Students of the Class of 2027 Dine with University President Rougeau
In an effort to foster a closer connection between students and university leadership, President Vincent Rougeau recently hosted two intimate dinners for the Classes of 2026 and 2027 at his residence.
On 22nd April 2024, the Class of 2026 was invited to dine with President Rougeau, marking the first such event for this year's graduating cohort. The dinner provided an opportunity for students to engage with each other and the President in an informal setting, with hors d'oeuvres served and conversations flowing freely.
The following evening, President Rougeau and his wife, Dr. Robin Kornegay-Rougeau, welcomed the Class of 2027 to their home for a similar gathering. Students were seated at two different tables, one with the President and one with Dr. Kornegay-Rougeau, allowing for a more intimate experience. After dinner, the couple moved amongst the students, speaking with them on a smaller scale.
During these dinners, students discussed a variety of topics, including study abroad experiences, hometowns, campus teams, and campus life activities. One topic that emerged was the future use of Rotman's property at Holy Cross. While specific student suggestions or ideas were not detailed in the available information, it is understood that students shared their thoughts on potential uses such as an art studio, a traditional campus center, more parking options, or office space.
President Rougeau expressed his excitement about the future of the campus and expansion down the hill with more space and opportunities. He shared updates on his busy schedule during Family Weekend and his inauguration, which saw him moving quickly from campus building to campus building and all around Worcester.
The dinners, hosted by Sophia Mariani '26 and Viveca Stucke '26, were attended by around twenty students from each class. The events were particularly enjoyed by Julianne Hawley '27, who appreciated the opportunity to share her opinions about the Rotman's property, and Joey Abrams '23, who reported on President Rougeau's activities during Family Weekend and his inauguration.
It is worth noting that the dinner for the Class of 2026 was not open to all students, unlike the dinner for the Class of 2027. Only a handful of students from the Class of 2026 were invited to the dinner, marking a more exclusive event.
These dinners represent a significant step in bridging the gap between students and university leadership, fostering open dialogue and collaboration towards shaping the future of the campus.
- Students from the Class of 2026 had the opportunity to engage with President Rougeau in an intimate setting, discussing various topics such as education-and-self-development aspects like study abroad experiences, hometowns, and campus life activities.
- General news about President Rougeau's busy schedule during Family Weekend and his inauguration was reported by Joey Abrams '23, who attended the dinner for the Class of 2026.
- The Class of 2027 was invited to a similar gathering, with students sharing their opinions about the potential future uses of Rotman's property at Holy Cross. Julianne Hawley '27, a student from this class, appreciated the chance to voice her opinions.
- The dinners hosted by Sophia Mariani '26 and Viveca Stucke '26 served as significant events for education-and-self-development, promoting open dialogue and collaboration between students and university leadership, shaping the future of the campus and its traditions.
