![St. Edward's students attend the campus Involvement Fair]()
Hilltoppers Turn Out to Get Involved
The Student Involvement Fair kicked off the year and drew Hilltoppers in droves to meet fellow students and explore ways to get involved with student clubs and organizations; leadership, service and scholar programs; experiential learning and more.
!["Stamped" Common Theme Book by Jason Reynolds]()
Questions of Social Justice Spark Debate
Our Common Theme for the year had Hilltoppers reading and discussing “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” and attending events related to the theme. Co-author Jason Reynolds, spoke to the campus community in September about being an anti-racist.
![St. Edward's students and professor stand in front of a bus in downtown Austin they rode in their Civics Lab class]()
Students Help Transform Transportation in Austin
In the Civics Lab class, Hilltoppers learn to influence public policy — in the real world, in real time, using their own voices. 20 students tackled Austin’s public transit challenges for college students and created a winning message for their audience.
![John Brooks Williams Natural Sciences Center–South]()
Lucian Symposium Explores Health Equity
The annual Lucian Symposium, sponsored by the School of Natural Sciences, invited distinguished experts in science and healthcare from top-tier universities to speak on the pressing social justice issue of achieving global health equity for all people.
![St. Edward's Ballet Folklorico student performers]()
Hispanic Heritage Celebrations Inspire Awareness
St. Edward’s is proud to be a Hispanic-serving institution for more than 30 years. Hilltoppers celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, Dio de los Muertos and Las Posadas this fall, and enjoyed a pop-up performance by our Ballet Folklorico students.
![Ambassador Baiba Braze speaks to the Kozmetsky Center director during a webinar.]()
Kozmetsky Center Brings Global Issues to the Forefront
Ambassador Baiba Braze, Assistant Secretary General of NATO, spoke to the St. Edward’s community from Brussels during the Kozmetsky Center’s 7th annual Transatlantic Security Forum webinar, one of several global events the center sponsors each semester.
![Brothers of Holy Cross Garden, St. Edward's University]()
Founders Day Honors the Brothers of Holy Cross
In October, Hilltoppers celebrated the Brothers of Holy Cross who established St. Edward’s and the university’s 136th birthday by taking part in our Founders Day events, including community service and special Masses at the university’s chapel and grotto.
![Crime Scene Photography Lab at St. Edward's]()
Crime Scene Photography Lab Practices Innovative Techniques
Students practiced photography in the dark with glow sticks in a Crime Scene Photography class. They also learned how to photograph the luminescence that occurs upon applying Bluestar Forensic blood reagent as well as shooting trajectories with lasers.
![First generation students pose for photos at the First To GOat Celebration photo booth]()
First-Generation Scholars Enjoy Special Recognition
During a week of engaging speakers, workshops and events — and plenty of friendship, community spirit and fun — St. Edward’s proudly celebrated the success of all Hilltoppers who are the first in their families to attend college.
![Students work together to maintain the campus student garden]()
Students for Sustainability Keep the Campus Garden Thriving
Led by Luke Tobias ’23, a Biology and Pre-Med major, volunteers helped manage the campus garden this fall — from planting and composting to adding raised beds. Organic produce was harvested and donated to local food banks and the on-campus food pantry.
![Kelly Green, associate professor of Psychology at St. Edward's]()
Faculty Experts Make the News
Associate Professor of Psychology Kelly Green is one of more than 20 hilltop faculty and staff who made local and national media headlines this year through their research, expertise and publications. Green’s innovative work focuses on addiction recovery.
![St. Edward's student is filmed by The College Tour production crew]()
Award-Winning TV Producers Film the Hilltop
Production at St. Edward’s took place for The College Tour, a TV series on Amazon Prime that tells the story of colleges through the lens of its students. 10 Hilltoppers were interviewed around campus and Austin. Watch for our episode premiering in March!
![Fall 2021 Festival of Lights]()
Holiday Joy Lights Up St. Edward’s
Our 41st Annual Festival of Lights brought Hilltoppers together for inspiring music, prayer and reflection as we honored the beginning of the Advent Season. Immediately following, we celebrated Las Posadas with songs, piñatas, food and entertainment.
![St. Edward's MMNT production of The Putnam County Spelling Bee]()
Theater Students Illuminate the Stage
Students in the Theater Arts and Acting programs worked alongside professional artists to stage hit productions, including “The Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” at the university’s award-winning Mary Moody Northen Theatre.
![Black History Month Expo Event]()
Black History, Culture and Accomplishments Are Honored
During Black History Month, we gathered for fun activities as well as thoughtful community discussions and education, ranging from a campus BBQ and an expo featuring Black artisans and entrepreneurs to hearing from Black writers and a Black health expert.
