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| Meet the Team |
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| Campus Ministry Department Mission Statement |
| We in Campus Ministry seek to animate the Roman Catholic Christian identity of the Aquinas College community, rooted in the Dominican charisms all for the sake of Veritas (the truth of God’s mercy and love). We recognize that Aquinas College is a diverse community and we are committed to cultivating each individual's unique journey towards God. We are committed to providing faithfilled, joyful, liturgical worship where all are welcome. We are committed to peace and justice based on Catholic social teaching and so encourage students to seek out service learning opportunities, which demonstrate Gospel values and enhance their relationship with God, humanity and creation. We serve as role models, mentors, and teachers in Christian formation and we recognize that our ability to minister is only as effective as our commitment to our spiritual journey. |
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| Campus Ministry Team |
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Brandon Spence
P: (616) 240-4488 |
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| Student Coordinators |
SAC/Social Justice
Joe Balog
Phone: (616) 632-2486 |
CAVA/Volunteering
Brian Himes
Phone: (616) 632-2487 |
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| Eric Bridge |
| “I enjoy connecting students with opportunities where they can use their gifts and abilities to make a difference in the lives of others. Through this process, students learn about diverse communities, social issues and about themselves.” - Eric Bridge |
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Originally from Portage, Michigan, Eric Bridge is Coordinator of Service-Learning within the Campus Ministry Department at Aquinas College. An alumnus of Aquinas College, Eric graduated in 1992 earning a B.A. in Sociology and Religious Studies. Also in his undergraduate studies, Eric completed work through the Cuaunahuac Instituto in Cuernavaca, Mexico and the University of Notre Dame. In 2005, Eric earned his graduate degree through the Master of Management program at Aquinas College.
Before joining the Campus Ministry team in 1995, Eric served students at Aquinas College through his roles as Director of Intramural Programs as well as Resident Director at Aquinas College. Prior to this, he taught high school theology and served as Youth Minister. Currently, Eric helps students connect with local volunteer opportunities, he coordinates and leads student Service-Learning trips, in the United States and abroad, to help create awareness, initiative and social responsibility. Eric is also an active advisor for many student groups on campus.
Eric is very interested in sustainability and community development. He has installed a solar hot water heating system in his house and has done work with bio-sand water filters as well as the development of water projects for humanitarian needs.
Eric is married to MaryAnn Bridge and is the proud father of three boys. |
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| Mary Clark-Kaiser |
| “I love my work in Campus Ministry. I have been blessed by my journey with God in such an extraordinary way that I want to enable others on their journey as well. God invites us in freedom and without coercion into a deeper relationship of self-knowledge, healing, and intimacy. What is really wonderful is that we do not have to walk on this journey alone. At Aquinas we are a part of a community of journeyers.” - Mary Clark-Kaiser |
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Mary Clark-Kaiser is Director of Campus Ministry at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has served in this capacity since fall of 1990. She received a Master's in Applied Theology from the Graduate Theological Union/Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California (1976).
She has worked in Ministry through most of her life either professionally or as a volunteer. Some highlights from her experience include: She served as a campus minister at the Newman Center in Boulder, Colorado for three years. She served as the Director of the Salvation Army Social Service Center in Longmont Colorado. She taught classes in the Religion Department at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
Mary is strongly dedicated to the Church's social teaching. After graduating from Gonzaga University in 1971 she spent a year as a Jesuit Volunteer teaching first grade in El Paso, Texas. She has continued to be very involved in Peace and Justice activities throughout her life. She served as the coordinator of an anti- nuclear weapons campaign over the eastern side of North Dakota.
Mary is committed to a life of contemplative prayer. She has taught classes at Aquinas College on prayer and the contemplative tradition. She also gives lectures, and retreats on the subject.
Mary is very supportive of Interfaith Dialogue in the Grand Rapids community. She served on the Annual Interfaith Dialogue World Religion's Conference planning committee both as member and Co-chair for 10 years.
Mary enjoys traveling and takes Aquinas College students on adventures from trips to El Salvador and Costa Rica to backpacking on South Manitou Island.
Mary is married to Kurt Kaiser, Professor of Art at Aquinas College. They have four adult children. |
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| Theresa Marshall |
“I have been involved in liturgical ministry since participating in a children’s choir at St. Matthew the Apostle Church, in Kansas City, Mo., where my mother is still a parishioner. Since then I have responded to many invitations which brought me to the field of Campus Ministry at Aquinas College.
I do this work because others were there for me to share their stories of faith,
to support me in my studies, to show me The Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus the Christ.
I do this work to share that gift of faith which has been generously given to me.” - Terry Marshall |
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Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Theresa (Terry) earned her Degree in Management through Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia. In addition, Terry received a Certificate of Pastoral Ministry from the Diocese of Wheeling - Charleston.
Prior to coming to Aquinas College in 1998, Terry worked six years as Director of Religious Education at a parish of 1,800 families in Wheeling, W.Va. Her main responsibilities included recruiting, training and mentoring grade school catechists for the parish religious education program, coordinating the sacramental celebrations for children of the parish school and of the parish religious education program and overseeing the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). In addition, Terry served as a full time Campus Minister for one year at Wheeling Jesuit University. Terry also served on the Wheeling-Charleston Diocesan Liturgy Commission for three years and was a contributor to Summer Ministry Institute for the formation of catechists.
Terry’s presence at Aquinas College is most evident at the liturgical celebrations as well as the Micah 6:8 retreat and the On Campus Directed retreats. She is in charge of training, scheduling and mentoring student liturgical ministers and preparing for liturgical seasons, Masses, and other prayer services with the Pastoral Musician, the Chaplain, and students. In addition, Terry facilitates small group classes on Catholicism, prepares students for reception of the Sacraments, oversees the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and is available for pastoral counseling.
Terry is married to Dr. Dennis Marshall, Associate Professor of Theology at Aquinas College, with whom she shares two adult children. |
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| “Speak the truth in a million voices. It is silence that kills the world,” Saint Catherine of Siena |
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