OMAHA, Neb. – The class of 2030 was welcomed to campus during the Freshman Convocation and Missioning Service on August 25 in the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel.
The annual event, which takes place the day before classes begin, welcomes new students to the CSM community and celebrates the College’s mission.
Coco Osborne, campus minister and mission integration, shared the history of the CSM founder Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy.
“The need for women’s leadership is more crucial than ever. Catherine McAuley worked to develop her own leadership skills and those of the women around her to respond to the suffering she encountered daily,” Osborn said. “Similarly, a CSM education provides you with opportunities for courageous leadership in the classroom, in athletics and in the community so that you can influence society for the good, especially for those on the margins.”
Samantha Rambo, a 2010 Associate of Science in Nursing graduate, gave the keynote address. She shared her story of perseverance and purpose, and the impact women can have when they choose courage over fear.
“You cannot allow the voice of fear to become louder than the voice of purpose. Fear will tell you you’re not smart enough. Purpose reminds you why you started. Fear tells you you’ll fail. Purpose reminds you that growth only happens when you’re willing to be uncomfortable. Fear tells you to stay where it’s safe,” she said.
Rambo came to campus with her two-year-old daughter and was part of the Mothers Living and Learning Community. She’s now a family nurse practitioner and is the founder of Wellness for Any Body, a wellness app that provides resources to help people support their health.
As part of Freshman Convocation, students were given a daffodil bulb. They carried the bulbs from the chapel to the statue of McAuley, where they gave the bulbs to Sisters of Mercy, a symbol of potential for the academic year and the care students will receive.
This fall, the bulbs will be planted in the Convocation Garden by Lozier Residence Hall. When the flowers bloom in the spring, they will serve as symbols of growth students experienced throughout the year.
“Hopefully, you will also see yourself as part of the larger CSM community, just as each individual flower blooming together, creates something beautiful,” said Jackie Wilson, dean of students, who gave the freshman welcome.