Class of '15 Looks Back

We asked some of the members of the Class of 2015: What comes to mind when you reflect on your Saint Mary’s College experience?

As a student in the L&CS department and Dance department and a student leader for CILSA, I was given the opportunity to become familiar with diverse communities around the Bay Area. These experiences will go with me as I enter the workforce and explore my options whether as a teacher, dancer, or human being. Never will I forget the relationships with faculty, students, and community members that taught me about passion, persistence, and the power of working together.

- Brittany Fowler, Liberal & Civic Studies

Do everything you can in college. You're never going to have one place with this many friends, resources, connections and opportunities. Also, building blanket forts is the best. It's good for your soul.

- Oliver Reyes, Theater and Art

I love that Saint Mary’s is a place where we are encouraged to ask the questions that really matter. As a philosophy major, I will miss all of the discussions that I’ve had with my professors and fellow students. I am thankful that Saint Mary’s was the place where I discovered my love for philosophy and the great books, something that will remain with me even after graduation.

- Paige Gilliard, Philosophy

To pick one favorite moment from my time at Saint Mary’s would be impossible; one memory would be replaced by another and then another, until my "one" moment turned into fifty. But I know my favorite part of my Saint Mary’s experience has been the professors, staff, and students I have met. It is the friendly waves of hello in the hallways, the sound of laughter filling a classroom, and the encouraging nod of a professor as I pour my heart into our latest text that I will truly miss.

- Holland Enke, English

From my first day of enrollment I knew that Saint Mary's was going to push me. What I didn't realize was the school would push me to heights and challenges I never thought possible, to opportunities I never knew I could seize. I came to Saint Mary's with a list of ten goals, and ended up having a completely new list by the end of my sophomore year. I owe all of my past, current, and future successes to this incredible school, and will always cherish the memories with fellow students, faculty, staff, and beyond.

- Alex Kummert, Communication

My experience as a Sociology student has taught me that I am an agent of change in my own way. Through dialogues with my professors, my peers, and the support of the SMC community, the most important thing I've taken away is knowing that whatever avenue I pursue, there will always be a fellow Gael lifting me up, helping me achieve my goals. I'm glad to be part of the Gael family!

- Julia Ayeni, Sociology

I am glad that I was introduced to the Lasallian mission and the importance of service in my time at Saint Mary's. I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to serve at a Lasallian school in a poor area of Naples after my semester abroad in Rome. That experience took me out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to gain a new appreciation for the work of the Brothers and Lasallian Partners.

- Jacqueline Martin, Anthropology

Something I won't ever forget about Saint Mary's is how helpful, encouraging, and caring all staff, faculty and Brothers were to me. I've had great positive interactions in the classroom, in leadership roles and even in the cafeteria. From the first day I stepped foot on campus I knew I would have a community that would offer me a lot of support. My time here would not have been the same if I didn't feel all of these different types of people were rooting for me.

- Magaly Garcia, Psychology

I came to SMC on a whim. But after four years, I can't imagine spending my undergraduate experience anywhere else. SMC has challenged me, presented me with incredible opportunities to learn and serve, taught me the beauty of actually knowing your professors and shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you, Saint Mary's College.

- Jency James, Environmental Studies

Saint Mary's offered me the chance to study and serve across the world in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in January 2014. It was here that I fell in love with my students, the country, the Brothers, and the value of the Lasallian core principles. One of my favorite memories was coming in on my last day to teach and my students surprised me by singing songs I had taught them.

- Kelsey Wong, International Area Studies

It is literally impossible for me to describe what this school has meant to me in four sentences. Saint Mary's has provided a community that has nurtured me as an intellectual, artistic, and social human being and has given me life long friends that I will always cherish. This school is a beautiful example of what a loving community is capable of, and for that, it will always be held closely to my heart.

- Blake Tormey, Astrophysics

My favorite moment of reflection is this very moment when I had realized how much I had accomplished over the last four years. I had just finished my senior thesis and project presentation, and my professors were sitting there in the front row, smiling back at me. And I think to myself, "Oh my gosh, I did it." It was the best feeling in the world.

- Alexis Thompson Thys, Liberal & Civic Studies

Every time I look up at the Chapel I am reminded of the first time I stepped foot onto campus. As I now gaze upon the Chapel, I reflect on all of the wonderful classmates, friends, professors and mentors I have grown fond of these last four years and the impact they have had on my journey and ultimately my life! Saint Mary's holds a special place in my heart and I will forever cherish my moments here as a Gael.

- Caitlin McLain, Communication