STUDENT LIFE
As parents of a Saint Vincent College student, we feel that our support has helped to ensure that the programs that our children love and the quality education that they receive will continue. Our son, Daniel, is a member of the Class of 2009. His decision to choose Saint Vincent was highly influenced by the College’s commitment to individual attention. During a College visit, a dean was kind enough to sit down with Daniel to discuss the school. The dean answered all of Daniel’s questions and, at the end of their conversation, Daniel’s mind was made up. While at Saint Vincent we have seen Daniel grow to be more independent and responsible, and we are proud of his accomplishments at the College.
As an indication of the superior academic programs at Saint Vincent, the College has earned national recognition by U.S. News and World Report's Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges, National Review College Guide to America's Top Liberal Arts Colleges, Barron's 300 Best Buys in College Education and U.S. News and World Report's Guide to Best College Values among others. In 2007, nearly 50% of students had secured employment positions or had been accepted to graduate school upon or soon after graduation.
Saint Vincent also is committed to providing financial assistance to students in need. With over 1,158 scholarships and grants, the College expects to award more than $17 million in support of students who excel inside and outside of the classroom this year.
To maintain facilities that can provide an environment conducive to academic pursuits, Saint Vincent has engaged in a variety of construction projects. Most recently, the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing was renamed in honor of Herbert W. Boyer, founder of Genentech and a member of the Saint Vincent College Class of 1958. Saint Vincent is currently planning to renovate the science center facility with up-to-date equipment, technologically advanced laboratory spaces, and classrooms that promote interdisciplinary learning.
The Fred Rogers Center for Early Childhood Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College and the Saint Vincent College Business/Conference Center are slated to open in Spring 2008 and will provide an opportunity for students to learn in an environment integrating education and media. The space will also be utilized for conferences and seminars, bringing noted and distinguished speakers to an easily accessible, on-campus location. Residence hall renovations are ongoing, from new flooring and curtains to new buildings. The most recent renovations to residence halls include the addition of 15 four-person apartments to Rooney Hall and a 94-bed addition to Saint Benedict Hall.
Daniel keeps busy participating in some of the many extracurricular activities offered at the College. Some of the extracurricular activities offered include:
• Greek honor societies, such as Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Phi Omega, Kappa Delta Pi, Mu Beta Psi
• Best Buddies, which enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships with College students
• Global Experience Club where, after thorough research, students complete a foreign business study tour. Previous trips have been to London, Prague, Seville, Vienna, and Krakow.
Daniel also has a particular affinity for the intramural sports. With more than ten different athletic activities competing throughout the year, the IM sports program attracted more than 1,100 students during the 2006-07 academic year. Competing on lighted fields, each team participates in a full season of games culminating in championship tournaments. The College also offers club sports teams, such as, ultimate Frisbee, bowling, bocce, fencing, and billiards.
At Saint Vincent College, Daniel is having the time of his life while gaining an exceptional education that will prepare him for life. We are proud to continue to support the College in its mission rooted in Benedictine monasticism with values inherent in the liberal approach to life and learning.
Roy & Mary Shields
