This document provides an overview of campus traditions, locations, and terminology at St. Mary's University. It discusses the bell tower that is a campus icon, highlights founding figures and historical facts, and describes ongoing traditions like Oyster Bake, Homecoming, and All School Masses. It also includes a glossary to help acquaint new students with terms like "The Caf," "The Quad," and "Rattler Man."

1. cam•pus•ol•o•gy
noun: what you need to know
to be in the know at St. Mary’s

2. BELL TOWER –
Short for the Barrett
Memorial Bell Tower, this
St. Mary’s icon is located at
the center of campus on the
plaza. You’ll often convene
here for official events,
memorial services, or casual
student meet-ups.

3. ST. MARY’S MISCELLANY
(a little of this and that to acquaint you with St. Mary’s)
• The founders, after whom Founders Hall is named, were Marianist Brothers
Andrew Edel, S.M., Nicolas Koenig, S.M., and John Laignoux, S.M., and
the Rev. Xavier Mauclerc, S.M.These four men, originally from France,
brought Catholic education to San Antonio when, in 1852, they opened
St. Mary’s Institute, the forerunner to St. Mary’s University.
• The first permanent site of St. Mary’s Institute and, later, St. Mary’s College,
today is known as the Omni La Mansion del Rio Hotel. Located on
College Street in the heart of
downtown, and abutting the
San Antonio River, part of the
original school’s “four-story
skyscraper” is incorporated into
the hotel’s architecture. If you
get the chance to visit, look for
the plaque that commemorates
St. Mary’s.
• Due to downtown crowding, in
1891 the Marianists purchased
75 acres northwest of the city
to build a school for boarding students.The purchase price was $1 on the
condition a school be built quickly. St. Louis College — renamed St. Mary’s
University in 1923 — opened its doors in 1894 and was often referred to as
the “West End” or “Woodlawn” campus.That’s where we are today.
• Future U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, while a young lieutenant
stationed at Fort Sam Houston, was paid $150 to coach the 1916 St. Louis
College football team. Eisenhower returned for a campus visit in the
1960s, and over the years other future and current presidents also stopped
at St. Mary’s, including Ronald Reagan, George Bush (the first) and
Gerald Ford.
• St. Mary’s ROTC program was founded in 1932, making St. Mary’s the
second Catholic university in the nation to have a military training unit. For
more than 75 years St. Mary’s has provided leadership in the U.S. Armed
Forces, with many graduates attaining the senior rank of general or admiral.
• The four points of St. Mary’s mission are: community of faith, education,
scholarship and service.

4. • Before there was the AA&CC with its 3,800-seat Bill Greehey Arena,
Alumni Gym stood for 70 years in the green space just north of the AA&CC.
Construction on the old gym began in 1929, but for 10 years the structure had
only a dirt floor as the Great Depression dried up funding.The famous Cadona
Family Circus troupe practiced their trapeze acts in the rafters of Alumni Gym
during their off seasons until the facility was completed in 1939.
• On June 1, 2012,Thomas M. Mengler, J.D., became
St. Mary’s 13th president and second lay president to
lead the university.
• Rattler athletics at St. Mary’s is known for its winning
traditions, boasting six national championships.
• St. Mary’s was an all-male school for its first 111 years
before going coed in 1963. It was the women that won the
school’s first national sports title in softball in 1986. Men’s
basketball followed in 1989, baseball in 2001, softball again
in 2002, and golf in 2006.
• Among the 166 student-athletes recognized as All-Americans over the years,
Letty Morales-Bissaro — who has worked at St. Mary’s since graduating
in 1986 — ranks high among them. Letty still holds several NAIA national
records for her pitching prowess that led the Rattlers to the 1986 national
softball title.
• The Bill Greehey School of Business is the lone fully-endowed school among
St. Mary’s schools.The $25 million gift to endow the business school came
in December 2005 from distinguished alumnus and 1960 accounting grad
Bill Greehey, former chairman and CEO of Valero Energy Corp. and current
chairman of NuStar Energy.
• In 2002, St. Mary’s celebrated
its Sesquicentennial — the
150th anniversary of Marianist
education in Texas — while the
Alumni Association reached its
100-year milestone.Today there
are more than 35,000 alumni
of St. Mary’s University living
around the world.
Named to the President’s Higher
Education Community Service
Honor Roll with Distinction
every year since its inception
Mengler

