Lauren Sullivan ’09 and Erin Pugh ’11, Big Sis and Little Sis Pomeroys, attended Homecoming together.
Get Wild and Aspire Higher – that was the theme of this year’s Homecoming celebration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC). Laughter and chatter were heard around the food tent as children played in the kid zone and faculty, staff, students and alums reconnected. Nearly 200 visitors participated in the Homecoming festivities on campus this past weekend.
Guests participated in the annual homecoming event filled with soccer, softball, art, music, food and equestrian demonstrations.
“This year’s theme is a fun twist on the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ slogan,” states Susan Turner ‘14G, senior director of advancement and alumni relations at SMWC. “At The Woods, we want our students, alums, faculty and staff to Aspire Higher and have fun while doing it. This is an exciting time at SMWC and the energy on campus is being expressed in many ways; including through the Homecoming theme ‘Get Wild and Aspire Higher.’”
After spending three years in South Korea teaching English, one alum was ready to visit The Woods and “come home.”
Samantha Friedman Fromme stands with husband Zach at Homecoming. The couple recently returned from South Korea, where they spent three years teaching English.
“We have been out of the country for about 3 years, and I have missed all of my Pomeroy friends, so I wanted to see as many as possible,” said Samantha Friedman Fromme ’09, of Jasper Ind. “This was the perfect time to do it.”
“It’s just a great opportunity to run into everybody that you haven’t seen,” said Lauren Sullivan ’09 of Terre Haute, Ind., who attended Homecoming with her “Little Sis,” Erin Pugh ’11. “We both played soccer, so it’s an excuse to come watch a soccer game too … reminisce and have fun.”
“Reconnect with fellow Pomeroys,” continued Pugh, of Terre Haute, Ind. “And a good chance to see the alums that come back for it as well.”
They both went on to list how much had changed in the few short years since they graduated – the new soccer field, the update of the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Shrine and the addition of the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center.
Among the activities available for those who attended Homecoming were guided tours of the construction of the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center, scheduled to officially open on Dec. 3, 2014.
Marcia Schmidt ’72 stands with husband Jerry at Homecoming. The highlight of the day for them was touring the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center.
“We came back partly to see the building, but also because it’s just a great event to bring a lot of students and parents and friends and everybody back together, and it’s just a fun event,” said Marcia Schmidt ‘72. Of the building, Schmidt said, “It’s absolutely wonderful. We’re so excited.”
The day ended with a Homecoming concert titled “Music & Memories,” presented by the SMWC Chorale and Madrigals.
Alumni of the Chorale and Madrigals joined current students for several of the songs, and Sister Marie Brendan Harvey, who directed the choirs from 1952-1980 and started the Madrigals in 1958, was featured as guest conductor for two pieces.