As a Freshmen in college there is always the struggle of adapting to a whole new atmosphere and way of living. Only after a month’s time, however, the campus is referred to as “home” and before we know it, total strangers become the best of friends.
As a Southern Belle from deep in the heart of Texas, coming to the University of St. Thomas was a whole new experience. The past six weeks have come and gone with a never-ending flow of fun-filled activities, a desk constantly cluttered with an oncoming flow of homework, and the comforting unity of fellow students. Minoring in the Catholic Studies Program provides me with the ability to study more deeply what is most important to me: my Catholic faith. While delving into the full college experience, there is also the opportunity to immerse myself in the solace of a spiritual regimen. The Chapel becomes a safe haven in which I am relieved of all forms of stress. The many trials that accompany the every day life of a student are triumphed by the joys and exhilarating moments spent not only with supportive friends but also with our Lord present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
~Alexandria
John Rogers here. I’m a Catholic Studies Master of Arts student, and I’ve spent the last two summers as the event coordinator for the Church and the Biomedical Revolution faculty seminars. During the school year, I attend CSMA classes part-time and work full-time as a teacher at Saint Thomas Academy in St. Paul, MN. This summer I took “Paul’s Letters” with Dr. Martens and an independent study on “Phenomenology and the Theology of Disclosure” with Dr. Wojda.
I have been going to summer camp since I was 10. I love the magic of summer camp; the evening activities, skits, campfire, making s’mores, and fingernail polish parties with the other girls in my cabin. In fact, even before school got out for the summer, I was counting down the days until camp. It should be no surprise that I decided to work as a counselor at Camp Birchwood for girls in Northern Minnesota. This summer I have found myself challenged as my job duties include not only instructing wilderness activities and living with a cabin of campers, but also planning and leading camping trips. The most memorable trip for me was a 6-night trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). My co-counselor, Kat, and I took seven 12-14 year olds (as many as we could take on our permit) on the Alpine Loop route, leaving from Grand Marais, MN. The BWCA is comprised of many lakes, rivers and islands, and for those of you who have never been, I recommend that you add it to your “bucket list” right away. During the day, we canoed 4-6 hours, stopping for a lunch break around 1 pm. Upon arrival to our campsite each evening, we would guide the campers through setting up tents, preparing the fire, cooking, tying the bear bag (for food/scented items), and practicing the “Leave No Trace” principles to protect the land so that someday my campers’ grandchildren can enjoy the same beautiful landscape as we did.