Chicago’s Liliana Morales is not a shrinking violet. She’s more of a … torch lily, also called a red hot poker. This reporter felt the chili in Lily in Ecuador on a Campus Ministry trip last summer when the then freshwoman said during a shared spiritual reflection: “…the first time I saw you I thought to myself, ‘Who is that mean old man who never smiles…’” That fire was quickly cooled by sweetness, but Liliana’s willingness to singe was established. Her sassy style is just Lily, but she did have help becoming who she is. In late June, standing on the deck of a Shoreline
excursion boat on which she’s worked for several
summers, Lily reflected:


“My mother was the single parent of five children under the age of seven after we escaped my father’s crazy and violent ways. We had to become independent. She had to work for us, and we had to do our part. I had to take care of my younger sisters. We learned to live by, ‘You do something about it because no one else will.’

“In school I was rather bossy. I wanted to get things done. ‘Okay, if you’re not going to do anything about it, I’ll do it.’ Too many people stand back and complain. You either have to go to someone who is going to get it done, or you have to get it done yourself.”

When it came time to say goodbye to John Gladstone at his farewell party on May 10, Lily got it done herself. Not long before, she had waltzed into the office of Dr. David La Guardia, the academic vice president, and announced that she wanted to be on the farewell program. At the event, La Guardia told the gathering he would take the humorous approach to saying goodbye and wouldn’t touch the emotions
Gladstone’s departure aroused. Lily followed by striding to the mike and announcing that she
would go there. The results were memorable.

Senorita Morales said in part: “When I heard he was leaving, I was stunned, and, to put it as bluntly as possible, very MAD. I was mad because he was leaving me here. I wondered who I was going to rely on to help me with my problems at school. However, I soon came to the conclusion that I did not need to rely on Mr. Gladstone anymore. He had helped me in my freshman year as a person dependent on him. Now, ending my sophomore year, I was an independent adult capable of making wise decisions.

“I am so proud and lucky to have had such a
close relationship with Mr. Gladstone. … I will miss going to his office and hugging him, I will miss all the times he called me a trouble maker. I will  miss the times he would call just to say hi. I will miss the times he looked me in the eye and told me he believed in me. I will miss having a father figure at JCU…We have all been blessed to have been graced with such a loving person, I think God should consider making Mr. Gladstones in bulk…”

La Guardia said later: “She was wonderful. She was not at all shy about taking the microphone and being as honest and human as she could possibly be in stating how much she respected, loved and would miss John.”

Lily came to JCU because David Harris, the lawyer who helped Ms. Morales with her divorce – and beyond – suggested this university. Harris is married to Mary Dolan, Charles and Helen Dolan’s niece. Liliana has been the babysitter of the Harris’ children and carries their picture in her wallet.

A scholarship student at prestigious Latin School of Chicago, Lily wanted to do pre-med here – to please her mother – but she struggled as a freshman. She finished her sophomore year on both the dean’s list and a path to become a Spanish teacher. She’s
now the president of the university’s Latin American Students’ Association (LASA).

Lily’s family has made do with little money. This spring it looked as if there might not be enough resources for Liliana to return for her junior year, but then she was awarded the Jason R. Schuster Memorial Scholarship, named for the Chicago area student/athlete who died shortly after his graduation in 1998. As a result of the award, Lily’s junior year has begun. Post graduation, teaching is likely, but there are other possibilities. Whatever she chooses, this Ms. Morales is determined “to be a leader, to get things done.” It’s happening.

jp