News & Events
Don't forget the campus calendar will help you find out when it all is happening!
April 2007
Student Help Desk to the Rescue
Living in a world run by technology, we’ve all experienced those dazed and confused moments when things couldn’t get more complicated. You’re staring at your computer screen, wondering what button you could have possibly pressed that would lock up the screen right in the middle of a fifteen-page research paper, due tomorrow. How about wanting to throw the landline phone across the room after unsuccessfully trying to retrieve those week old messages from your mom that you still haven’t heard? Maybe it’s the fact that your Internet cable is plugged in, saying you’re connected and yet you still can’t log on to Instant Messenger to tell your friends you’ll be at dinner by six.
Bottom line, we all fight with technology at some point or another, but St. Mary’s students can put their fears at bay. As students we are connected to the St. Mary’s computer network, we’ve got technology support. So, stop paying those companies $40 for a ten-minute phone conversation that is supposed to solve all your problems. Instead, talk to the Student Help Desk.
The purpose of the Student Help Desk is to assist students with troubleshooting through contact over the phone, on the Web, or in person. Open to students daily, Student Help Desk representatives are happy to support those students who have gotten in a little over their heads. The goal is to resolve student problems as quickly and efficiently as possible, and even if the Student Help Desk is unable to do so, they will solicit outside support for certain problems. You can’t go wrong.
In addition to having these technological geniuses on-call, students have access to certain downloads and software either for free or for a fraction of their retail cost. So, don’t tell Dad to run out and get you the newest version of Windows XP or Microsoft Office in August because St. Mary’s students can get their hands on this software with just their Student ID Cards and a twenty dollar bill. Some of the free downloads include key tools that will help protect your computer from Spyware/Adware and viruses.
Aside from computer assistance, the Student Help Desk Web site offers step-by-step instructions for any problems involving your voicemail, Blackboard, SMARTNet, pay for print, and so much more. No matter what technology throws your way, you’ll be ready to deal with it. So next time you’re grappling with your virus software, voice mail inbox, or that pesky Internet cable, remember that you’ve got the Student Help Desk to solve all your technology-related headaches.
[Return to Top]
Recycled Percussion Rocks St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s SGA and Programs Board work hard year round, planning events that will be sure to excite and entertain students. Needless to say, they gave St. Mary’s students exactly what they wanted with an awesome performance by Recycled Percussion.
Recycled Percussion, a band with a turntable, DJ, and unimaginable percussion instruments that can be found at any dump, has been voted the #1 Performing Group in the college market five times. During their 2007 college tour, the band made a stopover at St. Mary’s College on March 26th and put on quite a show.
Needing nothing more than their ID cards, students were admitted into the concert and faced a stage set with little more than ladders, old cymbals, trashcans, and really anything else that band mates Justin, Ryan, and Greg could beat on with their drumsticks. The guys really got students going with an amazing show of quick drumming, beat boxing, and crazy beats from the turntable.
By the end of the show when students and band members alike were completely worn out, the guys stayed around to take pictures, sign autographs, and sell merchandise to eager new fans. There is no doubt that Recycled Percussion will always be welcomed on the campus of St. Mary’s College.
[Return to Top]
How Students Keep St. Mary’s Beautiful
St. Mary’s is known for being an absolutely breath-taking campus, located on the waterfront and surrounded by a stunning landscape. To keep the campus looking as great as it does, student volunteers are working from April 1st through April 5th and dedicating their time to improving many aspects of the school.
This campus-wide improvement is known as Care For Your Campus Week, which is sponsored by the SGA and the Service and Social Change Program. Although this is the first year Care For Your Campus Week was implemented, the SGA is hopeful that the events will become a yearly tradition at St. Mary’s. Tara Brown, the SGA President, commends the idea, saying, “It’s a great way to get students involved on campus, while also providing fun activities for students to enjoy during their study breaks.”
Each day between April 1st and April 5th had a specific objective, helping to beautify some aspect of campus.
Sunday, April 1st- Screw Vandalism Day- Students broke into three groups and helped clean up areas around the dorms, the townhouse greens, and the campus center.
Monday, April 2nd- Appreciation Day- Students decided to write "thank you" notes to workers and staff members to show appreciation for all they do for students. The notes were posted all around campus on various posters. Also, the SGA provided free coffee and snacks for faculty/staff/workers from the Daily Grind.
Tuesday, April 3rd- Sexual Assault Awareness- The main event on this day was the "Drunk Sex or Date Rape" lecture held on campus by a lawyer, who discussed a case, presented the facts to students, and asked them to decide whether it was drunk sex or date rape that had taken place. T-shirts were distributed to students who attended.
Wednesday, April 4th- Campus Cohesion Day- To inform students of all that goes on around campus, posters were displayed that showed all of the clubs' achievements from this year. Also, from 4 to 6pm, various activities were held at the Campus Center, including four-square and three-legged races. Free smoothies and soda were distributed to interested students.
Thursday, April 5th- Love the River Day- This event was held down by the waterfront from 4 to 10 pm. Students enjoyed a barbecue with free food from 4 to 6pm, volleyball and water sports demos, and a riverfront Coffee House performance starting at 8pm. At the end of the night, students sat around a bonfire and enjoyed s'mores.
