The Office of Recreation, Involvement, and Student Engagement (R.I.S.E.)

Events

Calendar of Events

Cardinal Kickoff

Cardinal Kickoff features activities for new students and transfers to start their transition to campus life. The week features move-in for these students, interest sessions, time for a class photo, and a variety of social events, which in the past have included a bonfire, dance party, mixer, and more.

The Blue Angel music variety show is one of the longest-running traditions at the university. Each November the event is sponsored and run by the campus men’s music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Eta Nu chapter). Students audition to be include in the shows that include around 20 acts.

Cardinal Fest

Cardinal Fest is a fun-filled event that celebrate the entire Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota community that launched in 2017 that is sure to become a late-fall tradition. The high-spirited fun, games, prizes, and lunch in the Gostomski Fieldhouse draw hundreds of people to the event. Cardinal Fest is a time that brings people together and helps them unwind before the sprint to final exams after Thanksgiving.

Saint Mary’s Snow Daze

Snow Daze is an amazing welcome back week for students following winter break. The week is filled with fun events for the Saint Mary’s community to promote school spirit and Cardinal Pride. Past Cardinal Bash events have included Bingo, Dive-In Movie at the pool, Escape Room Night, a Super Smash Brothers Tournament, a Comedy Night, Trivia, and musical performances!

Multicultural Week

The spirit and events of Multicultural Week are part of the work going on to create a vibrant campus and transformation residential experience at the university. Activities promote awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusivity in all its forms, providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff members to learn more about each other and expand worldviews. Past events have included comedians, speakers, movies, a variety show, and an international food fest

Multicultural Week is a joint effort between the Office of Student Activities, the Solidarity Council, and the International Center.

Multicultural Week 2020 will kick off Saturday November 10th, 2020 !

Senior Dance

The Senior Dance is held annually at the beginning of the spring semester and is the first major event for the Senior Class in their march to graduation. The Senior Dance is open to all students with Senior Status and takes place locally in Winona.

Fireside

Fireside is an annual acoustic and coffee house style variety show held in February. It is put on by the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota, Kappa Sigma chapter. Students are invited to audition and perform in this annual show with covers of popular music or original pieces.

Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance

The Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance has been a spring tradition at Saint Mary’s for nearly 20 years. Each year a dance, featuring a live band, is held in Saint Mary’s gymnasium. Proceeds from the dance and accompanying auction are given to a community member in need.

The benefit dance was started in 2001 by students in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of Saint Mary’s staff member Nikki Richmond and Nick Richmond. The dance ensures that Taylor’s memory lives on at Saint Mary’s.

Gaslight

Gaslight is an annual music variety show presented by the senior class. Shows are held each April on a Friday and Saturday night and feature a wide variety of performances in different musical genres.

Plaza Palooza

Farewell Fest is a time for all faculty, staff, students, and their families to attend a day-long event in celebration of the last day of classes for the spring semester at Saint Mary’s. Events that have been held during Farewell Fest include lunch and dinner in the plaza, giant inflatables, massage chairs, giveaways, musical and comedy performances, lawn game tournaments, and more!

Senior Week

Senior Week is the last hurrah for our senior class before they walk at graduation. Spanning the last day of finals to the day of graduation, Senior Week is filled with events organized by the Senior Class officers to give their classmates a proper send off. In the past Senior Class’ have organized trips to various venues in La Crosse, a winery tour, cookouts, and fun on-campus events.