Angelina Stupak and her Handprint Left Behind

As she approaches the halfway point in her final year at Saint Mary’s College, Angelina Stupak ’26 looks back on all that has shaped her and prepared her for what's to come. As a psychology and sociology major, Stupak jumped right in, joining both the Psychology and Sociology clubs, which led to an amazing connection among Belles with similar interests. “It was empowering to find a community of students who are also dedicated to social justice, both in Saint Mary’s and South Bend.” She did not stop there; in her third year, she began serving as secretary, marking the start of an influential path at Saint Mary’s College. 

Becoming club secretary helped Stupak build relationships between students and faculty. Now, she serves as co-president alongside her classmate and friend, Elizabeth Ohman ’26. “Together, we hope to accomplish great things for our department and community,” says Stupak, who credits her position as a student ambassador for helping her find her purpose at Saint Mary’s.

“In this position, I have the opportunity to lead future Belles home, but also curate events that bring the community to life,” Stupak explained. Last spring at Meet Me at the Avenue, the annual Admission event for accepted students, Stupak had a vision to highlight the heartfelt traditions of the Saint Mary’s community. “We created a banner for them to place their first handprint on, and we plan to display this banner during their Senior Week, where they can permanently leave their handprint in the tunnel.”

Providing weekly campus tours has deepened Stupak’s appreciation for Saint Mary’s. “Now, as a senior, each tour has become quite emotional as I reflect on the wondrous four years this institution has provided me with,” says Stupak. Among a myriad of other student organizations, Stupak credits her time as Social Concerns Chair in the Student Government Association (SGA) with being fulfilling and providing her with direction for this year, when she was given the “highest honor” of serving as the student representative on the College's Board of Trustees for the 2025/26 school year.

“The most meaningful part of Saint Mary’s to me is our community. I never imagined forming bonds as strong as the ones I now have. The classroom is a place for conversation, not debate. Our successes are not compared; they are celebrated. To eat, sleep, learn, and live together creates an inevitable bond mirroring true sisterhood,” says Stupak. And just as she did in the spring, helping  Belles begin their Saint Mary’s journey, make their mark, Stupak hopes to do the same with leaving her mark at the College: “I hope to leave Saint Mary’s with the assurance that my handprint has contributed to the ongoing success of this Institution and its students.”

 

January 6, 2026