[Return to Top]
13 Questions with a Current Student: Esther Adetunji, Class of 2008, English and Psychology double major
1. What is your hometown (City, State)?Lagos, Nigeria- my mother and I came to America when I was 8 to join my father and siblings.
2. What is your current Residence? Beltsville, Maryland.
3. Why did you choose St. Mary’s? I didn’t initially want to attend any school in Maryland, but my father took me to this man that works for the University of Maryland in College Park and he talked to me about schools in Maryland and he happened to mention St. Mary’s. I had never heard of the college before, but he convinced me that it was gorgeous and urged me to apply. I did, I got in, and from the first day I visited I knew it was for me.
4. Why did you choose your major? Since I can remember I have always performed well (academically) in English. It was the one subject I always got an A. I loved reading and I constantly had a book with me no matter where I went. I always made sure I had a book with me because you never know what could happen, and God forbid I get caught somewhere bored out of my mind without a book to entertain me. I would read and eat dinner at the same time, I would go to basketball games, and instead of mingling I would pull out my latest book and read during the 10-minute break. So being an English major was a no-brainer, it was simply meant to be. On the other hand, I fell in love with psychology was I was a senior in high school and I decided to take AP psych. I loved most of the topics we covered in this class and decided to pursue it further in college.
5. What extracurricular activities do you participate in? Rotaract Club (international service club, our sector sponsors Christmas in April), Cultural Entertainment Chair for World Carnival, SGA’s Program’s Board (specifically the Lectures and Comedian Committee), Library Circulation Desk Assistant, Orientation Leader, member of the Pre-Law Advisor Network Club (PLAN), member of Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Honors Society).
6. What leadership positions have you held on campus? Vice-president of the Rotaract Club, chair of a committee for World Carnival.
7. What academic award(s) have you earned? St. Mary’s Junior Scholar, Multicultural Student Excellence Award, Academic Achievement Award (BSU), Dean’s List.
8. What was your favorite class and why? I’ve had numerous classes that have impressed me, but I will have to narrow them down to Psychology and the Law, and Adolescence. I loved Psych and the Law because it combined two things I’m immensely interested in. I learned so much in this class and it gave me possible ideas of what I might do with my life in the future. I loved Adolescence because it brought me out of my state of ignorance about teens and their experiences during adolescence. I also learned a lot in this class and it interested me throughout the semester.
9. What is your fondest memory at St. Mary’s? Once again I have a lot of fond memories at St. Mary’s. However, if I had to chose one I would say when my friend and I won a round of the Roommate game put on by the Programs Board, that was a great moment for both of us.
10. What would you consider the most valuable aspect of a St. Mary’s education? I value the wealth of information my professors and even my peers have passed on to me. At St. Mary’s everyday I learn something new and interesting, at times useless but always interesting—guaranteed conversation starters.
11. What is your favorite part of the St. Mary’s campus? My favorite part of campus would have to be the Garden of Remembrance and the little hill that over looks the water by St. Mary’s Hall. The view from these two spots is remarkable, they can make a disgusting day glorious.
12. What are your plans after graduation? I plan on attending law school after graduation.
13. What advice would you give to prospective students? My experience at St. Mary’s has been shaped largely by the people I see everyday and am fortunate enough to interact with. I love the people here (most of them, that is) and they make this place what it is (not counting the beauty the campus holds by itself). During my time here I have discovered that St. Mary’s is a beautiful community that fosters creativity, adventure, learning, friendships, diversity, and discourse (most of the time).
[Return to Top]
13 Questions with an Alumnus: Jeremy Young, Class of 2006, History and Music double major
1. What is your hometown (City, State)? Flagstaff, Arizona.
2. What is your current residence (City, State)? Silver Spring, Maryland.
3. What extracurricular activities did you participate in? College Nonpartisans (which I founded), History Club, Tolkien Society, Newman Society, Maryland Collegiate Honors Council.
4. What honors and awards have you received? Maryland Collegiate Honors Council Student Representative, Executive Committee member, Nitze Scholars Program Committee Representative.
5. What academic awards have you earned? David Beers Quinn Award in History, Alison Quinn Award in History, Mary Marlay Award, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta.
6. Are you planning on continuing your education? I'll be attending graduate school for history in the fall, but I’m not sure where I’ll be attending yet.
7. What is your current occupation? One year as a research historian, History Associates Incorporated.
8. What is your favorite part of your current occupation? Learning how to go into an unfamiliar archive and get lots of research done without having to spend time figuring out how the system works.
9. What is your fondest memory of St. Mary's? Working on my SMP at the same time my adviser was writing a book, and meeting for informal chats where we could bounce ideas for our projects off each other.
10. What would you consider the most valuable aspect of a St. Mary’s education? Definitely the personal attention from faculty. It's literally impossible to be invisible from professors at St. Mary's -- they are so incredibly interested in students, both as budding intellectuals and as people. You'll never be just a number at St. Mary's!
11. What advice would you give to prospective students? I came across the country to attend St. Mary's because I thought it was the best education available, and I wasn't disappointed. If you want to attend a school in a beautiful place where individuality and learning are emphasized in both student and school culture, St. Mary's is the place for you.
[Return to Top]
Return to the Archives
