Let’s meet Diana. She is studying international business with a double minor in Spanish and marketing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. With over 50 clubs and organizations, endless leadership experiences, service learning, study abroad, and volunteer opportunities and award-winning programs, there’s something for everyone at Saint Vincent. Here’s Diana to tell us more.
– Thanks, Alex. I’ve always been involved in a lot of things outside of campus. Being involved has always been who I am and has molded me into the leader that I have become. I chose Saint Vincent because I knew I could continue my athletic career, obtain a phenomenal education and continue being a leader. I serve in two roles on our student government association, class vice president, and the chair of intramural sports. I’m a team leader for the activities programming board or a PBA student ambassador, a member of the women’s basketball team and a work study on campus. Doing all of these things while maintaining a healthy social life, getting good grades and prioritizing mental health may seem like an impossible challenge, but I’m proof that it’s not. My coaches, advisors, and professors are always here for me and checking on my progress and asking for updates with how things are going for me personally. APB has many events throughout the semester, but one of my favorites to run is SVC’s the Voice, which is a spinoff of the television show. It is the biggest event of the year and everyone on campus looks forward to it. At Saint Vincent, you have the resources to be anything you want to be and do anything you’d like to do. If there isn’t a club that you’d like to have on campus, you have the opportunity to create it. My connections in campus life have allowed me to grow as a person and a leader. It is so much more than learning the basic skills to graduate and get a job. It is about the connections you create and the memories that you make and at Saint Vincent, that connection is key. Back to you, Alex.
– Starting college sometimes can feel overwhelming, but what doesn’t have to be overwhelming is how you get involved in campus and student life. Thank you for sharing the opportunities Bearcats have to get involved from athletics, to clubs, to intramurals to different committees and associations and how the faculty and staff at SVC support you in everything you want to do. Thanks again.
Here’s Isaiah. He’s from Hagerstown, Maryland and majors in communication with minors in sociology and marketing. The education and experience at SVC are built upon the 1500 year tradition of Benedictine values. These hallmarks prepare students to not only succeed, but to make a difference in the world. Isaiah, tell us more.
– Thanks, Alex, I’m a recent 2023 graduate at Saint Vincent College with a bachelor’s degree in communication. When I first arrived at Saint Vincent College, I had no idea what to expect. I did not come from a faith-based background and coming to a Catholic institution was a bit scary. Nonetheless, I kept an open mind and I had my first introduction to Benedictine Catholicism in my freshman seminar class. There are 10 Benedictine hallmarks and we had to pick one that resonated with us most and discuss how we can apply them to our daily lives. The hallmarks are love, prayer, stability, conversation, obedience, discipline, humility, stewardship, hospitality, and community. Fast forward to my senior year and I had the opportunity to experience those hallmarks firsthand. During spring break, I traveled to the country of Senegal and visited the Benedictine monks at the Abbaye du Coeur. Immediately we were greeted with the same hallmarks that I had learned about in my freshman seminar class. We were showered with love and given exceptional hospitality throughout the entire trip. This was also new to me that people that I had never met were so loving, kind, and hospitable. Father Paul SVC’s president explained to me though that this is what Benedictines do, no matter who it is. At Saint Vincent, you are interconnected with and accepted by Benedictines across the world regardless of your background. That is what it means to be a Benedictine and I would’ve never discovered this type of acceptance if I didn’t decide to come to Saint Vincent College. Now back to you, Alex.
– Isaiah, thank you so much for sharing with us the Benedictine hallmarks and how you and the Bearcat community celebrate those in, out, and beyond the classroom. It is so clear that you’re more than prepared to live a successful prosperous life, helping to build a society of shared responsibility, values, and purpose.
Here’s Stacie from Chula Vista, California. She’s a double major in marketing and digital art and media with a concentration in graphic design with 25 NCAA division three teams and many club sports too. Student athletes are an integral part of campus life. On the field and in the classroom, students support each other and forge lasting relationships. Let’s learn more from states.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. Growing up in California, I was pretty set on attending a UC school, but I also wanted to continue playing volleyball. I chose Saint Vincent after a virtual tour and a Zoom call and I ended up exactly where I was meant to be. With the volleyball team, I gained a group of sisters and I love hanging out with them in or out of season. There are friendships that connect and weave together the entire school through athletics. The support we get from other athletes during volleyball games is insane. As a team, we love to get out there and support other sports as well. Of course, academics come first, but in times where games interfere with class, my professors have supported and worked with me to make sure I’m caught up or even ahead. Since I was in California, when I applied to Saint Vincent, I didn’t get the opportunity to make in-person connections, so I try to make time in my schedule as often as I can to meet the new recruits. I think it’s so special that we can start building that sisterhood before new team members even start going here. I never thought that I would be playing division three volleyball in Pennsylvania. I am not only getting a great education, but I get to play my favorite sport for a community that loves to support all students regardless of where they’re from. Alright, Alex, passing it back to you.
