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Get Involved!

One of the biggest questions prospective students and parents ask when coming to Holy Cross for the first time is “what do Holy Cross students do for fun around campus?” While Holy Cross is an academically rigorous school, students still have plenty of opportunities to engage in activities non-study related, and make the most of their spare time here on campus. 

Some students coming into Holy Cross are coming in as athletes who still want to continue to play their sport, just not at the varsity level. Getting involved with Club or Intramural sports is a great way many students get acclimated to campus, as well as meet other students. At the beginning of each academic year, students receive emails from Campus Recreation detailing tryouts and meetings for different club sports, and meeting times to sign up for Intramural sports. Intramural sports run every quarter, with teams ranging from dodgeball to flag football. Students can form a team themselves and compete once a week in an on-campus league. Holy Cross also offers a variety of different Club sports, ranging from Club Equestrian to Club Soccer. Club sports practice two-three times per week for one-two hours, with occasional games on the weekends. I am a member of the Club Field Hockey team here at the College, and I find this to be a totally manageable and fun commitment. Joining Club Field Hockey helped introduce me to other people on campus I would not have met before joining, helping me make some of my current friends, and gave me the opportunity to continue to play the sport I love beyond high school. 

Holy Cross also has opportunities for students to continue to pursue their musical interests as well. There are many different a capella groups students can audition for, or students can join the different choirs at the College as a way to get involved as well. Holy Cross has an orchestra, a pep band, a marching band, and a jazz band students can join to continue practicing their instruments, and evolve their musical abilities. Music groups on campus perform for the student body with a cappella performances in the Student Center on weeknights, and performances throughout the year by our college bands and choirs. Students can also get involved with our campus radio station, WCHC 88.1 FM and host their own radio show, channeling their interest in music with a personalized radio show.

Beyond athletic and musical interests, Holy Cross has plenty of clubs where students can grow their interests. There are political groups on campus, Mock Trial and mock court organizations, service organizations on campus like SPUD,SGA senate, dance teams, theatre groups, and religious groups, like Pax Christi and bible study opportunities for students who wish to explore their religious interests. Students at Holy Cross have plenty of opportunities to explore any interests they may have, allocating time for non-work related activities that help them meet new people, and get more involved in the campus community. I have found that extracurriculars and clubs on campus have helped me branch out and become more deeply invested in my Holy Cross community and experience, helping me transition and succeed at the College.

 

~ Michaela Lake ’22
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Unplug, Unwind, and Discern

Olivia Hastie ’22

 

One of the many life-giving experiences at Holy Cross is the Spiritual Exercises Retreat. Students from all faith backgrounds and communities sign up to partake in this experience because it offers a peaceful environment to rest and reflect.   A brief description of the Exercises as written on the Holy Cross Retreats webpage: 

“What do you desire? What is God inviting you to? How do you integrate your faith with decisions you make in your life? What are the movements of your heart? Do you desire freedom and inner peace? An adapted version of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, this five-day silent retreat is an opportunity for reflection and prayer. In silence, you will be given the opportunity to reflect more deeply about your faith, the power of God’s love for you and your relationship to others. In addition, time for personal prayer and reflection and liturgies, thematic talks are given by the Chaplain retreat directors to help assist in your faith journey.”

This five day silent retreat offers students an opportunity to unplug, unwind, and discern where their Holy Cross education is taking them. As a sophomore making lots of decisions like where to study abroad, what to major in, and where my Holy Cross education is taking me, I thought fall break would be the perfect time to attend. I had also never been to the Thomas P. Joyce ‘59 Contemplative Center  and was feeling a little bit left out of that part of my Holy Cross experience. I’m so glad I ended up deciding to participate. 

I knew a little bit about the Exercises from classes I had taken and my general knowledge of the Jesuits. Though challenging, the silence was a beautiful way to experience discernment and contemplation. I’ll also add that throughout the five days, each day contains four sessions where you hear and learn about the actual exercises of Ignatius. Each day participants also have the chance to meet with a Spiritual Director to talk about where he or she is in her faith journey and what he or she is looking to accomplish on the retreat. Realistically it’s not complete silence. There’s also lots of individual activities, like painting, hiking, and playing instruments.

