Leah Brett '11 and Meg Alexander '11What do finite math and red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting have in common? Ask first-year students Leah Brett and Meg Alexander, and they’ll tell you that one follows the other quite nicely. The Le Mans Hall roommates took their math final before heading over to the dining hall for Late Night Desserts. It’s an annual event where faculty and staff serve up delectable pies, cakes, and cookies, and provide students with a welcome break during finals week.
This community-building event is a tradition at Saint Mary’s, where students are now buckling down through their last exams, papers, and presentations, before heading off campus for the summer. Alexander admits, “It’s a nice break.” The nursing major explains that, “the nursing program at Saint Mary’s is very demanding,” and she’s happy to dedicate a couple of hours to treats with friends. She and Brett, a psychology major, formed a study group that meets in the Regina Hall study lounge. The group has supported them through an intensive, but fun, first-year experience.
Hundreds of other students joined Alexander and Brett last night. “It is a chance for faculty and staff to provide a fun study break for students,” says Karen Johnson, vice president of student affairs. She and her staff hosted the evening’s activities, including the arrival of a special guest.
The importance of the Indiana primary this year has brought candidates and their representatives to the South Bend area. On the night before the primary, students gathered around a riser where Chelsea Clinton, daughter of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, made one last stop on her Indiana college tour, and stood at the ready to answer their questions about this year’s campaign. “As an institution of higher education, it is important that we provide opportunities for our students to participate in the political process,” says Johnson. “Welcoming candidates for office or their representatives to campus is one way to do that.”
In fact, Saint Mary’s invited all presidential candidates to speak on campus. The invitations were one of the College’s many efforts to provide students with learning opportunities outside the classroom.
