Memories from Graduation.

The golden and ever growing Mathes Family

With St. Ed's now empty for a good old fashioned airing out, we can share memories from graduation... and there are many. For our recent graduates, memories, without fail, swirl about and around "last this" or "last that." But for others, like parents, well, memories from this most special occasion are anchored elsewhere. And for one Steds mom, Amy Mathes '81, this graduation was most memorable. With this graduation, ALL THREE of Amy's sons were now Notre Dame graduates! 

On being the mother of three amazing sons, all graduates of the University of Notre Dame AND all residents of St. Edward’s Hall, Amy shared, "As the Fight Song says, 'What though the odds," and in my case HIGHLY FAVORED. I am forever grateful to be a Notre Dame graduate of the Class of ’81 and now have a TRIFECTA of true Gentlemen from the Classes of '12, '18, and '26. To receive a Notre Dame education, with all its wonder and awe, is truly priceless in today’s world... and to reside at St. Edward’s Hall, under the watchful eye of Fr. Ralph, well, let’s just say that is a true victory!"   

Memorial Day.

Enjoy and give thanks

Often thought of as the official start of summer, Memorial Day is much more than just that as it is the day for remembering those men and women who died while serving in our country's Armed Forces. So, while we go about our holiday, let us pause, remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and giving our thanks.

To read Fr. Ted Hesburgh's words at Notre Dame's Clarke War Memorial, click HERE. 

Enjoy this view of the Red, White, and Blue from the Inn of Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island, Michigan. And yes, that's the Mackinaw Bridge in the background.

During the summer, In the Red Room will be on hiatus until the start of the new school year. Still, there may be In the Red Room on the Road editions!

Saturday Squirrel.

Hey there neighbor!

With our campus squirrels on hiatus, another furry friend can have a moment in the limelight. While walking around St. Joseph's Lake, a hole in a tree was noticed, and upon a closer examination, something else was noticed... its occupant, a raccoon! Seen for a moment, this raccoon was shy, and being more nocturnal, he didn't stay at the window too long. On being spotted, this raccoon non-verbaled, "Come back later, please."

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

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Best of...

... the Gentlemen's Monthly. Well, TWELVE years ago this was the posting. Enjoy this blast from the very distant past.  

Lake Michigan Calling.

Yes, but can you bring the water a little closer?

Partly because of having no where else to lay my head, I decided to head up to the Lake Michigan. Yes, a little R & R is exactly what was needed, and you know what? It’s busy work. So, during the summer, I will blog a little less, but don’t worry, the blog will continue!

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

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Graduation...

Hill and Shaia: Sharing an experience

... was an experience more for some than others. It was a warm, sunny day, something that everyone, especially the families of graduates, hope for, but for those wearing black and in direct sunlight- our graduates, well, a cloudy day might not be so bad. Again, graduation was an experience. Still, the constant welcomes, speeches, reflections, doctorate conferrals, and other verbosity made the entire exercise, well, you guessed it, an experience. But what better way to share an experience than with a friend? And that's what Harry Shaia '26, Steds senior, RA, and resident Virginian did as he joined NOT his own college, Mendoza College of Business, but rather the college of his good friend, Kyle Hill '26, Steds senior, RA and resident New Jerseyan. Sitting with the College of Science, Shaia took in graduation. On his seating for graduation, Shaia shared, “I wanted to end my time at Notre Dame the way I started it- with some of my best friends, and with the college of science rather than Mendoza.”

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

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Graduation...

Don't forget the sunscreen

... Day at Notre Dame. Today marked the 181th 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. A warm day, with an occasional 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 everywhere you looked, it was perfect for a graduation photo or two. 

Congratulations to our Stedsmen of the Class of 2026!

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

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

They're...

Jenn and Jake Miller with Fr. Ralph...

... married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and the Steds family present, Jennifer "Jenn" DiMarco and Jacob "Jake" Miller ’18 of Steds were married at St. Matthew's Church in Toronto, Canada. It was a beautiful and a very cool day, with showers always threatening, but nothing could put a damper on this special day nor the radiance of this bride and the beaming pride of the groom. On Jenn joining the Steds family, Eddy Brady '18, fellow Stedsman and best man, as was Chris Rho '18 too, shared, "Jake is now 2 for 2 on perfect matches, landing in St. Edward’s and marrying his wonderful wife, Jenn! It was a great weekend celebrating them. Congratulations to the happy couple!”

Best wishes and congratulations to Jenn and Jake!

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

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... and the Stedsmen with their fiancées...

... and Fr. Ralph with the Steds moms...

... and Brady and Rho gave a great speech!