John McDonough brings Cup to SMU

By Keotta House
Sports Editor

President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks and Saint Mary’s University alum John McDonough returned to the campus once again; however, this time he brought one of the most famous championship trophies in the world: the Stanley Cup. 

McDonough graduated from SMU in 1975 and he slowly made his way from selling tickets for the Chicago Cubs to running one of the most successful Chicago sports teams in recent years. 

“The best part about winning the Stanley Cup for our franchise is the ability to share that cup with people like you today,” said McDonough to a crowd of fans attending a public rally hosted in the Saint Mary’s gymnasium. 

The buzz around campus and throughout the Winona community had some students feeling like Christmas was here.

“I know that a lot of people were talking about it days in advance, and I think it was one of the events on campus that most students attended since I have been a student here,” said junior Christina O’Connor. 

McDonough is one of the most recognizable alumni of SMU and many were feeling grateful and excited for him to come back to the campus.

“It was so wonderful to have John on our campus. He was so gracious with his time, and the time he spent with our students and our community was wonderful,” said Athletic Director Nikki Fennern. “It was great to see that what this institution does for its students really pays off,” she said.

From meeting with fellow alumni, faculty and staff at SMU, to giving talks to the athletic teams, or just having conversations with adoring fans, McDonough did not have to do much to make his presence known.

SMU hosted a rally to celebrate not only the Cup, but also celebrate McDonough and his continued success. During the rally that had nearly 1000 people in attendance a plaque that recognizes McDonough was unveiled. The plaque is slated to be hung up in the ice arena.

Perhaps competing with McDonough for the spotlight was Lord Stanley’s Cup. The 35-pound, three-foot-tall trophy drew nearly 200 students to line up for a picture with it almost an hour and a half before pictures started. 

“It felt so great to have something so big and known worldwide be able to make a stop in Winona. It made me feel special,” said junior Iris Barragan. 

The students in attendance did not leave empty-handed from the event. Not only were they given rally towels and memories, but McDonough left them with words of wisdom. “My academic prowess wasn’t great, but I learned a lot about commitment; I learned a lot about drive,” said McDonough to the crowd. “I am grateful for what this great university has given to me,” he said.

McDonough also imparted this piece of advice to the students in the crowd: “Please be brave enough to have big dreams; they just might come true.”

Winona campus undergoes some changes

By Kacey Carlson
Cardinal Staff

The final renovations are complete on Vlazny Hall, along with several other renovations around Saint Mary’s campus.

This year, Vlazny is the new home for Residence Life, Campus Ministry, and the Wellness Center, which were all previously located in the basement of the Toner Student Center.

Previously, Vlazny was a dorm for freshmen women before it closed last school year for remodeling.

Residence Life encourages students to stop by whenever they’d like, whether it be for assistance in the residence halls or just to say hello. The newly renovated lounge in Vlazny is a public space open for all to use. The couches and tables are great for relaxing between classes or working on group projects.

All artwork hanging in the hallways and the lounge was selected by President Brother William himself. Each one depicts an influential individual, including Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

The relocation of offices to Vlazny has left some extra space in the basement of the Toner Student Center. Now the Office of Campus Ministry is located in the old Student Activities Committee (SAC) office. The Wellness Center and SAC’s old locations are in the process of becoming student conference rooms. The old Residence Life offices have been turned into small group study rooms similar to the ones found in the Fitzgerald library and now open for use.

More renovations occurred this summer in the basement of Saint Mary’s Hall. The Student Success Center (SSC) expanded their offices, and now has receptionist to greet and help direct people to resources. New quiet testing rooms and tutoring rooms are also available. The Writing Center has joined forces with the SSC and is now called the Writing Studio. Students are encouraged to stop by and make an appointment.

The final changes occurred in first-year residence halls. Skemp, St. Edward’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Benilde now have outside doors that open with student ID access, joining LaSalle and Brother Leopold who had card access last year.

A new lounge was created in St. Joseph’s hall, and in St. Edward’s Living Learning Center, study rooms, lounge renovations, and a sunroom have been put in.

Living Learning Communities engage students outside of class

By Skylar Finkelstein
Cardinal Staff

Living learning communities, residential groups that integrate resident’s life and classes through networking, are impacting Saint Mary’s University students in a big way.  

