For those of you in the northwest, the standard summer fall shift is occuring for those of you that might have forgotten, after 48-49 days of no rain and afternoon temperatures in the 80’s on Saturday, Sunday blew in a chill and a little bit of rain. Monday however played it’s usual havoc with heavy coat weather in the morning, shorts and tank tops at noon and high 40’s in the evening. If you believe the weather people is will be warm this week.
Another fall shift that occurs on campus as the students settle into their routines and classes and assignments begin to mount up and the faculty is wondering why they assigned so many papers and gave so early in the semester, student activities pick up. As I recall in the late 70’s and early 80’s student activities were student driven. The population change with fewer “true” freshmen and more transfer or non-traditional studensts was well underway and the number of students living in the 2 dorms had begun to decline but enthusiasm for partying activities remained high. In addition to the Friday afternoons with the Veterans and holidays, Halloween with the Haunted House[Barn]’; Veteran’s Day when we officially reconognized and honored those who served this country as did Saint Martin’s of Tours ‘our saint’,
Basketball season began and bon fire pep rallys were held at the “twin ponds”. I have a slight memory that at least one bon fire participant “forgot to set the brake” and the car ended up in one of the ponds. mmmm what was that name? …….. Bon fires were not limited to pregame activities and provided a place for students to gather for several years until the Lacey fire department required fire permits.
Basketball season was really ramped up as Len Stevens and his coaching style and his recruits both freshmen and transfers. Attendance at games increased and the “only college game in town” drew lots of folks to campus. Games were crowded and Jake Bershauer never hesitated to incite the fans on his arrival and throughout the game with his every present “Who you rooting for?” and “Who’s gonna win this game tonight?” (Correct answers fans “S! M! C!” and “We are, we are, all right!!!”)
Thanksgiving with all the trimmings for students and community members was prepared by Dave O’Hara and his staff. And then Christmas and an endless number of events including, office parties, Old Main “wing” parties, Kris Kringle in the book store (a week when you never knew what your secret Santa might put in your sock), and Christmas gathering in the dining hall will staff and faculty and their families with visits from Mr.and Mrs. Claus (I have heard that Fr. Kevin was the first of many to pass out candy canes, Kisses and Hugs (of the chocolate kind) and then they slid down to the SUB to deliver gifts to the students. Somewhere in the midst of celebrating the faculty found time to give exams and submit the grades to the Registrar and have a Commencement Ceremony before leaving for the Christmas. It was after that graduation that the then Vice President Fr.(soon to be Abbot) Adrian Parcher declared that “there would be no more December Ceremonies, in his life time” paraphrasing.
With all this celebration it is impossible not to look forward to what happens in the Spring. Lots of things to come. I entreat you to add to or enhance these memories (keeping in mind the concern for specific names and identification of individuals).
Mary's Law: Memories of Saint Martin's High School, College and University 