We just had our first Fall Visitation Day of the year, and it was a hit!! I wasn't exactly myself because I have been sick for a few days and lost my voice, but I was able to pull it together for a couple of hours. It was exciting to see how many Student Ambassadors we have again this year and to be back in that atmosphere. Working at the Open Houses makes the school year seem official. It also tells you that summer is over and fall is underway.

I had fun meeting the prospective students and their families as well as showing them around campus and answering their questions. The weather stayed on our side until the tours were over, and then we all enjoyed a nice lunch complete with musical entertainment by Steve Summerhill. After lunch, several of us stayed around to answer more questions about the college, our majors and what it's like to live on campus.

Since the Open House was on a Sunday, lunch was overlapping the kick-off of a major Steeler game against the Cincinnati Bengals. So, we held a Steeler party for everybody on campus including all of our Open House visitors. John, Jenna and I helped make popcorn for the party in the Cosgrave Center, and then headed up to Misciagna Hall to watch the rest of the game with our friends Amber, Courtney and Petey. Although we were disappointed with the outcome of the game, we had fun hanging out.

Well, I'm off to work at the office...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week at Mount Aloysius has been extremely busy to say the least. I have been bouncing from classes to meetings; soccer practices to games; and to our first Mercy Scholar Social of the year. Part of me loves being busy because there is never a dull moment, but the other part of me would love to just sit in my room, put on some light jazz and sketch or read a book for leisure! I'm not sure I even remember how to do some of those things anymore. Haha...

To start out the week, Lindsey Bobb and I helped to plan the Mercy Scholar Social with our advisor Katrina Coakley. We discussed some of the things that we felt were important for a first meeting with the returning Mercy Presidential Scholars and the new freshman class. We decided on an icebreaker in which we would all discuss our goals: personal, academic, for the school, and where we see ourselves in the future. It was a hit, and everybody enjoyed learning new things about each other. It was also great to hear some of the new ideas the freshman had: a Christmas ball, instituting a family weekend, etc. I like the way they think!!

We also had our first softball meeting of the year. I know what you might be thinking...softball, in the fall? This was just what I needed, more practices. :o) Our coaches wanted to get an early start before the winter weather settles in up here on the mountain. We talked about getting out and practicing as well as fundraising for our March trip to Myrtle Beach for a pre-season tournament. I took last year off from softball because of my class schedule, and I'm extremely excited to be back in action this year.

On a lighter note, Christine and Amber (my roommates) came with me to Clearly You Crystals. This was an event that Student Affairs had set up for the campus. They took your picture and etched it into a crystal for free. When you hold it up to the light, you see a 3-D image. It was something fun for the three of us to do in-between everything else we had going on.

Speaking of busy, I think it's time for soccer practice...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I got a slap from reality this week. I went back to my high school, Bishop Guilfoyle, for a college visit with Julie Mellott, an admissions counselor here at Mount Aloysius. To say that it was weird walking through those halls would be an understatement. I was no longer walking through those halls in my uniform or getting my hall pass signed by one of the teachers. It wasn't "my" school anymore. I was there as a guest. It was so much fun though!

It was interesting to shadow Julie because I would really like to work as an admissions counselor after I graduate from Mount Aloysius. Talking with Mr. Schoenfelder, Bishop Guilfoyle's guidance counselor, also gave me some insight into the relationship between high school and college. He was so happy to hear that I had made the career decision to become an admissions counselor and that I had changed my major to psychology. My favorite part was getting to see Mr. Stuart Crocker, my eleventh-grade chemistry teacher. It was great to catch up with everybody and see how things have changed.

Going back to high school also made me realize how fast time has been going lately. Seeing my old teachers and telling them how college life was going made me feel older than twenty, but then again, I have never felt my age. Working in the Admissions Office feels like a four-year internship. Rick Mishler has even given me the nickname Julie Junior. I do love working here. I have made some great friends and learned so much for the future.

