Avenues Spring 2024
In this latest issue of Saint Mary's alumnae magazine, Avenues, we learn about a special student whose all-too-short life has made an enduring impact on the College. Also in this issue, we share an extraordinary partnership between SMC and an area bilingual program that provides life-changing opportunities for migrant children. And we introduce you to Professor Laura Williamson, whose work in Humanistic Studies draws some of the brightest minds to campus.
Feature Articles
A Brief, Bright Life Lights the Way to Campus for Others
Alexa Crofton was considering several colleges in the summer leading up to junior year. An outgoing student with an open heart, a shining smile, and a head full of brown curls, Alexa had been a two-sport athlete at Foothill High School, softball and volleyball; still, she wasn’t looking to play competitively after graduation. She thought about studying business wherever she went, though.
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Unlocking Potential June 11, 2024 After students move out of their residence halls in May, around 500 eager summer campers move into Le Mans, Holy Cross, and McCandless in June and July. These campers, between the ages of 6 and 18, arrive on campus excited to learn, make new friends, and enjoy a taste of independence. Saint Mary’s student counselors act as campers’ “big sisters,” accompanying them on field trips, roaming the dining hall, exploring interests, and creating lasting friendships.
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The Art of Mercy at Home at Saint Mary’s June 11, 2024 Several years ago, five remarkable works of religious art—all of them sculptures—were installed on the Saint Mary’s campus. Each work has a three-tiered provenance. Most immediately, they all arrived on campus on a generous long-term loan arranged by Mary Burke ’85, a proud and loyal alumna and chair of the Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2019. They came through Burke’s hands from their previous home at Mercy Hospital in Chicago. Founded in 1852 by the Sisters of Mercy, it was the city’s first chartered hospital and in 1859 became the first Catholic hospital in the United States to partner with a medical school.
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In the Spotlight: Laura Williamson June 11, 2024 Meet Laura Williamson, a faculty member in the humanistic studies department at Saint Mary’s and a beloved professor of many current students and alumnae. Williamson received her BA from Rutgers University and her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan before finding herself at Saint Mary’s College. Williamson took a moment to sit down and share her story for the latest issue of Avenues about what led her to Saint Mary’s, what inspires her each day, what she hopes students will take away from her classes, and her favorite book recommendations!