The retreat also takes you through the Jesuit concept of finding and knowing God. Over the course of the five days, I experienced several moments where my vision of God changed. Instead of seeing God as a higher power, I started to see God as a friend walking with me through life. This is one of the many revelations I experienced on retreat. Other people go on the retreat to begin their relationship with God, and others go to be still. It was particularly moving to watch the sunrise each morning and remind myself that there is something greater than I out there. The experience was overwhelming life giving, reminding me to take time to be still and be reflective.

Overall, it was an exceptionally moving experience. Students from any faith background can have a moving experience of the exercises. Spending five days unplugged and silent helped me not only grow in faith but grow in my own self-knowledge. I took time to think about what the future may hold and how I want to spend my next two years at Holy Cross. I’m looking forward to hopefully going again senior year and using the time to pray and think about my own life in a different way.

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The Allegory of Committee

 

Much like the people depicted in Plato’s Republic, my colleagues and I have recently spent a great deal of time in a dark space looking straight ahead. However, while the protagonist in the “Allegory of the Cave” is forced to grapple with the meaning of shadows, statues, fire, and sunlight, the Holy Cross admission staff has pondered over academic rigor, personal statements, interview notes, and letters of recommendation. Having just completed our admission committee process for the Class of 2023, it feels like the right time to reflect on our work and the work of our applicants…through a liberal arts lens, of course.

While Plato’s cavemen and cavewomen view the shadows on the wall as their one true reality, Holy Cross’ admission counselors never lose sight of the fact that our applicants are more than what can be seen on our projector screens. Through interviews, essays, recommendations, and conversations, we strive to know each applicant on a personal level so that we can fully understand and evaluate the essence of every individual.

I can’t tell you how happy we are to walk out of our cave committee room and interact with the Holy Cross Class of 2023 during Admitted Student Day in April. We are thrilled to watch new students join us for summer orientations and to see the impact that each new Crusader will have on our campus over the next four years. Like Plato’s philosopher who is initially blinded by the sun, first days on the Hill will be marked by adjustment and awakening. Fortunately, the education that you will receive and the experiences that you will have atop Mount Saint James will ultimately transform you and point you towards the Form of the Good in life.

 

-Tom McHugh
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ED Admitted: Next Steps

     There is nothing better than knowing where you are going to college early-on in your senior year of high school. I applied ED to Holy Cross because I knew there was no other place for me. I loved everything about this school from the people to the buildings and even the hills. ED was a big commitment and I remember hitting send on the application was daunting. I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I’m incredibly happy that I applied ED, because I truly had time to anticipate the next part of my life and the changes ahead. The transition to Holy Cross is challenging and takes much preparation. Here are some of my personal tips and tricks to maximize college readiness before you begin your time on the Hill.

  1. Don’t slack off with your school work now that you’ve gotten into and committed to a college. The Holy Cross Admission team asserts that your acceptance is secured by maintaining good grades. For many of my ED friends, the transition to Holy Cross was much harder because of the fact that they really hadn’t studied for anything since the fall of senior year. Classes here hit the ground running as soon as you arrive so be sure to continue to practice good study habits so they are fresh when you get here. Also, finish strong! If you were accepted to Holy Cross, you are a phenomenal student. Don’t stop now. Classes are challenging but manageable and professors are incredibly supportive and helpful.
  2. Connect with your classmates via the Facebook group and Instagram. I met my best friend here through Instagram and I’m so happy I did. Don’t be afraid to DM each other, and if you live in the same area grab coffee and get to know each other. The transition into college is much easier when you already have a community of people you know. It also makes events like Summer Gateways Orientation extremely fun because you get to experience everything with a group.
  3. College is not at all like  high school. The biggest lesson I’ve learned since arriving at Holy Cross is the fact that college is very different from high school. You no longer have parents telling you to wake up and get ready, meal times are when you want them, and you have more freedom and autonomy over your schedule. These differences become apparent as soon as your parents leave you on move-in day. Over time, I’ve discovered other differences that helped me grow more comfortable. College students are generally more mature. You never have to feel nervous about asking a stranger if you can sit with them in Kimball Dining Hall.
  4. Everybody is in the same boat. Walking in as a first-year student is really hard especially during orientation. My orientation group was awesome and I still talk to all the students, but we also ended up forming friendships outside of the group. I wish I had known early on that so many people feel that way going through the orientation process. It’s important to know finding your best friends doesn’t happen overnight. It took me a really long time to solidify my friendships here and even part of the way into the second semester I feel like I’m still making friends. It takes time so don’t sweat it, because you are not alone. Just get involved on campus and you’ll find your community, that’s how I did it.
  5. Branch out. That said, don’t confine yourself to one group of people. Eat meals with people in your classes, in your clubs, or on your floor. Be sure to introduce yourself to people. Holy Cross is a small campus full of friendly people who are here to make friends and get to know you.. There is nothing better than sitting in the Hogan Campus Center and having many different people say hello to you. Sometimes it can be distracting but it’s really telling of the community built here.
  6. Try and visit (again). If you know anyone currently studying at Holy Cross, contact them and try to come and visit. Get to know the campus more. I’ve been visiting Holy Cross since I was little, but for the people who don’t know the campus as well, visit a bunch of times. It’s extremely helpful to get an understanding of campus before you arrive.