I think it's time for me to get some homework done, so until next time...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have recently become a statistic. That was never the plan, but we do what we can with what life gives us. As I mentioned before, I'm an Elementary Education major here at Mount Aloysius College. As of today, however, I am a recent addition to the Psychology Department. I was stressed beyond belief thinking about the process of changing my major. Am I making the right decision? Will I be disappointing anyone? Will I graduate on time? You can imagine the relief I felt when everything went as smoothly as it did.

I had to meet with several professors and advisors to complete the process. Dr. Brad Hastings, chairman of the Psychology Department, continues to work with me in making this transition as easy as possible. He was also very helpful in making sure I was positive about my decision. Katrina Coakley, Coordinator of Academic Advising, was also a great help. We discussed the classes I would be taking starting next semester, and what I could do in the meantime. She was excited for this new change I was making and we were discussing what I plan to do in the future. My answer, of course, was that I want to be an admissions counselor here at MAC!! I've known that for quite sometime, but I think it will be the perfect job for me.

I do, however, want to acknowledge Dr. Marilyn Roseman for all of her guidance and all of the time she put into my studies. She is an amazing professor, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart. I enjoyed every minute of her classes, and I know that she has had a significant impact on my life.

I could never forget Mr. FJ Hartland, my previous advisor. He continuously kept me on the right path with my studies and I am sad to be leaving his care. His light-hearted and passionate spirit is motivation enough to follow ones dreams.

Each program at Mount Aloysius College is superb and the support I have received from all of my professors cannot be surpassed.

So follow your dreams, wherever they may take you...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To say that our first home game of the season was amazing would be an understatement!! The Mounties came together like never before and dominated the soccer field. We had crisp passes, constant communication and so much fun. :o) The team was on top of its game. We also had a nice fan base to cheer us on, which included Sister Mary Ann Dillon, President of Mount Aloysius College, Larry and Sue Brugh from Student Affairs, Ann Volk our Resident Director, our families and friends, and of course many Mountie students.

It was great to see all of our hard work from pre-season training pay off. The campus was buzzing about the win on the following day. Whether they were walking around campus or sitting in class, there was at least someone congratulating us throughout the entire day.

Our next game is Saturday, September 16 against Franciscan University. We are psyched for another home turf showdown!

Until next time...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After a long, long week of pre-season training, I was invited to attend a leadership expedition with several other students. It was a diverse group consisting of members from the soccer team, Student Government Association, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Residence Hall Association, the cross country team, Mercy Presidential leaders, student ambassadors, etc. The event took place at a camp called Outdoor Odyssey, a non-profit organization specializing in the development of leadership skills, team-building and adventure.

We were split into several groups in order to perform certain tasks on a low-ropes course. These exercises involved planning and strategizing as well as physical endurance. The main goal was to work together as a team using various forms of communication. It also helped to be a little creative. :o) For example, in one of the tasks, we had to imagine that we were mountain climbers trying to cross a ravine using only a rope to swing us to the other side. We could not touch the ground while swinging for if we did, the whole team had to start over again. However, there was a catch. There's always a catch! We had to transfer a large jug, filled with imaginary water, to the other side as well. After several attempts, we were still at square one. I asked our guide if we could use anything on our person to transfer the jug and she told us to give it a try. Immediately I reached for my belt, looped it through the jug and then strapped it around my shoulder. I grabbed a hold of the rope and leaped for the other side, landing safely with the water jug. I felt like Indiana Jones! :o)

We did several other exercises before heading to the high ropes course which involved rock climbing, rope ladders and other obstacles that were suspended in the air. I definitely learned a lot about working as a team and communicating with others. It was an experience that I will never forget, and I hope to do it again someday. The entire day was so much fun, and I got to spend it with all of my friends!! We topped off the day with miniature golf, pizza and ice cream. What a perfect ending...ha-ha. After all of that work, however, I had never been happier to see the gates of Mount Aloysius College, because it meant that my room in the residence hall was only a few steps away...and I was so tired. :o)

So, my friends, until next time...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)