Saint Edward’s Hall, directed by Michelle Cullen, has one living learning center with four different programs: Arts Alive, Well Inc., Global Faith, and Wide World and Sports. Each of the programs have different curriculums, but unite students together for residence life programs like the Toga Party, which took place on Sept. 12. Saint Edward’s Resident Assistant Marine Vaujhn said this year the living learning communities are “more student-interest driven”.

All four living learning communities at Saint Mary’s strive to build a community with students who have common goals and a desire to be engaged outside of the classroom.

With the addition of the four different programs this year, more interests are being accommodated. The Arts Alive program was created to spark the interest of students in the School of Arts or any other incoming first-year that has a passion for art. Students involved in the Arts Alive community will create and collaborate with other members to experience and express themselves through art.

Some activities planned for this community are restoring a stone grotto on campus and visiting artistic events or shows. The purpose of this community is to open students’ eyes to the art surrounding them. 

Well Inc. is a wellness living learning community whose faculty advisors include Dr. Moni Berg-Binger and Chandu Valluri. The purpose of this community is to explore the impact of human health and well-being in the four areas of mental, physical, spiritual and financial means. Students in Well Inc. are looking forward to yoga night coming soon.

Global Faith, another community, integrates a diverse group of religions in order to develop student capital. This community explores different faith traditions and the role of faith and values incorporated by diverse religions. 

Lastly, Wide World and Sports is a global leadership community and welcomes students who are interested in local and global issues pertaining to sports. This community plans on hosting weekly soccer games with the community youth and taking trips to off-campus matches.

SMUrfs complete 200-mile Ragnar Relay

By Katy Teske

Cardinal Staff

Running nearly 200 miles of open road, the SMUrfs (Saint Mary’s University running fools) completed the overnight Ragnar relay race, which began in Winona on Aug. 16, and ended in downtown Minneapolis on Aug 17. 

The SMUrfs, a team representing SMU faculty and community members, finished with a time of 35:02:58, placed 283 out of over 300 teams, and 172 out of 182 in their division. The team also won the Nom de Plume award for best team name.

The Great River Ragnar Relay is one of many Ragnar events across the country and is the second oldest Ragnar relay in the series. From Winona, it runs through Wisconsin to Stillwater, then curves southwest into Minneapolis. Each team covers the same route, but start times vary so that all teams reach Minneapolis around the same time. The SMUrfs began bright and early, leaving Winona at 6 a.m.

Each team has 12 runners, and each runner runs two or three legs. Each leg is about three to six miles, depending on the difficulty. Only one person runs at a time, and after each leg, another runner steps in. While each teammate runs, the rest are following in two vans. One van containing upcoming runners stays with the current runner to cheer them on, while the other van goes ahead so those who don’t run for a while can get some rest.

Anyone can participate, and it is a way to challenge oneself both mentally and physically. Participants range from elite runners to novice joggers, and are a wide range of ages. For many of the SMUrfs, it was the mental challenge that really tested them.

The combination of having to run five or six miles and waiting between legs, plus getting very little sleep, is mentally fatiguing. SMUrfs Dorothy Diehl and Dean Beckman said the wait was the most mentally challenging part of the race.

The SMUrf team ran for the personal challenge, and not to be number one. Beckman and Diehl stated they are happy they participated, and Diehl can now “check it off her bucket list.”  

Beckman ran the final leg of the race wearing a Smurf costume. At the end of the relay, a big celebration was open for all teams, but Beckman noted, “I couldn’t wait to get back to Winona and sleep in my own bed.”

Team Members and SMUrf names

1. Erin Buchanan (Captain)
2. Dorothy Diehl (Bailey)
3. Megan O’Connell (Sassette)
4. Katie Strangstalien (Chiro)
5. Trisha Karr (Karr-azy)
6. Kelly Momsen (Knitty)
7. Deb Pattee (Happy)
8. Randy Krainock (Whatever)
9. Rob Gordon (Big Mouth)
10. Steve Pattee (Puddleglum)
11. Michelle Cochran (Nature)
12. Dean Beckman (Jokey)
Van 1 Driver- Peggy Johnson (Perky)
Van 2 Driver- John Schollmeier (Grouchy)
Team Volunteers- Jason Strangstalien, Kurt Karr, Melissa Grodon
Team shirts- designed by Lisa Traux

New location of Campus Safety

By Allison Christensen
Cardinal Staff

Students may have noticed that the glass box near the Hall of Fame Room that once housed Campus Safety is now empty. Many changes took place over the summer at Saint Mary’s University and one of them was the decision to combine Campus Safety and the Information Desk.