We are so excited for the Class of 2023 to join us here on the Hill. Spring semester is here in full swing and there are so many wonderful adventures to embark on here at Holy Cross. Stay focused on the rest of senior year and look forward to the next four years at Holy Cross.

 

-Olivia H. ’22
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Music at Holy Cross

 

Are you interest in music at Holy Cross? Then look no further, this blog is for you!

 

My name is Kyle Irvine, and I’m writing alongside another student at the college, Joanna Aramini. I am a sophomore Economics and Music double major with a minor in Italian, and I am involved in the College Choir and Chamber Singers through the Department of Music and music ministry through the Office of the College Chaplains. Joanna is a senior Art History and Sociology double major who has been involved with music all of her time at Holy Cross. She first joined the College Choir, and has since taken many music courses simply out of interest!  Our blog is intended to make prospective students more aware of all the amazing music opportunities offered at Holy Cross, and to give some current student perspective. Happy reading! 🙂

Rooted in the liberal arts tradition, music is an integral part of life at Holy Cross for many students, regardless of course of study or musical experience. As a universal form of expression, music transcends the boundaries of culture and time, and Holy Cross provides an opportunity for students to engage with music and the arts, offering a wide array of courses rooted in the Western, jazz, world, and popular traditions. As a department that offers a rigorous academic program to majors, courses that span thousands of years of music history and social issues to non-majors, and a diverse array of ensembles open to all, several hundred students are attracted to the Department of Music each semester!

Music courses explore history, theory, technology, and performance and all foster an interconnected environment of teacher-student interaction and collaboration both inside and outside of the classroom. The music department has 12 faculty members in musicology, composition, and performance, two artists-in-residence, and many private instrumental instructs, all who offer performance and research opportunities to students as well!

Department sponsored ensembles range from the Chamber Orchestra and College Choir to the Balinese Gamelan ensemble and the Holy Cross Laptop Ensemble Federation (H-CLEF). Outside of the department, there are four a cappella groups, a songwriting club, the Chapel Choir through the Office of the College Chaplains, and more! And what’s better than all of these opportunities? The fact that you don’t have to be a music major to participate in them. In fact, the majority of students involved in these ensembles are not music majors and do not have to audition!

Now that you’re aware of the greatness of the Holy Cross Music Department, don’t take our word for it! Check out what other students involved with music have to say about our programs:

 

“Holy Cross is unique among most Catholic colleges and most small liberal arts colleges of its kind in the fact that is offers a Music Major.  I wanted to attend a school with a strong Catholic identity and reputation for academic excellence, but I didn’t want to sacrifice my interest in music.  At Holy Cross I haven’t needed to compromise any of my interests.” -Rose Grosskopf ‘20, Music and English double major

 

“As a music major, Holy Cross has become my home mostly due to the Music Department.  While meeting new people in your first year of college is hard, I made friends with my fellow ensemble members right away, and they have remained some of my closest friends to this day.  Since the community at Holy Cross is so tight-knit, I am able to interact with members of the choir throughout my day in classes, the dining hall, and even just walking around campus, and always being able to say hi to friends as I walk from class to class is one of my favorite parts about this school.  I also have grown musically through my time in musical ensembles at this school, and I have more confidence in my musical abilities after even just a year at this school.” -Meghan O’Keefe ‘21, Music and Psychology double major

 

“The community of performers that I’ve had the privilege of getting to know are some of the kindest and most dedicated individuals that I have ever met.  Not only are they focused, driven to excellence, and extremely talented, everywhere you go there is a spirit of generosity and gratitude.  This kind of commitment to the music and to one another helps every musician, actor, and scholar here to excel.  Our community and our art draws us together, and it helps us all strive to be the best we can be. I think that’s why we succeed, and create the art that we do: we shine for the sake of our own musical growth, and just as much to lift up the entire ensemble.” -Sadie O’Conor ‘22, undeclared

