Founder's Week...

Founder's Week: A week of gentlemanly diversions and fun

...is here! Stedsmen, Happy Founder's Week! Yes, our week long celebration of the Founder of the University and first Rector of St. Edward's Hall, Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C begins today. As you can tell, the week is jammed packed with history, tradition, and fun. More to report as the week unfolds, but in the meantime, Stedsmen and friends and family of Stedsmen everywhere, may the Founder smile upon you always!

Your Sunday picture...

It was a win.

...from Notre Dame. It was a pretty day for nor a pretty win against Miami, but hey, we'll take it. Here's a view of the new east building, the Corbett Family Hall, as well as the unnamed Music and Sacred Music Hall, the south building. On the win, an unnamed Notre Dame fan said, "We almost stole defeat from the jaws of victory!" On a different note, it's unseasonably warm at Notre Dame, and hopefully that's the same case wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Hanging around

Some of our furry friends are industrious, storing up food for the coming winter. Others are playful, running around the quads chasing one another... and sometimes just their own tails! Still, others are just plain lazy. On the accusation of being lazy this squirrel non-verbaled, "No, I am not. I am just slow moving."

What's cooking...

Lupo: Great chef or thought leader... or book cooker?

...at Ed's? Apparently, nothing. Instead of being an in-hall eatery, catering to the needs and whims of its residents, Ed's has become a "salon" of old. Instead of serving heat pizza sticks and refreshing smoothies, Ed's has been serving up accounting solutions as well as thoughts on a variety of others subjects from politics to sustainable energy. On serving more than just food at Ed's, Matt Lupo, Ed's employee, said, "Nick and I engaged in a discussion about the finer points of accounting. Eventually, I got around to cooking a panini or two all while learning how easy it is to cook the books."

ND Day...

Looking classy...

funds at work! As funds continue to be dispersed, improvements are being seen around the Hall. Another recent improvement thanks to Notre Dame Day funds has been the upgrade to the glass cabinet in the main lobby. Instead of a drab and faded green fabric background, there is now a durable, custom made back drop. On the upgrade, David, a friend of St. Ed’s, said, "Fitting that the hallowed entryway to Steds is now properly outfitted in the elegance and grandeur it has long deserved." Indeed, David… indeed.

The word in the hallway is...

Will this be the year?

...well, I think that the picture says it all folks. I guess we have some Cubs fans at St. Edward's.

It's beginning to...

Changing colors: slow but steady

...look like Fall. The warmer than normal temps have caused a delay in the leaves changing color. Still, with colder temps creeping in so too has some color in the trees around campus. Perhaps not the vibrant and eye-catching colors as in the past, the Steds tree is beginning to show signs of the season. On the changing of the Steds tree, Fr. Ralph said, "But will we soon be talking about snow? That's what I want to know."

One month ago today, the Steds tree looked like this...

It's official...

Fr. Ralph with Drs. Cristin and Juan

...they're married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and with fellow Stedsmen present, Dr. Cristin Shaughnessy '12, of Welsh Fam, and Dr. Juan Mejia Munne ’12, of Steds, were married at the St. Pius X in Edgewood, Kentucky. It was a beautiful day for a fall wedding with plenty of sunshine AND fall colors. On Cristin and Juan's wedding, Fritz Schoenhut '11, former Steds president, said, "As with most events involving St. Ed's Gentlemen, yesterday's wedding was a Juan-derful time!" Indeed it was... indeed it was Fritz!

Congratulations and best wishes to Drs. Cristin and Juan!

Juan (seated) with his fellow Stedsmen

Your Sunday picture...

It was fun...

...from Notre Dame. Here's a view of the setting sun on St. Mary's Lake, Carroll Hall, AND Fall Break. It was a great break, but now, it's back to the grind of early mornings, classes, long lines at the dining hall, papers, and late nights. Sadly, all good things come to an end. Still, enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Readying for winter.

Our furry friends are busy burying nuts of all sorts around campus. This furry friend was spotted burying some of his winter stash in the ivy beds in front of St. Ed's. When asked if he would remember where he was burying his nuts, this squirrel non-verbaled, "What nuts?"

Today...

It's pretty quiet.

...is the last weekday of Fall Break, and in honor of that, let's enjoy the silence...

