Summer reflections...

The Fourth in Traverse: Everyone was smiling and friendly...

... during Fall Break. Yes, as our Gentlemen take a much needed break from their studies, it is the perfect time to ruminate on summer. One rumination is how Ryan Casey, Mark Onders, Patrick Carroll, Brendan Avey, and former President Dane Storch, all of the Class of 2025, gathered in Carroll's home town Traverse City, Michigan. Though the cherry capitol of Michigan, these Gentlemen weren't in Traverse City for cherries. No. As the guests of the doctors Maria and Mike Carroll, they, and their girlfriends were treated to golf, pickleball, and all things American over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Suffice it to say, America, and the Gentlemen too, were well feted. On hosting the Gentlemen, Maria, Steds Mom and Notre Dame alumna, shared, "It was Fourth of July in Traverse City…. and Gentlemen were at their patriotic best."

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... but Casey and Carroll were playing for keeps...

... Avery needed a breather...

... but President Storch didn't...

... then Casey and Carroll tried their luck at golf.

Your Sunday picture...

The wait is over

... from Notre Dame. Here is a view of the mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, on the exterior chapel wall of Johnson Family Hall. Empty for years, the newly installed mosaic brings a long wait to an end as well as adds a splash of color to East Quad. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

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

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You...

All's quiet in the hallways

... need a break! Yes, our Gentlemen need a break! We're half way through the Fall Semester, and what better way to recoup for the second half of the learning than with Fall Break. So, put down the books, stop the writing, and take a break from your academic labors. What am I doing? Well, keep on reading the blog, and you might find out. On Fall Break starting, Fr. Ralph stated, "Empty hallways mean one thing... Fall Break!"

With the start of Fall Break, the blog will be every other day...

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A special...

In and On In the Red Room: Zywiec and Fagan

... guest was recently in town and in the Red Room. The one, the only, Conal Fagan '21, of Derry, Ireland, blew into town with his wife Maggie from Dublin for the Stanford game as well as for some campus meetings. While he had a pressing schedule, Fagan did manage a meeting with Fr. Ralph AND a taping of the podcast. Having the "gift," Fagan waxed eloquent about joys and struggles of being the ND leprechaun as well as the lessening of his thick Derry accent. On taping an episode of the "pod," Fagan shared, "Being asked back to do the podcast is the greatest honor that a Stedsman could ever have besides graduation.”

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Roll...

Steds Goodest Boys

... Steds! The Steds flag football team is on a roll, literally and figuratively. Last night, the "Goodest Boys" soundly shut down Siegfried in what had to be one of the most devastating routs for the "Hall of Champions." They may have won the most championships, but they certainly won't win one this year with play like this last night. Some might say it was luck, but let's honest, this was all skill and strategy for Steds. On the big win, Henry Mackie, Steds junior, former Vice-President, romance novelist, and resident New Yorker, shared, "No luck needed when you play like Gentleman.”

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Happy...

For King and Hall!

... St. Edward's Day! YES, today is the Feast Day 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 where one lucky resident was selected to recite a poem, especially penned for this auspicious day, to Fr. Sorin himself! On this special day, Kelly shared, "It is an incredible honor to receive this recognition and I am grateful to Fr. Ralph and my fellow Stedsmen for making St. Edward’s Hall such a special place to call home. Long may it continue and For Hall and King!"

AND...

Despite occurring last during Founder’s Week, but in keeping with tradition, the Order of Gentlemen recipient is announced this day. Today, Thomas “Tommy” Kelly ’25 is the 2027 inductee into the Order of Gentlemen, an award given for service to Hall and King.

Congratulations Tommy! 

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It was a game...

Stedsmen Retun: Greg Ciambrone '86, Rodriguez '14 and Marco Rodriguez '46

... to remember. Notre Dame's convincing win over Stanford made for a most enjoyable weekend. If you were on campus, it was even more enjoyable as the weather was perfect. And just when you thought the weekend couldn't get any better, it did, and that was certainly the case for Stedsman Paul "PM" Rodriguez '14. Returning to campus, Rodriguez's  brought his son, Marco, for is his FIRST football game, but no football game visit to campus would be complete without a visit to the oldest and most storied residence hall, Steds! Indeed, one can never start the indoctrination too early, but this time, returning to Steds and sharing the moment with his son, made Rodriguez's weekend most memorable and special. On the visit, Rodriguez shared, "Great first game for Marco, and I’m glad he got to tour the best hall on campus beforehand!"

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Your Sunday picture...

Good night from Notre Dame

... from Notre Dame. Here is a favorite view of the Sorin statue with Mary and the Dome in the background. Recently, the trees of God Quad were trimmed so that the view of everything  wouldn't be impeded. Enjoy this twilight view, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

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

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Saturday Squirrel.