– Thanks Stacie, for talking about Saint Vincent’s commitment to excellence on and off the field. How great is it that student athletes at Saint Vincent get to continue playing their favorite sport, while also receiving the highest quality education? Good luck to you, Stacie, and all your teammates in this upcoming volleyball season. We all will be rooting you on, take care.
Let’s hear from David. He’s a double major in English and communication from Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Saint Vincent is a small college with big opportunities for students to explore all of their interests, both in and out of the classroom. Tell us more, David.
– Thanks Alex. Throughout my search for the right college, I wanted to ensure that my destination had the space and resources to both explore my longstanding interests and to develop new interests as well. I found this at Saint Vincent College, an institution overflowing with opportunity. Saint Vincent has over 50 majors and minors to choose from. I landed on English and I’ve had the chance to take classes in literature, creative writing, publishing, literary translation, and more. I’ve written for the student run newspaper, tutored in the writing center and became a member of the English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta, through which I’ve been able to present papers at conferences in Atlanta and in Denver. The chance to interact with like-minded enthusiasts from all around the country is its own kind of enrichment and is so valuable. Even outside of my discipline though, SVC has opportunities that accommodate a vast range of interests, from intramural sports and campus ministry retreats to academic research in the arts, there is something for everyone at SVC and more likely multiple some things. From passions to hobbies to curiosities, SVC has the platforms for all to be realized and explored. Saint Vincent College has granted me the opportunities to hone in on what I’m good at and develop and investigate new things, meeting a wide array of people along the way. SVC operates at this intersection of community and opportunity where you’re given the resources and platforms to carve out a unique identity for yourself while also being a part of something bigger than yourself. Back to you Alex.
– Thank you for telling us about the many opportunities Saint Vincent has given you to learn and expand your horizons David. Having the chance to foster current interests while also learning something new is such an enriching experience. Thanks again.
Let’s meet Rachel from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She’s studying mathematics and minoring in finance. At Saint Vincent, you will be challenged academically. You’ll encounter new ideas and you’ll be pushed to expand your mind. 82% of Bearcats who apply to medical school are admitted. Students get prestigious research opportunities and attend many of the nation’s best graduate programs. Let’s hear more from Rachel. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Growing up, I had varying interests and a love for learning, but I was always drawn to mathematics. Saint Vincent is an ideal place for a learner like me because not only do I get to study math, I also receive a liberal arts education that allows me to learn about many subjects. The neighborhood of Saint Vincent has provided me with a safe space to create lasting relationships and life skills. There are many opportunities to meet unique people with different interests by engaging in the smaller pockets of our community. I’ve been blessed to learn from professors and instructors as well as fellow students in the mathematics department, the theater program, and the Fred Rogers Institute. I love that my social and academic lives are intertwined and in all my endeavors, I’m supported and uplifted by those around me. My professors have gone above and beyond to give me extra opportunities to learn and push me out of my comfort zone, especially by providing me with research experience. It’s so special to be able to pursue my academic goals while exploring my hobbies by participating in some of the many clubs that Saint Vincent offers. My professors encouraged and assisted me in applying to the University of Michigan Dearborn Research Program that I was accepted into this past summer. The many careers that I could pursue with my degree and the research experience that Saint Vincent has given me have helped me learn about myself, my field of study, and how to collaborate with others. I feel that I’m ready to navigate life after college and whatever career I end up in, I have endless support and experiences to help me thrive. I never dreamed that I would have this many opportunities to explore new ideas and solve problems, but I’m so grateful and excited for how they will enrich my future. Back to you, Alex.
– Rachel, it’s so great that the liberal arts education has allowed you to study the subject you’re passionate about while also learning other things that make you a well-rounded learner and how that education and support from your professors have helped you get into coveted research programs. No wonder SVC’s Medical School acceptance rate is one of the highest in the nation, absolutely incredible.
