St. Lawrence Sets Its Sights Even Higher for 2024
- Laurentian Connections
- Liberal Arts Adventures
- Life at St. Lawrence
- Making a Difference
- University News and Stories
- Admissions
- Center for Career Excellence
- Center for the Environment
- CIIS
- Data Science
- Digital Media and Film
- Facilities Operations
- Alumni Network
- Careers and Outcomes
- Internships
- Finance
- Public Health
- Pre-health Chemistry
- Biomedical Sciences
- Research and Experiential Learning
- Off-Campus Study
- Varsity Athletics
- Residence Life
The New Year is already full of promise for St. Lawrence.
After an exciting 2023, the University has much to look forward to in the weeks and months ahead, including the growth and development of our new Center for the Environment, major renovations to benefit current and future students, increased investment in student support programs, new academic opportunities, and a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event over campus.
As we set our sights on 2024 with optimism and anticipation, we’re also looking back with pride and gratitude on the initiatives, accomplishments, and opportunities that made 2023 a year of progress and innovation for Laurentians.
Growing our New Center for the Environment
St. Lawrence punctuated 2023 with one of its most exciting announcements of the year—it had already raised $2.5 million for its brand-new Center for the Environment.
The CFE unifies the University’s existing programs and ties them to innovative new initiatives, including funding for environmental research and innovation on campus, green internships, and environmental scholarships. CFE programming is for all students, regardless of their major, and will help them develop the environmental leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills they’ll need to make an impact in a rapidly changing world.
Scarlet, brown, and green continued to be a winning combination in every aspect of campus life. This year, St. Lawrence installed a pair of solar-powered picnic table charging stations where students can re-charge cells phones or laptops while studying or meeting for lunch outside the Student Center.
On the other side of campus, a generous gift from Harvey Meer ’64 allowed the University to triple its number of electric vehicle charging stations.
Creating Space to Thrive
Campus Renovations
A series of renovations totaling $30 million are well underway across campus. Beginning immediately after Commencement in May, these comprehensive renovations have already enhanced the spaces students use most, including lighting, flooring, and furnishings in first-year residence halls, Dean-Eaton, the Student Center, and Owen D. Young Library.
New North Star Café Offerings
The North Star Café, or “Pub,” is now proudly serving Starbucks coffee, specialty drinks, and baked goods. Also new to the menu are smoothies and smoothie bowls as well as garden and grain bowls—the perfect fuel for powering through a study session.
SAMHSA Grant Supports Campus Mental Health Initiatives
College students face a unique set of mental health challenges, and St. Lawrence continues to take steps toward addressing them while fostering students’ holistic health and wellbeing. In 2023, the University received a three-year, $287,061 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support its Comprehensive Care Network (CCN) Project.
This funding will support programs that encourage students to check in often with their own mental health, to seek help when needed, and to connect with resources and support systems across campus. It will also enhance efforts to raise awareness about substance misuse, with an emphasis on collecting data to better measure the University’s progress and goals.
The Gateway to the Path of Totality: Preparing for the Total Solar Eclipse
St. Lawrence will become a site of cosmic amazement on April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse crosses the sky over Canton. The University is directly in the path of totality, which means (weather permitting) viewers will witness the full extent of the eclipse as the moon blocks the face of the sun at about 3:25 p.m.
Preparations for the total eclipse are in motion, thanks in large part to St. Lawrence’s physics department and faculty expert Aileen O’Donoghue, the Henry Priest Professor of Physics. There are already plans for educational programming leading up to the event and a viewing on campus. Don’t forget your eclipse glasses!
Get Ready for the Total Eclipse at St. Lawrence
Here We Go, Saints! Marking A Banner Year in Athletics
Breaking Ground on Appleton Phase II Renovations
Over Reunion Weekend in June, St. Lawrence celebrated the groundbreaking of the Appleton Arena George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center. Named to honor the generosity of its lead donor, the Appleton renovations and expansions will strengthen the St. Lawrence experience for all student-athletes, with a special emphasis on Division III athletics.
As part of the renovations, the University will revamp the existing DIII strength and conditioning space in the Stafford Fitness Center, allowing open access to a larger fitness area for all students, faculty, and staff.
You can also watch the renovations take shape on our live webcam feed.
Liberty League Champs
Our 2023 Liberty League men’s basketball champions were selected in November as the pre-season favorite for a second championship run this year.