5. • The student newspaper was introduced in 1919 and was named The Rattler
in 1924 through a student contest. Sports teams at St. Mary’s carry the
same moniker. Why? In those early days, when the college was sitting in the
middle of the countryside, students would have to clear the playing fields of
rattlesnakes before games could commence.
• On March 27, 1960, four St. Mary’s students out on a spelunking trek near
New Braunfels discovered one of the state’s largest, most majestic cave
systems, part of what now is known as Natural Bridge Caverns.
• St. Mary’s has two sister institutions — the University of Dayton in Ohio and
Chaminade University in Hawaii — that also were founded by the Marianists.
• Campus gossip credits the late Brother
Louis Schuster, S.M., a longtime English
professor, with penning the lyrics to the
school song, “The Bells of St. Mary’s.” The
original music was composed in 1917 by
A. Emmett Adams and it became a hit in
1945 when Bing Crosby sang lyrics written
for a movie of the same name.
• St. Mary’s became integrated several years
before the landmark Brown v. The Board
of Education decision in 1954, and Harry
Victory Burns was the first African-
American to enroll in 1951. St. Mary’s
was also one of the first schools in Texas
to integrate its sports teams.
• The part of campus that today is referred to as “The Outback” was, until 1982,
a nine-hole, three-par golf course named Lawrence Welk Links after its
benefactor (ask your grandparents if you’re not familiar with Welk).
• The first Oyster Bake was held
in 1916 along the banks of the San
Antonio River. Held in conjunction
with the annual meeting of alumni,
this men-only event had a decidedly
male menu: beer and burlap bags of
fresh oysters. Women and children
were finally allowed to attend Oyster
Bake once the event was moved to
the Pecan Grove in the 1950s. Now an official Fiesta event, the bake helps
support student scholarships. For event details, go to www.oysterbake.com.
Designated by The Education
Trust as one of the nation’s
best universities for graduating
Hispanics at the same rate as
other students

6. • Oyster Bake became an official Fiesta Week event in 1975, and the following
year the Alumni Association started the Alumni Scholarship Endowment
with $40,000. Fiesta Oyster Bake today attracts more than 70,000 patrons to
the campus where they enjoy music on five stages and dozens of food items.
The Alumni Scholarship Endowment now exceeds $7 million.
ALMA MATER – Sung at many
University events, the St. Mary’s alma
mater brings to mind hope and pride
in the University colors, gold and blue.
“The Bells of St. Mary’s” is also used
to mark important campus events
(Baccalaureate Mass, Commencement,
Homecoming Mass). Whether being
sung before a game in Greehey
Arena or at some other campus event,
tradition calls us to point toward the
Barrett Memorial Bell Tower during
the final phrase.
THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S
The Bells of St. Mary’s
Ah! Hear they are ringing
They sing out the bright hope
Of hearts firm and true
And while they are ringing
Our young hearts are singing
The praises of, the glory of
The Gold and Blue
ALL SCHOOL MASSES – For special events, such as the Opening of
School, All Saints Day, Ash Wednesday, and Marianist Heritage Week, school-
wide masses are held and classes are canceled.
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK –
Not everyone goes to the beach for spring break.
For some students, spring break is an opportunity
to give back to the community. Students repair
homes in New Orleans, build new homes in San
Juan, and even visit the United Nations in New
York City.
GOOD PRACTICES
(traditions and events that set St. Mary’s apart)

