Where are...

Wittenburg with his Steds flag

...they now? Well, it looks like Jake Wittenberg, Steds junior, is still in China. Whether it is the food, the language, or the sites, Jake is taking advantage of his time abroad. Of Wittenberg dallying in China, Fr. Ralph said, "Looks like he packed the essentials. Still, come home Jake!"

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Western Steds.

Left to Right: Michael, Stedsmen James Yurkovich, Tim Bossidy and 

Andrew O'Connor and Dr. O'Connor

Given the recent noise of the Main Building's renovation work, it was necessary to move out west to enjoy the silence, sun, and surf of California. Still yet, it was great opportunity to catch up with former Stedsmen. On Santa Monica beach, there was a gathering remembering past days at Steds as well as future plans to visit during the upcoming football season. Of the evening, Andrew said, "Does anyone have a ticket for the Texas game?" Great question. Let me get back to you.

The renovation...

Late night work on the Dome

...of the Main Building continues. Yes, workers work well into the night as well as into the early morning to complete brick and mortar restoration of the Main Building.  Work is on schedule, and everything will be done before the August move in. That's great news, but it also makes for a noisy night! When asked about the Main Building's renovation work, Fr. Ralph said, "Oh, they're working on the Dome? So, that's why it's so noisy."

Somebody hit the wrong switch

Your Sunday picture...

A sunny, summer Sunday at Notre Dame

...from Notre Dame. Once again, here's a beautiful summer picture of Mary and the Dome. After the recent exterior renovation and touch up, the building is looking better than ever! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

It's in the...

The most reliable campus mailbox.

...mail. Really. The welcome letters for the newest residents, the fifty incoming freshmen, are in the mail. From the east coast to west coast and all points in between, those lucky enough to be placed at Steds are receiving their official welcome to their new campus home as well as directions as how to prepare for their arrival. On mailing the welcome letters, Fr. Ralph said, "The letters are off, and I hope that those envelopes did not use cheap glue. There were a lot of letters to lick!"

Where are...

Lattimer in Lithuania

they now? Yes, once again, where have all the Gentlemen gone? For Chris Lattimer, Sted's 2nd year senior architecture student and world traveler, the summer has been spent in the Baltic as a part of either the biggest boondoggle known to a Notre Dame student or as an attempt (in Chris’ own words) to study how the simpler, vernacular architecture of the area promotes a sustainable, traditional lifestyle. For Chris, this is an interesting and unique way to interpret architecture as a reflection of the values, cultures, and traditions of a society, rather than seeing it simply as a "style" or "decoration" of a building. Okay, I guess it was the latter…

The photo that Chris sent is of him at the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, Lithuania (pronounced Show-lay) It's a place that speaks to the Catholic traditions of the country. The thousands of crosses on this little hill in the middle of the countryside are placed by people to remember their lost loved ones. Despite the crosses being destroyed multiple times during Soviet times, people continued to place them there. 

Of his time in the Baltic, Lattimer said, ”My journey through the Baltic countries brought me many exciting adventures and left me with many great memories. I slept in the attic in the home of local Lithuanian family, chasing sheep into the barn on a remote farm in Estonia, and I celebrated the Fourth of July with a Russian!"

Oh, to be a student again, and I have a feeling that Chris has a bit more traveling to do before the start of the school in August. Just saying…

An unexpected visitor...

May you always have that the hair!

...stopped by St Ed's this past weekend. Who was it? It was none other than John DeMott with his parents Joe and Katie DeMott, both '10. John David DeMott, born seven weeks ago, is making his way to Stanford where his dad will start law school in the fall. Of his son's wardrobe selection, Joe said, "John wanted to be classy--hence the tie--but didn't want to appear unapproachable--hence the elephant pants." Good choice...good choice indeed.

Congratulations to Katie and Joe, and good luck!

Your Sunday...

The reason for your Sunday...

...photo from Notre Dame. Here's a great summer picture of Jesus on God Quad. It's been another picture perfect day during this most enjoyable summer. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Chapel Renovation.

Progressing...

How's the St. Ed's Chapel renovation progressing? Well, in short, it's going. The wood flooring has been completed, new chairs ordered, and the "illumination" of the altar, repainting the gold accents, continues. One interesting thing to point out is that the gold ascents along the altar wall, always there but hidden as they blended into the wall, have been painted for the very first time. Suffice it to say, these ascents are striking and now stand out. What's next? Painting. A paint scheme has yet to be selected, and what will it be? More on that later. Still, will the renovation be completed in time for the start of school? Let's flip a coin.

Where are...

Lanier with fellow campers

...they now? Yes, once again, where have all the Gentlemen gone? For Brennan Lanier, Sted's senior and aspiring doctor, the summer has been spent in Gainesville, Texas, at Camp Sweeney. Camp Sweeney is a summer camp for children who have diabetes. Of the camp and his time there, Lanier said, "Camp Sweeney has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I work all day with my campers, who have Type 1 Diabetes. I teach video production, challenge course, and rock climbing, but also, how to test blood sugars and give insulin shots. While at camp, I live in Brown Cabin along with 31 kids of ages 5-12, so there is a ton of energy at all times! I highly recommend Camp Sweeney as a summer job for any Stedsmen interested in medicine, teaching, or social work." I know how you feel Lanier. Sometimes I feel like I am living in Brown Cabin... but only with more kids!

