Made Possible by the Generosity of the Bill & Sharon Luntz Family
Walsh University held a special ceremony for the dedication and blessing of the Br. Francis Blouin Lobby in the Commons Residence Hall on Tuesday, September 23. The Lobby was formally named after Walsh’s Third President, Br. Francis Blouin, through the generosity of the Bill and Sharon Luntz family.
"It is with great joy that we come together today to celebrate Br. Francis and the dedication of this lobby in his honor," said Walsh President Richard Jusseaume during his Dedication Ceremony remarks. "While we came together today to bless this lobby, it is we who are blessed. We are blessed to know people like Br. Francis, Bill and Sharon Luntz, and the entire Luntz family. We are blessed to be here on this campus, doing God’s work, and educating our students to become leaders in service to others. The members of the Luntz family have been long-time, and very loyal, friends of Walsh University."
The ceremony included remarks from President Jusseaume, Assistant Dean of Academic Innovation Dr. Douglas Palmer, Bill Luntz, a video greeting from Br. Francis in Maine, and the formal blessing of the Lobby by Fr. Anselm Zupka and Rabbi John Spitzer.
William "Bill" Luntz is the retired President and CEO of Luntz Corporation. Over the years, projects sponsored by Bill and Sharon Luntz have included student scholarships, The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel and The Walsh University Jewish-Catholic Studies Institute. In addition to their generosity, they are frequent attendees at University events. Bill has been a long-time advisor and a great friend to the Brothers of Christian Instruction while Sharon has served on the Walsh Women’s Committee for many years. Bill’s brother Robert served on the Walsh Advisory Board. In addition, Bill’s son Greg Luntz has served on the Walsh University Advisory Board, and in 2005, he joined the Walsh University Board of Directors. Bill Luntz was honored with the 2011 Walsh University Distinguished Service Medal, awarded to those who reflect the University’s steadfast commitment to the strength of noble character.
Since joining the Brothers of Christian Instruction in 1946, Br. Francis has given his life without hesitation to education and social justice. He served as Walsh’s President from 1978 until his retirement in 1992. Among his many accomplishments during his tenure at Walsh, Br. Francis was responsible for bringing five Nobel Peace Prize winners to the North Canton campus including Willy Brandt in 1983, Elie Wiesel in 1987, Adolfo Perez Esquival in 1986, Coretta Scott King representing her husband Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1986 and, most notably, Mother Teresa in 1982. From 1992 to 2012, he spent the majority of his time serving as the Founder and Director of the Kisubi Brothers University Centre, in Kisubi, Uganda, and participating in countless initiatives to bring higher education to the people of Uganda. Brother Francis Blouin was honored with the Walsh Founders' Award as well as the prestigious Israel Peace Medal. Today his legacy has inspired the formation of two of Walsh’s newest service learning groups dedicated to continuing his humanitarian work globally and locally, The Br. Francis Blouin Global Scholars and The Blouin Leaders in Social Justice.
Completed in 2012, Walsh University's newest residence hall, "The Commons," is a 29,000-square-foot building connected to Lemmon Hall. It primarily houses students in the Brother Francis Blouin Global Scholars Program. The Commons offers apartment-style suites for students who desire the feel of apartment living along with the convenience of living on campus.