 

“The wide variety, whether you are an instrumentalist, vocalist, or just interested in the theory behind it.  You can explore so many different styles and mediums.” -Christina Dressel ‘20, Biology and Spanish double major

 

“Music programs at Holy Cross provide freshmen with an easy way to get involved on campus and in the greater community of Worcester.  Each semester brings with it new repertoire and a series of performances for new audiences.  Often times, we have the opportunity to collaborate with other groups on campus.  For instance, the College Choir performed a beautiful piece with Concert Band last semester, which was a new experience for many of the younger students, especially.” -Theresa Gervais ‘20, Spanish major

 

“I think the best thing about the music programs offered at Holy Cross is that they are filled with students from so many different backgrounds and academic disciplines.  Music students do not just stick to music students here.  The diversity among the students in music programs is really wonderful because it allows for so many different opinions and views to be represented in music and throughout campus.  Students who participate in music programs are extremely well rounded and absolutely love what they do!  I also really love how supportive everyone is of the students in music programs; there are always other students, professors, and faculty who support these students by coming to concerts and other performances.  Whether you are involved in music or not on campus, it is something that brings many people together in ways that other disciplines cannot.” -Joanna Aramini ‘19, Art History and Sociology double major

 

“I think the best thing offered about music programs at Holy Cross is the sheer amount of talent that is present in our school.  With programs such as the Brooks Scholarship and Organ Scholarship, incredibly gifted people populate the groups.” -Jacob Fisher ‘21, International Studies and German double major

 

Music at Holy Cross does not just lie in performance opportunities, but reaches out into the entire student body and further out into our community.  Under the direction of Prof. Allegra Martin over the last year and a half, the College Choir and Chamber Singers have had ample opportunity for collaboration with our wider campus community.  Recently, the Holy Cross College Choir provided the music for the liturgy of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrating the 175th anniversary of the College, in addition to providing music for the Mass of the Holy Spirit each year, welcoming first-year students to the Hill.  Last year with the Office of Arts Transcending Borders, the Chamber Singers had the opportunity to work with Theatre of War Productions and the Phil Woodmore Singers to perform a piece called Antigone in Ferguson, which draws parallels between the Sophocles tragedy and the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.  This fall, the Chamber Singers performed David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-winning composition the little match girl passion alongside Maine-based Figures of Speech Theatre with Arts Transcending Borders.

This collaboration does not stop on the Hill. The College Choir combined forces with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Women’s Alden Voices and Men’s Glee Club for a choral collaboration concert, showcasing both ensembles before combining to close the performance.  Students were able to meet and work with talented singers from WPI, an invaluable experience. Check out what some of our students had to say about our recent collaboration! (and check out the picture below of the two joint choirs!)

 

 

“As college students in Worcester, we are in a unique position in that there are so many other college students in the city that we can interact with at local events. This concert was a great way to bring students from two schools that share a love of music together, and I was excited to meet other Worcester students who have the same passion as I do.” -Meghan O’Keefe ‘21, Music and Psychology double major

 

“I am most excited to get out and perform in Worcester. I have many great opportunities to perform on campus, so I am excited to share what the College Choir has to offer with a different audience in the Worcester community.” Lauren Carey ‘19, Music major, Education minor

 

“This experience gave me a chance to get to know other students involved in music in Worcester.  Being able to collaborate with WPI was a great opportunity to make connections across schools and learn about what other students enjoy doing here in the city.” -Hannah Baker ‘21, Music and Sociology double major


No matter what students study at Holy Cross, they are able to find comfort in music if they so desire. Distinctive among nationally ranked liberal arts colleges, the Department of Music here at Holy Cross offers ample opportunity for all students to explore their love of music, whether it be inside or outside the classroom. In fact, Holy Cross plans to expand their music programs, with the creation of the new Center for the Arts and Creativity. This facility, to be built in upcoming years, will incorporate brand new concert halls, performances spaces, technology, and collaboration spaces for Holy Cross’s current and future art students– we are very excited for it!

We hope reading this blog provided some insight into the Department of Music and all of its greatness! Thanks for reading and happy music making!

