Today is a day to acknowledge---to recognize
---to give thanks.
We know in this Jesuit and Catholic institution that ultimate
thanks goes to God who makes all things possible.

But we also know that God works through each of us to make
wonderful things happen.

And wonderful things have indeed been happening.

We have seen a dream of Fr. Lavelle take form,
We have seen the physical and mental labor of many become a reality
much greater than the labors of any individual
and
We have seen the transformation of a 1960's Library into a 21st
century Center of Learning.

Where does one begin to acknowledge?
---any list will fall short,
but thanks need to be publicly stated today of all days.

Thank you: The Board and Administration of
John Carroll University:
---your vision made today possible.

Thank You: Physical Plant and Information Services:
---you made the difficult seem somewhat easier.

Thank You: The Architects:
---your creativity stretched our dollar and interpreted our dreams.

Thank you: Library Staff:
---you have been patient,
---you have been willing to compromise,
---and we only lost our collective cool a few times---
Parenthetical Thanks here to Caron Knapp who as construction
Coordinator for the Library kept things moving and
usually with a smile.

Thank You: Friends of Grasselli Library:
---you're a new group of support,
---today is the 1st event in your cooperate history,
---I welcome you and give gratitude for your support.

And Now For the Big Time Thanks:
---To those whose financial resources, dedication to
John Carroll and belief in what a Library can and
should be, provided those essential dollars to
buy these essential bricks.

Today we thank Jack and Mary Jane Breen:
---we in the Library must add our personal thanks to all those
institutional thanks which you are hearing today. The Breens are
real people and this center represents an extension of their human
warmth and concern for John Carroll University.

Let us not forget the Grassellis---

. . .

Let me close with a Thank You to all present who have joined us on
this significant and joyous day for John Carroll University and for
Grasselli.

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