Category: News
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Let’s Talk About Mental Health – Fresh Check Day Considered A Success
Lizzie Swanson ’28 Chief News Editor Suicide is the second largest cause of death in college students, only after accident based events. Roughly 12 young people (aged 15-24) commit suicide everyday, as collected and reported on by the University of Connecticut. Additionally, the National Education Association states over 60 percent…
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HC For a Cure
Shaye Callanan ‘26 News Editor This past Friday afternoon, HC for a Cure hosted their annual 5K Color Run, bringing students together for an afternoon filled with energy, music, and vibrant clouds of color. HC for a Cure is a student-run club dedicated to raising awareness of and fundraising for…
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Dignity and Reconciliation: Holy Cross’s Confrontation with Its Past
Brigid O’Malley ‘29 News Editor In 1838, the Jesuits of Maryland, then one of the largest slaveholding institutions in America, sold 272 enslaved people to pay off debts from opening Georgetown University and to continue establishing its order of Jesuit colleges. The transaction outraged Catholics at the time and led…
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Philip Wallach on the Dwindling Congressional Power
Shaye Callanan ‘26 News Editor Philip Wallach, Congress Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, came to speak to Holy Cross students about the changing state of Congress within its constitutional limits. His talk was in recognition of Constitution Day which celebrates the signing of the Constitution on September 17th, 1787.…
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Political Violence & The State of Democracy: A Dialogue Dinner
Lizzie Swanson ‘28 Chief News Editor During a time of such strong political divisiveness, Holy Cross’ own Speech Peer Educators hosted a Dialogue Dinner this past Wednesday, September 17th in the Hogan Ballroom. With 69 members of our community registered, students and faculty alike stepped into the space ready to…
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The Ins and Outs of the Student Government Association Elections
Kaitlyn Richards ‘29 News Editor It is that time of year again when Student Government Association (SGA) elections are in full force. This past week, strong competition was sparked, as the candidates have been knocking on doors or even creating Instagram accounts for their platforms in order to engage with…
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Holy Cross Hosts Business Info Session and Club Fair
Sean Dooley ‘28 News Editor On Monday, September 15th, 2025, Holy Cross hosted its info session and club fair for the college’s Business Program. The event was located in the Hogan Ballroom, and aimed to educate students on the business certificate programs, as well as the various business related clubs…
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Questioning Our Way to Connection
Brigid O’Malley ‘29 News Editor Walking across campus? Eating alone in Kimball? Don’t be surprised if a classmate stops you with questions like, “who’s your dream dinner guest?” or “how is your relationship with your mother?” before promptly asking for your signature. This new possibility began on Thursday, September 18,…
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A Conversation with Representative Ro Khanna
Shaye Callanan ‘26 News Editor This past Tuesday, Congressman Ro Khanna came to speak to the Academic Internship Program class entitled Policy & Politics: Testing Checks and Balances, coordinated by the J.D. Power Center. This class is taught by two political professionals who both happen to be Holy Cross alumni,…
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Fashion, Citizenship, and Nationalism: A New Exhibit at the Prior
Brigid O’Malley ’29 Guest Writer The Prior Performing Arts Center is now home to The Vietnamese Áo Dài in a Time of War: Fashion, Citizenship, and Nationalism. Several áo dài (pronounced “ow yai” or “ow zai”) are on display at the Cantor Art Gallery, including pieces once worn by prominent…
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Gun Violence in America – What Our Community Needs to Know
Lizzie Swanson ’28 Chief News Editor As of Sept. 10, 2025, there have been 47 school shootings in the United States. 24 of them have occurred on college campuses. With such an uptick of violence trickling its way into higher education, students, faculty, and staff are concerned about their own…
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Holy Cross’ Health Services To Offer Annual “Flu + Vaccine Clinic”
Kaitlyn Richards ’29 Guest Writer It is that time of year when the leaves begin to change colors, the summer air gives way to crisp autumn days, and the warm weather turns cooler. Unfortunately, as the seasons change, the number of seasonal illnesses follows suit, and, most notably, the number…
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Holy Cross Hosts its Annual Study Abroad Exposition
Sean Dooley ’28 Staff Writer On Monday, Sept. 8, the College of the Holy Cross held its Study Abroad Exposition in the Hogan Ballroom. The event featured tables from every one of Holy Cross’ diverse study abroad programs for the 2026-2027 academic year. During the exposition, students were encouraged to…
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Into the Theater Season
Ashley Stracco ’28 Guest Writer This past Saturday, the tornado was inching closer by the minute; however, our dedicated theater students did not have time to be scared. Fifty-two of our most talented Holy Cross students were anxiously awaiting their time to shine. This year, the theater department is putting…
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Orientation: Connection Across Identities, Cultures, and Classes
Brigid O’Malley ‘29 Guest Writer Orientation for the Class of 2029 kicked off with a rain-soaked move-in day on Wednesday, August 20. Students made tearful goodbyes to their families and friends, and said hello to their first week on the Hill. But for some students, their time at Holy Cross…
