Western Steds...

Soaking it all in

... is just what Fr. Sorin would have wanted. Moving operations, Steds has now headed west to an annual outing at Newport Beach. And you guessed it. The sun is out, the surf is up, and there is a cool breeze coming off the ocean. You really couldn't ask for anything more. On Western Steds, Fr. Ralph said, "A local reminded me of a recent spate earthquakes. Well, if we have to have one, then may it be a small one!"

Your Sunday picture...

Take it ALL in!

... from Notre Dame. Here's a most unique view of campus, a view from a plane. Some times when you fly into South Bend, you're lucky, and plane gives you a great view. And that was the case for Steds mother, Angie Sayles. Visiting her son Steve for Mom's Weekend, Angie hit the proverbial jack pot as her plane afforded her one of the best views of campus, the Dome, and of course, Steds. On the sight, Angie said, "So much to see from an eagle eye view when flying from Syracuse to South Bend … but nothing is greater than seeing St. Edward’s Hall as I began my descent to celebrate Mom's Weekend!" Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you are.

Saturday Squirrel.

Living life

With the students away for the summer, campus has become even more bucolic. And someone who know this very well are our furry friends. Yes, our campus squirrels know that life has shifted into the lowest gear possible, enjoying free rein of this small slice of heaven. No longer do they have to dodge motorized  scooters and skateboards. No longer do they have to avoid the quads and sidewalks as students go to and from classes. No longer do they have to share campus because it's all theirs! On the start of summer, this squirrel, spotted in a dogwood tree in St. Edward's Park, non-verbaled, "It's my Garden of Eden!"

To hear the Semester Finale of the In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

on iTunes, click HERE.

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, five years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the not so distance past. 

Oh, the things...

Grateful for the wisdom and laughs provided by Fink

...that the Gentlemen write on their whiteboards. During post-graduation move out, there was one last message from the Sage of 311, Peter Fink. I think that Cicero got it right when he said that... still, on Fink's whiteboard contributions, outgoing Assistant Rector, Tom Roman, said, "It was his special ministry, brining wisdom and laughs to the minds and hearts of his fellow Gentlemen." Indeed, it was... and we all were better for it! Many, many thanks Peter.

To hear the Semester Finale of the In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

on iTunes, click HERE.

Let's not forget...

Stedsmen and friends in Barcelona

... those on vacation. As campus was focused on Finals Week, Move Out Day, and Graduation, we may have forgotten about those Stedsmen who are on vacation, studying abroad. The academic semester is coming to an end not only at Notre Dame but also abroad, and so, the seemingly "endless vacation" is drawing to an end. But what fun they had! Soon, the morning espresso shots at the corner cafe, the pints at the pub after class, the weekends of jetting to the continent, and so much more is coming to an abrupt end. But don't feel sorry for them! They had fantastic times and great memories, AND they are coming back to Notre Dame and Steds! On reminiscing on a Steds gathering of Steds "study abroaders" and "State siders on Spring Break" in Barcelona, Luke Bell, New Jerseyan studying in London, shared, "It was so great to see my fellow Stedsmen and friends of Steds in Barcelona. Being able to share our abroad experience with them over authentic tapas and sangria and catch up on our semesters was truly an amazing experience. I can’t wait to reconnect with the Steds community in the fall semester and I’m excited to see everyone soon!”

To hear the Semester Finale of the In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

on iTunes, click HERE.

Your Sunday...

... picture from Notre Dame. Here's one of the best sights on campus, the statue of St. Edward in St. Edward's Park. It's a beautiful day, but the picture cannot convey the temperature which is very, very cool. Still, it's sunny... so at least we have that going for us. Still yet, it has now been a week since graduation. So, let's take a look back at this memorable occasion for our Gentlemen. Congratulations to them AND their parents! Enjoy.

Thanks to all the parents and friends for the shared photos of our graduates!

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, four years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the not so distance past. 

The best seat...

