Let the shuttlecocks...

Classic Steds

… fly! And as they flew, so did the egos of all participants. This cherished event was a showcase for the Gentlemen to demonstrate their skill and prowess with racquet and shuttlecock. The Showdown saw the rise and fall of many teams, but in the end, tested and true seniors, Ryan Casey and Mark Onders faced off against a group of upstarts, sophomore, Garret Hanlon, and freshman, Michael Heffernan. The two teams battled it out before a crowd of badminton diehards who were treated to an excellent championship game.  The spirited and lively game saw Casey and Onders, take down the upstarts in a riveting series. Congratulations to Casey and Onders, our Shuttlecock Showdown Champions!

On winning, Onders said, “Rumor has it the President of the United States came to see us win. He was late.”

On being the first losers of the Showdown but also the recipient of the coveted sportsmanship award, Hanlon shared, "I am humbled and honored to receive the first ever sportsmanship award in the history of this tournament. We played some great badminton, and I am glad that I got to do my part in keeping the gentlemanly aspect of this gentleman’s sport."

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LeFevre and Heffernan set up the courts...

... the National Anthem was played at the start...

... Heffernan and Hanlon make a gallant effort for return service...

... Casey and Onders scramble...

... Donovan gave it a go...

... Donoghue and Mackey loaf about...

... while Heritage and Weekly enjoy some OJ and pizza... 

... Haag and Larson have high hopes...

... that were quickly dashed by a shoulder problem...

... and the President was two fisting it...

... winners Casey and Onders...

... first losers, Heffernan and Hanlon...

... but Hanlon got best sportsmanship award...

...but everyone was a winner because this was their home!

Revolutionary...

Laying the tunes, DJ Littlefield assisted by his DJ girlfriend...

... was the theme of the day. Founder's Week continued with visit to the Galleria of Jordan Hall of Science. Sadly, the Oak Room of South Dining, the traditional location of the dance, was unavailable for this Founder's Week Dance… a first!  Themed “Revolutionary” many came as George and Martha Washingtons, either Louis the 14th or 16th, Castros,  some even came as America Tea Parties. Dance goers enjoyed great music playlist that was composed by not only the request of the Gentlemen themselves but also the musical stylings of Quinn Littlefield, a rising dj for sure. In short, it was a magical evening. On the dance, Father Ralph, dressed at the Emperor from Star Wars, declared, “Everything proceeded as I had foreseen.”

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... while Nikolai and girlfriend posed with Fr. Ralph for a photo.

A day in the Park...

Gentlemen at home in their Park...

... was an amazing day. It's true! St. Edward's does not belong to North Quad, God Quad, nor any quad for that matter. Rather, we belong to St. Edward's Park, that green area just east of the Dome. Over time, our fountain may have disappeared, and we had to cede land for the building of Cavanaugh and Zahm Halls, but the fact remains, that the green space south of the Hall is St. Edward's Park. Amid sunshine and perfect times, games of badminton, corn hole, and bocce, with cheese cake, fruit tarts, cookies, cupcakes, and maybe a cigar, the Gentlemen of St. Ed's renewed their claim to this small tract of land as they celebrated "A Day in the Park." On his first Day in the Park and game of bocci ball, Liam Verrier, Steds freshman and resident and North Carolinian, shared, “It was a relaxing afternoon filled with close friends and new experiences, such as learning the art of bocce. What else could a Gentleman ask for?”

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... enjoy these photos!

Breakfast of Princes...

Erdman: Enjoying a bagel...

… can mean only one thing, a Chick-Fil-A breakfast. But that was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg! In addition to the Chick-Fil-A, Einstein bagels, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and Martin’s turnovers were all in Flounge.  At the direction of President Kelly and Vice Presidents Daley and Kolodychak, an assortment of breakfast items and were served for the hungry masses before heading off to class... something fit for  prince. Why? Because that’s what Fr. Sorin called the residents of St. Edward’s… princes. Indeed, it was veritable feast. Helping make the breakfast come together were Nicholas Jacob, sophomore, and Will Erdman, senior and RA... but both members of ND Air Force ROTC. On the breakfast offering, Erdman shared, “After my morning run, I felt like a kid in a candy shop when I saw all that food in front of me. Every breakfast food imaginable crossed paths on the counters of the Flounge. I did the math, and it was enough to feed a small country for a week...or Christian Bardsley (fellow senior and RA) for a day" while Jacob said, "Twas a nutritious and fulfilling breakfast for such young and growing minds.” 

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... while Jacob went for the Chick Fil A...

... but they both left some for others!

A dinner...

Tompkins takes the podium...

... to remember. Despite occurring before Fall Break, the Order of Gentlemen recipient was announced and honored today. Today, Aidan Tompkins '24, the 2023-24 inductee into the Order of Gentlemen, an award given for exemplary service to Hall and King, was feted at the annual Founder’s Week Dinner in Oak Room of South Dining Hall.

After dinner, Tompkins spoke to those gathered, imparting personal insights and sage advice for current Stedsmen. 

Later, Tompkins was recognized for his service to King and Hall- for being who he is, embodying the essence of a gentleman- and was inducted into the Hall's Order of Gentlemen for "action faithful and honor clear to Hall and King." While he will be remembered along with other recipients by a plaque in the Hall's main lobby, Tompkins also received a specially minted coin commemorating this high honor. 

On receiving the Order of Gentlemen and addressing his fellow Stedsmen, Tompkins shared, “It was a true honor to be inducted to the Order of the Gentleman. I think my class had many men deserving of the award, and it meant a lot to ultimately be selected. I hope my time as president was able to live up to the great administrations that came before me like those of Michael Lynch and Josh Gambardella.”

Congratulations Aidan!

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... President Kelly gives the ceremonial participation ribbon...

... Haag gives the commemorative coin...

... and Aidan goes up on the lobby plaque!

Rededication Day...

Luigi: The star of the evening...

... is the day where the 2nd floor lounge is rededicated to the honor of Lugi Gregori, University artist and Steds resident, as well as renamed after him, making the lounge "the Greg." Rededicating the dedication for the seventeenth time, this moving ceremony, filled with pageantry and tradition, Stedsmen past and present honored the artist, his mural, and those who have gone before us through poetry, historical readings, and personal reflections. Highlights were a surprise phone call and reflection by Mike Jekot '24 as well as an appearance by Chris Scott '18, benefactor for the the Greg renovation, and his dramatic resuccitation of Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Green Ham. On the Rededication Day service, Mike Jekot '24, said, "I wish I was there."

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...President Kelly and VPs Daly and Kolodychak prepare...

...Daly hangs Luigi to gaze upon the mural he painted... 

... and then the masses came...

... and then more came for the desserts...

...Kolodychak with Scott and the ceremonial plaque...

Shia asks Kolodychak if he can have a copy.