You are invited to a celebration of the
35th Anniversary
of the
Wood's External Degree Program.

As part of our history, you have contributed to the success of the program.  Please plan to join current and former faculty, staff, administrators, alums and students as we remember, share, and rejoice!

Saturday, May 16, 2009
9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 

Register for this event today!

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WED 35th Celebration
Mary and Andrew Rooney Library 

9:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Registration and reception

Visit with past and present WED students, staff and faculty, and SMWC President David G. Behrs, Ph.D., as we commemorate the 35th anniversary of WED! Special guests speakers will include:

• Jeanne Knoerle, SP, '49: Sister Jeanne is co-chancellor and served as the 12th president of SMWC from 1968 To 1983. Early in her presidency, Sister Jeanne realized the need to serve a new population of students. In 1973, the WED program was born! 
  
• Alice Quinlan '65: Alice served as the director of the WED program from 1989 to 2008. During her time as director, the program experienced record enrollments, and the College's Board of Trustees approved enrolling men in WED as degree-seeking students.
  
• Gwen Hagemeyer G'09: After over 15 years of service in the WED program Gwen was recently appointed WED Director. In the past several months, she planned and implemented the new one-day orientation for new students and led changes to the WED extension policy and residency calendar.
  
• Dottie King, Ph.D.: As the Assistant Academic Dean at SMWC, Dottie will discuss the future of the WED program. She will also share information about the new Woods OutReach to Learners (WORLD) Program, which will be a fully online undergraduate degree program.

11:00 A.M.
Luncheon with reunion guests

Experience Reunion at SMWC! Lunch will be in the magnificent O'Shaughnessy Dining Hall, providing an opportunity for our WED 35th Anniversary guests to mingle with our 2009 Reunion guests. While at lunch, participate in the SMWC National Alumnae Board Annual meeting, and at the conclusion of lunch, join us for a picture to commemorate the WED 35th Anniversary.

12:30 P.M.
WED Picture with President David G. Behrs, Ph.D.

1:00 & 1:45 P.M.
Pilgrimage tour of campus

Walk in the footsteps of our College's foundress and our very own saint, Mother Theodore Guerin. This 45-minute pilgrimage will begin behind Le Fer with a brief historic introduction, and proceed to the places where our valiant foremothers walked: the Arrival Rock, the ravine, and the site of the first chapel, with accompanying commentary in Mother Theodore's own words. We will conclude at Saint Mother Theodore's shrine in the Church, and interested participants may continue to explore the dioramas and the Heritage Room. Don't miss this authentic walk into the precious and wonderful legacy of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. The Pilgrimage Walk will be led by Rosemary Nudd, Ph.D., SP, '69, associate professor of English.

1:00 & 1:45 P.M.
Tree Walk

You can't help but notice the trees when you visit The Woods! Let's take a leisurely stroll to appreciate them, learning not only about their natural history, but also about their possible uses through the years at SMWC. For example, the Kentucky coffee tree's seeds were used to make rosary beads! There are several big trees on campus and the S.P. grounds, which are listed as county champions in Vigo County's big tree registry. The Tree Walk will be led by Mary Beth Eberwein, adjunct instructor.

2:30 P.M.
Book Discussion - Julie Young

Julie Young, '05, freelance writer from Indianapolis, Ind., will lead a discussion about her book, “A Belief in Providence: A Life of Saint Theodora Guerin.” The book tells the story of the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (originally Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Academy) and the Sisters of Providence. The book is available for purchase online at Amazon.com, bn.com (Barnes & Noble), or Indianahistory.org (the Indiana Historical Society).

3:30 P.M.
Reflection Service

The day will be concluded with a reflection service at the Lady of Lourdes Grotto. This service will bring together the concepts of peace, justice and mercy, the values for which Saint Mother Theodore Guerin stood. Celebrate what The Woods is today, what it was yesterday and what it will be in the future. The Reflection Service will be led by Patricia McIntyre, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology.

4:00 P.M.
Event Concludes

Don't forget to visit the Alumnae Art exhibition in Hulman Hall.  While you're there, visit the newly remodeled SMWC bookstore.  Finally, there will be a Quilt Raffle to wrap up the celebration.

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For more information contact the WED Office at (812) 535-5285

Registration is $15.00 per person.  Register online now. 

Julie Young, '05, freelance writer from Indianapolis, Indiana will lead a discussion  bout her book, “A Belief in Providence: A Life of Saint Theodora Guerin,” the story of the founder of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (originally an academy for young women). You may order through Amazon.com, bn.com (Barnes & Noble), or  Indianahistory.org (the Indiana Historical Society).