Graduation: the best seat on campus

... for Graduation was at St. Edward's. Strange, yes, but it's true. The best seat for Graduation was the couch in the St. Edward's rector apartment! From the comfort of the couch, Graduation ceremonies were seen on close caption TV AND there was zero percent chance of rain. On Graduation, Fr. Ralph said, "The one hour delay to avoid the rain gave everyone a much needed extra hour of sleep, but the couch gave a bit more as I experienced a nap or two." 

Congratulations to all our graduates!

Graduation on ND TV

Exit...

D.A.D. has left the building: Fay

... D.A.D. Yes, Eoghan Fay, the Steds director of academic discernment, or D.A.D. for short, has left the building. Taking up his new appointment mid Spring Semester, Fay has launched his fellow Stedsmen on an odyssey of learning and discussion, bringing in a host of academics to plumb the questions and events of the day. Recently, Fay invited Professors Ian Johnson and Fr. Bill Miscamble, CSC to speak at the Hall's A Gentleman Ponders lecture series, delivering two different lectures, On the War with Ukraine and A New Cold War? America and the World in 2022. And while a field trip to the Studebaker Museum fell through due to a conflict with the Blue Gold Game, D.A.D. is no slouch, and many are looking forward to what Fay is planning for next fall. On leaving for the summer, Fay said, "Just because I've left Steds for now doesn't mean I'm off the clock. Being a D.A.D. is a full-time job!"

Closing...

It's all over!

... time. Quiet, the hallways are devoid of the usual noises of laughter, conversation, and high jinx. With graduation over, it was now time for our seniors to pack and leave. For some, it was easier than for others, but in the end, everyone had to go. And go they did. Thinking ahead and planning paid off while waiting to the last minute, well, saw different results. Regardless of what boat our seniors were in, the future awaits… and for others, summer has now begun. On move out day, Fr. Ralph said, “It's summer time! And for all of Stedsmen who did not graduate. don't rush back. Enjoy your summer... because I already am!"

With the start of summer, the Gentlemen's Monthly will be every other day. Enjoy!

Your Sunday picture...

Stedsmen Alec Lis and his Jumbotron moment

... from Notre Dame. Today marked the 177th Commencement ceremonies at Notre Dame. It was a perfect day to have graduation outside and that’s exactly what happened in the Notre Dame Stadium this morning. Low humidity, a cool breeze and just the right amount of sunshine made for everyone’s dream graduation day.  After commence ceremonies were concluded, it was time for photos. And every you looked, it was perfect for a graduation photo or two. On graduation, the above picture says it all... a most happy day!

Congratulations to our Stedsmen of the Class of 2022!

A new day...

We three presidents are: Lynch, Tompkins and Nichols... 

... at Steds. As the semester drew to a close, so did time of the Lynch Administration. President Michael Lynch, along with his Vice Presidents, Jack O'Leary and Ben Theis, left office, handing the reigns of power to the incoming administration of Aidan Tompkins and his Vice Presidents, John Digenan and Dan McGuire. But something else drew to a close... our time with former President Peter Nichols. It was his administration that steered the Hall through the Covid. Faced with great challenges, changing rules, nuanced nuances, and prickly protocols, Nichols held it all together for his constituents, delivering when he could, zigging when others told him to zag, so that when the pandemic past, the Steds that everyone knew and loved when return. Indeed, it did. Lynch followed in Nichols' footsteps, and now, it's Tompkins' turn. Good luck!  

On reflecting his hopes for his successor, Lynch said, "It is always a difficult challenge for a new administration to follow an extremely successful one. While I won’t comment on the success of my own administration, I’ve heard that Tompkins is in for a real challenge. With that being said, I have high hopes that he will rise to the occasion. His early successes with the new pool balls, the Senior Send Off, and ND Day affirm my view that Steds is in great hands. I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish next year!"

On his hopes for the new Steds President, former President Nichols was so moved that he was unable to give a response, opting instead to pat Tompkins on the back.

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

on iTunes, click HERE.

... and we're all in good hands!

Out with the...

