By CHRISTOPHER SURPRENANT
Managing Editor
Temperatures reached the mid-60s this past Saturday, which meant the campus quad was brimming with frisbees, football, soccer, and sunbathers. While many took some time to enjoy the sunshine, several students indulged themselves with a trip down memory lane.
Lounging around one of the quad’s many picnic tables were seniors Kayli Hurd and Danny Donovan. They’ve known each other since they were freshmen, and actually met on the campus quad.
“I was playing lacrosse with Kayli’s friend Adam. We got to know each other through him, and we’re still friends four years later,” Donovan said. “But right now? I’m trying to stay in the sun and out of the shade.”
It’s something that Hurd and Donovan have done over their past four years at Saint Rose. Hanging out on the quad with their classmates is one of their fondest memories, and they’ve had a lot. Some are really good, and some not-so-good.
“We watched movies out here at 2 a.m. with a bunch of blankets and Chinese food,” Hurd recalled. “I also broke my leg on the quad—one of many times, actually.”
Donovan hasn’t broken a limb while enjoying the greenery on campus, but he does remember taking lacrosse to a new level. “I played lacrosse outside at 1 a.m. in a blizzard when I was a sophomore,” he said with a laugh.
Remembering those good times they had in warmer weather, however, made both Hurd and Donovan a little more reflective. As seniors, they’ve made memories they won’t soon forget. On a campus as small as Saint Rose, the quad is the place to be. “My favorite part about it being nice outside is that everyone comes out and it’s actually a community. I feel like I met everyone on this quad,” Hurd said.
Meeting up with friends and taking some time to just relax is one of the most coveted pastimes among many around campus. It doesn’t help that the Neil Hellman Library overlooks the quad, a building where so many students spend a majority of their time.
Senior Allie Willer decided to do some homework outside, taking a break from the confines of a study cubicle.
“I like it because you can come out, chill, and see a lot of people,” Willer said. “Last year during finals week, I had a lot [of final exams]. After my last one, I was free to lay out on the quad after seeing everyone else from the library,” she said.
Sophomore Nina Buonarota shared Willer’s frustration. Hunched over her notes and textbooks, Buonarota, a communications sciences and disorders major, was attempting to study audiology. “I was studying in the library and I said, ‘Why not study outside?’ It’s so cold in there, so I decided to go out in the sun,” she said.
While some are busy hitting the books, others just needed a study break. Junior Evan Kollmeyer sat on a bench, taking in the sun and the sights. “The quad, to me, is a beautiful place where people come together, where people can bond. It’s the sunshine of the campus,” he joked.
Catching a few rays and just relaxing is something everyone wants this time of year. “Campus is alive and everyone is more active. Everyone looks good with a tan,” said sophomore Drew Mancini.
Mancini’s friend, Danielle Shine, had a bit of a different take on the nice weather. She’s not a fan of the cold, or winter in general. For Shine, the start of spring is one of the best times of year.
“The dining hall doesn’t provide Vitamin D,” said Shine. “Rose Rock is coming up. Iced coffee is better than hot coffee. Fruit is in season, and everyone loves fruit. I could go on. Life gets simpler when the sun’s out.”