 

 

 
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Tips for Your Next Campus Visit

 

 

The summer is a great time to visit college campuses and get an idea of what the school is like. Below are some tips to help make your visit a successful one.

 

What to do:

– Ask questions about what interests you! Your tour guide would love to share their student perspective.

– Answer questions if the tour guide asks. Be interactive!

– Be prepared. Wear appropriate footwear for a tour because you will be walking around a lot. HC is very hill-y and has a lot of stairs. Don’t forget to bring water on those hot summer days.

– Arrive early to have enough time to check-in or use the restroom. Tours leave promptly at the time stated.

– Arrange accommodations. If you need special accommodations such as a wheelchair, arrange it with the office before arriving to campus.

– Don’t be shy. Ask to be directed to other sources for more information. Or ask your tour guide for their email if you have follow up questions.

 

What not to do:

– Use your phone or answer a phone call. It can be distracting for others who are trying to enjoy the tour and even your tour guide.

– Walk away from the group. It is difficult for a guide to keep track of everyone or hold up the group by waiting for someone who wandered off. Allow extra time after your tour to explore the campus.

– Interrupt your guide while they are speaking. Once they are finished, they will be available for questions.

– Fall behind. It is difficult for tour guides to speak loudly enough for everyone to hear, especially if people are falling behind.

– Get frustrated. Try to keep calm and not get annoyed with the tour guide. They do their best to answer all of your questions honestly and to the best of their knowledge.

– Ask personal questions. They are willing to answer questions related to the College, but please respect their privacy.

 

Good questions to ask your tour guide:

  1. What made you choose your major/minor/concentration?
  2. What is your favorite thing about Holy Cross or Worcester?
  3. What are you involved in on campus?
  4. What have you learned at HC that you will take with you beyond your college years?
  5. What is the benefit of a liberal arts education?
  6. In what aspects of campus life are Jesuit values most evident? What about social life, academics or religion?

 

Want more out of your tour? Check out our Summer Tour Guide’s HC Visit Bucket List!

  1. Visit the bookstore.
  2. Walk around and watch students interact with one another. (Get an authentic feel of the student body.)
  3. Visit the dining hall.
  4. Visit the athletic center.
  5. If you see a professor or student walking by, stop them and ask them some questions.

 

 

 

 

 
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Advice on being a Double Major

Double major=more work. Right? Actually, no, wrong.

As a tour guide, one of the most common question I get is “what is it like to double major? Is it hard?” I actually kind of chuckle every time someone asks me this because it reminds me how inaccurately double majoring is viewed.

Let’s break it down. Students at Holy Cross take 32 courses (each course is one credit) in order to graduate. A typical major is anywhere between 10 and 14 courses. So, if you have ONE major, you take 10-14 courses for that major, and the rest of your credits are filled with other classes—whether it be a minor, a concentration, or just a bunch of random classes!

If you have TWO majors, then you take 10-14 courses for one of your majors, AND another 10-14 courses for your other major. It’s really that simple. You do not need to take more than 32 courses in order to double major. The only difference is, you are taking more courses geared towards one major.

In regards to school work, you don’t have MORE work just because you have two majors. Often, majors require a higher level course in order to complete the major, whether it is a 300 level seminar, or a 400 level independent study course. This means that with two majors, you would have to take TWO of these higher level courses, one for each major.

SO, having two majors doesn’t necessarily mean more work. It means you have another field of study you are interested in addition to your other major. In terms of schoolwork, you would be taking one or two more higher level courses that you wouldn’t necessarily have to take if you just had one major. So when it comes down to it, a double major is really an addition of one or two more higher level courses to your class schedule.

After reading all of that you’re problem thinking why double major then? I’ll admit, double majoring is not for everyone. Some students know they only want to student one thing and one thing only. With me, I have multiple interests when it comes to academics. In fact, I wish I could triple or quadruple major but that’s just not an option. Students typically double majoring when they have more than one interest and want to study more than one thing.

On a more personal note, one of my favorite things about double majoring is seeing how my two areas of study, art history and sociology, overlap. And surprisingly, they do. When you double major, you’ll find a lot of interconnectedness within your courses, which help you grasp a better understanding as to how the world works. Another great aspect of double majoring is that you have two advisors, one from each major department. This is a great feature because you will have multiple amazing faculty resources!

In conclusion, double majoring only means you take courses geared to two specific academic areas instead of just one. It doesn’t mean more work and it doesn’t mean harder courses. In fact, I actually encourage underclassmen to take a wide variety of courses their first and second years to see if they find multiple disciplines they’re interested in and can double major in!