 

Tettigoniidae viridissima

On the way to North Dinning Hall, sheltering in the tiger lillies by Keenan Hall, a katydid, Tettigoniidae viridissima, was spotted. Known previously as “long-horned grasshoppers,” katydids are nocturnal and mimic the colors and shapes of leaves for camouflage. Katydids are called katydids because sound they sounds like "katy-did." On being spotted, this katydid non-verbaled, "Katydid." 

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

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Pondering...

 

Pondering in progress...

... for all! A Gentleman Ponders lecture series had something for everyone as there were TWO ponderings happening at the same time. That's right! TWO ponderings were being pondered at Steds with "Am I Conspiracy Theorist" with Fr. Aaron Michka, CSC, assistant professor of anthropology at ND and Holy Cross priest, in the Gregorian Lounge while downstairs, in the Flounge, there was from "Mullets to Medical School" with Dr. Braeden Benedict '19. Suffice it to say, regardless if you were a conspiracy theorist or want-to-be doctor, there was much pondering happening... which in the end may have led to more questions than answers as well as being hungry. And yes, Rocco's pizza served following the discussions. 

On attending "Am I Conspiracy Theorist," Gabe Yallaly, Steds sophomore and resident Illinoisan, shared, "Discussing #[REDACTED]# and #[REDACTED]# with a professional conspiracy theorist *allegedly* pushed me off the balcony of disbelief."

On attending "Mullets to Medical School," Isaac LeFevre, Steds senior and resident Ohioan, said, "Meeting doctors, especially doctors who are Stedsmen (the best doctors), will help me to set myself apart from many other med school candidates. His insight and expertise will help me to become the best doctor I can be."

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... Fr. Aaron with host Caden Hickey...

... and Dr. Benedict with host Joe Robuck.

Looking good...

Jones: Right out of a page of GQ

... feeling good... and looking the part. That's exactly what Steds Vice-President Zach Jones was feeling and looking as he departed Steds for an interview at the  Career Center. Looking the part, and having done his due diligence of mock interviews and research on his potential employer, Jones was ready. Visibly beaming confidence and a stylish swagger, it was if Jones was a big sticker that read "HIRE ME." On looking the part, Jones, Steds junior and resident Texan, stated, “Life in Steds may be great, but we’ve all gotta enter the workplace sometime!”

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It's official...

Beth and Jackson with Fr. Ralph...

... they got married! Surrounded by family and friends, with Fr. Ralph witnessing, Beth Massaglia ’22  of Howard Hall and Jackson Amigh '22 of Steds were married at St. John the Evangelist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. Again, it was a most beautiful and fantastic day for a wedding, and the day was only made more beautiful and fantastic by this beautiful couple. From their smiles to the vows they MEMORIZED and professed- and everything in between- it truly was a day that the Lord had made for them and their families and friends. On Beth joining the Steds family, Fr. Ralph said, "It's a match made it Heaven!"

Congratulations and best wishes Beth and Jackson!

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... then family and friends...

... and then reception time...

...  and old friendships were renewed with, former Stedsman, Skip Holtz!

The blocks...

Steds: Down, but still standing tall

... bumps, and breaks were against the kids. Sad, but true. Though they gave it their best, their best just wasn't good enough. Again, the blocks, bumps, and breaks, even back-row attacks, back set and butterflies weren't going the way of Steds. In the end, the Steds freshmen intramural volleyball team went down against Stanford- one the halls which was just announced as being demolished or in Notre Dame speak "decommissioned." On watching the Steds squad, Joe Robuck, Steds senior, 1st floor RA, and resident Marylander, shared, "We couldn’t demolish Stanford in volleyball today, but no sweat—the University of Notre Dame is about to take care of it for us."

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

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An old...

Spice it up!

... seasonal friend has returned. With meteorological fall happening at the start of September and astronomical fall happening at the autumnal equinox in late September, fall has finally arrived at Greg. That's right... Coffee mate Pumpkin Spice creamers have returned! A favorite of many at Steds, nothing says it's fall has arrived, then like pumpkin spice creamers. So, as the cool temps are making the Stedsmen grab their quarter zips and hoodies as they trek to class, they can also taste a little fall in their morning coffee with a little pumpkin spice. On the return of pumpkin spice creamers, Zach Zywiec, Steds senior, co-host of In the Red Room, and resident Ohioan, shared, "Pumpkin spice makes everything nice!" 

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Your Sunday picture...

Soak it up

... from Notre Dame. Here is the Notre Dame Trifecta... the steeple of the Basilica, the Sacred Heart statue and Mary and the Dome... captured all in an early fallscape. Yes, the leaves are beginning to change, and soon campus will be awash in fall colors. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room: Indianapolis Wedding Special on:

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Saturday Squirrel.

