Dan Ventucci
      I remember the first time I set foot inside the Newman Center in October of last year. I had walked past the place dozens of times but never found the need to go inside. But this day, my curiosity got the better of me. It seemed really inviting, considering the word “welcome” was written in a host of languages was covering the front doors. I was reading the various quotations from the Saints and the Bible in the foyer when this woman came in. She walked past me at first but soon turned around to talk to me.
      She told me she had never seen me before, greeted me, and basically dragged me back to her office. I found out her name was Jackie and she was the campus minister – whatever that was. I do not well remember what we talked about, but I do remember how friendly she was and how she was genuinely interested in me. Jackie made a good impression on me that day. Thereafter, I developed friendships with a couple students and Father Pat. Everyone I met there was amicable and the Newman Center became my preferred destination for studying.
      The first event I attended was Ignite at the end of January. It was so much fun to eat snacks, sing songs, and laugh with friends. The next weekend I went on the Koinonia retreat, which proved to be one of the best experiences of my life. I came away with stronger connections to a score of people.
      Now I visit the Newman Center almost everyday, I never know who I might find there. The FOCUS missionaries are a blast to be around. We have all kinds of fun, from simply talking around the fireplace to celebrating Mardi Gras with food and games or going to a karaoke bar.
      Last semester I could come here to study and get a good portion of my work finished. Now, keeping my nose to the grind is often a challenge for I end up chatting with whoever is there. The Newman Center is a great place to meet new people and when I look back on that first day, I am heartily glad that I walked in.

Dan Ventucci, Sophomore, Biology and History