In honor of the funds contributed to Saint Mary's College through charitable donations, donors were invited to campus Friday and Saturday during Donor Recognition Weekend.
Throughout the weekend, donors were able to experience life at Saint Mary's to see firsthand what impact their contributions made to the College. The weekend also impacted students, sophomore Julia Humphrey said.
"Spending time with [donors] Sally and Andrea really showed me the importance of Donor Recognition Weekend," Humphrey said. "As one of the keynote speakers expressed, ‘When God gives, we give back.' This is true for both the donors and the recipients."
According to the schedule of events for the weekend, donors were able to be a "student for the day" Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donors had the opportunity to sit in on a variety of classes throughout the College, as well as to take meals in the Noble Family Dining Hall or Cyber Café with students.
Visiting donors also were able to participate in several activities throughout Friday afternoon. A spiritual retreat called "Journey of Life" was offered to donors in the Augusta Hall Conference Room at Saint Mary's Convent. At the conclusion of the retreat, Sr. Mary Louise Gude, vice president for Mission, led guests on a tour of the Sisters of the Holy Cross Heritage Room. Donors were also given a chance to pray at the labyrinth, led by Judy Fean, director of Campus Ministry.
In addition, donors were able to meet the 2010 "New Voices" scholars in Welsh Parlor in Haggar Hall or watch the Belles tennis match against Adrian College.
Friday evening events concluded with a concert by Bellacappella in Little Theatre at Moreau Center for the Arts.
Saturday's activities began with a roundtable discussion about the life and character of Sister M. Madeleva Wolff, former president of the College. After the discussion, current President Carol Ann Mooney gave a presidential address to the donors. Both events were held in Carroll Auditorium in Madeleva Hall.
In addition to spending time with donors Friday, an appreciation luncheon was held Saturday for students who received aid from donations.
"As the recipients, Saint Mary's and the students who receive scholarship money can show their appreciation for the donors in a small way by hosting a luncheon," Humphrey said.
Humphrey said the luncheon was an important opportunity for the donors because it gave them the opportunity to meet students who were affected by their contributions to the College.
"During this unique opportunity, the donors are able to physically see how their donation is used by being able to meet the recipient of their scholarship. They are able to see that their donations are not being used to purchase mahogany desks or a tapestry rug, which occurs at other colleges and universities," she said. "Rather, they are affirmed that their money is used to fund the most important part of Saint Mary's: the education of women."
After the luncheon, donors were able to tour Spes Unica Hall and Madeleva Hall throughout the afternoon. Mass was offered in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in LeMans Hall. After Mass, a reception was held in the Student Center Lounge. The weekend concluded with dinner in the Noble Family Dining Hall.