The men’s rowing team also celebrated a winning 2023. They took home a Liberty League Championship for the first time in program history and became New York State Champions the next day. Here we go, Saints!
Gearing Up for the Route 11 Rivalry
Get ready for the men and women Skating Saints to take on Clarkson in Appleton Arena with our new line of Route 11 rivalry gear! Whether you’re in the stands or watching from home, our new tees and sweatshirts are an essential addition to every scarlet and brown wardrobe. Order yours soon and mark your calendars for this year's rivalry series:
Women’s Hockey vs. Clarkson:
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Friday, January 26, 6 p.m. @ Appleton Arena
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Saturday, January 27, 6 p.m. @ Clarkson
Men’s Hockey vs. Clarkson:
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Friday, January 26, 7 p.m. @ Clarkson University
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Saturday, January 27, 7 p.m. @ Appleton Arena
Supporting First-Generation Students
In 2023, St. Lawrence doubled down on its commitment to first-generation students. During an induction ceremony in April, 46 students, 16 faculty and staff, and two alumni became members of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), the national honor society recognizing first-generation students for academic excellence.
St. Lawrence’s chapter of Tri-Alpha is part of the University’s First-Gen Initiative, which aims to help first-generation students navigate the complexities of college life with specialized support and mentoring.
Following a season of celebration culminating with Commencement, St. Lawrence Magazine’s summer 2023 issue featured the impact and accomplishments of first-gen students, faculty, and staff.
Celebrating Scholarship and Academic Excellence
St. Lawrence Ranked Among the Nation's Best Colleges
It was another successful year in the rankings for St. Lawrence, with recognition in best colleges reports from both the U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review. Notably, U.S. News ranked St. Lawrence 59th among over 200 liberal arts colleges, putting it in the top 30% of its peer group.
Elsewhere, the New York Times once again included St. Lawrence on its College Access Index. According to their measurements, it is the sixth most economically diverse liberal arts college in New York State and the 20th among national liberal arts colleges.
A Record Number of Gilman Scholars
St. Lawrence students broke a school record when 15 were awarded Gilman Scholarships to support their off-campus study experiences. The awards, which totaled $3,000 to $5,000 per student, will support opportunities like research and internships for students studying in Austria, Australia, Costa Rica, Kenya, London, New Zealand, Spain, and Thailand.
Read About Our Gilman Scholars
Growing Interest in 6 New Majors
On their applications for admission, nearly 12% of the Class of 2027 indicated at least one of St. Lawrence’s six new majors as their primary area of academic interest. This class will be one of the first to take full advantage of the new programming, which includes biomedical sciences, data science, digital media and film, finance, pre-health chemistry, and public health.
Students and faculty also took advantage of state-of-the-art, interactive classroom spaces that support our new majors and programs of study in every discipline. Faculty helped students find their voice in the podcasting studio while studying history; students connected to global financial markets in real time in the Bloomberg Finance Lab; and students of data science, math, computer science, and statistics analyzed data together in collaborative technology-enabled classrooms.
Festival Day Spotlights Student Research
Every April, campus comes alive with student scholarship and curiosity during the Festival of Science, Scholarship, and Creativity. In 2023, students presented research on Adirondack waterways, global human rights issues, 3-D printers, and so much more. Presentations spanned disciplines and topics like well-being and mental health, environmental issues, identity and social justice, and professional and collegiate athletics.
See How St. Lawrence Celebrates Student Scholarship
Kickstarting Careers On and Off Campus
SLU Connect Takes Career Prep on the Road
This year, St. Lawrence students traveled to meet up with alumni in Burlington, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. They got a first-hand look into careers in advocacy, finance, entrepreneurship, media, and so much more.
Connections made on these trips often lead to opportunities later on. For example, of the 15 students who participated in the Washington, D.C. trip, nearly a third secured summer internships.
SLU Connect 2024 will kick off with three days of networking and career exploration in New York City toward the end of winter break.
Students Strengthen Career Skills with Saints Accelerate
The Center for Career Excellence launched Saints Accelerate to begin a year of comprehensive career prep. Members of St. Lawrence’s top-ranked alumni network played a key role during networking events, small-group mentoring sessions, and panel discussions. This January, sophomores and juniors will return early from winter break for Saints Accelerate 2024.
Admissions Introduces Early Action
For the first time this year, prospective Laurentians could choose to apply Early Action (EA) to St. Lawrence. EA is not binding, making it a great option for students who think St. Lawrence could be the place for them but aren’t quite ready to make a final decision.