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New Changes at the Jo Welcomed By Students
Ray Borawski ’28 Guest Writer Students, both new and returning, came to campus a few weeks ago to find things looking a little different. While many of the new changes – the new scanners in Kimball, the renovations in Crossroads, and the revised trash policy – were discussed widely, some…
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The Co-Curricular Extravaganza – A Smashing Success
Lizzie Swanson ’28 Chief News Editor This past Saturday on September 6th, students packed the Hogan Ballroom in an attempt to learn more about and join the many clubs Holy Cross has to offer. Unlike last year’s Co-Curricular Extravangaza which was held on the Hoval and by the Jo, the…
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President Rougeau Discusses Higher Education, Commencement Speaker, and the Life of Pope Francis
Ben Lepper ’25 and Nathan Howard ’25 Editors-in-Chief On May 2nd, The Spire spoke with President Rougeau for our final meeting of the academic year. Our first question for the president was in regards to his time as President thus far. Specifically, we asked him what he has learned about…
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Pope Francis and His Legacy – Our Jesuit Response
Lizzie Swanson ‘28 News Editor On Monday, April 21, at 1:35am, Pope Francis reached the end of his selfless and dedicated life. At 88 years old, he passed away on Easter Monday at the Saint Martha House in Vatican City. As the 266th pope, his papacy lasted 12 years. An…
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Former Secretary of State Speaks on Geopolitics & Sustainability
Kate Santini ‘27 Chief News Editor On April 9, the College was pleased to host 68th Secretary of State, John Kerry, to speak on “Geopolitics and Sustainability: Navigating the Future.” Hosted by the Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee, which annually chooses someone distinguished in the realm of public service to speak…
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Rotmans: A Gateway to Worcester
Kate Santini ‘27 Chief News Editor This past semester, the College’s purchase of the 300,000 square foot Rotmans Furniture property on 725 Southbridge Street has been the talk of campus. There has been a flurry of speculation amongst students on The Hill about creating off-campus dorms, a food spot, and…
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We Have Hope in Common: A Reintroduction of Be Like Brit to HC
Caroline Fredey ‘25 Guest Writer In January 2010, Britney Gengel, a 19-year-old college student from Rutland, MA, set out on a service trip to Haiti over her college break. Britney never came home. She was killed in the magnitude 7 earthquake, along with more than 300,000 other people. Britney’s parents,…
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Student Bands Compete to Open for 2025 Spring Concert
Sean Dooley ‘28 Staff Writer On April 11, 2025, the Office of Student Development at Holy Cross hosted its annual Battle of the Bands in Crossroads. The event lasted from 6:15 pm to 9:45 pm, and consisted of a variety of songs and medlies by the college’s most talented musicians.…
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Worcester Reunites Downtown For More Anti-Trump Protests
Ian Sykes ‘28 Staff Writer In wake of the protests happening recently nationwide to express disapproval with the Trump administration, citizens from everywhere in Massachusetts gathered around Worcester City Hall on April 19 for yet another protest. From children to seniors, folks of all kinds lined the streets, holding signs…
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Accepted Students Day Welcomes Class of 2029
Molly Landis ’27 News Editor On Sunday, April 13, Holy Cross hosted admitted Class of 2029 students for Accepted Students Day. Accepted Students Day is a day for any accepted student to come to campus either now that they have enrolled, or to help them learn more about the college…
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Record-Breaking Admissions Cause Major Change to Holy Cross’ First-Year Housing
Ben Lepper ‘25 & Kate Santini ‘27 Editor-in-Chief & Chief News Editor Over the past few years, Holy Cross has grown tremendously in popularity, with the most recent admissions’ cycle surpassing over 10,000 applicants and yielding a record-breaking 17% acceptance rate. In spite of the school’s selectivity, over-enrollment has become…
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President Rougeau Speaks on Campus Visits, Tuition Increases, and Commencement
Ben Lepper ’25 and Nathan Howard ’25 Editors-in-Chief On Wednesday, April 9th, The Spire had the privilege of speaking with President Rougeau for our monthly interview. Our first question for the President concerned the variety of high-profile and accomplished individuals who have spoken at Holy Cross throughout the past few…
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Fusion Chamber Orchestra Performs at the Prior Performing Arts Center
Sean Dooley ‘28 Guest Writer On March 30, 2025, the College of the Holy Cross welcomed Sphinx Virtuosi to campus. Sphinx Virtuosi is a self-conducted chamber orchestra that is composed of eighteen Black and Latino musicians. The orchestra performed in the Luth Concert Hall within the Prior Performing Arts Center.…
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Montserrat Students Foster Community-Engagement through Art
Kate Santini ‘27 Chief News Editor This past Thursday, Holy Cross students from the “Global” Montserrat Cluster collaborated with Rice Square Elementary School sixth-graders to create art reflecting Worcester’s culturally rich identity. Chair of the Global Society Cluster, Professor Gwenn Miller, shared that she first encountered “TapeArt” in 2024 while…
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Working for Worcester Hosts 13th Annual Build Day
Lizzie Swanson ‘28 News Editor This past Saturday on April 5, hundreds of Holy Cross students packed the Worcester Common in preparation for the 13th annual Build Day, hosted by Working for Worcester. The organization was founded 13 years ago by roommates Jeff Reppucci and Derek Kump. Both juniors at…