In My Gael Era: Weekend of Welcome volunteers—WOWies—help make the SMC experience special. / Photo by Sofia Mastroianni
Weekend of Welcome: See Why This Saint Mary’s Experience Is Like No Other
For students just arriving at college and those transferring to Saint Mary’s, WOW more than earns the acronym. Check out the video of this celebration and introduction to the SMC community. It’s what we mean when we say, ‘Welcome Home, Gaels!’
It’s not a stretch to say that Saint Mary's College of California's Weekend of Welcome is epic. “It doesn't get better than this,” says Brother Christopher Brady, FSC ’75. “This and graduation are the two highlights of my experience every year!”
That’s coming from a Lasallian Christian Brother who has worked alongside Saint Mary’s students for half a century. This year once again he was out front, greeting new students and parents as they drove onto campus for move-in day.
That day, one of the delightful surprises that awaits arriving students and their families is this: No need to do the heavy lifting when it comes to hauling stuff into a student’s room. That’s for the Weekend of Welcome volunteers—who earn the moniker WoWies.
Harsh Singh ’26, a Data Science major, was one of them. “We’re trying to paying it back forward,” he says, “and the WOW experience is super impactful for the SMC community.”
This year the hum of activities around Weekend of Welcome ran August 22–25. Along with move-in on Thursday, events included a Student Life Meet and Greet, Welcome Liturgy, a chance to watch Men’s Soccer take on Kansas City, and the Farewell Barbecue—which, along with food and photos and fun, serves a chance for last hugs from family on the Chapel Lawn. Friday offered a full slate of welcome and get-to-know-SMC events, along with an ice cream social with President Roger Thompson.
On Saturday, the agenda included a couple of special Saint Mary’s traditions to welcome new Gaels: the Pool Party at the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center, followed by the trek up the hill to paint the SMC letters—no brushes allowed!
New students took part in Bay Area trips on Sunday, returning to campus for the annual Welcome Back Barbecue for new and returning students on Sunday evening. With the first day of classes set to begin the next morning, it was a chance to see old friends and meet new students. Throughout campus, hand-painted banners said it best: “Welcome Home, Gaels!”
