Opportunities for Students of Saint Vincent College

Saint Vincent College is home to the Fred Rogers Institute, and is located in Fred’s hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Fred chose Saint Vincent College as the location of his Archive with the goal of working with students of the college who aspired to serve children in their life’s work. Today, the Institute provides numerous opportunities for students to learn about Fred’s legacy and how it applies in their lives, and for students to create and develop new projects that serve children and their helpers. Students at Saint Vincent College have the opportunity to engage with the Fred Rogers Center through three major programs.

Incubator 143 Lab      Fred Rogers Scholars Program      Children’s Studies Minor

Fred thought of Saint Vincent College as a special place, and had many connections and friendships here during his life. In his commencement speech to graduates of Saint Vincent College on May 13, 2000, Fred reminded students about the importance of those who shape our paths:
 

^{“One of our family’s great blessings is our life-long friendship with Archabbot Douglas. As you know, Douglas has helped to make a profound difference in the lives of many people and an extraordinary contribution to the life of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Seminary, and College. My hunch is that Boniface Wimmer somehow interceded in the heavenly courts and made sure that that job went to Douglas. Several years ago, knowing how much I like Saint Exupery’s book, The Little Prince, Douglas gave me a framed piece of calligraphy with a sentence from that book. It reads: L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. (What is essential is invisible to the eye.) I feel the closer we get to knowing and living the truth of that sentence, the closer we get to wisdom. What is essential about you that is invisible to the eye? And who are those who have helped you become who you are today? Anyone who has ever graduated from a college, anyone who has ever been able to sustain a good work has had at least one person – and often many – who believed in him or her. We just don’t get to be competent human beings without many different investments from others. So in the midst of this community of Saint Vincent which has always majored in hospitality, my prayer for you is that you will take good care of that part of you – that invisible part of you where your best dreams come from, that part of you that helps you to feel for others… and allows you to appreciate your life and encourages you to bow to your neighbor in that sacred space between grateful hearts. That’s what will matter most in our world.”}