Celebrating Student Successes!!

THE NEWMAN INSIDER

May 2025

Celebrating Students' Succeses

With the academic year coming to a close - RPI Graduation is Saturday, May 9 - we pay tribute to our students' successes with two recent year-end events...

A Beloved Tradition at the C+CC: Baccalaureate Mass Honors Graduating Seniors

On Sunday, April 27, the Chapel + Cultural Center joyfully celebrated its annual Baccalaureate Mass, honoring the achievements and contributions of this year’s graduating seniors.

Six of the ten graduates were present to receive Honor Cords from Associate Catholic Chaplain Tracy Watson. These cords reflect their faithful involvement with the Rensselaer Newman Foundation during their time at RPI:

Red Cords for service with the Knights of Columbus
Gold Cords for participation in the Newman Fellowship
White Cords for meaningful contributions to parish and C+CC life through ministry, work-study, and Bible study

Each graduate shared a few words with the congregation, offering glimpses into their next steps—whether pursuing graduate studies, beginning new careers, or remaining in the local area.

Following a special blessing from Fr. Jordan and warm applause from the community, everyone gathered for a festive coffee hour, enjoying fellowship and cake in celebration of the graduates.

Congratulations to our seniors! Your presence, dedication, and faith have been a gift to our community, and we send you forth with gratitude and joy.

A New Tradition Begins: The International Student Farewell BBQ

The Rensselaer Newman Foundation and RPI’s International Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS) hosted the first-ever, International Student Farewell BBQ, Wednesday, April 30, on the grounds of the C+CC.

The event capped off a year of hard work for the more than 80 students and staff in attendance. For senior students, it was an opportunity to reflect on their RPI careers before embarking on new adventures elsewhere. For underclass students, it was a fitting milestone as they continue their RPI journey this summer and this fall.

Thanks to ISSS for their partnership on this and other projects.

Ignite the Spirit at RPI This Pentecost

As the Church celebrates Pentecost—the descent of the Holy Spirit and the birth of its mission—we invite you to be a part of that mission right here at Rensselaer.

On Sunday, June 8, Pentecost Sunday, we hope to raise $10,000 during Catholic Day of Giving at RPI to strengthen and expand the Catholic presence on campus.

Pentecost commemorates the moment when the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the dove, came upon the disciples—empowering them to carry Christ’s message to the world. Inspired by that same spirit, we call upon parishioners, students, parents, and alumni to help the Rensselaer Newman Foundation continue building a vibrant Catholic community at RPI.

With your support, we’ve already seen remarkable growth:

A joyful celebration at Taste of African Grace
The uplifting voices of the Nigerian Student Choir during Mass
A steady rise in student engagement and participation in liturgies and programs

Your generosity will help sustain the Chapel + Cultural Center, the Catholic Chaplaincy, and the countless ways we accompany students and community members in faith.

This Catholic Day of Giving is your opportunity to nurture the spiritual life of students, support dynamic campus ministry, and help carry the flame of faith into the future.

Join us in building a legacy of faith, service, and community—right here at RPI.

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and belief in our mission.

Thank You

THE NEWMAN INSIDER is a monthly update on the people and events that help to grow the legacy of the Rensselaer Newman Foundation at RPI.

We appreciate all that you do for the RNF and look forward to your feedback.

Address any comments or questions to: George Hauenstein at haueng@rpi.edu

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