On Thursday, the Saint Mary's Class Gift Campaign paid homage to the ghostly inhabitants of Saint Mary's with its Sweet Treats and Scary Stories event.
It is rumored that various ghosts, including the spirit of Sister Madeleva, former president of the College, roam the halls of Saint Mary's after hours.
At the event, staff and students read excerpts from "Quiet Hours: Revealing the Mysteries," a book written by three Saint Mary's alumnae. This collection of short stories tells actual experiences of Saint Mary's students, faculty and staff with ghosts around campus.
Participants listened to ghost stories while enjoying a spread of sweets including a chocolate fondue bar, apple cider, hot chocolate, pumpkin pie and candy apples.
"I had read ‘Quiet Hours' before, but my favorite story is of the girl walking down the avenue," first year Madeline Haverilla said. "A murderer sees her on the road, but doesn't attack her because he sees someone walking with her, even though she was alone. It gave me the chills, but it also made me feel like there is someone looking out for us."
Continuing the scary theme of the night, students participated in a costume contest that awarded the scariest, creepiest costumes. First prize was a bobblehead figure of Dr. Carol Ann Mooney, president of Saint Mary's College, and her husband George Efta.
Due to cold temperatures, very few students dressed up.
"I would have dressed up if it wasn't so cold outside," sophomore Kira Terrill said.
The Class Gift Campaign also raffled off $50, $25 and $10 of munch money in a drawing. Students entered the drawing by picking up tickets at the dining hall and student center throughout the week and by presenting them upon arrival at the event.
This year, the Class Gift Campaign co-sponsored the event with the Resident Hall Association (RHA).
"RHA has always hosted an Autumn Harvest, an event with fall themed treats, for students. But this year, Class Gift Campaign approached us with the idea of working together on this event," RHA President Kat Nelson said. "The event has had a great turnout. We had canoe races around the lake earlier, and then everyone came over afterwards. Some faculty and staff members brought their families, and it was great to see some professors with their kids."
The event also gave students the opportunity to make individual donations.
"We hope that students will see how much tradition there is at Saint Mary's and how important it is that everyone give back to the College," Amy Dardinger, assistant director of Phonathon, said. "It's a fun event to host around Halloween time, but its also a way to remind students that many people before them made a Saint Mary's education possible."