Every Tuesday at 5:00 pm Dr. Jack Aupperle’s “What’s On Your Mind” dinner meets in the Metten Dining room for a few hours of quality conversation. There is a rotating cast of characters around the table who discuss topics from the deeply meaningful to the comically trivial. All are welcome in the inclusive environment Dr. Aupperle (who is affectionately known as simply ‘Doc’) has established with his outgoing personality and caring heart.
“What’s On Your Mind” was always a group that piqued my interest, but I wasn’t sure how to go about joining. I ended up waiting almost a year before I found out that one of my good friends, Gina Johnston, regularly attended. She invited me to tag along when I told her I’d been wanting to go for a while. My only regret was not checking it out sooner, because when I arrived and found such a warm, welcoming group of people, I wondered what I’d been so hesitant about. Consider this article your formal invitation to attend.
What initially struck me the most about Dr. Aupperle when I met him was his genuine interest in every student he meets. He went out of his way to introduce himself to me and include me in the conversation that night. Since becoming a regular attendee at “What’s On Your Mind,” I’ve realized this is something he does for every new face at his table. He really enjoys the connections he makes with students, values our opinions, and offers any support or advice we may need. He’s fully dedicated to improving Saint Vincent: but not in the way some others are.
Doctor Aupperle recognizes the elevated status he holds, both at Saint Vincent and in society. As a white male with stable finances who has been happily married to his wife for years, it could be easy to ignore the struggles of those who haven’t been as fortunate. Doc does the opposite, and strives to be a dependable resource and voice for those who seek him. His quest to make our college a better place is student-focused. He isn’t working tirelessly on issues regarding campus diversity because he wants to make the college look better to potential students; his goal is to make the students who are currently attending Saint Vincent feel valued, accepted, and included. At his table on Tuesday nights, you’ll feel that way – so we’re turning our attention to extending that feeling across campus.
Doc’s regular references to his life are some of the best parts of the dinners we all share. Sometimes, just when I’m thinking there can’t be anything he hasn’t done yet, he’ll begin a story with something like “when my helicopter was shot down in Vietnam…” He has a deep love for his wife, children, and grandchildren that is abundantly clear and wonderful to hear about. His faith is a huge part of him as well, but he manages to balance a dedicated religious faith with an unyielding acceptance for any person he encounters. I fully believe that a world full of people with an outlook like Doctor Aupperle’s would be a better, happier, safer place for all of us.
There’s no topic off limits to “What’s On Your Mind.” Feeling marginalized on campus? Confused about what you’re doing after you graduate? Can’t believe the Steelers lost this weekend? Got an interest in photography you want to share? We want to figure out what can be done, or at least provide a space when you can talk about ‘what’s on your mind.’
HCXO,
Megan