January 1, 2014 Students “Stand Up To Cancer” with a Community Dinner The Saint Mary’s College student club SMC Stands Up To Cancer will host its 3rd annual “Don’t Stop Believin’ Celebration of Life” event on Saturday, March 1. The party is open to the public and intended for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members. Reservations are required. January 1, 2014 Saint Mary’s Announces 2014 Commencement News Saint Mary’s College is proud to announce details of its 167th Commencement, which will take place at noon on Saturday, May 17 on Le Mans Green in front of the iconic Le Mans Hall. There are 273 members of the Class of 2014. The valedictorian for the Class of 2014 is Brianne Michaels, a computational mathematics major from Valparaiso, Ind. The 2014 Commencement speaker is Judith Mayotte, a humanitarian, professor, author, and Emmy Award-winning television producer. January 1, 2014 Saint Mary’s Position in U.S. News Rankings Remains in the Top 100 Saint Mary's College remains in the top 100 of the highest ranked colleges in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. The College has been in the top 100 for six years running, this year coming in at 96 out of country’s 249 liberal arts colleges. “I am very pleased that Saint Mary’s College continues to rank among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges,” said Saint Mary's College President Carol Ann Mooney. January 1, 2014 Lessons and Carols to Fill Church of Our Lady of Loretto The annual Lessons and Carols will take place on campus at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto on Sunday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this ecumenical event, which commemorates the birth of Christ. There is no charge, but those wishing to attend are encouraged to arrive early as seats in the church fill quickly. January 1, 2014 Saint Mary’s Position in U.S. News National Rankings is Its Best Eve... Saint Mary's College’s ranking is the highest it has ever been in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. Saint Mary's comes in at 76, up from 87 last year. The College’s position has progressively increased since 2009. Access to the national rankings can be found beginning today online at www.usnews.com/colleges or printed in the new “Best Colleges 2014” guidebook, available in stores starting September 24. January 1, 2014 "Bloom" Seminar Aims to Build Girls' Confidence (South Bend Tribune) Molly Schleeter Bell '97, with the help of the Office of Special Events, will host “Bloom for Girls,” a one-day summer program on July 13 intended for middle-school girls and their moms or guardians. “Bloom” will promote positive conversations on issues like friendships and loving and accepting your body. January 1, 2014 Get to Know the 2014 Commencement Speaker (The Observer) Judith Mayotte, a humanitarian, professor, author and Emmy Award-winning television producer, will deliver the 167th Commencement address at Saint Mary’s College on May 17. Economics professor Jerry McElroy shares his impressions of his friend who has lived a life dedicated to service. January 1, 2014 Love Your Body Week: “Be Brave Enough to Be Yourself” Saint Mary’s College students will host Love Your Body Week on campus next week and the public is invited to attend two events. The theme for the week is “Be Brave Enough to Be Yourself” and includes talks and activities meant to encourage young women to see themselves in a positive light. Student organizers at this women’s college will inspire participants to empower their own beauty by straying from societal and media-provoked stereotypes of what perfect looks like. This will be the 4th consecutive year for the event. January 1, 2014 Get to Know the 2014 Valedictorian (The Observer) Senior Brianne Michaels, a computational mathematics major and economics minor, is the valedictorian for the Class of 2014. The native of Valparaiso, Ind. says she has had a love of math for as long as she can remember. “The power of mathematics is so intriguing, and a major in mathematics leads to an endless number of career opportunities,” Michaels said, adding that the mathematics department at Saint Mary’s is her home away from home.