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Chris Gruca - Supporting Loras
The road from Loras College in Dubuque to a successful career at Wyke Sixth Form College in Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom, does not seem like a stretch to Chris Gruca (’81), who graduated from Loras with a degree in Speech Communications.
“It was the exposure I gained at Loras to new people and to new ideas that established a foundation and thirst for continual development and growth and to seek to make a difference,” he explained. Loras was the first place Chris learned about opportunities to study abroad. After he graduated, he received a Rotary International scholarship to study abroad for a year in a post-graduate program.
While achieving his master’s degree from Hull University, Chris got a taste of teaching and experiencing life abroad as an English-as-a-foreign-language teacher in Poland and Bulgaria. He knew he would like to continue his experiences overseas, and he found a job at Wyke College.
“As I work in education and in a creative subject, my experiences at Loras are the bedrock that I use to challenge and encourage my current staff and students,” Chris said. He is the head of Performing Arts at Wyke College, where he teaches theater studies, performing arts, English language and literature, directs productions and has responsibility for dance.
Chris’ support of Loras is simple. “I choose to support Loras, because I believe in the importance of a liberal arts education and in community. I benefitted from the financial contributions and encouragement of others through the Loras scholarship program. I strongly believe in giving back, no matter how little or how much, so that others too may benefit. Everyone profits from such a system of encouragement and support,” he stated.
He also strongly encourages Loras students to consider studying abroad. “Given the current state of global affairs, it’s crucial to have an international outlook. They should look for a practical experience, speak a foreign language, travel abroad, and bring their experiences back to the States. It will be very useful to them to help understand the differences and similarities of different cultures.” Support Loras, donate now.
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