick Yeah. I think it was capital that did that… Kal I’d love to - do you know why that that tradition went away? I remember that when I was when I was young seeing the C up there. Patrick I don't know. I think that, somebody else purchased that land and We weren't allowed to do that anymore. Because that was on the side of the hill more over here to the south… So that that would be a fun tradition to maybe find a way to bring back. Dagim Yeah. I think so too. I think that'd be great. Yeah. I could see a lot of people participating as well. Maybe maybe that's something you do during homecoming week. Patrick Yeah. We got fireworks there and like a C and catch the mountain on fire… Dagim No, Patrick. No… Kal Avoid burning the town. Patrick I'm such an activities director… You know, just brainstorming. That didn't pass one of my filters. That was not that was not on the agenda this next year… Kal Man, thank you guys so much. That's, I think, this has been a really wonderful conversation and being able to hear, just the range and depth of experience that you've had, Pat, that both you and Dagim both have. and I think there's a lot of commonalities that feel really universal. I, we like to ask each of you the same question. what does it mean to you to be a Carroll saint… Patrick Well, I'm still working on being a saint. But… I think that it it means that you've got a community of people who you can always count on, that you can celebrate life with. and really, that's what life is all about is your relationships. I've noticed that as I'm getting older that all of the things really don't mean much. It's the relationships and the connections and the people, the family and friends. I think…when you go out in the world and you meet another Carroll alum, another Carroll saint, you have that common experience where everybody leaves here wanting to make the world a better place. And so you find, kind of some refuge and some hope…in a world that sometimes can be turbulent and, exhausting, that you can find, you know, some partners in your moving forward to bring joy and happiness and meaning and kindness and love…into the world. And, also, I mean… It just makes my soul so happy that for the rest of my life, Dagim and I will be friends. And, you know. That's what it's all about. Dagim Yep. It is. I agree. Yeah. I it's hard to talk about Carroll after Patrick because he … he just explains it. Like, being a saint, being a Carroll, being a Carroll Saint is literally just like Patrick. I'm not saying this because he's here.. Like, I've talked to a lot of people about Patrick everywhere because I've known him when I was a student, and I've known him even more when I became a staff and working here. but like you said, one of our motto is, like, not for school but for life. That's actually real. You know, it's not just a motto. It's not just words. It's, it's actually, real experience like I say, you know, I'm like, it's been…a blessing to know people that actually care, that actually look out for each other. And you have no idea how many, like yeah. It's not a big school, you know. But the thing is, like, we have people that actually genuinely care, it doesn't matter in the work. It doesn't matter at the work or it doesn't matter, like, if you're a student or, like, it doesn't matter where. If there is a Carroll…saying…if there's no. It doesn't even have to be an alum. Like, if there is a Carroll, like, somebody who's a related Carroll, even the community, if they need help, if somebody is going through stuff, there is always someone… who's going to be there for them. I think that's the most exciting part, just like we were talking about earlier, the people. You know? So it's just I don't know how, like, to explain it, but, I'm pretty sure…whoever has, like that experience being the Carroll saint, being a Carroll, being, like, being associated…with Carroll. Like, it either can be teaching, it can be like, you know, working and anything. I'm pretty sure they can share my thoughts because it's just an amazing thing. And it's it's I've been blessed by, being a Carroll saint. You know, it's funny. Patrick You can run into a Saint. That you haven't seen for ten, fifteen years. And it's like, not a day has passed. No… Kal Just pick right up. Dagim Yes. Exactly. Yes. Yeah. Kal You do sense that line of people waiting with open arms or hangers, you know, to help you, on your way through campus. Whatever building you might wander into, whatever activity you're involved in, it does seem like they're just a huge network of people with your best interest at heart. Dagim Yeah. And people don't wanna like, after they graduate as well, a lot of people don't wanna leave Helena. Like, they don't wanna leave Helena because, like, they wanna leave here because they already attached, you know, there is, like, something, like, that just pulls everyone together. I I…I'm not a hundred percent sure on the right numbers, but I think we have more than four hundred some employees. Right? And a hundred something of them are…Carroll alums coming back to work here. That shows you, like, people, if you don't have a good experience, if you hated the place, if you hated the people, you're not gonna be back. Right. Like, there's no way. Patrick And it's so much fun also now that I've been here for so long that, uh, I see our Carroll students returning to be faculty and staff. Yeah. And I'm like I think to myself, oh my gosh. This is so cool because I know that I know that individual…is gonna make such a positive difference in the life of our new students. And so every single time I see that happen, there's a celebration that takes place in my soul Yeah. Thinking, oh my gosh. Carroll just got better. Yeah. Yeah. Dagim Coming back full circle. Right. Yeah. Kal Well, thank you guys for making Carroll better in so many different ways that you do. I'm really very grateful to you guys joining our first podcast for Lives at the Carroll Saints. It's been a real pleasure getting to hear a bit more about your story - each of your stories. Thank you for sharing your time with us. Patrick Thanks, Kal. Thank you. Thanks, Dagim. Dagim Yeah. This has been a lot of fun. Patrick I appreciate you guys. Thanks for your time. It's always fun talking to you. You know that. Love you. Dagim Yeah. Love you too, Pat. Kal We're grateful to the Carroll College Communication Center and director Alan Hansen for production support. Our theme music was written and performed by David and Deidre Casey. To our listeners, thank you for being part of our Carroll community. We hope that this conversation stirred a memory or reminded you of the place that Carroll College holds in your heart. Until next time, this has been Lives of the Carroll Saints. ________________________________________ Music Out - Instrumental theme fades out.