![president fuentes at 2022 homecoming parade]()
Homecoming Sparks Hilltop Pride
Our beloved tradition of Homecoming was back in full force and filled with excitement and fun as we celebrated our hilltop pride. This year’s festivities featured a new event: our Homecoming Parade across campus. See the video recap on this webpage.
![Presidential inauguration mass at St. Edward's campus chapel]()
A Special Mass Begins Our Presidential Inauguration Events
In February, we held the historic inauguration of our 24th president, and first hispanic president, Dr. Montserrat Fuentes. Two days of festivities began with a Mass in the campus chapel to celebrate Dr. Fuentes and connect the Holy Cross community.
![St. Edward's students engage in a service project during the inauguration week for President Fuentes]()
Community Service Pays Tribute to the Occasion
Prior to the inauguration and investiture, students, faculty, staff and alumni participated in a variety of service activities in support of the values of St. Edward’s. Here, students decorate birthday boxes in service of a local nonprofit.
![Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, president of St. Edward's University, greets the audience as she leaves the stage wearing the St. Edward's medallion]()
Investiture Ceremony Launches a New Era for St. Edward’s
During her investiture, which drew hundreds of attendees, Dr. Fuentes shared five bold initiatives that underpin the university’s new Strategic Plan 2027. These inspiring goals reflect the university’s Holy Cross mission and values.
![cheerleaders picking up president Montserrat Fuentes]()
Lively Activities Celebrate the Day
The St. Edward’s cheer team spontaneously lifts Dr. Fuentes into a classic cheer stunt during an afternoon and evening of inauguration festivities that included a luncheon and cake cutting, Ballet Folklorico performance, food trucks and live music.
![St. Edward's students participate in HSI Battle of the Brains]()
Students Compete in Battle of the Brains
7 Hilltoppers competed against students from across the nation in the annual HSI Battle of the Brains. Students developed a solution to business challenges presented, a marketing plan with collateral and a go-to-market strategy for a technology solution.
![St. Edward's students engage in a service project during The Big Event]()
St. Edward’s Rocks The Big Event
During The BIG Event, the largest annual student-run service project that connects students to organizations throughout Austin, the St. Edward’s community came together to say one BIG thanks on one BIG day through service-oriented activities.
![St. Edward's students gather and view the premiere of The College Tour: St. Edward's]()
Hilltoppers Tune in for An Exciting Watch Party
“The College Tour: St. Edward’s” episode premiered on March 24, inspiring a campuswide watch party. The show is now streaming live on Amazon Prime, IMDb and other platforms, offering a fabulous look at the St. Edward’s experience and our beautiful campus.
![St. Edward's students explore internships and job opportunities during the campus Job Fair]()
Spring Job Fair Connects Students and Employers
The March Job Fair sponsored by the Career and Professional Development team gave students the chance to explore job and internship opportunities and network with potential employers.
![Hilltopper Baseball student-athletes cheer on their team during a game]()
Hilltopper Spirit Ignites the Games
The Hilltopper Athletics baseball team advanced to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament for the seventh time in the last 10 years and the first time since joining the Lone Star Conference.
![Students present their research and creative work during the St. Edward's SOURCE symposium]()
SOURCE Showcases Research and Creative Projects
During the St. Edward’s annual Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE), students presented and discussed their original research and creative work with peers, faculty, staff and guests.
![The St. Edward's community ends the academic year with Hillfest fun]()
Hillfest Excitement Returns to Campus
Hilltop spirit and camaraderie were felt by all at Hillfest — after a two-year pause! Students, families, alumni, faculty and staff, came together for this campus tradition to wrap up an amazing academic year. Enjoy the video recap on this page.
![Black Student Graduation Celebration 2022]()
Graduation Events Celebrate Diversity
Leading up to commencement in May, St. Edward’s hosted seven identity-based and affinity graduation festivities that honored our graduating seniors and the diversity of our community.
![St. Edward's Graduates Participating in the Legacy Walk at 2022 Commencement]()
Legacy Walk & Red Doors Revelry Mark a Milestone
The Legacy Walk and Red Doors Revelry procession takes graduates through the heart of campus and the historic red doors of Main Building, symbolizing the completion of their academic careers and entry into the St. Edward's alumni community.
![St. Edward's Graduate walks to receive diploma in 2022 Commencement Ceremony]()
Commencement Day Honors Our Graduates
Congratulations Class of 2022! Well done! We wish you all the best on your next adventure as you take on your world.