Bombus pensylvanicus

With our squirrels out and about searching for a handout, we have time to focus on yet another campus neighbor. Bombus pensylvanici, or bumble bees, are all about, but they are particularly about the environs of Steds. Really, they are! Why? Because on the southwest corner of the Hall is not one but three butterfly bushes. With giant white, red, and pink flowers, these bushes attract not so much butterflies as they do bumble bees... and in swarms do they come. Recently, this bee was spotted in a flower busily collecting nectar. On being spotted, this bumble bee non-verbaled, "Sweet nectar!"

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room: Indianapolis Wedding Special on:

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There be...

Schechter: Learning in progress

... studying! While it is the home of Folgers at Four on Fridays, an Enlightenment soirée of sorts with coffee, doughnuts, and conversation, the Gregorian Lounge is primarily a hall study lounge. Resigned in the renovation of 2015 and renovated to its current state in 2022 by Stedsman and Chicagoan, Chris Scott '18, the Gregorian, or Greg for short, is the "in-hall library" of Steds. Outfitted with the same furniture as in the swank Morris Inn and with the envy of every residence hall, an industrial Keurig coffee machine, the Greg is where the proverbial learning is happening at Steds. Suffice it to say, chatter, interruptions, and even high jinxes are kept to a minimum so as not to disturb the learning. Recently, Ben Schechter was spotted deep in thought in Greg. What was he pondering? Who knows because we didn't ask at the time. Later, when he was spotted in the hallway, we did ask. On being deep in thought in the Greg, Schechter, Steds freshman and resident Massachusettan, said, “While the casual observer might presume me wholly engrossed in the rich pursuit of Biology, the reality is that I am deeply occupied in this moment with feminist literature.”

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room: Indianapolis Wedding Special on:

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Mom's Weekend...

Distefano and Lofton: Back at it...

... continues! When life took Steds mom, Suzanne Lofton, mother of Kennan Lofton '22, from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Philadelphia, she could not pass up the opportunity to stop by and see a fellow Steds mom in New Jersey, Alison Distefano. Suzanne and Alison became friends in 2018 when their sons, Keenan and Luke, were both placed in the oldest and most storied residence hall, Steds. What did they do? Well, New York City, was beckoning, and so, Alison took Suzanne and hopped on a ferry to the City. Being her FIRST visit to the City, our Hawaiian mom was a bit overwhelmed by the smells, sounds, and size of it all. Suffice it to say, but a memorable time was had by all! On her visit to the Big Apple, Suzanne shared, "The Big Apple is certainly big, Notre Dame and Steds will always connect us. I truly believe that Mom‘s Weekend truly encouraged all mothers to get to know our son's friends and their moms, and what a blessing to have gained lifelong friendships like this."

To all current Steds moms, TODAY, marks the opening of registering for Mom's Weekend 2027. An email with a registration link was sent earlier this morning. If you did not receive one, then contact Fr. Ralph immediately... as we want you with us!

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room: Indianapolis Wedding Special on:

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... in NYC...

... enjoying the tastes...

... the shows...

... the Park...

... the iconic sights...

... sometimes from a different angle...

... and other sights!

The wait is...

Tate: Staying undefeated

... over! The bespoke Steds apparel line has arrived! Right when the weather became more fall like and temperatures dropped precipitously, becoming down right chilly in the mornings, the Steds fall apparel arrived. It couldn't have been better time, the Steds couture fall apparel line arrived so the Stedsmen could not only stay warm but also "rep" Steds about campus and beyond. On receiving being the first to pick up his fall bespoke and couture apparel, Tate Guyton, Steds freshman and resident Michigander, shared, "Just another reason fall at Notre Dame is undefeated.”

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room: Indianapolis Wedding Special on:

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Visionaries...

Hickey (L) and Greer (R) with Ed's food techs...

... in our times! Yes, visionaries of what food CAN be! That's what Evan Greer and Caden Hickey are being hailed as after launching a new food idea at Ed's. What is the new item now being offered up to fuel late night studying? Named in honor of Pope Leo XIV, the Papanini is a new panini of Italian beef, provolone, banana peppers, with an optional side of Dijon Mustard. From the creative minds of our managers to the hungry stomachs of Ed's patrons, the Papanini is a most welcome addition to the Ed's line up. How is it? Well, let's just say it has been given the proverbial two thumbs up. On the arrival of Papanini, Fr. Ralph Haag, CSC, Rector and occasion and loyal Ed's patron, shared, "It is a heavenly masterpiece only available at Ed's. So make your night at Ed's night every night!"

To hear this week's special installment of In the Red Room: Indianapolis Wedding Special on:

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... creating culinary art!