Happy Founder's Week...

The best week of the year!

… to Stedsmen everywhere! 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 everywhere, may the Founder smile upon you always!

Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

So peaceful

... from Notre Dame. Here is a view of St. Mary's Lake from Our Lady of Lake World Peace Plaza at sunrise. Our Lady of the Lake World Peace Plaza was presented through the generosity and legacy of William J. Pulte, Master Builder. Guided by the belief in the inherent dignity of all people, Bill shared his passion for world peace with all those he encountered. It is his family’s wish that this plaza will be a place of reflection, prayer, and peace to all who visit. At the focal point of the plaza stands a granite infinity fountain inscribed with A Prayer for World Peace in six different languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, and French. Ninety-seven percent of the world’s population can read at least one of the six languages. Here is the prayer:

A Prayer for World Peace

Dear God, thank you for all creation. In the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth and all teachers of peace who inspire the many faith traditions, help me, and all the people of the world, learn how to replace hate, war, oppression, and division with love, peace, freedom, and reconciliation. Help me to embody Your love in my relationships with my family and friends, strangers – even my enemies. I commit myself to this sacred task throughout my life.

So Let it be.

Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Saturday Squirrel.

Ready!

Our furry friends have returned, and now that they're back.. and they're making a big splash, literally and figuratively. This squirrel, spotted by Anntheresa Buckendorf on Library Quad, heard the noise of the Stedsmen as they did their pre-game float in the reflecting pool of the Library. Hearing the noise, this squirrel left hearth and home, climbed down his tree, and took in the controlled commotion unfolding in the bluest of blue waters. On the noise and the commotion, this squirrel non-verbaled, "Can I join?"

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

What's the word...

Caraveo: Calling it as he hears it

… in the hallway? Yes, what is the word about this weekend's game against the Cardinals from Louisville? What is the word in 1st floor hallway? Lucky for us, a Stedsman, Joaquin Caraveo, a freshman from New Mexico, was in the hallway and was more than happy to share what he had heard about tomorrow's game. On tomorrow's home game, Caraveo said, "We can't lose to the want-to-be NFL Cardinals! Notre Dame will win this at least 49 - 3."

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

The reach of...

Do you see him?

... and presence of Steds is far and wide. Recently, there was a reminder of this when a peace conference took place in Geneva, Switzerland. Despite the absence of Sudanese Armed Forces, negotiations between Sudan's warring parties in the Sudanese civil war moved forward indirectly and virtually. Over several days, small, but tangible, progress was made in the cessation of hostilities. And someone who was helping to bring about that cessation was none other than a man of Steds, Joe Dufour'12. Fluent in Arabic and working for the "government," Joe was at the heart of it all, literally and figuratively. See photo above. On being present for the peace conference, Dufour declined comment, but Fr. Ralph, who never says away from a quote, shared, "I am not surprised in the least!"

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... there he is...

... there's our Joe!

Houston...

A disappointed Broderick and displeased Weekly: Why no coffee?...

… we have a problem. Well, that’s what everyone in line for coffee from the Keurig coffee machine in the Greg thought. When the buttons were pushed and no coffee appeared, without any doubt, a cold shiver quietly went down the backs of many a Stedsman. Again and again, Stedsman after Stedsman tried their best to get the machine to work, hitting, over and over again, the same buttons but all to no luck. But just when disaster was conceded at 3:11pm, enter the rector. Engaging in active listening, Fr. Ralph quickly devised a strategy. First, he checked the water supply, AND something else no else thought to do… check the coffee grounds waste box! Yup, that was the problem. The coffee grounds waste box was completely filled, preventing any more coffee from being ground and served up for a much needed afternoon energy boost. On the near disaster, Joe Broderick, Steds junior and resident Massachusettian, recounted, “I went downstairs for my afternoon cup of Haag’s Blend, but was disappointed to find that the machine would not dispense my coffee. Thanks to the efforts of Fr. Ralph and a fellowStedsman, I was able to get my caffeine and make it through the afternoon.Thank you!” 

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... Haag, did any one dump the coffee grounds?

G.P.A….

Ian: Too busy studying to smile...

... and grade inflation. Yes, grade inflation is often discussed as a serious problem confronting today's ivory towers of academia. "Run away "'A's" are flooding university classrooms across the nation and over inflating G.P.A. from California to Florida and all points in between, and rest assured, Steds is doing its part to keep the A's raining down. At the direction of President Thomas Kelly, project Steds Refresh, a refresh of common lounges and study spaces, was initiated in late May. In this refresh, the study lounge on the 3rd floor received particular attention as it was a room that given its design and color scheme was considered by all, including the rector, as down right depressing. But after the attention and complete refresh, the study lounge is now the place to be, and without doubt, will cause increased studying at Steds, resulting in, yes you guessed it, more A's and grade inflation. On the refreshed and improved study lounge, Ian Robinett, Steds junior and resident Californian, said, "The new and improved third floor study has become my favorite study spot."

This project was completed thanks to funds raised on ND Day.

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... and who wouldn't want...

... to study here!

How's he...

Passing Judgment: Davey (R) and Bacall (L) with Challenger (M)

... doing? Yes, how is John Challenger, Junior and Steds Culinary Sales Representative, doing? As we don't have customer serve cards, who knows. But we're confident that he must be doing a good job because customers keep coming back! Still, let's ask the customers... let's hear from them how this veteran Steds Culinary Sales Representative is doing. 

On Challenger's service, Calvin Bacall, Sophomore, Hall Mailman, and resident Michigander, shared, "Challenger truly soared to new heights when he surprised me with a peach milkshake from the secret menu. The balance of sweet and creamy flavors was simply unforgettable—it's clear he's a master of creating delightful culinary experiences even in the smallest of settings." 

Still yet, Jimmy Davey, Junior and resident Pennsylvanian, said, "It is a pleasure to witness Challenger work his magic in the kitchen. You can tell his paninis are made with love!"

P.S. Happy 21st Birthday John!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.