Let’s learn more about the community here from David, an English major with a minor in secondary education from West Orange, New Jersey. At Saint Vincent, community is at the heart of everything. This comes from its rich history as a Benedictine college and its commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for everyone who joins the SVC family. Take it away, David.
– Thanks, Alex, I knew when I was looking for a school, I wanted to attend a college that felt like home. My high school is big on community and I wanted to continue that feeling in college. I didn’t want to go to a big state school because I felt I would get lost within the campus. Saint Vincent college makes it really easy to make friends. The Big and Little Program gives you an older student to help guide you, and the pod setting for freshmen is like no other. You’re guaranteed 18 friends pretty quickly, but then being involved in extracurriculars and sports really helps you expand your circle. I play on the men’s soccer team, and that was just another outlet for me to make friends. In my academic world, the classes are smaller, which means you’re more than a number. Your professors know you academically and personally. My circle of friends are so special because of how unique our backgrounds and majors are. Saint Vincent has given me friendships that will last a lifetime. As soon as you step foot on campus for a visit, your day begins in the Admissions Welcome Center. I work there. You can immediately feel the aura of the room that’s filled with love, joy, and care. The value of community is rooted in our heritage as a Benedictine school. As a future English teacher, SVC has prepared me so well to manage my own classroom. As soon as my freshman year, I started going into high schools and observing different teaching strategies. By my sophomore year, I was already teaching my first class here at Saint Vincent College. That’s all from me. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks David for making us feel a part of the Saint Vincent College community and telling us about all the ways Saint Vincent has created a supportive community amongst the students, faculty, and staff. When you’re here on the SVC campus, you feel the welcoming sense of belonging and community everywhere you go. Thanks again.
Meet Malachi, a junior visual and performing arts major and business minor who has his sights set on greatness in the classroom and on the field. As a chorus member and drum major, Malachi is here to tell us all about the Platinum Sound, Shaw University’s legendary marching band that was also featured in a national commercial. Malachi, take it away.
– Thanks, Desi. Growing up, I always loved the performing arts. Whether it was singing, dancing, acting, or just playing instruments, I enjoyed it all. I never really thought about doing it professionally, but I was just a child trying to make his parents happy. And after losing my mother to COVID, I didn’t think I was ever going to college, but I persevered. I graduated high school early and found Shaw University to be my home away from home. At first, I wasn’t too sure about going to school 10 hours away. But ever since I joined the band and choir, I have made not just friends, but new family members. Becoming a drum major for the Platinum Sound Marching Band has allowed me to deeply experience the rich culture of Shaw University, and it’s more than that. I can be a part of the traditions while being empowered to create my own. I am also a member of the choir, which has helped me to break out of my shell as a musician. I’ve been singing all my life, but being a part of this group also has allowed me to grow as a solo performer. Outside of band and choir, Shaw University’s rich culture, traditions, and small student-to-teacher ratio has helped me develop and build skills needed for my post-college aspirations. I am given so many resources here that I just wouldn’t get from other institutions. Starting my third year in college, I’ve grown not only as a student and musician, but as a leader of tomorrow. The administration and staff here have given me the knowledge, tools, and love to keep striving for greatness. Ain’t nothing better than the first HBCU of the South, Shaw U! Back to you Desi.
– That is a high-stepping and high-energy group of musicians and performers. It just goes to show how like-minded individuals can quickly become friends and family. Malachi, thanks for allowing us to take a look behind the scenes at how the magic comes together.
L’Tonya is a Shaw University alum who graduated with a Master’s of Divinity. With her full career behind her, she now has the benefit of putting her degree to work in her ministry and life calling as a hospital chaplain. At Shaw, she found a caring and supportive community who helped her reach her full potential. Take it away, L’Tonya.
– Thank you, Desi, for that lovely introduction. I’m originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, where I obtained my undergraduate degree in communications, with an emphasis on public relations. I worked my way through college at UPS, where I’ve been employed for the last 36 years and just recently retired. Shaw University is a school rich in history and accomplishments, but with a small town family environment. That’s one of the things that drew me to the school. I waited until I was 52 years old and had been out of undergrad for 30 years to start the journey of obtaining my master’s. I had taken a clinical pastoral education course for chaplaincy and realized that that was one of my gifts. In order to become a board-certified chaplain, a Master’s of Divinity is required. As an adult learner working full-time and raising two children as a single parent, Shaw and its staff met me where I was and ensured the completion of my journey. Now, as a proud alum of Shaw University Divinity School, I consider it such an honor and a privilege to share my journey. The sense of family within, and most importantly, the determination of each professor to ensure that students are successful in their endeavors is truly amazing. Shaw has enhanced my ministry by giving me the educational tools to be competent to stand anywhere in the world and proudly represent Shaw University Divinity School. As a result of obtaining my Master’s of Divinity degree at Shaw, I was able to retire from UPS, and now I’m working in my called career of hospital chaplaincy and doing church ministry. I’m so grateful for the people that I met at Shaw and the relationships that I’ve built that will last a lifetime. Back to you, Desi.
