Showcasing the SMC campus: From left, Student Ambassador Rianna Aquino ’26, SMC Admissions Events Coordinator Angelica Santos ’23, and Student Ambassador Brooklyn Morales ’27. / Photo by Richard Trinh
Saint Mary’s College Takes Center Stage at Fall Preview Day
More than 200 prospective students took part—and got a first look at how a Saint Mary’s education can empower students. Campus tours, student panels, and presentations showed visitors why SMC is the college of choice for so many.
Saint Mary’s small class sizes, caring and supportive campus community, and stunning Bay Area location are well-known to alumni and others associated with the College. Now, after a big Fall Preview Day that took place on a sunny October Saturday, more than 200 prospective students and their families have a better feel for what it means to experience the “Magic in Moraga.”
“Fall Preview Day is one of our most important and exciting recruitment events of the year, providing prospective students with an inside look at life at Saint Mary’s,” says Chris Krzak, Interim Dean of Admissions. “It’s an opportunity for students and families to explore our academic programs, meet faculty and staff, tour campus, and experience firsthand what makes our Gael community so special.”
On October 26, Fall Preview Day events filled the morning and into early afternoon. In offering a warm welcome to campus visitors, President Roger Thompson extolled the growing excitement surrounding SMC, the supportive campus community, the academic and personal opportunities that the College offers, and the overall value of an SMC education.
Afterward, a series of presentations offered visitors practical information about the College's financial aid packages as well as the Honors Program. A pair of campus tours showed off the beauty of Saint Mary’s and its various buildings, facilities, and historic landmarks, and a student-led panel discussion offered an insider perspective on the student experience.
Prospective students and their families also took advantage of the opportunity to meet current SMC faculty members and Gael students at an Academic and Student Resources Fair.
The latter part of the day featured a mix of academics and fun, with an open house at Saint Albert Hall Library, an invitation to acquire some Gael swag at the SMC Bookstore, and a collaborative performance at the SMC Museum of Art that featured Saint Mary’s musicians, dancers, and artists. SMC Athletics and Club Sports took center stage as well: On the rugby pitch, fans could catch the Red vs. Blue scrimmage with the national champion Gaels Men’s Rugby team. On the court, SMC Women’s Volleyball took on San Diego, and on the soccer field Women’s Soccer bested San Diego 4–0.
SMC’s 2024 Fall Preview Day in Photos
Photos by Richard Trinh, Ashleen Rai, and SMC Athletics