Fall breaking...

Can't we have another week?

...in northern Michigan. Many have said Fall Break is a luxury, but I have come to see it more as a necessity than anything else. Having a week to enjoy a change of scenery where one can "naturally rise" in the morning, clear the mind, and forget about routines, is needed so that the second half of the semester can be finished... and finished well. On fall breaking in northern Michigan, Fr. Ralph said, "It's an excellent break because it's pure Michigan!"

Another triumph…

A Van Gogh? No, a Lattimer.

…for such an young watercolorist! Well, he’s not exactly a watercolorist, but Steds’ Chris Lattimer ’16, School of Architecture, has once again put his drawing skills to use for the beautification of the Hall. If you remember correctly, Lattimer was the one who completed an architectural history of the Hall, culminating in both a written history as well as a watercolor showing the Hall’s architectural changes over the years. This treasure now graces the Gregorian Mural Room. As if this wasn’t enough, over the course of his senior year, Chris completed a set of four watercolors depicting the St. Edward statue and south facade of the Hall in the four seasons.  

On the masterpieces, Lattimer said, “With South Bend exhibiting all four seasons in a single day and St. Edward's ability to hold a single pose for hours at a time, these had to have been the easiest paintings I've ever done."

Lest we forget...

WOD: What are you doing?

So as not to get “behind” in observing World Okapi Day today, October 18, let’s pause for a moment to remember our reclusive forest friends. These rarest of large mammals are native to the Ituri Forest in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo. And they are among the most endangered species on earth. Despite your view in the logo above, okapis are most closely related to giraffes—not zebras. Upon learning of World Okapi Day, a squirrel near St. Ed's non-verbaled: “When do we get a day?”

You deserve...

Get away and take a break...

...a break. We're half way through the Fall Semester? Where has the time gone? Well then, it's time for a break, and what better way to celebrate this milestone than with Fall Break! So, put down the books, shut down the Yak, Twitter, and Chat, and take a break from your academic labors. What am I doing? Well, keep on reading the blog, and you might find out. To all Stedsmen, break well!

Your Sunday picture...

...from Notre Dame. Here's a sunset view of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. With the sky's bright blue background, the unique and distinctive yellow bricks of the Basilica are particularly striking. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

I wonder what it's thinking.

It's a critter, and once again, it's a member of the bee family. This bee was found resting outside of the Hall in bushes. On seeing this bee, Fr. Ralph said, "Once again, it goes to show you that some of the most beautiful sights on campus on right under our noses, literally and figuratively!"

Coach's Corner.

Coach Andrews #39... and new uniforms thanks to ND Day

Like baseball, the Steds football team has had tremendous success. While everyone has a reason for this success, there is one reason that everyone can agree on... Coach Phineas Andrews. At the helm again for the second time, Coach Phineas, Steds senior, has recruited talent, honed players skills and strengths, and unleashed his football "strategy," holding nothing back. When Coach Andrews wasn't coaching or on the field playing, I was able to chat with him about the team's amazing year.

St. Ed: The season is going smashingly well for you, Coach Phineas. What’s working?

Andrews: I’d say the major contributing factor to the team's success this year has been the new jerseys. We were beating Fisher so badly at halftime that rec sports made us take them off, and no team has been able to handle our sleek new look thus far.

St. Ed:  Aside from Keenan Hall, this year’s favorite, what’s the biggest concern that you have for the team in the near future?

Andrews: My biggest concern for the team is the long break we have coming up before our regular season finale. It took a lot of hard work and several weeks of two-a-days to get the boys into football shape, and I'm hoping we don't lose our edge over fall break.

St. Ed: How do you keep yourself, and the team for that matter, from letting everything go to your head, becoming a victim of your own success?

Andrews: I keep the team from getting a big head by running disciplined, well-attended practices every week. One of my goals as coach is to cripple the self-esteem of my players, like Donald Trump running a beauty pageant, so that the team never gets too cocky. 

St.Ed: Will you be back at the helm of Steds football next year?

Andrews: I will be back with the team next year, just like Will Fuller.

Continued success Coach Andrews!

Happy St. Edward's Day!

Everyday is my day!

