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Mike Valalik '08: Balancing Arts and Academics He loves playing the violin, and is now involved in an informal string ensemble on campus that includes professors Michelle Graveline (Music), who, being proficient in many instruments, plays and directs the group, Bonnie Catto (cello/Classics), and Carmen Borgia (violin/Computer Science), as well as another student, Jean Slavkovsky ’08 a cellist. They rehearse weekly, and try to book a few performances a semester. Mike is a member of the Chapel Choir and aspires to start an official string ensemble club through Student Activities. Inspired by Professor Louise Carroll-Keeley’s class “God and the Philosophers,” and long conversations with his friend Allyse Gruslin ’08, Mike recently decided to major in Philosophy. He is already involved in an independent study with Professor Gavin Colvert on Augustine and Aquinas. He loves the readings, enjoys discussing the topics, and partakes in the repartee at the Philosophy Club, on occasion. What’s next for Mike? Possibly Law School, and who knows, maybe the concert stage, too, to keep balance with the arts in his life.
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Worcester, MA - When Mike Valalik ’08 began his higher education at Assumption in 2004–2005, he decided that he wanted to immerse himself in the arts as well as academics for balance. In addition to his academic classes, he began taking violin lessons through the