Goodbye old friends

... old and in with the new. Yes, out with all the old benches and in with all the new ones! Who knew all the benches on God Quad needed to be replaced? Well, they did. Yes, all the wooden benches were replaced with composite wood benches. Able to wear the four season better than wood, composite benches are the wave of the future, and soon, they'll be everywhere on campus. Where are these benches going? No would say. On the passing of the wooden benches, an unnamed student said, "It all reminds me of King Richard III who was taken unceremonious from the battlefield and buried in the late 1400's. Recently, he was found in a parking lot in Leicester, England. So, I wonder where and when our benches will be found?!"

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

on iTunes, click HERE.

It's...

At least it's sunny

... all over! With all finals now over, our Stedsmen have packed up and headed out to all parts and corners of our nation and world. Perhaps, we'll hear about some of their travels and adventures this summer? Still, it's important to thank all those Steds parents who gave a helping hand with the Herculean task of move out. But not everyone is gone. Who remains? Graduating seniors, their siblings, and a small army of volunteers for Senior Week. On the start of Senior Week, Fr. Ralph said, "Could we have some good weather for a change, and if that's too much to ask, could we at least have some sunshine? For the kids?"

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

on iTunes, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

A beautiful scene made...

… from Notre Dame. Here’s a spring time view of the Grotto. A recent and brief, and I mean brief, warm spell and sunshine made anything and everything bloom, including the tulips lining the Grotto path. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

But there's more...

Still, what appropriate pictures to share on this special day... Mother's Day!  How could we not remember our moms? Thanks and all our love for our moms and all that they do, seen and unseen, for us. Where would we be without you? So, Steds moms, make sure to collect your hugs and kisses from your Gentleman today!

... more so with these tulips!

Saturday Squirrel.

He's nuts!

Our furry friends are always up to something, but what that something exactly is, well, can be a real puzzle. And that's what we had, a puzzle, when a squirrel stopped in the middle of St. Mary's Road right by the Holy Cross Cemetery. Yes, the squirrel just stopped as if he was taking in the view. Thankfully, traffic was light that day, and our furry friend avoided any unwanted entanglements. On why he stopped in the middle of the road, our furry friend non-verbaled, "So what if I did? I needed to take a break. C'mon. Give a squirrel a break." 

It isn't...

Coach Orgeron with Nichols, Mulqueen and Callaghan

... unusual to run into Stedsmen on campus, and that was certainly the case for Ed Orgeron, former head coach at LSU. During a recent tour of campus, Coach Orgeron ran into a couple of Stedsmen. Coach Orgeron not only took the time to answer their questions but also had the time to take a photo with them too. What's even more amazing is that after talking with Coach Orgeron, no Stedsmen started to speak with a Louisianan accent! On the chance encounter, Peter Nichols, Steds senior and former Hall President, recounted, “Ed Orgeron was in town visiting Notre Dame for a week. Naturally, we ran into him checking out the oldest and most storied hall on campus, a sight no one can pass up. Or, he must’ve heard about my performance in the interhall flag football championship. Whatever it was, it a pleasure to welcome him to Notre Dame.”

Marathon Man.

Arnold: Dreams do come true

In the 126th running of the Boston Marathon, a Stedsman’s dream came true. While many of us have dreams about taking naps, sleeping in, or sitting on a couch to binge on a favorite TV show, Logan Arnold ’19 would not be sharing in any of those dreams. Never known to lounge about the Hall, Arnold has always been a running man. Often representing Steds in RecSports cross country tourneys, Arnold never shied away from competition, and it appears that is still the case. On running the Boston Marathon, Arnold shared, "It’s been a dream of mine to run the Boston Marathon for nearly 10 years. Toeing the start line validated the blood, sweat, and tears that I had put into training. 26.2 miles later, I crossed the finish line and finally realized this dream - and had some more blood, sweat, and, yes, even tears to show for it. The race was as magical as I had always believed it to be. I can only hope that I have the opportunity to run it again in the future!"

Congratulations Logan!

Your Sunday picture...

Soak it in

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of Mary, the Main Building, and the Basilica with the bright pink buds of the Red Bud tree in the foreground. Taken on St. Joseph's Lake, this spring scene is a real treat as most of this spring has been cloudy, cold, and rainy. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you are!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

on iTunes, click HERE.

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE.

Zoom Meeting Link: Click HERE.