Summer 2009

Parents’ Corner
Sharon Parmeter

“I’m going to stop putting things off, starting tomorrow!” Sam Levenson.

That’s what I’ve been doing, regarding writing this article for the parent newsletter. I’ve been procrastinating! Then today I realized that perhaps, for some reason, I was “meant” to procrastinate. It’s like when you always turn left out of your driveway to go to work, but today you turn right. You don’t know why you turned right, but there must be a good reason … and then there was MLB Weekend.

What is MLB Weekend? Does it have something to do with the Brewers or the Cubs? Not even close.

Our son, Zach (Class of 2010 and an RA* in Mad-Lor*), invited his fellow RA’s from Mad- Lor and Bergstrom halls to our home for a weekend of fun, food and friendship-enrichment! What a great idea! I wish I could say it was mine, but it was Zach’s. It would have been great to have all of the SNC RA’s, but I believe the logistics may have been too overwhelming. Besides that, Zach definitely would have had his work cut out for him on a clever name for the weekend.

By the way, I apologize for the abbreviations, but once you learn the SNC slang, it is tough to go back to the long version. Trust me, I am still learning. I was politely corrected the other day when I called the coffee shop near the SNC campus “The Luna” instead of “Luna”. Heaven forbid I include an unnecessary article in the name of the coffee shop. What was I thinking? 

Every one of our MLB guests was a true pleasure to have in our home. My husband, Tod, and I wanted our home to be their home away from home—where they felt like they belonged and mattered—just like SNC does for our children (and I’m sure yours).

We learned about SNC when Zach was a junior in high school—100 percent “gut instinct” told us that SNC would be the perfect place for Zach. After only one visit, Zach was convinced. He has had such a wonderful experience that his sisters, Laura (class of ’11) and Mary (class of ’13), have also chosen SNC. They all have different majors. It is wonderful that one college can offer so much, yet maintain a personal atmosphere.

Zach has learned about the true meaning of “community” as an SNC student, displayed by the organization of MLB Weekend and “Free Hugs” campaign; the production of “Zach Wars”; and participation in SNC’s JKD*, St. Jude Up ’til Dawn*, T.R.I.P.S.*, Colleges Against Cancer* and FYE* mentorship, just to name a few. SNC truly helps the students cultivate their strengths.

SNC’s staff and clergy are a fantastic group of people who obviously enjoy what they do and clearly display that by how they show their genuine interest in the students. Tod and I have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting and speaking with some of these amazing people at a few SNC social events. Their energy is absolutely contagious! We always leave SNC looking forward to our next visit. God has certainly blessed our family by allowing us to become a part of the SNC family.

  * RA: Resident Assistant is a trained student leader who is given the responsibility of supervising students living in a residence hall.

  * Mad-Lor: Madeline/Lorraine is a coeducational hall, housing 185 students. The men live in Madelaine and women in Lorraine. All rooms are double occupancy rooms.

  * JKD: Junior Knights and Days  is a special weekend for juniors and their parents. In February, juniors and their parents come together to enjoy many activities.

  * St. Jude Up ’til Dawn: Up ’til Dawn is a student-led fundraising program that unites faculty, students, the community and sponsors in a goal to help the children of St. Jude’s.

  * T.R.I.P.S: Turning Responsibility into Powerful Service program is an opportunity for students to put into action their values, convictions and religious beliefs through service around the United States.

  * Colleges Against Cancer: This is a program designed to help eliminate cancer by initiating and supporting the programs of the American Cancer Society. It is a program designed and administered by college students at St. Norbert College and is supported by the American Cancer Society. The CAC program allows college students, faculty and staff to work together to bring American Cancer Society programs and services to college communities nationwide.

* FYE mentorship: First Year Experience (FYE) is a three-tiered program designed to help you succeed in your first year of college. This comprehensive experience starts with summer orientation, a two-day program for all admitted first-year students and their families. Week of Welcome (WOW) starts the day you move onto campus. While summer orientation concentrates on getting your academic nuts and bolts squared away, WOW helps you get comfortable and gives you the opportunity to create a network of friends and support, and gives students an overall introduction to the co-curricular side of college life. The final tier of First Year Experience is the six-week program you will participate in during the first month of your college classes.