“It’s good to be back home,” was a phrase often spoken on Saturday as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College celebrated Homecoming. After having the first in-person Homecoming last year since before the pandemic, even more alumni returned home to The Woods. It was the perfect fall day for alumni and their families, students, faculty and staff. They attended athletic events, experienced good food, enjoyed an outdoor concert in the Butler Classroom and ended the day cheering on the Pomeroy sprint football team.
Almost 300 people were on campus, going to various venues throughout the day. Athletic events included equestrian shows, an alumni softball game, a women’s volleyball match and a sprint football game against Midway University.
President Dottie L. King, Ph.D., welcomed the attendees, thanking everyone for coming out to enjoy the day and was seen attending all events around campus. Bon Appetit provided lunch featuring fried chicken, a nacho bar and other goodies. Additionally, DJ Jamie Dawson supplied music while the crowd mingled, played yard games and visited various booths, including a book signing for Paul Salstrom, Ph.D. and an interactive setup for Aurora, the College’s literary magazine. Many alums took a moment to get their picture taken with the beautiful mural on the side of Les Bois Hall, recently completed by local artist, Becky Hocchalter. Affinity groups, including the Black Alumni, Young Alumni and Volleyball Alumni, also came together for Meet ‘n Greet events.
Several took tours of the College’s historic buildings, new facilities and improvements, including Kayla Moats ‘19. “It felt so refreshing to be back! Every time I visit, it so quickly feels like I’m home again and all the amazing memories pop back up,” Moats said. She also shared her excitement about the additions and improvements to the campus. “Seeing how the College is growing is so exciting. One of my favorite things about the day was seeing the new building, Les Bois. It makes me proud to see how the College is expanding and changing. It also makes me kind of jealous of the current students,” Moats said.
For some, it wasn’t just a Homecoming, but a small reunion. Current Madrigals and from years past gathered outside the Conservatory of Music to sing together.
Bridget Sider ’21, who was a December graduate, celebrated her first Homecoming as an alum. “It’s a very special feeling coming back home to the trees and people who have such deep roots here. I always feel happy and hopeful after visiting,” Sider said.
Sider also performed with the choirs and band during the outdoor concert. To her, it is just natural. “I’ll never miss an opportunity to be involved with the music department. It is so easy to jump back in and perform like I never left!”
The concert concluded with the combined choirs and band playing a finale of SMWC College Songs featuring “Go, Woods, Go!,” “Our Lady of Providence,” “Alma Mater,” and “The Ring Song.”
Sarah Stultz Mahady ’05, director of alumni relations, was thrilled with the turnout and the energy the crowd brought to campus. “We were so thankful to have so many alumni come back home. Many got to see our recent additions and updates to the campus for the first time, which was very exciting. It was an absolute blessing to reconnect with our alumni and friends,” Mahady said.
After the concert, alumni, family and friends made their way over to West Vigo High School as the Pomeroys’ sprint football team took on Midway University and captured their third win of the season. Throughout the week, students participated in spirit week and the annual Homecoming Cup Games. In addition to the SMWC dance team performing during halftime of the game, the team winner of the Homecoming Cup games was presented with the Homecoming Cup trophy.
The day concluded with students coming together for a Homecoming Dance in Ariens Atrium. It was a day that truly fit this year’s theme: One Woods. Our Woods.