stmurattlernews.com
february 4, 2015
volume 103 x issue 1
ZERO TO HERO
Officials break ground on soonto-be built pub Ana Beatriz Villas Boas Contributing writer The St. Mary’s community participated in the campus pub groundbreaking ceremony despite the cold, rainy weather outside the Commons on Jan. 22. The St. Mary’s University jazz ensemble provided music during the ceremony. University President, Thomas Mengler, and pub donors Leti and Tom Contreras offered a few words before the groundbreaking commenced. Afterward a reception proceeeded in the University Center with snacks, beer, wine and soft drinks. Tom and his wife, Leti, both graduated from St. Mary’s, and their daughter is currently a freshman. They donated $900,000 in order to give back some of the fun they were able to experience during the 80’s at CONTINUED ON P. 5
Outstanding professors awarded for classroom work Travis Bowles Copy Editor @notTervis
The corgi spends most of her time around treadway, nibbling on the oranges from a nearby tree, sleeping and timidly following students. x Photo Mathew Martinez
Stray dog saunters through campus, enchants passersby Joshua Marid Staff Writer As is expected, the new semester means new faces, but, this semester, many might have noticed that one of those faces happens to be furry. “So there’s this Corgi dog, or shall I say, a dog that people think is a corgi. When in fact she is quite the mutt,” said Kayla Janecek, senior elementary education major. Sightings of St. Mary’s newest resident, a stray dog known on social media sites and lunch table conversations as “The Corgi,” have sprinkled campus. While some reports on the corgi’s gender conflicted, senior marketing major, Elia Rice claimed that the dog is female. No one knows exactly where the corgi came from, or how it found its way onto campus, but her presence has proven to resonate positively with the St. Mary’s community. She is frequently found near the Treadaway courtyard and the library. Senior English major Jennifer Nunez said she thinks that the dog’s presence on campus is a positive one.
“The dog is adorable,” Nunez said. “I want to feed her, but I always forget to bring food,” Nunez said. “She also brings a swell of pity to my heart.” In a 2012 article in The Rattler, Caroline Byrd, Director of the Louis J. Blume Library, suggested that students should avoid leaving food out for the cats because the smell of food attracts stray dogs from the neighborhood--some of whom are not as nice as the corgi. The stray dogs went as far as to not only injure the cats, but also kill them as well. The same events could transpire should students leave food out for the corgi for extended periods of time. While it’s recommended not to feed the fuzzy friends here on campus, that didn’t stop people from talking about her. The corgi brings out the emotions of those who see her, getting attention and many ‘”aws” from the girls around campus. She has yet to be given a proper name. Being a pup of few words, getting an interview with her proved challenging. The fact that the corgi has shown discomfort when St. Mary’s community members approach complicates the matter. Senior psychology major, Aletssa Salinas, has noticed some particular
Several faculty members were honored on Jan. 23 during the Distinguished Faculty Awards Ceremony and Dinner. Established by the Alumni Association in 1984 to recognize the outstanding performances of St. Mary’s faculty over the last year, the Distinguished Faculty Awards honor one professor each in business, science, law and graduate studies as well as two professors in humanities and social sciences. Larry Hufford, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, was awarded the honor for graduate studies. He also won the Marianist Heritage Award in 2005. He said he was humbled and honored for the recognition of his work, and, to him, the award represents an understanding of the “characteristics of a Marianist education.” Meanwhile, K. Matthew Gilley, Professor of Management and Bill Greehey Chair in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, took away the award for the school of business. Gilley is a professor who — in addition to teaching and research project — mentors both undergraduate and graduate students on everything from career choices and selecting a graduate CONTINUED ON P. 5