Photo Blog

Twelve Holy Cross students pose before reading selected passages from their science-inspired creative writing in the O’Callahan Science Library in Swords Hall. Passages from the students’ writing were on display in the science library in poster sized renditions. The second annual event, titled “Opposites Attract: Exploring the Bond Between Science and Literature,” is part of a course taught by Leila Philip, associate professor of English. Front row, from left, are Barbara Merolli, science librarian, and Philip.

Photograph by John Morton ’15

Three Holy Cross accounting majors were recognized at an awards reception and dinner sponsored by the Boston Chapter of Financial Executives International, an association for senior-level financial executives in the Boston area. Anthony Cordio ’13, right, was awarded an Outstanding Senior Award, and Christina Rudolf ’14, center, and Peter Anastasio ’14, not pictured, each won $1,000 scholarships. “The scholarships are competitive, and the fact that Holy Cross was two for two this year speaks to the strong qualifications of both Christina and Peter,” says Alex Yen, assistant professor of accounting, left.

David Gyscek, visiting assistant professor in visual arts, asked students in his Photography I course to take photos of the Holy Cross campus. Students in the course, which is offered every semester, learn about exposure controls, camera operation, and rudimentary film developing printing. Here is a sampling.

Fenwick lawn by Dominic Abacherli ’16.

Hogan Courtyard by Darien Henry ’14.

Smith Plaza by Henry.

Student mailboxes in the Hogan Campus Center by Henry.

A granite bench between the Millard Art Center and Campion House by Chelsea Welsh ’15.

O’Kane Porch decked with Christmas tree and decorations by Erik Wachter ’13.

Smith Labs Courtyard by Wachter.

Students mix the dough as dietitian Kathy Egan pours in a sour dough starter.  

Students knead the dough. 

The class prepares to oil the dough. 

Egan gets the dough ready for the oven. 

Finished product!

Right before Thanksgiving break, Andrea Borghini, assistant professor of philosophy, teamed up with Holy Cross Dining’s Dietitian Kathy Egan and Chef George McHugh, for a hands-on seminar about bread making. 

The first-year students, who are all part of the Montserrat Natural World Cluster, got to mix, roll, and knead bread, as part of a seminar about the philosophy of food, titled “I Am, Therefore I Eat.” The course explores how specific dietetic decisions reflect a detailed and comprehensive image of a person or a community.

Prof. Borghini says this is the first time the class has cooked together.  “I chose bread making because it represents family or a group of people and brings a community together,” he shares.

Montserrat’s Global Society cluster held a Hunger Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 5 to raise awareness of disparities in food access locally and globally. More than 200 students and faculty participated in the lottery-styled meal that highlighted hunger and homelessness across the globe.

Fifteen percent of attendees enjoyed three-course meals served by wait staff, representing the proportion of the world’s population able to afford a nutritious daily diet; 35 percent received a healthy supply of beans and rice; representing those living on the edge of poverty; and a third group, comprised of 50 percent of participants, was given only ½ cup of rice and water, representing the majority of the world’s population that struggles daily to find food, water and shelter.

During the banquet, Liz Sheehan Castro of the Worcester County Food Bank; John Perkins of the Heifer Project; Drew Rapa ’14, co-chair of the College’s Oxfam chapter; and Michaela Johnson ’13, SPUD intern coordinator of hunger and homeless projects, spoke about local and global food challenges.

Holy Cross students taking part in the College’s Washington Semester Program pose with David Gregory, moderator of NBC News’ Sunday morning talk show “Meet the Press.” The visit was arranged by Adam Verdugo ’06, senior producer at “Meet the Press,” and fall semester intern David Perretta ’14. From left, Riquel Gonzalez ’14, Lauren McDonough ’14, Sara Bovat ’14, Christopher Golden ’13, Christopher Gillis ’14, Garrett Bych ’14, Patrick Horan ’14, Gregory, Annie Wynters ’14, John Castro ’14, Perretta, William Wahrer ’14, Verdugo and Kelly Dyer ’14.

Courtesy “Meet the Press”

First-year student Marian Blawie, of Bethel, Conn., studies in the Hogan Courtyard.

Photograph by John Morton ’15

The Study Abroad office sponsored their second annual study abroad photo contest this year, and once again the results were impressive.

Allison Hartman ’13 captured the first place prize for her photo titled “Hard Life in Thin Air,” which shows Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca in Peru. “Taquile Island in Lake Titicaca does not allow any machines so residents must carry everything on their backs. Lake Titicaca is a deep blue because it is the highest navigable lake in the world,” says Hartman.

The second place price went to Elizabeth Mahoney ’13 for her photo titled “Positano: A City Built into the Side of a Mountain” which was shot in Positano, Italy. “Positano was one of the quaintest and most charming places that I have visited in my year abroad,” says Mahoney. “The tiny town of just under 4,000 residents is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Built literally into the side of the mountain, Positano has only one main road which is one way. It is known for its phenomenal seafood, extremely kind residents and incredible location along the Amalfi Coast.”

Charlotte Gellene ’13 garnered third place for her photo titled ” La Maleta,” which was taken in Pamplona, Spain. “This was one of the first interesting things I saw during my times abroad,” explains Gellene. “In Pamplona we came across a street in which every house had a differently decorated suitcase hanging outside its window. One looked like an old boom box, another had handlebars and wheels as if it was a bicycle, and others had stories written on them. This one was simple but stunning nonetheless with the intense red interior set against the calm white exterior.”

Gellene also nabbed an honorable mention for ” Valldemossa,” shot in Mallorca, Spain. “This photo was taken in a small town near the city of Palma. Each of the towns in Mallorca has a unique and beautiful character. Valldemossa is known for its cobblestone streets, green shutters and the small plant pots suspended on the walls that line every street. I think this photo really demonstrates the tranquility that Mallorcan towns have been able to maintain despite the years of development and tourism on the island.”

Mary McClay ’13 received an honorable mention for her photo titled “Agatha’s Smile,” which was taken in the village of HaMakuya in South Africa. “I interviewed Agatha for one of our research projects as she was drying spinach in the afternoon sun. The joy she radiated as we spoke was inspiring,” says McClay.

Christine Freije, a theatre major in the College Honors Program, does some reading in Kimball Quad. She is doing summer research at Holy Cross this summer.

Photograph by Maya Rock ’13