Embedded Files
Script art/Allison Repensky
Nov. 9, 1932
To the dismay of young CSS scientists, a beloved member of the Zoology Department vanished one fateful afternoon. What creature could incite such sorrow? A puppy—but not just any puppy. It was a mudpuppy, the largest salamander species in Minnesota, aptly named for its muddy color. Affectionately known to his adoring science students as “His Highness, Rudolph, Alex, Uncle,” or simply “What-Have-You,” this charming mudpuppy was accepted at the College in 1925. But in 1932, after eight years of living lavishly and without paying a single dime for “board or tuition,” he mysteriously disappeared. Students were left mourning the loss of their cherished mudpuppy, staring longingly at his “empty aquarium” and wondering whether there was “an annex for mud-puppies” in “dog heaven”—even though they were left in the dark about the reason behind his sudden disappearance.
Nov. 14, 1934
Have you ever stopped to think about the dating preferences of Scholastica students in 1934? Thanks to the efforts of a curious and somewhat “ruthless” reporter for The Scriptorium, we now have an answer. In the article “St. Scholasticans Characterize Qualities of Prince Charming,” many of the women interviewed had their hearts set on a few specific traits: money, a good sense of humor, a car to drive them around in and—perhaps most commonly—a tall, brunette gentleman with good manners (It’s worth mentioning that, during this time, CSS was an all-female college!). However, not all responses were serious. Some students even offered witty and sardonic retorts that conveyed more than just their own preferences. One young woman remarked, “I have no use for men; they’re just a bother,” while another student pointedly critiqued her classmates’ obsession with good looks, asserting that “good looks are secondary” regarding intelligence and personality. These candid comments paint a vivid picture of young women navigating love and relationships in a very different era.
Nov. 9, 1977
The College Union Games Room sponsored a mock slave auction, a fundraiser popular at the time that involved auctioning off fellow students to raise money, similar to senior auctions. The Cable described the slave auction with a disturbing sense of nonchalance, documenting how the “slave auction was successful” and naming the “three highest sold slaves” who raised the most money. Even though this mock slave auction was likely meant to be harmless and did not actually sell students (but rather auctioned their “services,” such as carrying books or helping with homework, off to the highest bidder). We must not ignore the fact that this was an insensitive and racist reenactment of a history of injustice against enslaved Black people—a history that dehumanized people, separated families and caused real, lasting trauma. It may have been intended to be a benign fundraiser, but it ultimately mocks and makes light of the horrors carried out against enslaved people.
Nov. 16, 2018
If you were on campus in 2018, you might have seen students partaking in an eco-friendly Swedish fitness trend: plogging. This unique activity involves picking up trash while jogging, running, walking, or hiking—allowing students to care for their bodies while caring for the earth. The term “plogging” cleverly fuses two Swedish verbs: “plocka upp,” which means “to pick up,” and “jogga,” meaning “to jog.” It wasn’t long before this trend gained traction on campus, inspiring the formation of an unofficial plogging club where like-minded students would gather weekly to improve their fitness and maintain the cleanliness of trails on campus.
Nov. 1, 2019
For the first time in College history, CSS called on witches, wizards and warlocks to kick off its first annual Harry Potter Week. Sponsored by Student Activities, this magical celebration was brimming with enchanting sweets, delightful crafts and captivating activities. Students dove into the enchanting week packed with magic, enjoying a mock Herbology class, the grand opening of Honeydukes at the Port and a marathon featuring all eight movies from the beloved franchise. The campus itself even joined in on the fun with the help of Student Activities, transforming into a real-life Hogwarts. The Benedictine Commons served as Platform 9 ¾, and the mail room became the iconic Owl Post.
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