Posted by Meghan, UST Junior, Music and Catholic Studies

On September 20, the Catholic Studies Department kicked off the 2009-2010 academic year with its annual ice cream social. The event was very well attended with over 150 students, faculty, and staff coming out for the Sunday evening event. An information table gave newcomers the opportunity to learn what Catholic Studies is all about. In addition, members of the new student organization C.S.I. (Catholic Students Incorporated) were present to hand out flyers and provide information about upcoming events on campus. The social was a huge success and was a great way to reconnect with old friends as well as to meet the newest additions to the Catholic Studies Department!

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On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the University celebrated the graduation of the class of 2009. The Department of Catholic Studies held its annual graduation open house in the Great Room of McNeely Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of its undergraduate and graduate students. Families and friends were in attendance, with guests totaling over 300.

This spring, 52 Catholic Studies majors and 10 Catholic Studies minors graduated. Of the 52 majors, 38 are double majors and 3 are triple majors. These students have combined Catholic Studies with such fields as accounting, biochemistry, economics, education, mathematics, philosophy, social work, Spanish, and theology. A special congratulations to the 33 students who have earned Latin Honors!

In addition, 6 graduate students completed their studies this year.

Mary Harnan, staff member and photographer of the event said "Taking photos during the open house was wonderful and touching. Outside the weather was sunny and warm but it felt even brighter inside McNeely Hall, seeing the joy on the faces of the graduates and feeling the warmth, love and support of the graduate’s family and friends."

View the slideshow below for pictures from the open house event:

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Posted by Theresa, Catholic Studies Staff Member

The Catholic Studies Undergraduate Department had its 4th annual Ultimate Frisbee Tournament last Saturday, complete with a bright sunny day, food and fun.

"The Best Team Ever", the Catholic Studies Faculty and Staff team (with help from some of their kids), brought out some fierce competition against the participating undergraduate students and alumni.

The double-elimination tournament culminated in a double championship game. "The Fall of Rome" (the students that will be studying in Rome together next fall) were undefeated until "Hansel" came back from the loser's bracket to win the game. Being a double elimination tournament, the two teams played again, with "The Fall of Rome" taking the final crown and glory.

Other teams competing were Al Dente (the Catholic Men's House), The Humiliators, and the Great Wall of China.

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Posted by Chris DuFresne, UST Alumnus 2004, Business and Catholic Studies

The Catholic Studies Alumni committee sponsored their first 2009 event at Loome Theological Booksellers in Stillwater, Minnesota. Dr. Don Briel spoke about the “Promise and Challenges of Catholic Studies.” The setting was quite unique in that the bookstore is in an old church. The alumni and current students sat in the balcony while Dr. Briel spoke from the staircase landing across the room. He discussed the great things Catholic Studies has to offer to a university, such as its ability to bring together so many of the important components of the Catholic Tradition, including literature, arts, theology, philosophy, etc.

Students asked questions of Dr. Briel to continue the conversation. Alumni were curious to know how they could support Catholic Studies at St. Thomas. Dr. Briel explained that any gifts to St. Thomas can be directed to a specific program or cause, which means donations can be made directly to Catholic Studies.

After the discussion, Andrew Poole, Catholic Studies Alum and one of the owners of Loome’s, invited students and alumni to shop the store. Students and alumni spent over an hour perusing the many shelves of antique, out–of-print, and current theological books.

The Catholic Studies Alumni Committee is a group of Catholic Studies alumni who work to foster the Catholic Studies Community after graduation for both undergraduate and graduate alumni. We would love to see you at an upcoming event! Save the date for the annual summer BBQ on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

Interested in helping the Alumni Committee? Contact Chris DuFresne (Chris@ChrisDuFresne.com 651-592-1027).

Join the Catholic Studies Group on Facebook! Search for “Catholic Studies Alumni – St. Thomas.”

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On Friday, Feb. 20th, Catholic Studies students, faculty, staff and friends gathered in Sitzmann Hall for the second annual Monte Cassino Night. The name is a play on both the famous gambling house in Europe as well as the Benedictine monastery in Italy in the town of Cassino. The evening included a poker tournament, blackjack, a karaoke contest, and, of course, food and drinks. More pictures from the event after the break!

Posted by Catholic Studies at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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