By Rory McNelley, Staff Writer

Have you ever found yourself wondering who all these men in black with white collars are wandering around campus? We reached out to get to know them better.

Matthew Zurcher, who serves as a campus minister and a visiting professor of philosophy, is close to completing his third year of regency, just one step in the lengthy Jesuit formation process to be ordained as a priest. His favorite part of Xavier is move in day for first-year students.  

“The vibes are off the charts,” Zurcher stated. 

In his opinion, the most underrated part of Xavier is crying in one of the many chapels. He recommends a good sob in Our Lady of Peace chapel at the end of the Academic Mall. His favorite liturgical season is the Paschal Triduum, and his favorite color is black. He was eager to share that he identifies as “emo.”

Fr. Eric Sundrup, our university chaplain, also serves as Vice President for Mission and Ministry. His favorite part of Xavier is the students, and he thinks the dorm common spaces are severely underrated. He shares this piece of advice for all students. 

“Get out of your room and meet people,” Fr. Eric said. 

When asked what his favorite liturgical season was, he didn’t have to think hard before he picked Easter. 

“It’s important to note that Catholic party seasons are always longer than repentance seasons,” he said.

 In other words, Lent is shorter than Easter because Catholics love to party.

Brother Mark Trombly works in the Office of the President, helping with strategy and operations. He also works in the Center for Faith and Justice, where his work focuses on mission and identity. 

His most treasured part of Xavier is the thriving Jesuit community, and he said that the underrated part is lunch with the Jesuits. You can find the Jesuits gathered around a table at the Caf on Mondays and Thursdays at noon. Brother Mark is a second-year novice, meaning he is early in his formation.

Fr. Aaron Malnick serves as a vocation promoter for the Midwest Province of the Jesuits and helps students discern their path for the future. He resides in the Center for Faith and Justice and is one of many who celebrate student Masses on Sundays. Fr. Aaron enjoys the amount of student participation on campus. 

“I am very impressed with student engagement with our community. They feel comfortable to ask questions,” Fr. Aaron said. 

In his opinion, Mass at Kuhlman is the most underrated part of Xavier. His favorite color is green, but not just any green – he prefers an olive or emerald green, doesn’t like kelly or neon green and hates a “chalky” green.

David Herr works at Xavier teaching philosophy during his regency. His favorite part of Xavier, which he also considers to be underrated, is the library. 

“Our library is well-curated with enough philosophy, theology and poetry to keep me entertained forever. I go there all the time,” Herr said. 

His favorite color is blue, specifically teal or turquoise, though he had trouble deciding. His favorite liturgical date is Holy Thursday.

Fr. Bill Murphy is Xavier University’s athletics chaplain. His favorite part of Xavier is the students. 

“How they strive to learn, be their best and of course their humor,” are some of the qualities he loves. He considers a baseball game on campus on a warm spring day underrated, and his favorite color is “Blue Blob blue.” His favorite liturgical season is Ordinary Time. 

“I’m just a regular guy,” he states.