Keep up the great work!

Where are...

Will with sunshine in England

...they now? Yes, where have all the Gentlemen gone? For Will Minor, Sted's sophomore, the past seven weeks have been spent in London with sixty other Notre Dame engineering students for the Summer London Program. The program allows Notre Dame students to take classes at the Notre Dame London Centre as well as participate in the "classroom of the world." Of his time in London, Minor said, "It was an amazing cultural experience, and I was able to see most of London, from the tower bridge to Buckingham Palace. Also, I saw a few other places outside of London on weekend trips which included but not limited to Paris, the Cliffs of Dover, Stonehenge, Bath, Edinburgh, and also Barcelona- on the weekend when they won on Champions League. Indeed, it was an unforgettable experience!" But what about the classes, Will? What were the classes like...I am thinking of matriculating.

Will in Scotland...

Will in Paris...

Will in the classroom....

Coming soon

Your Sunday...

The proverbial fork in the road

...picture from Notre Dame. Here's a beautiful, green view of the path around St. Joseph's Lake... and in case you are wondering, at the fork in the road, I took the low road. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

A belated...

Sarah with one of the clothing racks at the Career Center

...thank for Steds Moms! Yes, thanks to all the moms, who during Moms' Weekend, donated clothing for the Notre Dame Career Center's "Clothes Closet." On the generosity of Steds Moms, Sarah Himschoot of the Career Center said, "The Career Center's Clothes Closet is something we just developed this past winter. We are still in the process of collecting clothes so that we can open it up to students, hopefully this Fall. I would like to give a special thank you for all the wonderful Moms who donated such wonderful items and accessories. Everything we received will help tremendously. It gave us a good chunk of inventory. Our students will greatly benefit from this because of your caring and thoughtfulness. Thank you!  If you have questions about donations, please contact me at the Career Center at 574-631-9915 or at shimscho@nd.edu. Once again, thanks to our moms!

He got his...

A proud moment from Brendan and his family

...wings! It's official. Brendan McCarthy, now Ensign McCarthy, graduated from Navy flight school in Florida late last month. Surrounded by family, friends, and someone with a lot of medals, Brendan received his wings as well as his orders. While his orders could have taken him to the South Pacific or the West Coast, Brendan, if you will, "landed" in Jacksonville, Florida. On being in Jacksonville, Brendan said, "It's great. There are a number of Stedsmen in the area, and rumors are that in 2016, ND could be playing Navy right here in Jacksonville." Well, now knowing this, I will ask for a plane ride AND a spare room for the game. Thanks in advance!

Changing of...

Kneeling before a man in a mullet: Pres. Hilly and VP Ruggles

... the Guard at St. Edward's is always a moment of pomp and circumstance as well as some improv. That was certainly the case this last May when President Mike Murphy, during the Hall photo, held a brief, but memorable, transfer of power for the new president and vice president. Of the impromptu ceremony, Vice President Brandon Ruggles said, ""It was in that moment when it dawned on me that serving as Vice President of St. Edward's Hall was more than a job. It was my destiny... And more likely than not, my life peaked right there on that fateful afternoon." 

Your Sunday picture...

A peaceful and quiet Sunday

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of Mary, the Dome, and family of ducks from Moreau Seminary on the north side of St. Joseph's Lake. Aside from the ducks, it's so quiet on campus. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Happy Birthday America!

Stars and Stripes forever!

For being 239 years old, you look marvelous! Wherever are you, enjoy your day of family, fireworks, and freedom!

Steds loves...

Closing Ceremonies: McGees, Hechts and Schultzs

...its dads. It's true! While we don't fete them like our moms, Steds dads are loved too. Once again, the annual, non-sanctioned "St. Ed's Dads Weekend" was held during Blue Gold Weekend. This year's weekend was marked with increased attendance but with the same schedule of very casual, low-structured events... just what dads like and want.  Unfortunately, due stadium construction and restricted attendance at the Blue Gold Game, Steds dads and sons watched the ND vs. NC mens baseball game. On the weekend, Steds dad, Mike McGee said, "We cheered on the Biggio boys at a baseball game, we listened and applauded for Mike Fortuna as he and his band competed at Legends in "Battle of the Bands", and we participated in the Basilica Mass and watched as John Clark was confirmed.   As usual, there are always St. Ed's men doing some significant activity on campus." Indeed, Mike... indeed, they are!

He was safe...if you're wondering.

He's back...

Except for Mao, it all smiles

...in China. Yes, Jake Wittenberg, Sted's junior, is back in China this summer, and this time, he's brought another Stedsman along with him, Joe Grady. Even though the two men from St. Ed's are working for Notre Dame graduate in China, Wittenberg and Grady have had plenty of time to experience the sights, smells, and curiosities that are China. When told that Wittenberg was in China again, an unnamed Stedsman on campus for the summer said, "Oh, Mao... it's his second time in as many years! Just saying..."

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