Tessy Dias, a Campus Safety staff member, explained that although the office is still called Campus Safety, the goal was to create an office for “campus assistance.” Combining the two offices creates a single, more efficient department that can handle any issues or questions from on or off campus, she said.

According to Campus Safety staff member Don Nelson, Campus Safety is “the heart of Saint Mary’s University.”

During the first week of classes, the Campus Safety department moved to the Information Desk. Campus Safety is still responsible for all of the duties they have performed in the past (including escorts for regular or medical needs, snow removal, checking fire and door alarms, and contacting maintenance about any issues) and has assumed the responsibilities of the Information Desk including the lost and found, motor pool check in/out and the switchboard.

Another change for Campus Safety this year is the addition of a new Director of Campus Safety, Gary Hoeppner. Hoeppner and the rest of the staff at Campus Safety do a lot to ensure that everyone on campus has a safe college experience.

A successful Welcome Week for students

By Elizabeth Hayes

Cardinal Staff

Welcome Week was a success due to the array of activities scheduled throughout the week, according to first-year students.

Mission Improvable, a bonfire, an outdoor movie, were just some of the seemingly never-ending activities available all over campus. These activities provided entertainment, allowed all students to meet new people and get familiar with the campus. Freshmen EJ Leif said, “Welcome Week helped me figure out the campus and find my way around.”

Another activity was a performance by the Oldie Moldie All Stars in the plaza. This band left its mark as students relayed their excitement to see the band’s next performance during Family Weekend.

Mission Improvable’s comedy gold mine was another popular event during Welcome Week. These four men entertained their audience with unexpected jokes and humor.

With classes in full swing, scheduled student events at Saint Mary’s have lessened in amount compared to Welcome Week. However, there are always events going on at Saint Mary’s University such as performances in the Page Theatre, club meetings and activities, or resident hall activities.

Second City brings laughs and social issues to the Page

By Paul Schmitt

Arts & Entertainment Editor

For a performance that began with a montage of pelvic thrusts, Second City’s “Happily Ever Laughter” quickly developed into comedy both clever and politically charged.

The Chicago-based improvisational comedy group performed a series of pre-written sketches, improvisational games, and musical numbers involving its crew of just five of the numerous Second City comedians on Sept. 5, in the Page Theatre at Saint Mary’s University.

The set was notably bare, containing only a few black chairs, which is a common element of the improvisational genre, designed to provide as neutral of a comedic atmosphere as possible.

“The bareness of the stage opened up creativity and imagination that made room for a lot of different humorous opportunities,” said SMU freshman Amanda Baker.

While some sketches, such as one mocking on-air guests of public radio stations, were received very well by the audience, several others that doubled as social commentary pieces provoked little more than a few nervous laughs and awkward silences. 

Topics such as race, religion, and same-sex marriage were brought up light-heartedly in the performance, but tension filled the air on several occasions. The group was clearly aware of the edginess of their comedy, however, and was able to maintain a friendly level of banter with the crowd, regardless of its reaction. 

Just before intermission, crowd interaction reached a peak in which one of the comedians, Kellen Alexander, played a gay man anxious about bringing his boyfriend home to meet his parents. Wishing to show straight men what a gay wedding is like in order to dissuade discrimination, Alexander pulled a man at random from the audience to act as his boyfriend for the remainder of the sketch. The act required him to answer questions about the beginnings of their fictional relationship and participate in a musical number, all to riotous audience laughter.

“They’ve no doubt worked for a huge variety of audiences,” said Augustine Esterhammer-Fic, a senior at SMU. “They’re able to present their social values in a humorous way that doesn’t devalue the argument or make people feel attacked.”

The second act of the show ended on a largely optimistic note, with the entire cast performing a song that listed both things their children would never get to do due to changes in technology and culture, and things that they would have the ability to do because of the increasing levels of tolerance and acceptance in modern society.

Citing legal obligations to perform an encore set, the troupe returned to the stage for an extra fifteen minutes, though the audience members’ reactions suggested waning interest as the night wore on.

Regardless, the lobby murmurings after the show suggested an overall impressed audience who was thankful for the opportunity to see a world-class comedy group perform at the Page Theatre.