7. BACCALAUREATE – Just as Academic
Convocation marks the beginning of your time at
St. Mary’s,“Bacc” marks the end.This graduation
celebration occurs the day before graduation.
Graduating seniors, family, friends, faculty and
staff celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and final
blessings for the graduating class.
BOO BASH – The Residence Hall
Association (RHA) offers children a safe
trick-or-treating environment on campus. It’s
a fun time when residents decorate their halls
and deck out in Halloween costumes to entertain
the kids.
CONTINUING THE HERITAGE – The beginning of every
semester is marked with a day for community involvement and civic engagement.
Students, faculty, alumni and staff gather to participate in one-time service projects
with St. Mary’s University partner agencies.
FANGS OUT – The rallying cry that fans use to show their Rattler pride.
HOMECOMING – This annual tradition includes crowning a king and
queen, a battle of the bands, reunions and a special Mass. Homecoming Weekend
is topped off with HOMECOMING OYSTER BAKE (“BABY BAKE”), a
private event for alumni, students, faculty and staff.
LIN GREAT SPEAKERS SERIES –
This speaker series has brought to campus
Nobel laureates and other distinguished
speakers who represent music and the arts,
science, engineering, technology and medicine,
humanities and global interests, and economics,
business and law.
MARIANIST HERITAGE WEEK
– In celebration of Blessed William Joseph
Chaminade’s vision for Marianist education,
this week includes Marianist Heritage Mass,
Marianist Forums and the Marianist Heritage
Awards.
PayScale.com reports our
graduates’ salary potential is
among the top 10 schools in
the Central South
Blake Mycoskie
Founder of TOMS Shoes
and 2009 Lin Speaker

8. PRESIDENTIAL AWARD – One of the University’s most prestigious
awards, students must be nominated by faculty and staff to receive this award.
Only 14 awards are given to graduating students every year at a ceremony held
on the day before graduation. Students are evaluated based on academics, service
and leadership.
PRESIDENT’S PEACE COMMISSION – To foster
communication about current social concerns, a series of lectures and discussion
panels is held every semester. Community speakers, faculty, staff and students all
participate in the discussion.
RATTLER MADNESS – At St. Mary’s, we shoot and score! This pep
rally kicks off the basketball season with a tailgate party, games, performances,
free food and prizes, and is the time when the men’s and women’s basketball
teams make their debut.
STUDY WEEK – The week immediately before final exams, Study Week
is a period of downtime free of new coursework, events, or student events or
meetings so students can study before finals.
ZARAGOZA – This new student orientation program is named for a
Spanish town where Blessed William Joseph Chaminade was inspired to form
the Society of Mary. It was a time of new beginnings, as is our orientation
program!
IN OTHER WORDS (glossary of Rattlerisms)
AACC – In other words, the gym. At the Alumni Athletics
Convocation Center, you can watch indoor basketball or volleyball games in the
Bill Greehey Arena. You can also swim in a natatorium, dance in the Movement
Studio, sneak in a game of racquetball, play in a pick-up game in the Auxiliary
gym, lift weights or run on treadmills in the open-late workout room.
THE CAF – Officially the Diamondback Café, the Caf is located on the
ground floor of the University Center for
easy access to tasty food. Stop by for a quick
bite before class or for a sit down dinner
with friends.
CHAMI – Pronounced “Shommy,” this
nickname refers to the Chaminade Hall
resident hall named for Blessed William
Joseph Chaminade, the founder of the
Marianists.

