Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) students celebrated its long history by coming together for a Foundation Day event on Oct. 22 to reflect on what it means to be part of The Woods community.
“Today, we pause from our usual routines to come together as a Woods community, celebrate where we came from and reflect on what it means to be part of the story of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College,” said Sara Boyer ’02, ’13MLD, associate vice president of student success. “The story of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is still being written. Every student in this room and enrolled this year is now part of that story. We look forward to how your contributions will continue to shape our legacy.”
After an opening prayer, led by campus minister Tim Tesmer in the Conservatory of Music’s Harvey Auditorium, SMWC’s President Brennan J. Randolph offered remarks on the meaning of Foundation Day.
“What I find especially meaningful about that story is that Mother Theodore and her companions could not have known everything that would come from the work they began. They could not have imagined the generations of students who would study here, the programs that would develop, the professions our graduates would enter or all the communities they would serve,” he said. “But they did understand the importance of beginning. They believed that what they were building mattered. And 186 years later, we are still building. That is why Foundation Day is not simply about looking backward and celebrating our history. It is also about recognizing our responsibility for what comes next.
“Whether you came to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from across Indiana, from another state or another country; whether you study here on campus or at a distance; whether you are beginning your journey or preparing for graduation, you are part of this community, and you are helping shape what this College will become.”
After a video featuring “then and now” images of The Woods, Janet Clark, Ph.D., vice president for academic and student affairs, led the community through a “How Well Do You Know The Woods?” challenge. It included questions about the arrival of the College’s foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, and her companion Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840, as well as campus traditions and facts about the College’s history. Students locked in their answers using a QR code to access a poll on their devices.
Earlier this week, students were asked to answer three questions about The Woods community:
- What does “community” mean to you in one word?
- Who has helped you feel at home at SMWC?
- What value of Mother Theodore is most relevant today?
The responses, displayed in a word cloud, included the words: family, home, together, connection, support, friendship and belonging.
Clark also moderated a panel conversation about experiences and perspectives on belonging, service, the College’s mission and what makes SMWC a special place. Panelists included students Kyleigh Moore, a sophomore Kindergarten-Grade 6/Mild Intervention Education major from Terre Haute, and Jameson Dix, a freshman Biology and Pre-Veterinary major from Robinson, Ill.; faculty member Tricia Pierce, DHSc, ACSM-CEP, associate professor of kinesiology and wellness; and Sherrie Mansfield, M.Ed., professional advisor and retention navigator.
“This place offers something a lot of colleges don’t,” Pierce said. “Connections to each other are what we are here for.”
Dix added, “The people and relationships you build are really what drew me here. Every face is a welcoming face with a smile.”
For Mansfield, SMWC offered the sense of community she’d been looking for.
“I’d never felt community in the way that I do here. Working here now is like coming home. People want to support you,” Mansfield reminded the audience.
After discussing her recent alternative fall break experience with Campus Ministry, Moore said she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but SMWC.
“I’ve never felt as much support from faculty, staff and students as I do here,” she said. “They truly care about us here.”
Following the discussion, Brooke Hickey, director of people management and success, and Zac Warner, director of housing, presented Community Champion certificates to members of the campus community who exemplify hospitality, service, leadership, compassion and community. Recognized students included Savannah Black, Ariana Cruz, Kevin Garcia and Jayden Hickenbotham, while recognized Top Champion faculty included Rob Vandermolen, Ph.D., and Theresa Watson, MS. Top Champion staff mentioned were Bob Jackson, M.Ed., Martha Reed, MS and Tim Tesmer. All winners received a certificate and had their photo taken.
Students who submitted answers to the Foundation Day reflection question before the presentation were also entered into a drawing for a gift certificate. Jacobo Galvez, Jayden Hickenbotham, Alaina Leet, Kaylee Harbaugh and Kyleigh Moore were the winners.
“Everyone here represents a piece of the legacy Saint Mother Theodore began nearly two centuries ago. The future of this mission is not somewhere else. It is here. Let us remind ourselves today that we are One Woods!” said Kevin Garcia, a graduate student from Houston, Texas, who led his classmates in a “One Woods! Our Woods!” chant.
Before wrapping up the event, Martha Reed, MS, director of the Career Center, challenged everyone in attendance to strengthen the SMWC community and submit their commitments via a QR code on their phone.
“Your commitment doesn’t have to be something big,” Reed said. “It might be including someone new, attending a campus event, supporting a classmate or colleague, volunteering, or simply being more intentional about reaching out to others.”
Later this month, the responses will be showcased across campus on displays in Le Fer Hall, Doherty Dining Center, the Learning Resource Center and Woods Café.