– What an inspiring journey. And how wonderful to know that individuals are fulfilling their life’s calling. Shaw University’s Divinity School prepares students for full-time ministry and enable students to use their vision and vocation to make an impact in their congregations, their communities, and the world. Thank you, L’Tonya.
Meet Devin, a junior mass communication major and kicker for the Shaw University football team. Hear how he turned a challenge into a triumph after suffering an injury that threatened to end his athletic dreams. The resources and support he received both on and off the field nurtured his recovery and helped to develop his leadership skills. Tell us more about your story, Devin.
– Thanks, Desi. Ever since high school, I’ve been a big footballer. So when I got the opportunity to play for the Shaw University Bears, I jumped at the chance. As a freshman, I was selected as CIAA All-Rookie Team kicker. By my sophomore year, I was given more responsibilities on the team, but I suffered an injury in my dominant leg. My coaches here at Shaw never gave up on me; instead, they taught me that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible. By the end of the 2022 season, I became the only kicker in the CIAA to record points kicking with both legs. Being a member of the Shaw athletic program has been the highlight of my time here. Not only has it been fun, but I’ve gotten to be part of such a strong community of athletes. We all know each other by name and we support one another to the fullest on the field or court and in the classroom. Leadership has always come naturally to me, and the values that I’ve learned through being a student athlete at Shaw have empowered me to continue down that leadership path. I currently serve as the president of the Creative Cubs, an organization that provides an outlet for all the creatives at Shaw. Whether you’re a writer, artist, photographer, or a musician, the Creative Cubs let their creativity shine. My time as a Shaw University Bear has helped me become a better person. The things I’ve learned here, I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life, like how to make the most out of every situation and knowing that I can achieve any goal I set my mind to. Go Bears And back to you, Desi.
– Way to go. And keep letting your creativity shine. Devin. What an important lesson about the power of athletics to build leadership and character, and also a testament to the incredible strength forged by community and connection. Thanks for sharing your story, Devin.
Cydni says that Shaw University is a great place for lifelong learners. She’s going to share her experiences as a freshman adult learner, or non-traditional student, who’s majoring in business and African American history. This coffee entrepreneur shares her take, too, on what it means and how to succeed on campus as an adult student. Tell us more, Cydni.
– Thanks, Desi. After my first year of undergrad at a different university, I decided to take a gap year that turned into a gap decade, where I found myself at the bottom of a coffee mug and behind a camera lens. With the constant support of my family, especially my older brother, I was inspired to pursue my degree. Their encouragement, along with guidance from my advisor, allowed me to cultivate a new support system within the Shaw community. Both the dedicated staff and my fellow students have played an invaluable role in my journey. Becoming a student again was not without its difficulties, but Shaw provided me the necessary support to overcome each obstacle. From brushing up on algebra to balancing work commitments, I found all the resources I needed to stay focused. Initially, my goal was simply to complete my degree. However, thought-provoking history and sociology classes at Shaw ignited new ambition, and now I aspire to pursue advanced degrees. Shaw University is the ideal destination for a successful career pivot. With online classes, supportive advisors, and subsidized certifications, you can enrich your resume and upgrade your current job. Our career services team will guide you through the internship process and connect you with employers at numerous job fairs. As an African American history and business major and a coffee entrepreneur, I can’t help but be inspired by the remarkable story of Alethia Tanner. She used her food-based business to emancipate herself and 23 others and even establish a school. Hearing about individuals like her reminds me that starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch. At Shaw University, you’ll find the perfect environment to reset and soar with unwavering support and endless inspiration. Back to you, Desi.
– Thank you, Cydni. It just goes to show that everyone has the ability to be a lifelong learner, even if it means going back to the basics. And kudos to you for taking advantage of Shaw University’s campus resources and Career Center to help guide your academic journey.