From Mozart to Nirvana: Christopher O’Riley’s performance

By Ena Moats
Cardinal Staff

Critically acclaimed classical pianist and host of National Public Radio’s “From the Top” Christopher O’Riley performed a unique piano recital called Out of My Hands in the Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre on Sept. 17, 2013.

O’Riley surprised and awed the audience with his repertoire of not only classical music, but also popular rock, including transcriptions from artists such as Radiohead, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, and Elliot Smith.  

O’Riley was able to stun the older Tuesday night audience into admiration of the contemporary masterpieces as well as the classics, which included works by Mozart/Liszt, Chopin/Liszt, Wagner/Liszt, and Schubert.

Multiple elements of songs, meant for multiple instruments, were transposed into one complex piano composition, and stored into an electronic tablet. O’Riley read directly from the tablet when playing at the piano, using an electronic foot pedal to turn the pages when needed.

This forward-thinking and charming pianist impressed the audience not only with his skills on the 2013 Steinway, but with his intelligence and passion for his work.  This was evident as he explained and commented wittingly on the background of each piece prior to executing it on the piano.

Based on the lengthy applause after each piece, and the final standing ovation, the audience in attendance at Tuesday night’s show enjoyed the unique styles of piano brought to them by the internationally renowned pianist.

Theatre Department to present “Necessary Targets,” a story of the Bosnian War

By Kaeli Todd
Cardinal Staff

Rehearsals are in full swing for the first production of the year presented by the Saint Mary’s University Theatre Department.

“Necessary Targets” will be performed Sept. 25, 26, and 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Valencia Academy Theatre, and delves into the history of the Bosnian War by focusing on the lives of seven women who were affected by it. The cast is also entirely made up of women.

“Necessary Targets” tells the story of the interactions between two American psychologists and five Bosnian women in a refugee camp during the Bosnian War.

“The psychologists are assigned to these five Bosnian women that are trying to recover from a horrific war,” said Judy Myers, the show’s director. “The show is about trying to get the women to tell their stories and to come to terms with what has happened to them, and at the same time, both of the American women go through a transformation themselves.”

The characters in the show are not the only ones who have gone through a transformation; the actors have as well.

“The whole rehearsal process has been very intimate,” said Anne Colling, a sophomore at SMU. “It’s a very small cast, and we go through some dark material. Just in researching it we’ve come across some very ugly things. But the emotions of the characters have brought us closer as people.”

“The all girls cast makes that even more true,” said Katie Sapper, one of the two seniors acting in this play as part of a senior project. “These stories are based off actual women, so when you think about the connection that you as a woman have with these other women that had these experiences, it’s like you share that journey with them.”

While the cast was researching the Bosnian War, Myers had a Bosnian acquaintance attend rehearsals to help with the pronunciation of words, and to share her own stories of the war. According to Myers, when this acquaintance and her husband experienced the war, they were the same age as some of the actors in the play.

Another part of the rehearsal process has involved reading excerpts of the book “Love Thy Neighbor: A Story of War” by Peter Maass.

“He visited the country and wrote down the stories and experiences in a real, journalistic sense,” said Taylor Marshall-Miernicke, the other seniors participating in the show as a senior project. “There was a rawness to it, he told their exact stories and experiences. It’s just very shocking, because we were growing up and we didn’t know anything about it.”

“I think everyone in college either wasn’t born or was a baby when this happened,” said Sapper. “But it was a war. It was a war that happened and it’s on the same scale as any of the wars we learn about in school, but you don’t learn about the Bosnian war. And that’s why I think it will be interesting for college students to come and see it.”

Movie Review: “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” adds humanity to history

By Ena Moats
Cardinal Staff

History is personified in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” directed by Lee Daniels. Based on the life of Eugene Allen, a butler in the White House who worked during eight presidential terms, the film exposes the raw realities of the civil rights movement in America.

In the film, we follow Cecil Gaines, played by a genius Forest Whitaker, on his journey from the cotton field where he experienced the brutal treatment of a slave, all the way to his employment as butler in the White House where racism and inequality still presided along with Presidents Eisenhower (Robin Williams), Kennedy (James Marsden), Johnson (Liev Schreiber), Nixon (John Cusack), and Reagan (Alan Rickman).

Other cast members included Oprah Winfrey (Gloria Gaines), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Carter Wilson), Lenny Kravitz (James Holloway), and Jane Fonda (Nancy Reagan).

