Though the Anselmian 360 retreats have ended, the program itself still continues to reach first year students.

The second part of 360 is called “Pathways.” A pathway is defined as “a way of achieving a specified result.” In this context, Pathways aims help freshmen create a reliable network of people.

Like Conversatio, Anselmian 360 focuses on giving students the social, intellectual, and spiritual resources to help them on their journey through college.

The first half of 360 is described as “Orientation Part Three,” where half of the Class of 2020 is selected to attend an all-paid overnight retreat with fellow classmates and upperclassmen. Here, the students participate in a variety of discussions and activities that are aimed at getting freshmen to engage in life on campus more fully.

Not only was this a chance to reflect on the first weeks of campus and to set goals for the future, but it was also a welcome break in the middle of a frantically busy fall semester.

Since the purpose of Pathways is almost identical to that of Anselmian 360, the program is thought of as the natural “next step” in the process of getting students to reach their individual goals. Instead of an overnight trip, however, Pathways consists of a series of free dinners offered to students.

Campus Ministry member Sarah Catherine Richardson says, “These nights are designed to connect students personally to peers, upperclassmen, and staff with similar goals and experience.” By meeting others who can relate to their own personal interests, freshmen will create a support system of friendly faces on campus.

The dinners are scheduled for different times throughout the semester, with the first having been held on Nov. 10. Each dinner focuses on a different topic, starting out with themes of academic and personal development. Following this event, there will be more dinners about leadership, service, diversity, and seeking.

Though the first half of Anselmian 360 was restricted by a “soft launch,” meaning only half of the freshmen class could attend, anyone in the Class of 2020 is welcome to register for Pathways.

When asked what she hopes students will take away from the program, Richardson states, “Our hope is that, first and foremost, first-year students will make meaningful connections to people that can help them achieve their goals—be that a student that has taken a similar path, another freshman that is interested in the same things, or a staff member that can serve as resource.”

So if you are a first year student interested in meeting people with similar goals and interests, Pathways is the event for you! But don’t wait – go online to register for the dinner that most appeals to you.

Contact Sarah Catherine Richardson at [email protected] with any questions.