New Englander Heads to Mid-Atlantic: Snow Follows

Figures. I leave Boston for a recruiting trip to Pittsburgh in the midst of their largest snow storm since 1992! Luckily I had already planned to spend the weekend in Harrisburg visiting my friend Lisa so I didn't have to worry about my flight being cancelled....wish I could say the same for some of my colleagues. Some of them were stranded all weekend!

As mentioned in my previous post, I was in town for the Pittsburgh National College Fair at the Lawrence Convention Center. Here's a lovely photo montage of my time in 'Steel City."

Admissions isn't all fun and games....but sometimes it is. Playing at the Cracker Barrel with colleagues.

My table at the college fair. Go Hill!

Instead of filling out an inquiry card, a student can have an ID number scanned and we're emailed their information in a spreadsheet. It's pretty amazing!

Lisa and I trekking out into the snow!

Yep- that's my rental car.

Overwhelmed.

Come Visit Campus....Again!

If you're looking to come visit campus again (or for the first time) and would like a different experience, I have a tip for you. Schedule your next visit around a Skyhawks game.

The games are really a great opportunity to see a part of student life that you don't really get a chance to see during a tour, plus it's EXCITING! Just last week I was able to go to a Stonehill basketball game vs. AIC that came down to a last second shot. Which also happened to be a dunk that won the game for the home Skyhawks. It reminded me of myself way back in my playing days, except I missed most of the shots I took. This statement is still true to this day as anyone shooting around in the SpoCo can attest to.

Both Men's and Women's Basketball have home games just about weekly right here on campus at the Merkert Gymnasium. You can check out their schedule here. Right now the Men's team is 16-4 and the Women's team is 17-5 so both teams have been successful so far in their push to make it back to the NCAA National Tournament.

As a prospective student you can really get a feel for how involved our students are here at Stonehill. If you're not a basketball person, during the winter season you can also catch an Ice Hockey game or an Indoor Track & Field meet. I just happen to be more of a basketball guy. Here's another idea (I'm filled with them today): Check team schedules for any date you will be coming for an Open House, maybe your favorite sport is playing. And if you're really lucky, maybe Ace will be there too. FREE T-SHIRTS! (In the interest of being fully transparent I have no idea whether there will be free t-shirts or not. Only one way to find out. GO)

Our Mascot, Ace

In other campus news: our brand new residence hall is looking good! Things are really moving quickly with the construction. Last week we got a feel for what the furniture in the new building might look like. The building is going to be suite style housing and when it goes online it will certainly be one of the top living choices for students on campus. Did you know over 90% of our students live on campus? BAM! I just hit you with some knowledge and you didn't even know it was coming. I lulled you back then the sneak attack started.

New Residence Hall

This I DO know for a fact: first one to tweet a link to this article with the hashtag #whystonehill gets a real free t-shirt.

Twitter

Facebook 2014

The Students Are Back!

Hi Everyone,

After a long winter break, Stonehill students have made their way back to campus to start the spring semester. Classes started on Tuesday after the college observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Although it was a Tuesday, it was a "Stonehill Monday". This happens every now and then after a long weekend, even though it is Tuesday classes operate under a Monday schedule. It's a little confusing at first but once you go through a couple you get the hang of it.

In other exciting news: The January 15th Regular Decisions Deadline has been extended to February 15th! Please inform your friends of this new date, we want to give as many students as possible the opportunity to apply.

You may be asking yourself "What happens at Stonehill when the students are gone?" It's definitely not as busy around campus, but one of the main things we do in the admissions office is READ APPLICATIONS. We have gone through many great applications and the rest of the Early Action notification letters are in the process of being sent out. The office has just started reading Regular Decision applications that were submitted before the original January 15th deadline.

And now to the main subject of the blog post: Dean of Admissions Brian Murphy.

Brian in 1968

Brian has been working at Stonehill for 41 years, he has signed 18,000 of our alumni's acceptance letters, and he is retiring from Stonehill College. While it may seem like a sad time, saying goodbye to a friend, we have been celebrating all the great things he has done for Stonehill through the years. Stonehill has grown tremendously in the time Brian has been Dean, both in the size of the college and in the quality of the students matriculating.

Last week we gathered to celebrate his career at Stonehill. The "Brian Murphy Roast" was a great success. Longtime friends and colleagues of Brian offered up some hilarious stories that really made the night fun. Brian, being a great sport, had a smile on the whole time.

Current and Former Admissions Staff Members

So cheers to Brian for a great career at Stonehill! He has been a great mentor for so many people through the years, both his staff and students here. Even though he is technically "retired" I still see him walking the halls of Donahue, keeping busy, just as often as before. Congratulations!

Deadline extended!

Hey everyone- just a quick note!

The deadline for regular decision applicants has been extended to February 15th! Applicants who apply by February 15th, will be notified of an admissions decision by March 15th.

Questions? Email admissions@stonehill.edu

Long Overdue Post

The holidays are over and we're back! The college closes for a few days around the holidays and the staff takes a bit of vacation so it's always an adjustment getting back to the office after the New Year. I went home to my parent's for an entire week to relax and spend some much needed quality time with my family. My sister's studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium this semester so it was good to spend some time with her before she left. Below are some quick holiday snapshots from my vacation.

Central Mass winter wonderland

Cafe Stango- very excited by my Christmas presents

I take Christmas cookies very seriously

Yankee Swap madness with the extended family

And the best for last- my cousin Mike's gift in the Yankee Swap

Ok, back to business! We're coming towards the end of Early Action- notification date is January 15th. If you haven't heard from us yet, you will very shortly! We've also started reviewing the Regular Decision applications that are complete. Haven't applied? You still have time- deadline is January 15th so get on it!

We're also working hard to plan the Open Houses for accepted student that will be starting soon. Information for accepted Early Action and Early Decision students will be send via snail mail so get excited! Attending an Open House is a great way to familiarize yourself with Stonehill in a different way than a tour or group information session. We'll talk more about Open Houses as the winter progresses, but just something to think about as your plan your late winter/early spring.

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

Chugging along...

Can you say busy?

We're in full swing with Early Action and just starting to receive all of the information from students applying Regular Decision. Need less to say, Christmas shopping has taken a back seat for me. I have a feeling I'll be one of those crazy people buying gifts on December 24th!

Just a quick note to address some concerns over Early Action and Early Decision notification letters: Due to a large volume of applications from a very competitive pool of candidates, we are working hard to send out decisions as possible. If your application is complete, you should be hearing from us soon! If your application is incomplete, please look for correspondence about your missing transcripts, recommendations, test scores, etc. so we can review your application as soon as possible.

And on a random note, enjoy these winter photos from around campus! Yeah!

Christmas Tree with "presents" on campus

Taking a break from reading applications to stop at Dunkin Donuts. Mocha latte and peppermint donut...mmmm

Donahue Hall after the first snowfall of the year


Admissions Staff Members (from left) Jacinda, Shamika, Eric, Evan and Andrew take a stroll around campus