In his early life, Gaines quickly learned that, as a black man in a white-dominated world, the key to survival was the ability to keep public and private life separate, to have a face of submission and of dignity, and to know when to put on each mask. 

This theme was reflected in the events and movements of history: desegregation of schools, freedom riders, the Civil Rights Act, the fashion trends of ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, and in the personal lives of the Gaines family and its difficulties with parenthood, alcoholism, love affairs, and the struggle of knowing where one’s priorities lie. The complex balance of political and personal relationships developed in the film was very effective in reaching out to the audience, to invoke crying, laughing, and contemplation.

Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend kicks off Young Alumni Weekend

By Sam Borawski
News Editor

The annual Cardinal ‘M’ Club Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony kicked off the lineup of events for Young Alumni Weekend, Sept. 13 and 14.

“The Cardinal ‘M’ Club ceremony is a great event because it allows us to look back on our athletic success from last year, but also gives us a chance to get excited about continuing that success into this year,” says Assistant Cardinal ‘M’ Club Director, Carolyn Bray.

Three alumni were inducted into the Hall of Fame, and current student athletes were recognized for their exceptional work as students and as athletes.

This year’s inductees to the Sports Hall of Fame included Greg (Dick ’84) Arens (men’s hockey), Todd Borndale ’85 (baseball), and Ashley (Dingels ’05) Gossen (volleyball/track and field).

Jake Traxler (cross country/track and field) and Bethany Schmidt (women’s soccer/swimming and diving) received the awards for Outstanding Male and Female Scholar Athlete awards during the awards ceremony.

For their exceptional work as athletes, Alex Raske (fastpitch) and Peter Borash (Cross country/track and field) received the Outstanding Female and Male Athlete awards.

Over 90 individual awards were given out this year to student athletes at the Cardinal ‘M’ Club ceremony.

Students and alumni participated in the annual Cardinal Dash 5k that took place over Young Alumni Weekend. Many who did not participate in the race attended a golf outing hosted by Saint Mary’s at Cedar Valley Golf Course and auctioned gifts and prizes.

Other events of Young Alumni Weekend included: an alumni party at Jefferson’s Pub and Grill, a faculty and staff social, a gathering at Mulligan’s in downtown Winona, a picnic in the plaza with live music, and the availability of the ropes course and disc golf course throughout the weekend.

Amidst the various events and activities offered, the weekend included various Cardinal sports teams competing against their alumni. Teams who played alumni games included men’s hockey, volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, fastpitch softball, men and women’s tennis, and men and women’s swiming and diving.

All together, over 150 alumni attended Young Alumni Weekend.

New additions bring great beginnings

By Corrine McCallum
Cardinal Staff

With a couple of wins under their belts, the Saint Mary’s somen’s volleyball team is looking to be one of the teams to beat in the MIAC.

With a young team consisting of two seniors, the team is still learning about each other’s game.

“It has been an adjustment having such a young team but it teaches everyone, including myself, that new skills bring promising outcomes,” said outside hitter Jenna Sullivan.

Along with many incoming freshmen and a few transfer students, joining the team is new assistant coach Jackie Jones.

“She wants to make the team better as a whole and yet improve each player individually,” said Sullivan.

Prior to coaching Saint Mary’s, Jones was an assistant coach at Luther College.

One of the many additions to the team include sophomore Macki Fadness. She came into Saint Mary’s as a Women’s Hockey player and is now a two-sport student athlete joining volleyball because she wanted a challenge.

“Right now it’s easy being a two-sport athlete because I am only in one season (volleyball season), but if you ask me this question at the end of October it will probably be a different story,” said Fadness.

According to teammates, Fadness is a great addition to the volleyball family. “She brings enthusiasm and competition to the team,” said Sullivan.

Fadness has been an effective addition to the team with 15 kills in one of first games she played in.

“I love both [volleyball and hockey],” said Fadness. “They are so different from each other it is hard to compare,” she said.

The team, along with Sullivan and Fadness, hopes to bring more wins and keep their season alive.

Women’s soccer looking to recuperate from losses

By Elizabeth Hayes
Cardinal Staff 

Nearly half of the Saint Mary’s University women’s soccer team consists of new players this year, according to senior forward/midfielder Bethany Schmidt.

