Asking an old question: What's your perception of SMWC?
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Features
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Staff Writer
In 1997 The Woods staff writer Amy Cooley wrote a cover story on local views about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College students. I decided to revisit this topic and see if the perceptions on Woodsies in the late 1990s are the same today.
Cooley wrote in her story: "[Locals] say we are: nuns in training; students who just sit around and study all the time; an isolated, prestigious community; an asset to the community." In depth, some of the most positive perceptions that she received from people in the community were from Terre Haute and West Terre Haute natives who grew up in the area. On the other end, the more negative responses came from Indiana State University Students and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students calling SMWC "a nunnery" or "that all Woods students are lesbians."
I recently decided to interview people in the community to get a feel on the feelings for SMWC today.
My first stop was in West Terre Haute at the VFW Post 6574 where I talked to a few senior aged men who have lived in West Terre Haute their entire lives (except for the time they spent in the military). All of the men had very high opinions about SMWC and what the students and the Sisters of Providence do for the community.
"St. Marys is a great organization," said Michael Jones, VFW Men's Artillery president. "The ladies there do a lot to help kids with their GEDs. They have good goals for life. And I know a lot of them love and do a lot for West Terre Haute."
On the other side of the Wabash River in Terre Haute, business owners seemed to have a positive feel for Woods students. I spoke with Dennis Ross who is the co-owner of Revolutions, which is located on Wabash right next to Coffee Grounds between Fourth and Fifth streets. Ross talked about how SMWC doesn't get recognized enough because it's not right there in your face like ISU. He went on to say that SMWC students have never been a problem to him.
"[SMWC] has very nice students. I've never had any problems with them," said Ross. "I believe prayer is great. I like what the college and the Sisters stand for out there. Those Sisters are dedicated to the Lord."
He also talked about the traditions that SMWC has that you won't find at the other colleges in the area, especially the religious traditions.
"I like the history at [SMWC]," said Ross. "I believe you gotta know where you've been before you can continue forward."
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