A letter from the Features Editor
Dear University of Dallas Community,
Like all of you, I was deeply heartbroken at the news of Sybil Novinski’s passing. She truly helped build UD and change it for the better.
I am writing this letter because I want you to know what kind of person she was. It’s not every day one gets to meet a legend, but I had the honor of interviewing Sybil Novinski during the last month of her life.
I was having trouble with my Charity Week jail article. While my fabulous co-writer, Aine O’Brien, senior english major, succeeded in getting interviews, I hit a dead end.
Upon the advice of Mark Zeske, faculty advisor for The Cor Chronicle and director of the journalism programs at UD, and my fellow editors, I reached out to Sandy Morgan, the long-time registrar at UD. Through Morgan, I received Novinski’s email address.
I was so nervous when I reached out to her. But Novinski was nothing but kind to me, and in her email reply said, “Do you want to come over for coffee or tea sometime tomorrow or Saturday? I live about three miles from UD.”
I was excited and nervous at the prospect of meeting Novinski, but she was one of the nicest people I have ever met. She let me look around the house at first and said, “I always want to snoop in people’s homes whenever I first arrive.”
Her house was fascinating. Filled with Lyle Novinski and their children’s artwork to the brim, there wasn’t a place that was left untouched. I distinctly remember seeing an art piece with the silhouettes of all of her grandchildren.
We talked for over an hour before finally starting the interview. All I remember thinking was that Novinski was such a sweet and considerate person to be meeting with me, and all I wanted to do was to listen to her.
Yet, Novinski also wanted to listen to me and to make sure I feel welcome. For example, even though she couldn’t make me coffee herself, she asked if I knew how to use a Keurig and was willing to give me instructions on how to use it. She also offered me various kinds of cookies and insisted I eat some.
I also learned after our interview that she gave up her nap time just to talk with me. That’s the kind of person she was—a charitable person, always willing the good of the other.
Furthermore, Novinski also just had the best stories to tell because of how long she has been at UD. During our interview, she shared a story of the original registrar, Sr. Mary Margaret’s (of the Sisters St. Mary of Namur) arrest during Charity Week.
She said, “They came to arrest Sr. Mary Margaret, who was a great favorite for the jail, and she had a great sense of humor as all the Namur sisters did. She started acting up, beating on the counter in Carpenter Hall, because that’s where the registrar’s office was, yelling and saying, ‘I cannot go to jail. I have to do such and such.’”
“And she was yelling at all of us,” Novinski continued. “I was an associate, something or other at that time in the office opposite her. For the sake of the students, she put on a good show. And they took her over, and someone bailed her out because you can’t have a central administrator not back in her office pretty quickly.”
Regarding the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur—the founders of UD—Novinski said, “Those were great, great sisters. It’s important to remember. They’re an order, about 150 years old, and they pretty much are almost out of existence.”
I hope that this letter and seeing Novinski’s own words helps you get to know her better. When you remember her, don’t just remember her accomplishments, but remember the kind of person she was. She truly was one of a kind.
Dear Mrs. Novinski, we will keep you in our hearts just as you kept UD in yours. We will never forget you. May you rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Kate Sullivan
Features Editor for The Cor Chronicle