“After last season, there are a lot of teams that don’t think we have what it takes to be a competitive team. Our goal is to prove everyone wrong,” said Schmidt.

Despite a current record of 0-6, the team hopes to have a successful season. “We’re a family that watches out for each other and picks each other up to keep everyone positive,” said Schmidt.

Freshman midfielder Ellen Moran enjoys the team camaraderie. She said, “[It’s] like having 27 sisters that truly care about each other.”

One goal for the Women’s team is to improve the program as much as possible, according to Moran.

"My goal for this year is to become a stronger defender and become a real aspect to the team,” said freshman midfielder Marissa Dressely.

“We work hard to challenge each other to help us all improve at every practice,” said Schmidt.

Despite Saint Mary’s current losing streak, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference shouldn’t be overlooking the Cardinals. According to Schmidt, “With everyone’s continuing positive attitude and motivation by the last few losses, we will come together to prove everyone wrong.”

New coaches for a new year

By Keotta House
Sports Editor

The Saint Mary University Athletic Department has two new additions this season in head coaching positions, and with new leadership two teams are hoping to turn their luck around.

Niels Anderson was hired this summer to take over the head coaching duties of the men’s and women’s track and field team. Anderson worked as an assistant coach at a college in Colorado before becoming head coach for 13 years at La Crosse Central High School, where he led their team to a few championship titles. However, don’t expect him to take full credit for most of his success. 

“[Success] is not about me, but about what we can accomplish as a team,” said Anderson.

Anderson described coming to Saint Mary’s as a dream job and a dream come true. He also added that the mission of the school was something that he connected with and the school and him share a “common vision.”

That is a sentiment echoed by Saint Mary’s Athletic Director Nikki Fennern. “[Anderson] is a great fit for the athletic department and the institution as well,” said Fennern. 

As far goals for the team, both Anderson and Fennern see building and recruiting as the key to what is hoped to be achieving by the programs. 

Jamison Rusthoven is the other new head coach for the men’s basketball team, and he too believes that recruiting and building will be key in the coming seasons.

With nearly 20 years of coaching experience under his belt, Rusthoven is slated to start in his first head coaching position with Saint Mary’s.

“I’m going to rely on all my experiences to have a good experience,” said Rusthoven. “As you go through your career you learn a lot of goods and a lot of bads, and my goal is to give the guys on the team a good experience,” he added.  

Rusthoven is not only a new head coach, but he is also a new professor at Saint Mary’s as well. For now he is teaching a course in sports management, and teaching runs neck-and-neck with coaching in his book.

There are quite a few things that both coaches have in common and one of them is the fact that the biggest pressure to do well comes from themselves.

“Pressure is what you put on yourself, and I put pressure on myself to be successful and a good leader,” said Rusthoven.

“I will put a lot of pressure on myself and I am very determined to turn this program into something that we can all be proud of,” said Anderson. 

Perhaps the biggest thing these two coaches have in common is their excitement to be at Saint Mary’s, and their excitement to take on the challenge.

A View: Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary

By Wilson Kubwayo
Cardinal Staff

As seminarians, it is always our pleasure to invite the campus and those around us to come and share their time with us. While a good number of faculty and students attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary open house on Sept. 19, students had lots of opportunities to learn more about the Seminary and its seminarians.

One of the great things about inviting students to the seminary is that they get the opportunity to learn about what it means to be a Catholic seminarian. Many students ask questions such as “How does Seminary life differ from the college life?” As Seminarians, we represent the church. A life of a Seminarian is different from a college life by having different expectations from the community around us and the church. Time management plays a big role when it comes to a seminarian life.

“You definitely have less free time, you definitely have a schedule to go with, because of having functions, apostolic work, and house jobs,” says Matthew Wagner, a junior transfer student from the campus. 

A college student is mostly concerned at how he/she is doing academically. As Seminarians we are also concerned about how we are doing in several other areas such as human formation, spiritual formation, and pastoral formation. 

Other questions that most people ask seminarians is “what made you decide to go to the Seminary?” 

Every Seminarian has a different story of his discernment. Wagner said, “When I came to this campus, I started looking into my faith and I got involved into campus ministry. I attended the T.E.C. retreat (Together Encountering Christ), and T.E.C. retreat helped me a lot in developing my faith, and from there I realize that I need to take my faith seriously. As I got deeper, I realized that God is calling me to the priesthood.”