9. THE COMMONS – The Charles L. Cotrell Learning Commons, known
as the Commons, is equipped with a Starbucks and study areas. It’s your one-stop
shop for coffee, tea, snacks and Wi-Fi Internet access.
THE OUTBACK – The series of residence halls on the southwest side of
campus is referred to as the Outback.
THE PARK AT ST. MARY’S – This new
modern, multi-use sports facility is capable of hosting NCAA
tournaments and championships.The $16 million complex
features upgraded facilities for athletes and fans.
PAs – The President’s Ambassadors are more than just
hospitality greeters at official presidential events.This diverse
group of sophomores, juniors and seniors from all majors
promotes St. Mary’s successes, values and traditions to help
advance the University.
PECAN GROVE – A group of shady pecan trees and
a pavilion called Pecan Grove is the setting for large outdoor
events or afternoon picnics.The University’s Pecan Grove Press
gets its name from this favorite campus spot.
THE P.O.D. – From snacks and beverages, to
frozen foods and toiletries, the P.O.D. has all your daily
campus essentials. Students often hang out on the adjacent
amphitheater.
QUAD – The Quadrangle is an open area behind historic
St. Louis Hall. A major hangout spot in between classes, the
Quad is also where Greek organizations meet every Friday
morning to display their letters, toss a football, and meet people
from across campus.
THE RATTLER – The Rattler is the University’s award-winning
student newspaper.
RATTLER MAN – This is the University mascot, whose identity is yet to be
revealed. He attends many sporting events, Rattler rallies, and other activities, but
you’ll have to ask the Rattler Man yourself who’s behind the mask.
RSOs – Looking for something to do? There are over 100 registered student
organizations (RSOs) from which you can choose — or gather four like-minded
friends and create your own!
SGA – The Student Government Association is a representative body of
St. Mary’s students from all majors. SGA meets on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and
organizes events such as Breakfast with the President and Dinner with the Deans.
They also sponsor tailgates and co-sponsor open-mic nights.
International
opportunities for
St. Mary’s students
include exchange
programs with
universities in
Asia, Mexico,
South America
and Europe

10. THE UC Short for the University Center, the UC is home to the University
Bookstore, the Diamondback Café, conference rooms and a
Chick-fil-A. It’s also the site of the “@ the UC” series of student
events every Thursday evening.
UMIN Short for University Ministry, UMin serves the St. Mary’s
community in Catholic and Marianist traditions. Look to
UMin for student retreats, faith enrichment activities, ministry
opportunities, and faith and justice activities.
UPC The University Programming Council is a student-led organization that
meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. and coordinates events to promote
educational, social and cultural events on campus.
PrideWHO WE ARE
• A service-oriented, academic and spiritual community
boasting a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Home to Fulbright Scholars and “Piper Professor”
winners who teach in the classroom, labs and abroad
• A university of more than 3,800 students and
75 academic programs, including Ph.D., J.D. and
pre-professional programs
WORLD CLASS ACADEMICS
• Tuition priced below the national average for four-year private institutions
• Graduation rates among the highest in Texas
• Learning laboratories include a trading room where students in the
AACSB-accredited Bill Greehey School of Business manage a $1.6 million
investment portfolio
• University-wide, 93 percent of professors hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in their field
ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICE
• Nearly 70 percent of students participate in community service
• Recognized by The Carnegie Foundation for institutional focus on service and
civic engagement
• Home to Richard Cardenas, Ph.D., recipient of President Obama’s Presidential
Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring
POINTS OF PRIDE

11. OUTSTANDING STUDENT-ATHLETES
• Six national titles in basketball, baseball, softball, and golf (one individual and
one academic)
• More than 40 percent of student-athletes were named to conference, regional and/or
national academic and athletic honor rolls this past year.
• Member of NCAA Division II and the Heartland Conference
• In 2014, women’s tennis reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II tournament
for the first time in school history, and softball advanced to the Super Regional
following its 12th regional appearance in 14 years.
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
• Historically, more than half of St. Mary’s graduates who apply are admitted to medical
and dental schools, above the national average of 40 percent
• Unique degree programs include Forensic Science, Environmental Science,The Greehey
MBA and an evening law program.
• International opportunities include exchange programs with universities in Asia, Mexico,
South America and Europe
• Industrial, electrical and computer engineering programs are ABET-accredited
• The Bill Greehey School of Business is AACSB-accredited
Log in and connect with future classmates,
roommates, professors and friends online.
www.facebook.com/StMarysU
www.twitter.com/StMarysU
www.flickr.com/StMU
www.youtube.com/StMarysRattlers
www.pinterest.com/StMarysU
www.instagram.com/StMarysU
MAKING CONNECTIONS

12. A CATHOLIC AND MARIANIST
LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION
www.stmarytx.edu