Newman Center Dedication to Mike Ross

Today I went to the Catholic Newman Center at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, California. They had raised money to expand the center, building a larger chapel and expanding the common area and kitchen. Mike Ross, who is featured in our film Men of La Mancha, was a part of the Newman Center at Cal Poly while he studied Mechanical Engineering. He volunteered working in the kitchen the entire four years making meals for the poor of the area. He was an integral part of the community and the outreach. A group of former alumni, in particular one, Mary-Catherine, started to raise money to expand the center and dedicate the newly remodeled kitchen in Mike's name. Today was the dedication. There was over 50 people there that had known Mike at the Newman Center, as well as his entire family. I arrived and wanted to lie low not knowing anyone except his family, but Mike's mother began to speak about Mike and she surprised me by telling everyone there how great the film Men of La Mancha is and how it can move people. I was brought to tears as I very rarely hear from people what the movie means to them. Many people there already saw the film, people I never met, and they also thanked me for making it. It really made my day, I cannot thank them enough, including most especially Mike's mother, who is such a kind person. Here are a few pictures. The plaque dedicates the kitchen in Mike's name and the crucifix in the new chapel also honors his life of self-giving.






A video made for his memorial 3 years ago.

Mike Ross from La Mancha Media on Vimeo.

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