2021-22 In Review

As the school year comes to an end, we reflect on the accomplishments of Saint Mary’s and its community 

By Kamryn Sobel
Associate Editor 

Located in the small town of Moraga, California with over 3,600 Gaels, Saint Mary's is in its final stretch of the 2021-22 school year. At Saint Mary’s, the goal of the college is to, “achieve more and do better—in education, in community, and in service”. This school year, Saint Mary’s did just that, as it returned to campus in fall of 2021 after a year of mostly online and hybrid classes. Students were able to experience normalcy for the first time since the start of the pandemic. 

In the beginning of the year, the Farewell BBQ and First-Year Olympics returned for first year students, while sophomores were welcomed back to campus with a makeup BBQ and a second year olympics meant to give second years experiences they may have missed out on online. Classrooms were once again filled with students while sporting events opened to all spectators. The Campus Activity Board hosted events ranging from  inflatable games on the Chapel Lawn to a Semi-Formal Dance at the Soda Center. January Term was also filled with compelling courses, such as JAN 102-01 Fencing and Swords, JAN 053-01 Ceramics for Beginners, and JAN 128-01 The Art and Science of Beer. The 19th Annual Expressions of Blackness, the Holi Festival, and Cultural Nights also were seen back on campus this year. Student life was in full (Gael) force this school year. 

Other achievements Saint Mary’s saw this school year include: Top 5 — Western Regional Universities - U.S. News & World Report: Best Colleges, Top 10 — Best Colleges for Veterans - U.S. News & World Report: Best Colleges, Top 10 — Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie) - U.S. News & World Report: Best Colleges, The Best 386 Colleges — The Princeton Review, The Best Western Colleges — The Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction recognitions for Best Colleges-Catholic, Business Programs, and Career Development. 

Congratulations to those who are graduating and those who have successfully completed another academic year. As another school year comes to an end, we reflect on what it means to be a Gael! 

Sources:
https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/about-smc/facts-figures 
https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-college-and-the-bay-area