Student Leadership & Engagement Kicks Off the Year with Spirit

The Office of Student Leadership & Engagement has had a busy start to the 2025-26 semester. With events to engage the students, educate students on UST culture and encourage leadership on campus, Student Leadership & Engagement makes it a priority to help students feel like they belong.

Students Learn about UST at Celt Camp

University of St. Thomas hosted its second annual Celt Camp on Aug. 11, bringing together incoming freshmen for a day filled with community, tradition and faith. Co-hosted by Orientation and Campus Ministry, the program is designed to help students begin their college journey by immersing them in UST's mission and cherished traditions. Celt Camp isn't just an event - it's the start of an adventure. The experience fosters a welcoming environment where students form meaningful connections and lasting friendships as they step into their new role as Celts.

Highlights of the day included the spirited Clash of the Celts, a lively Basilian BBQ - where the Basilian Fathers joined students to mingle and share in community - the interactive UST Legends or Traditions? Gameshow, where students were tested on their knowledge of UST's history, traditions and unique campus culture, and an evening of Praise & Worship, which featured a reflective talk experience followed by adoration and confessions.

Eveleny Plata, assistant director of Student Leadership & Engagement, said this is a wonderful event to begin the school year.

"Through fun, fellowship and faith, Celt Camp has quickly become a treasured tradition, setting the tone for students' UST experience and strengthening their sense of belonging from the very beginning," she said.

Welcoming 600+ for New Student Orientation

This summer, more than 600 new Celts kicked off their UST journey at five Orientation sessions held in June, July and August. During two fun-filled (and yes, overnight!) days, students got a first taste of campus life while learning what it means to be part of the Celt community.

From small groups and an introduction to the core curriculum to the Freshman Symposium, residence life and commuter services, and even a resource panel - Orientation was designed to set students up for success, both inside and outside the classroom. The Resource Fair gave everyone a chance to meet campus partners, while Mass and mission-focused programming highlighted the values at the heart of UST.

Families were also able to meet the Celt community, connecting with resources, and even writing heartfelt letters of encouragement that students received later in the program.

By the end of the summer, our newest Celts walked away with new friends, campus connections, and the confidence to dive into all that UST has to offer.

Welcome Week is all Wrapped Up

Welcome Week, the first official week back on campus, was packed with many sports and thematic events. Below are a few highlights:

Student Leadership & Engagement - Taco Tuesday

• Taco Tuesday brought the campus together for a fun-filled kickoff to the semester! Students connected, laughed and enjoyed a delicious menu while celebrating the start of the new year. Excitement was in the air with raffles, Welcome Week t-shirts, and plenty of opportunities to meet new friends and embrace the spirit of UST.

Campus Initiatives - UST Spirit Day

• Campus Initiatives (CI), the student group behind boosting Celt pride and promoting a sustainable campus, has officially brought Spirit Days back. We kicked off the new semester with paletas and the first round of limited-edition UST shirts, handed out to students who showed up in red and gold. Every Spirit Day moving forward will feature a new shirt design that captures the energy of campus.

Campus Community - Silent Disco

• Campus Community kicked off the fall semester with a Tropical-themed Silent Disco, celebrating the diversity and culture of UST's campus. Students danced the night away with three music channels on personal headphones, explored activities like clay art and slime-making, and enjoyed free food while entering raffles.

Campus Ministry - Mass of the Holy Spirit Student Leader Blessing

• During the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, Student Life invited all student leaders to stand and receive a special blessing, recognizing their role in shaping the spiritual and communal life of the campus. This public affirmation highlights the importance of servant leadership rooted in faith and humility. It serves as a reminder to the entire student body that leadership is a calling to uplift others and foster a culture of intentional discipleship. Student Life is comprised of Campus Ministry, Residence Life and Student Leadership & Engagement.

Registered Student Organizations - Involvement Fair

• The UST community came together for one of the biggest traditions of the year - Involvement Fair, hosted by Registered Student Organizations! More than 776 students packed the campus, with freshmen especially eager to explore ways to get connected and involved. With more than 68 clubs and organizations represented - spanning academic, cultural, spiritual, and social interests - there was something for everyone.

Campus Activities Board - Celt Carnival

• Campus Activities Board brought back one of the most anticipated events of the year, Celt Carnival! Students enjoyed an evening full of carnival games, thrilling rides, delicious treats and exciting raffle prizes. The event was a fun-filled way to kick off the semester, bringing the campus community together.

Finally, as the school year started, a few more events and initiatives showcased Celt Nation.

Student Body President: Popsicles with the President

Students gathered for a casual meet-and-greet with the new President of UST, Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, while enjoying popsicles. The event gave students the chance to put a face to the name, ask questions ranging from campus policies to lighthearted favorites, and hear directly about the vision for UST's future. Hosted by Student Body President, Andrea Ibarra, she looks forward to more events that create meaningful conversations and a welcoming space for students to engage with the president.

Celt Kick Off

Celt Kickoff was a hit. Tehya Rubio, vice president of CI, is proud of this great initiative.

"This event is the start of our organization's initiative to bring more spirit to campus and bridge the gap between student athletes and the remainder of the student body," Rubio said.

More than 30 men's and women's soccer athletes volunteered during Celt Kickoff, connecting with students and encouraging them to attend upcoming games.

Valeria Prieto, CI's assistant vice president of sustainability, reflected on her involvement.

"I joined CI because it offers the best of both worlds: athletics and recycling," she said. "I want more students to attend home games to support our teams."

The event featured Celt spirit giveaways, including red UST caps for the first 65 participants, which proved to be a popular highlight. Looking ahead, CI will soon release a new fan engagement incentive: students who attend men's or women's soccer games and tag CI on their Instagram story will be entered into a raffle for a UST men's soccer jersey.

As the semester continues, Student Leadership & Engagement is constantly looking for ways to engage the community. The new Celt Family Connections online platform aims to help better serve students and their families by providing more consistent communication and opportunities for community building. The platform will offer information on campus resources and events on a weekly basis, two newsletters a month, advertisement of events on campus and much more. Families of current UST students will receive an email invitation to join the portal once the platform is launched.

We're looking forward to a great year of student engagement and school spirit at UST!