“What makes JCU very special is the social justice work that I see the young people doing there. You can go to a lot of good colleges and universities, but I think that’s what makes John Carroll stand out.”   
Barbara (’62, ’67G, ’80G) and John Schubert

Social justice work at JCU inspires Schuberts

Following my freshman year at Notre Dame College, I enrolled at John Carroll in an evening class during the summer. I wanted a couple of speech courses that were not available at Notre Dame. At the end of the first class, I decided to transfer to John Carroll. In the early 60s, when I was an undergrad, women could only attend in the evening, so starting at 4 p.m. we were “allowed” in. My undergraduate degree in English literature was completed almost entirely at night. Daytime classes opened for women during my senior year.

JCU was certainly good to me. But, in more immediate terms, I’ve had the good fortune to see students and to be on campus and it is still a very special place. I think those of us who benefited from it have to give back and make it possible for the young ones to attend now.

I actually have a great niece starting this fall! She’s coming from the Detroit area. She was fairly serious about a number of schools in Ohio and elsewhere. Of course, I was pitching for John Carroll! I was really pleased that she chose John Carroll and she’ll be a real asset to the school because she’s a wonderful young woman.

I guess what makes JCU very special is the social justice work that I see the young people doing there. You can go to a lot of good colleges and universities, but I think that’s what makes John Carroll stand out.

Editor’s note: In June, Barbara and John Schubert announced a gift of $1 million to support mission and identity programs at John Carroll. Their gift was awarded in honor of Rev. Howard J. Gray, S.J., the university’s former rector of the Jesuit community and former assistant to the president for University Mission and Identity. 
In announcing their gift Mrs. Schubert said, “John and I are both terrific fans of Father Howard Gray and feel it’s important that his initiatives continue after he leaves the university. ‘Mission’ is what makes John Carroll unique.” She added, “Father Gray is a gift.”