A Letter from the President

The University of Saint Mary has welcomed new students for the 100th year in a row! Saint Mary College was technically founded on September 23, 1923. In 1923, the sisters welcomed a handful of students. This year, we are welcoming another record incoming class of just over 300. Our main campus undergraduate population is at an all-time high. I must admit welcoming each new class is my second favorite event; graduating them four years later is my favorite.

After four years at Saint Mary, students have gone from discombobulated, homesick freshmen who get lost in the tunnels, to confident young men and women with strong values and deep faith ready to take their place in society. They are teachers, nurses, police officers, accountants, and biologists. They are headed to medical school and law school. This is the result of that amazing transformation we call education.

As Saint Mary has continued to grow, we have been creative about housing our students while we get another residence hall built. The ground floor of Maria now houses 22 young men. The convent on Mead Hall 3rd floor now houses 16 young women, and the guest area of the Sisters of Charity now houses 13 young women. This year, as many as 20 USM students will enjoy apartment style living at Leavenworth Local Hotel, previously Immaculata High School. God willing, our new residence hall will be completed and ready to house students next fall.

In honor of our centennial, we also restored and renovated the grotto on campus. The statue of Saint Mary in the grotto was purchased by Mother Mary Peter in 1896. The calvary statue was purchased two years later for $468 or $17,237 in today’s value. The renovated grotto was blessed during the Fall Festival on Oct. 14. Both Saint Mary and the calvary statue have been sand blasted and restored to their original color, a dark silver.

So, in the Saint Mary way, we build for the future while restoring and treasuring our past. We can do these things because of your faithful support and belief in the mission—and for that I am grateful.

I invite you to come to campus and walk the sacred grounds. Visit the grotto and light a candle. Enjoy a football or volleyball game or just stop in for coffee. You are always welcome at your campus, your home away
from home.

Blessings,

Sister Diane Steele, SCL, PhD, C’83
University President