If you’d like to learn more about double majoring or any of our academic programs in general, visit our website at: https://www.holycross.edu/liberal-arts-and-jesuit-education/majors-minors-concentrations
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What is it like to be a first-year student at Holy Cross?

Freshman Year at Holy Cross: Commonly Asked Questions and My Experience

While many first-year students have older siblings to learn from as they venture off to college, I am the oldest in my family, so going off to college was a completely new experience for me and my family. While I felt completely prepared to leave high school and begin this new chapter in my life, there was still so much that I was unsure of — both about college in general and about Holy Cross. Here are some of the things I have learned so far from being a first-year student on the Hill…

 

What’s it like to be a first year student?

One of my biggest fears when going into college was leaving my high school friends — people I had known my entire life — and making a new group of friends. I’m from a pretty small town and I had gone to school with the same people since pre-school, so making new friends was a pretty big change for me. Within the first few days of school this worry of mine eased. Everyone is so open to meeting new people and making new friends during the first few weeks of school, so if you are worried about making friends, don’t be! Just say “hi” to people! I’ve met such amazing people here at Holy Cross and my best advice is to join clubs and activities that you love, branch out and try new things, and just talk to people!

 

What is your experience with classes and what are professors like?

Classes at Holy Cross are hyped up to sound impossible — they’re not! From my experience, as long as you pay attention, study, and do your homework, everyone is able to manage their classes and still have time for activities and a social life. Attending every class is more than half of the battle, so be sure to make that a priority. Classes are definitely challenging, but they are manageable. I view the challenging parts of classes as a positive thing because I know that I am learning new material and skills and it forces me to put forth my best effort. Additionally, the professors are really amazing! All of my professors so far this year have really cared about my learning and success. They are available, provide great feedback, and get to know their students. I have grown so much as a writer because of my CRAW and Poetry classes that pushed me to think outside of the box. Although that was initially hard to do, the challenge pays off. I can really sense the value in my college education.

Picking classes is another aspect of coming to Holy Cross that many students seem to worry about. My advice would be to have backup plans, just in case you don’t get your first choice of courses. For both first and second semester, I did not get all four of the classes that I wanted, but since I had backups picked out in my “Moodle” backpack, I’ve gotten to take some pretty cool classes that I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. The bottom line is that everything will work out with course selection and especially as a freshman, you have plenty of time to fill your core requirements! Don’t only take classes that you know you’re good at, definitely try some new things and try to broaden your horizons!

 

What is your Montserrat experience like?

Like many other students, when I first got my assignment for my Montserrat I was a little disappointed, because it wasn’t my first choice. However, I ended up really liking my Montserrat class because it focuses on a topic that none of my other classes cover. Also, because you spend the full year with the same class and professor, it’s really nice to have that sort of consistency at a time where everything else is changing.

 

What is it like to live with someone “random” as a roommate?

I was so nervous about who my roommate would be. Even after I got my assignment and communicated with my roommate over text, I still wasn’t totally sure what she would be like. I went into college with the expectation that my roommate and I would be best friends and although that isn’t the case, I still love my roommate and have had a great experience! We live very well together and get along great. It’s actually really nice to have somebody outside of your friend group to come home to every day and talk with. Many of my friends had similar experiences to me, while a few ended up being good friends with their roommates. Either way, the majority of roommates at Holy Cross have a positive experience.

 

Is Holy Cross living up to your expectations so far?

Yes, and more! I knew that I would really like HC, but it truly has exceeded my expectations and I really do love it. There is something so unique about the opportunities and the people here. You aren’t just a number at Holy Cross, you’re a person with a story. It’s so nice going to a small school and seeing people that you recognize all over campus!

I have really enjoyed getting involved here with SPUD, Admissions Outreach, and Eucharistic ministry. I went on a retreat at the Joyce Contemplative Center and hope to attend another. I also want to join club swimming and try out some more new things! I’m excited about the opportunities that the COES business overlay provides and the Maymesters look amazing. There is so much to do and try here and there is something for everyone.

 

Takeaways? Final Advice?

Don’t forget to stay on top of your Holy Cross email. A lot of important information is communicated that way. Get involved! That’s how you’ll meet and befriend people. Seriously, don’t worry about things like classes, making friends, and roommates. It will all work out and Holy Cross provides students with many resources along the way. Professors are always willing to help out during office hours and older students and peers are always happy to answer questions that first-year students might have. Try new things, say “hi” to people, try your hardest in classes, and everything will work out better than you ever imagined!

