Upper Midwest Jesuits | Chicago-Detroit Province

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2011
www.ignatiansolidarity.net
Contact: Christopher Kerr, Executive Director
O – 216-397-4777
C – 216-410-7351
ckerr@ignatiansolidarity.net

IGNATIAN  SOLIDARITY  NETWORK  MOVES  TO  JOHN  CARROLL  UNIVERSITY
John Carroll University Graduate Named Executive Director

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OHIO – The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN), a national social justice education and leadership development organization connecting members of Jesuit universities, high schools, and parishes has relocated its offices to John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, as of July 18, 2011. The office moved from the University of SanFrancisco in San Francisco, California.

In addition to relocating, ISN also welcomes a new executive director, Christopher Kerr, a graduate of John Carroll University and Walsh Jesuit High School. Kerr replaces Ann Magovern who served as executive director for five years and departed ISN to become president of St. Martin de Porres Elementary School in Oakland, California. Kerr had served as the coordinator of social justice and immersion experience programs for the campus ministry office at John Carroll. He also co-directed the university’s social justice scholarship program named after former Jesuit superior general, Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Previously, Kerr taught at Cleveland area Catholic elementary and high schools and worked with ahuman rights organization focused on Latin America. He brings experience with social justice education, non-profit management, legislative advocacy, and electronic and media outreach.  Kerr earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from John Carroll University in 2000 and a Master of Arts in Education Administration in 2005, also from JCU.

On accepting the position with ISN, Kerr said, “I am excited to work with so many passionate people at Jesuit institutions across the U.S. to develop leaders with a life-long commitment to the ‘service of faith and promotion of justice.” In an announcement to the John Carroll University community regarding ISN’s presence on-campus and Kerr’s appointment, JCU President Rev. Robert Niehoff, S.J., said, “This national organization provides another valuable expression of our Jesuit identity. We are excited and proud that Chris will be providing leadership of the Ignatian Solidarity Network.”

A JPEG image of Christopher Kerr can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ISN-KERR

Started in 2004, ISN initially became known for hosting one of the largest faith-based social justice gatherings for young people in the country. Until 2009, the event started by former California province Jesuit Robert Holstein, known as the “Ignatian Family Teach-In for Social Justice” took place in Columbus, Georgia. In 2010, the Teach-in moved to Washington DC on the campus of Georgetown University. The Teach-In includes prominent national and international speakers, educational workshops, and an advocacy day on Capitol Hill. Over 1,200 Jesuit students, alumni, and parishioners attend the event each year. In recent years, ISN programming has expanded to include additional social justice leadership and advocacy education programs for members of Jesuit institutions and the broader church. In 2012 ISN will host social justice leadership retreats for select students identified as promising social justice campus leaders at their respective high schools and universities.

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The Ignatian Solidarity Network promotes leadership and advocacy among students, alumni, and other emerging leaders from Jesuit schools, parishes, and ministries by educating its members on social justice issues; by mobilizing a national network to address those issues; and by encouraging a life-long commitment to the “service of faith and the promotion of justice.” ISN is non-profit 501c3 organization.