EA Open Houses

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back from winter break for those of you in high school, for the Stonehill students out there have fun during Spring Break!

The past three Fridays we hosted our Early Action Open Houses for accepted students who applied to Stonehill early action. The programs were a great success, bringing over 1500 people and 600 students to campus across the three dates. Sessions were held for all aspects of student life here at Stonehill including Rec Sports, Liberal Arts Panel, Financial Aid, Campus Ministry and Study Abroad.

We were even able to use our new Shields Science Center for the opening and closing receptions. The first Early Action Open House was the first time the Atrium had been set up for maximum capacity so everyone was holding their breath and hoping that all of our visitors would fit in the room. Everything went according to plan and all of the Admissions folks were relieved that the space worked out perfectly.

Sheilds Science Center Atrium

We were excited to see so many of you at the Open Houses, if you saw us you may have realized something was different. A certain something had returned to make another glorious appearance. This something is Bow Tie Friday.

Katie Stango tying Sr. Admission Counselor Andrew Leahy's Bow Tie

All of the male members of the Admissions and Marketing teams wore Stonehill colored bow ties for the open houses (except the first one) the female team members wore Stonehill colored scarves.

Admissions Staff with bow ties and scarves

Everyone on campus put in a lot of work to make sure these events ran smoothly so a big THANK YOU to everyone. If you are an accepted student that did not attend these Early Action Open Houses feel free to join us on one of the other Open House days, you can register online or by calling the main admissions line at 508-565-1373. I hope to see you soon!

Follow Us

Class of 2014

Bow Tie Friday and Holiday Festivities

This past Friday is a date that will live forever in the hearts of the Stonehill Community. A lasting tradition was started, friends were made, and admissions cleaned house at the Christmas Party Raffle. On this special day there was one thing that made the holiday party extra special, there was one thing that brought the entire Stonehill Community together and made each Stonehill staff member believe in the magic of Christmas, if only for a moment. My friends, this one thing is BOW TIE FRIDAY.

Sam Smith Associate Dean, bow tie enthusiast

Now, you may be asking: Evan, I’m already on the edge of my seat, this tradition seems life changing and instrumental in the struggle for world peace, how can I participate?

Well wait one second there whipper snapper, why don’t we gather around the fireplace and I’ll tell you a little something about the long storied tradition of Bow Tie Friday.

Bow Tie Friday Begins

It all started way back in the dark ages when no one wore bow ties. Times were tough. Then people wore bow ties for awhile in the 70s and things were good. Bow ties faded out but made glorious sporadic appearances throughout North America. During this time bow ties still held a strong following among English gentlemen and Biology professors, often accompanied by a tweed jacket. (Reader disclaimer: This short history of bow ties may not be entirely historically accurate.)

That brings us to present day. I had been keeping tabs on the original bow tie Friday, started by a colleague, via twitter. Drew Millikin (a.k.a. the bowfather) held up the tradition strong and proud. I had been talking it up around our admissions office for awhile, and it was time for the first step of expansion: I wore a bow tie to work last Friday. Then it all snowballed into this:

The Donahue Hall folks

Notice we do not discriminate, all are invited to join in the bow tie love. This Friday also happened to be our Employee Christmas Party. To quote Stonehill President Fr. Cregan addressing the large crowd:

“We are a young college and new traditions are what keep us going. The admissions office has started a new tradition, and will all members of the office participating please stand up and be recognized.”

This quote may not be word for word, but that is what the sentiment was (and all I remember). I also remember an inspiring round of applause, the loudest of which was saved for Tony. Tony has been a custodian in Donahue Hall for 20 years now, everyone knows Tony and his willingness to participate really got everyone excited.

Tony, willing to particpate

Imagine that, being recognized by the President of the college, in front of everyone at the Christmas party. This was only our first attempt as a group wearing bow ties, imagine what could happen after some practice! I think the obvious overarching theme of Bow Tie Fridays is that anything is possible… even world peace.

To answer your original question, reader, to participate just grab a bow tie, throw it around your neck, get on YouTube to figure out how to tie it and BAM! You’re in. Just make sure it’s Friday.

Admissions News: This is what you’re really here for right? The Admissions office will be slowing down over the holidays, but certainly not stopping. We’re working hard reading some great EA applications, expect to hear something in mid-January.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

For more media from Bow Tie Friday check out Facebook

If you can't get enough Bow Ties, here a video of BT1 (Bow Tie Week 1) to hold you over until Friday YouTube

As always, get the latest Stonehill Admissions news on Twitter