Today is the Feast of St. Edward the Confessor, King of England and patron saint of the Founder... Fr. Edward Sorin, CSC. Since its inception, the University has celebrated  this day as "Founder's Day." Back in the day, students had the day off from classes, "iced cream" was served, games were played, and St. Edward's residents sent "congratulatory" cards to Fr. Sorin. Matter of fact, one lucky resident was selected to recite a poem, especially penned for this auspicious day, to Fr. Sorin! On this special day, Fr. Ralph, Rector of St. Edward's Hall, said, "We may not get the day off as they did in the past, but nevertheless, I am taking it off!"

Also to note...

It was announced today that John Wetzel '16 is the 2016-2017 inductee into the Order of Gentlemen, an award given for service to Hall and King.

Congratulations John!

All good things...

The Olympic flame has been extinguished

… must come to an end. Yes, the games of the Hall’s 6th (I think) Olympiad are over. Gone are the evening feats of strength, wisdom, and wit. Gone are the crowds of excited spectators. Gone is the flame that inspired all floors to come together for “ hall chummery.” Yet, the spirit of the games lives on! It lives on in the winners, the third floor, and losers, the second floor. It lives on in the bonds friendship and smiles of residents. And of course, it lives on in the controversy that still swirls about. On the closing of Hall Olympics, an unnamed Steds spectator said, “Say it ain’t so!”

And now for the final medal count:

 

                                                        Gold Silver Bronze Total

1st Floor 0 1 2 3

2nd Floor 1 1 2 4

3rd Floor 3 5 4 12

4th Floor 6 3 4 13

It was a...

Clearly happy: Jackson Herrfeldt (#25)

...routing! Steds football continues to have success on the field as well as an undefeated record season. This past Sunday, Steds trounced Carroll Hall with a score of 14 to 0. If things continue the way that they are, Steds will soon be in the playoffs. On the football team's success, Ned Vogel, Steds senior, said, "Now there's some football worth watching!"

It was...

Friends with Moniyhan (R) during happier times

...something that he did in a moment but would have to live with, well, until his hair grew out again. Yes, Steds freshman, Michael Moniyhan, cut his hair off and painted his head gold to show his spirit for the Irish against Michigan State. A bold thing to do, but without doubt, Moniyhan's baldness got the message across at the game. On Moniyhan's bald and gold head, Fr. Ralph said, "Here's a true fan! There's no question about that, but a question that is on my mind, is 'Why didn't Moniyhan's other friend (pictured above) do the same?!'"

Your Sunday picture...

Always a beautiful sight

...from Notre Dame. Fall is definitely in the air and in the trees. Here's a view from God Quad with hints of fall in the quad's trees. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you are! 

Saturday Squirrel...

Stop and smell the flowers...

...or Saturday's critter. Thanks to Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, Saturday's squirrel has been expanded to capture the great variety of wildlife, flora, and fauna at Notre Dame. On a recent walk around campus, Fr. Ehrman ran into this odd but strikingly beautiful scene. What is it? It's a halictid bee enjoying the fruits of the aster flower. On capture this rare sight, Fr. Ehrman, said, "Once again, the creation of God delights us!" Indeed, Fr. Terry, indeed it does!

...and you might see this!

A star is...

Kirby, Kelly, Davis, Schaffer

...born! Well, several stars from Steds were made when the Observer photographer took the above photo at Domerfest during Welcome Week. As you can imagine, it was difficult tracking all four of them down; however, I was able to wrangle of one, Jack Davis. Here's what he had to say about his recent, or "past" recent, fifteen minutes of fame.

St. Ed: It has come to my attention that you and several other Steds freshmen graced the front page of the Observer, matter of fact, the very first edition of this school year. What were you feeling when you saw yourself of the cover?

Davis: I was just glad the publishers decided to exclude the picture of the four of us bowing to the camera. If that was the case I wouldn't have saved a copy- even for my mom. 

St. Ed: Some have said you were just an easy target to snap a photo. Others have said you never shy away from a photo. But seriously, why do you think the photographer took a picture of you and the others at Domerfest? 

Davis: It was either our shiny plastic crowns or our strong aura of freshman-aloofness. 

St. Ed: Landing on the front page of Observer is quite an accomplishment for such a young student. How do you keep all this publicity from going to your head?

