Michael DeSantis '18

Hi, everyone!

Today, I will not actually revealing any deep dark Holy Cross secrets but will instead be answering questions that I am frequently asked while volunteering in the Admissions Office. Here goes:

What was your orientation like? We had a two day summer orientation and a fall orientation. I became very excited to start school after attending summer orientation, and I met many other students living in my residence hall at fall orientation. Both orientations mixed social activities and information sessions to welcome us into the Holy Cross community and prepare us for life at Holy Cross.

What types of events are there on campus to meet other students? In addition to general meet and greets there are Edge dances, “carnivals”, themed events sponsored by student organizations, and residence hall events (more on those soon). Many first-year students also participate in intramural sports or attend sports games and most meet other students through extracurricular activities.

How do you get used to all the stairs? Adjustment to the Holy Cross stairs is achieved through acceptance, perseverance, and the realization that the stairs are more intimidating than they are tiring. In addition, there are some useful shortcuts through buildings (Smith Hall is a life saver). As time goes on, I notice the stairs less and less.

How’s the food? General consensus is that new Kimball is an excellent college dining hall (even my mother says so). The recent renovation looks fantastic and added several made-to-order food stations. While I have found plenty of healthy vegetarian options to fit my dietary preferences, I have also treated myself to other tasty options such as smoothies from Cool Beans and blondies (my one true weakness).

Where do you study? Personally, I have found four favorite study spots at Holy Cross. Dinand Library and the Wheeler study room are two of my regular study spaces because they are comfortable, quiet, and located near my residence hall. On nice days, I also enjoy studying outside at the tables on the Hoval. However, my favorite study spot is Rehm Library, a small library often used for lectures that is architecturally beautiful and exceptionally quiet.

Rehm Library

Rehm Library, my favorite place to study

I hope this has helped answer some of your questions about life at Holy Cross.

Until next time, take care, everyone.

Michael

Good morning, everyone!

My freshmen year at Holy Cross is off to a great beginning, and it is only one of the great beginnings that I have enjoyed since arriving on the Hill.

Another great beginning is the beginning of every day, and this is now among my favorite times because of my morning walk down through campus.

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Each morning, the first thing that I see upon waking is the O’Kane clock tower because my dorm room in Wheeler Hall faces out over campus. After descending several flights of stairs (a recurring theme at Holy Cross), I pass by the beautiful ivy covered walls of Wheeler as I make my way to Kimball Dining Hall for breakfast .

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Along the way, I see my two favorite views of the Holy Cross campus. The first is visible as soon as I round the corner of Dinand Library. The view of Dinand’s red brick walkway is flanked on either side by the O’Kane clock tower and the library’s own columned façade. On a clear morning, the sun accentuates the scene by rising behind Dinand, bathing the clock tower in golden light.

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My other favorite campus view is of the Fenwick Lawn, just above the final set of stairs to Kimball. Fenwick is a stunning building in its own right, complete with two towers, Commencement Porch, and an ivy covered exterior. When seen with a sunlit St. Joseph’s Chapel on the far side of the lawn, however, it is a view of almost unbelievable grandeur.

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All in all, this morning walk through campus is an excellent and beautiful beginning to my beginning days at Holy Cross.

Until next time, take care, everyone.

Michael

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  • October 15th, 2014

Hello again, everyone!

It is hard to believe that my first half-semester at Holy Cross is completed and that I am already back home in Pittsburgh for fall break. The last few weeks were a whirlwind because of midterms, but I did not have an overly stressful midterm week.

Because it is fall break, I am currently back at my family home in my beloved hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has been great to be back home, sleep excessively, pet my cat, visit Pittsburgh, and see my family again. After being home for only three days, though, I already miss Holy Cross. I think this is because Holy Cross has become another home for me over the past month.

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My flight home from Holy Cross had a great view of Pittsburgh.

I do not mean to say that I dislike either my family or Pittsburgh, as the opposite is most definitely the case. I am very close to my parents, twin brother, and large extended family. I also love my hometown, and I spent this past summer visiting classic Pittsburgh sites and doing quintessential Pittsburgh activities before leaving for college.

During the summer, I realized that Holy Cross was becoming another home even though I had not started classes there. After this realization, I took a Holy Cross banner to famous Pittsburgh sites and posed for pictures that represent my transition from life in Pittsburgh to life at Holy Cross, a transition from one home to another.

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Helping ‘Sader Nation conquer the Steel City

Just as Pittsburgh and my family have always been a part of my identity, so too have Holy Cross and my early experiences at Holy Cross become a part of the person who I am. However, for the time being, I am away from life on the Hill, and I have plenty of time to reflect on my first few weeks at Holy Cross. As such, I will be posting a few more updates about my Holy Cross life over the coming days even though I am not actually at Holy Cross.

Until then, take care, everyone.

Michael

Greetings everyone!

My name is Michael DeSantis, and I am very excited to share my Holy Cross experience with all of you over the next year!

The most noticeable aspect of Holy Cross that I have experienced since I arrived is the exceptionally welcoming nature of the school community. This began on move-in day when my family drove up to my residence hall and was immediately swarmed by a group of students enthusiastically shouting, “Welcome to Holy Cross!” I have heard this phrase countless times over the past few weeks as I have gradually become a part of the Holy Cross community. It is my belief that this simple but enthusiastic greeting reflects the welcoming and comfortable environment found here at Holy Cross.

This community attitude extends, of course, into the classroom. Each of my classes this semester (CRAW Fiction, Elementary French, an introductory History course, and my Montserrat seminar) is based upon discussion between students and professor. I am thankful for Holy Cross’ small discussion based classes because they have already allowed me to get to know my classmates and professors as they voice their opinions and thoughts on our class topics.

I am also becoming further exposed to the Holy Cross community through activities such as SPUD (Student Programs for Urban Development), Wheeler Hall House Council, and Admissions Outreach. SPUD has allowed me to volunteer in the local Worcester community and House Council is helping me to become an active part my residence hall community. Through Admissions Outreach, I have also been able to meet students and families visiting Holy Cross. This experience has been great because, less than a month after Holy Cross welcomed me with open arms, I have become one of the people lucky enough to welcome others to Holy Cross. I am now one of the many students on campus regularly telling guests and visitors, “Welcome to Holy Cross!”

So, to those of you out there interested in learning more about Holy Cross through this blog, I say “Welcome!” Welcome to this blog and welcome to Holy Cross! I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.

Until next time, take care, everyone.

Michael

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Michael DeSantis '18

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