From his compassion on the PE floor as a teacher to his genuine attitude when he checks athletes in before they go to practice, Alum Service Corps volunteer Sam Glass has instilled a value of cura personalis in his interactions with students and faculty throughout the year. As his ASC year comes to a close, Glass will be remembered for the care that he lives out on a daily basis despite the challenges and stress of the pandemic.

“If we prioritize that cura personalis aspect of what we as the adults in this community are asked to do, he knocked that out at high levels all year long,” said Director of Athletics Chris Muskopf. “He exhibits that he cares for the whole person, whether it be creating activity through phys ed or helping students be active and get the physical benefit of that activity or when he's been doing the screening and he has conversations with the athletes.”

This year, Glass worked in the Physical Education Department to handle the extra workload as Scott Gilbert has moved away to help with Covid-19 health concerns at the school. Glass took over Gilbert’s PE classes, as well as helped the Athletic Department write Covid-19 protocols for athletic competitions.  However, the biggest contribution to the department was the spirit that he brought to the team meetings.

“He brings a sense of calm,” said Muskopf. “When he is in the meetings, he brings a ‘don't say no, this isn't too big for us, like, we'll figure it out’ approach which was much needed at several points this year.”

For P.E. teacher Patrick Zarrick, having Glass here this year was a big help for the whole P.E.Department. 

“Keeping the guys socially distanced, disinfecting equipment, running class, being creative with what we could do and trying to bring energy to the class—needless to say, Mr. Glass was invaluable in that regard,” said Zarrick.

Glass is very thankful to the people at SLUH and to have had this time at SLUH, albeit a short one. 

“To sum it up in one phrase, I'm just eternally grateful for the opportunities that I've had here at SLUH, and also that the Society of Jesus has given me them as well,” said Glass.

Even during the pandemic year, Glass enjoyed his role here at SLUH.

“It's been such a great time here and SLUH is such a good place. My older brother was a SLUH alum so finally getting into the school and seeing what everything's about, and getting to experience that kind of stuff first hand has been fantastic, even during the pandemic and all that,” said Glass.

For junior Grant Grabowski, his relationship with Glass was one to remember, and he will miss Glass as he moves on.

“Hearing that Mr. Glass was leaving was a feeling of bittersweetness. I had really gotten to know him throughout my junior year and to hear he was leaving at the end of it was sad. I’ll miss checking in with him every day of the winter season and talking about the most recent chapters and episodes of Attack On Titan, but I know that he is moving on to new environments where he can really shine and help others,” said Grabowski. 

Glass is unsure about where he will be next year and what the future might hold for him, but he is hopeful that God will guide him in the right direction.

“Whether that is to continue with interscholastic athletics, or if that is to go off into some other career path in marketing or business, that's kind of the two forks that I have presented to me at the current moment. And right now I'm just discerning the path that God has set out for me.”