Davis: I just have to be grateful for it. I could fail all of my upcoming exams, but hey, I was on the front page of the Observer.

We have...

Ned Vogel: Beloved

...a budding, unknown artist at St. Ed's who goes by the name of Bensky.  WHEN will he impart his craft, and WHERE will he leave his mark? Moreover, WHAT will his subject be? Still, WHAT is the message that he's trying to communicate to his audience? Who knows... after all, he is an artist. On his recent piece left outside Ned Vogel's room, Bensky was able to communicate the following message and said, "We all know Ned. Or do we? What is the essence of Ned? What does 'Ned' tell us about the socioeconomic inequality of our society today? I hope to elicit these kinds of questions with the interpretive quality of portrait of everyone's favorite first floor RA."

Day Five, Six, Seven...

…eight, nine, and ten of Hall Olympics saw residents continue to battle it out through events like Know Your Roommate, haiku writing, the Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge, and of course, the Quarter Dog (Hot Dog) Eating Contest (QDEC). Spectators saw herculean strengths, incredible wit, memorable gaffs and of course, controversy, especially with the QDEC, at these events. Still, it should be noted that the QDEC almost didn’t happen. Why? Because no one knew how to cook hot dogs!

On the near disaster, John Haley said, “The President, Brandon Ryan, and I tried a variety of approaches to make the hot dogs. We were struggling until physics and math major Ben Cote stepped in to give us a crash course in thermodynamics, and soon enough we had 50 cooked hot dogs ready for the challenge. Still yet, Nick Olmanson stepped in at the last minute to suggest using the panini press to add sear marks to the dogs, making them Olympic quality.”

In the end, the QDEC went on and served up not only adequately cooked hot dogs but also a healthy side of controversy. The competition saw none other than the Hall President and hot dog cooker, Brandon Ryan, claim the gold medal for the fourth floor. 

On the presidential win, Tom Roman, Steds Assistant Rector and third year law student, said, “How convenient. The President wins again. Huzzah. The Hall Olympics Committee needs to open an immediate investigation, leaving no stone, or hot dog, unturned. And I don’t care if I see grill marks on top because what’s on the other side of that dog? Sadly, we may never know.” 

When pressed on the matter, an unnamed Olympic committee official offered a rebuttal saying, “Bribes? What do you mean bribes? I found that $100 on the sidewalk!”  

Nick Olmanson (L) giving the dogs a more "authentic" appearance 

Andrew Noble making a "noble" effort

Brandon Ryan (L) and Brooks Meadowcroft (R) squaring off

St. Francis' Day.

The Splendor of God's creation: St. Edward's Park

In the Church's Liturgical calendar, today, October 4th, is the feast day of St. Francis. St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order, was a man who found God in His creation. Known for his charismatic personality, deep compassion, and love for creation, it should come as no surprise that today, St. Francis Day, is a day that we ask to reflect on the beauty of God's creation. What better way to do just that than to turn to another blogger, St. Ed's very own, Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., of the Notre Dame's Center for Theology, Science, and Human Flourishing. Even though it was a post for September 1st, the day that Pope Francis asked for prayers for creation and its protection, it is also applicable on this day, St. Francis Day. Enjoy.

To read Fr. Ehrman's reflection on creation, click HERE.

Last Saturday Today...

Redemption both on and off the field

It may seem like trying to kill two birds with one stone, or in this case one story, but this past Saturday cannot be left untold....even if it is Monday. Yes, this weekend was "on assignment," traveling to New York, looking for a much needed win against Syracuse. While the game was filled with a lot of gloomy clouds, it was also chalk full of current and past Stedsmen. So many were there, it felt like an Alumni Weekend at ND. In the end, the Irish prevailed with a score of 50 to 33. On the win, Fr. Ralph, who was in attendance at the game, said, "Thank God... we ALL needed a win, the team, Irish fans, and even myself. My away game win record has now improved to 2 and 6! Send me in coach!" 

Your Sunday picture...

Golden is thy fame....

...from Notre Dame. Here's a unique view of Mary and the Gold Dome from the southeast corner of the Main Building. A unique view Of Mary indeed, but it is also a beautiful one as well. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!