 

written by Katherine Barrette ’21

 
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Taking the Next Step

“Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking ‘cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking out the door…”

 

This Mickey Rooney song from Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town popped into my head for a couple of reasons during Holy Cross’ Admitted Student Open House. First of all, the weather at times was frightful. And also, my phone let me know that I took over 20,000 steps and climbed nearly 100 flights of stairs throughout course of the day. 

The concept of putting one foot in front of the other feels apt for Holy Cross’ admitted students this week as well. What an exciting moment in time this is for you. By May 1st you will have selected the institution where you will spend the next four years of your life. You also have prom, senior week activities, graduation, and a whole summer to look forward to.

While it may feel like life is trying to whiz on by, make sure that you take time to pause and reflect in these coming days and weeks. Pause to look around your high school halls and to appreciate the friendships which you have been fortunate enough to forge. Reflect on all that you have learned these past four years and think about how you will bring these lessons onto a college campus in the fall.

Congratulations on your many accomplishments and I hope to see you back on Mount St. James very soon. Now go enjoy the final weeks of your senior year! Soon enough, your name will be called and you’ll be expected to walk across the floor.
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History of Women at Holy Cross

Did you know that Holy Cross wasn’t always a co-educational institution? In 1836, Father James Fitton purchased the land now known as Holy Cross to serve as an all male academy. With his pastoral responsibilities taking time away from his academy management, Father Fitton handed over his land to Bishop Joseph Fenwick, who held the College’s first Commencement of six male students in 1849. Within three years, the College had increased to 100 male students.

Since its opening, Holy Cross has served as an exquisite institution and has continued providing one of the finest educations to approximately 2,900 students today. With 48% men and 52% women, Holy Cross students serve as men and women for and with others, as Holy Cross students are urged to measure their personal successes in life by what they have done to better the lives of others. The fairly equal ratio of men to women at Holy Cross allows for the accumulation of diverse opinions, perspectives, and experiences which make Holy Cross so special.

Opening its doors to women in 1972, Holy Cross has included them in all aspects of campus- academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. For example, “Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies” has increasingly become a popular academic concentration for all students. This concentration explores the many facets of gender and encourages students to delve deeper into the every day assumptions and marginalized experiences. Within this concentration are study abroad opportunities, capstone projects, volunteer and research opportunities, and student organizations including the Feminist Forum and Pride.

Outside of academics, there are many opportunities strictly for women. The Sister to Sister Collaborative  (S2S) is a campus-wide committee open to female ALANA and international students, staff, faculty, and administrators of Holy Cross. It seeks to create opportunities for ALANA and international women to feel supported and included in the Holy Cross community by providing a forum for developing and nurturing dialogue around issues that impact their daily lives. In addition to S2S, the Women’s Corner, created by Sociology and Anthropology departments, features diverse perspectives, promotes open exchange, and fosters critical inquiry in a space that highlights issues pertaining to women, gender, and sexuality.

Holy Cross also offers opportunities for women to be successful both before and after their four years at the college. The Women in Business Conference is open to female students and celebrates, honors, and inspires those pursuing a business career and offers an opportunity to network. The Women’s Institute of Summer Experimental Research (WISER) provides accomplished young women entering their junior or senior year in high school the opportunity to earn college credit through a seminar-style course in the natural sciences as well as to gain hands-on research experience in a state-of-the-art laboratory. The Women in Science Day aims at maintaining and enhancing the involvement of women in the STEM disciplines by allowing high school students to participate in interactive lab demonstrations offered by the departments of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics & Computer Science, as well as STEM-specific browsing sessions, with representatives from the College.

There are many extracurricular and athletics groups open for female students as well. These include all-female a cappella groups, and all female Division 1 sports teams and club sports teams such as women’s soccer, rugby, volleyball, lacrosse, and basketball.

 Since 1972, women have been vital in the success and experience of Holy Cross. They have been an integral part of the campus’ student body by contributing new perspectives, opinions, and experiences. Without women, the Holy Cross we know today would not be same.  In celebration of Women’s History Month, the College has held and continues to showcase a series of events, performances, and lectures, which take place throughout the month of March and are open to the public.

 

written by Joanna A. ’19