Saint Mary’s welcomes the Class of 2020 as the most diverse class in the College’s history
Most of the Class of 2020 moved in yesterday, welcomed down The Avenue by students, staff and by a special classmate at their residence halls, President Jan Cervelli.
Four hundred and thirty-five members of the Class of 2020 from Oregon to Florida, from Massachusetts to California, and from as far away as China, Thailand, and Vietnam will participate in the Belles Beginnings Orientation as a way to get acclimated to the College community.
Thirty-five members of the most diverse class, including Hailey Figert ’20 and Jalyn King ’20, arrived on campus August 14 as part of the Belles Connect program hosted by the Office of Multicultural Services. The Belles Connect Program offers early connections to students, services, and resources four days before the rest of the incoming class.
Hailey says the program allowed her to get acclimated to campus without feeling too overwhelmed.
“I would recommend the program to anyone. We got to meet a lot of campus resources and it was really easy to ask questions.”
President Cervelli officially became a member of the Class of 2020 during the Matriculation Ceremony this morning, when she was the first member to sign the class record on the stage of O’Laughlin Auditorium.
She addressed the students with a reminder that they acknowledge the founders of the College, the Sisters of the Holy Cross who lead by example.
“Let us be worthy of the Saint Mary’s we have inherited, striving every day to live up to the founding spirit of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.”
To some students in the Class of 2020 Saint Mary’s is familiar, with 47 students who have mothers that attended the College and 50 more have some kind of family connection whether it’s a sister, cousin, aunt, or grandmother.
Sixty-six percent of the class were varsity athletes at their high schools and 63 of those students were captains of their teams.
One hundred and three students were inducted into their high school’s National Honor Society and will continue their academic careers with the same dedication and enthusiasm.
The class of 2020 has accomplished much during their high school years including:
· Mission trips to Peru, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Haiti, New Orleans, Miami, Detroit, Appalachian region, and areas of Illinois and Pennsylvania
· Five accomplished members of FIRST Robotics teams
· Self-published multiple novels
· Nearly a dozen Irish dancers
· Miss Michigan winner
· Founders of non-profit organizations
Camilla Edwards ’20 said she’s excited to get started with classes on August 22.
“I’m taking some pretty interesting classes, Philosophy of Religion and Political Science.”
Camilla said she might major in finance and marketing with a minor in political science, but for now, she’s looking forward to getting to know her classmates.
About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.