Class of 2023 moves in

By Dianne Frances D. Powell

New students began their Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College journey on Friday by enjoying cheers, music, bubbles and a personal welcome from SMWC President Dottie L. King, Ph.D. Faculty and staff lined The Avenue cheering on the students and family members — with awe and emotion on their faces —as students drove toward their home away from home, Le Fer Hall, SMWC’s residence hall.

The Avenue Welcome on Move-In Day has become a cherished tradition since it began a decade ago. The morning event was followed by students moving in to their new rooms, a blessing for new students and families in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and orientation activities. Today, the College community opened the new school year by gathering in the church for Liturgy.

SMWC’s campus program enrollment this fall is expected to be about 520, the third highest total enrollment since the College’s founding in 1840. This is the first time the campus program has had enrollment above 500 since 1967, and it marks the sixth time the campus program has enrolled more than 500 students in the history of the College. New students represent seven states and three foreign countries.

Traveling all the way from Seattle, Washington to move-in to Le Fer on Friday was music therapy major Sophia Ricard, who was accompanied by her mom Debra, dad Fernand and two brothers, Andre and Gus. Ricard said she chose The Woods because of the quality music therapy program, the personal attention, the beauty of the campus, and SMWC’s Catholic faith. “When I met with the professors, I felt really welcomed. I felt that I would be challenged here and the curriculum is impressive, too,” the freshman said.

Ricard is the first among her siblings to go to college so, for mom Debra, Move-In Day was bittersweet. Even though Seattle is pretty far away, Debra expressed complete trust and confidence that her daughter will have a great experience at The Woods because of its welcoming, tight-knit environment.

When she visited the campus in March and met some of the music faculty, “I knew it was the right place for her,” Debra said as she tried to hold back tears. “I think because it’s a small group, she will be coached well and she’ll have that sense of belonging that she’s looking for.”

Plus, Ricard looks forward to growing and being supported in her faith. “I really wanted to go to a Catholic school and when I came here, seeing all the churches and chapels and the history with the Sisters of Providence was really cool,” Ricard, a Catholic, said.

Another new student, Addison Wesley Hughes of Greencastle, wants to strengthen his spirituality during his time at The Woods and to participate in the music theatre performances on-campus. A winner of the 2019-20 Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Scholarship, Hughes, an English major, said faith was a “big factor” in his decision to choose SMWC. He self-identifies as non-denominational.

“For the longest time I wasn’t religious and I won’t shy away from that. But once I found God, I realized that I don’t want to go to a school that doesn’t value those things,” he said. “…This campus … just makes me feel so much closer to God. It makes me feel closer to what I want to be and that’s not a feeling I got at any other school I visited.”

“I’m very excited to work with the [campus] ministry. I’m just excited to get my education at such a great school.”

SMWC has been true to its mission of providing higher education for nearly 180 years. The traditions of The Woods are shared by alumni from generation to generation.

Freshman Mikayla Hudgens of West Terre Haute said The Woods made her feel at home when she first visited the campus, which was a factor in her decision, but she also feels connected to The Woods through a cousin, who is a current student, and other relatives who graduated from the College. She chose SMWC for the reputation of its nursing program; all its 2018 graduates successfully passed their licensing exams. “I’m really looking forward to gaining some lifelong friends,” Hudgens said.

Other new students this academic year could trace family ties with Woods alumni. One of them, Fishers resident Leah Pache, is a member of the third generation in her family to attend The Woods. She is the daughter of Julie Cavanaugh Pache ’90 and granddaughter of Josephine Eggers Cavanaugh ’65.

For Ring Day, the 19-year-old incoming junior will be getting her grandmother’s Woods Ring. “I’m following in their footsteps and it’s really cool,” she said.

Julie Pache said she’s “ecstatic” that her daughter is now at The Woods. “It’s a safe place to discover who you are. I feel that I figured out who I was here at The Woods. …I’m thrilled she’s going to be here doing the same,” she said.