Among the many Saints that populate the Catholic faith, there is a particular devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. A number of feast days are dedicated to her. One of them is the Feast of Our Lady Mercy on September 24. In Catholic belief, Mary intercedes on our behalf asking Jesus for mercy and compassion. This date is particularly important to Mercy institutions like Saint Joseph's as it is the day that Catherine McAuley opened the House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, in 1827. As a result, we celebrate each September 24 as Mercy Day.

This area was named to honor Monsignor Edward F. Ward, a long-time friend and benefactor to the Sisters of Mercy, as well as to Saint Joseph's College. He was also a brother of Mother Mary Evangelist Ward, RSM, who was responsible for the moving of the College from Portland to Standish and a cousin to James Augustine Healy who financed the campus chapel. He was a respected and honored member of the clergy, an avid sportsman while a student at Holy Cross College, and a continued sports fan throughout his life. Thus, the name is certainly fitting for this part of campus. Ward Park contains the baseball and softball fields. Each field has dugouts for the home team and visitors' team and a press box. One special benefactor for the baseball diamond is Larry Mahaney, a great sportsman in his own right with membership in the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.

This first residence hall was built in 1959 and named in honor of the patron of the College. The Sisters of Mercy all over the world have a very strong devotion to this man who, according the Catholic tradition, was the foster father of Jesus and spouse of Mary. It was fitting to name this first residence after Joseph for, along with many other titles given him by the Catholic church, he is called the "Protector of Families" and the College has always prided itself on its core value of community. Presently, located in this 4-storied building are 50 resident rooms. On the first floor are to be found offices for Career Services, Counseling and Archives.

This building was affectionately called "The Monster Building" by members of the College community when it was first constructed. Converting from an all-women's institution to a co-educational one necessitated some changes in what was being offered for recreational and social activities. A place for the students to "work out, to run, to let off steam/stress" was one of the needs defined. With no excess money, this building was constructed of simply four walls, a roof, a cement floor and changing rooms for men and women. No extras were introduced; thus, the "affectionate" name is self-explanatory.

In 1979, this complex was named in memory of President Currier who introduced the first formal program of men's sports. Because it housed the home court for the men's and women's basketball teams, the building soon took on a new title meant to send a message to visiting teams: "Chamber of Horrors." Over the years, some few additions were added like bleachers, parquet floor, an extension to provide office space for Athletics and for Student Services, a dance/aerobics room, appropriate locker spaces for home teams and visitors, and a weight lifting/exercise room. In 1999, after a successful capital fund campaign, the Harold Alfond Center replaced this initial "sports complex." The building was then converted to provide offices for various services. It now houses Facilities Management (maintenance and housekeeping) as well as the Mail Room & Copy Center.

These buildings were originally constructed in 1970 as residence hall town houses for students. When the College transitioned to a coeducational institution, resident facilities for the young men became an immediate necessity. These residences were referred to simply as Town Houses A, B C, D, E, and F in line with the number of entrances. In 1986, E and F were designated to be one unit and named in honor of Fredric L. Putnam, the father of two of our Trustees at the time, Steven and David. The Putnam families for many years have been generous benefactors to the College, as well as to other Mercy sponsored institutions, in terms of their time, treasure and talent. In 1999, Town Houses A, B, C, and D, were named in memory of Margaret Scully '55 and Helen Scully, two gracious ladies and generous benefactors. Today, the Departments of Online Administration and Technology-Enhanced Instruction can be found in Putnam Hall. Scully Hall houses the Brand Studio and the Office of Mission Aligned Businesses (MAB).

This long awaited addition to our campus was completed and dedicated in September, 1999. Harold Alfond, former owner of Dexter Shoe Company of Maine and known for his generosity to many athletic building projects in Maine and beyond, presented us with a matching challenge of $1 Thanks to the efforts of many, we met the challenge and surpassed it. Today, we point with pride to this Center which houses a swimming pool, gymnasium, suspended running track, weights/exercise room, dance room, climbing wall, athletic offices, lounges and other attractions.

• Sister Mary Dolores Sablone Alumni Lounge: From 1959 to 1983, Sister Dolores served in various capacities — professor of German and theology, Academic Dean, and as the ninth President. Respected by all for her scholarship and criteria for excellence, alumni are honored to have their space dedicated to her memory.

The long-awaited second facility for classroom learning! Our first was Mercy Hall, built in 1955. Indeed, this is a state-of-the-art building which includes among its many features: a tiered lecture hall, wireless technology, air conditioning, and environmentally friendly materials throughout. Within the building we have honored generous benefactors with the Viola and Peter George Auditorium and the Andrew and Helen McSween Wing. The Hall itself is named after the man who repeated his trust in us by putting forth another large challenge grant to which so many friends of the College responded. You will learn about this individual when we come to the Alfond Center.

At the request of Barbara Cassidy, this residence hall was named to memorialize her mother, Irene Delano Cassidy of Bangor, Maine. Barbara served on the Board of Trustees and has been a benefactor of the College. Mrs. Cassidy was also mother to Roselle Cassidy Flynn, another friend to the College and was a sister to Sister Mary Consolata Delano, RSM, who served at Mercy Hospital for many years. The Human Resources Department is located on the lower level.

In 2019 Saint Joseph's College became the 73rd educational institution in the nation, and the first in Maine, to be certified as one of the affiliates of the Bee Campus USA program a certification program that seeks to stabilize campus landscapes as ideal habitat for pollinators, such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, to name only a few.

This garden consists of a cluster of raised beds designed to contribute to a campus habitat that allows the many local pollinator species to thrive. The garden showcases blossoms from a number of plants such as lupines, lobelias, and columbine, in addition to many others. It is one part of the College's commitment to sustainable practices.

This woven outdoor labyrinth is set off of the quiet walking path that takes you down to Sebago Lake. It named for Julie A. Lentz, a young woman who, before her premature death, graduated with high honors from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame, majoring in Biochemistry. Julie exemplified— through her faith, devoted spiritual journey, commitment to social justice, environmental consciousness, and life full of joy— the values instilled into all students who attend Saint Joseph’s College.

Labyrinth walking is an ancient form of meditation. This focused walking meditation allows one to let go of the burdens and worries of life, find comfort and peace, and search one’s soul for answers, all while strolling among the beauty of God’s creation. Julie's Path serves as a form of spiritual pilgrimage, allowing one to walk the circuitous path to its center, pause for reflection, and follow the path back to where he or she began their journey. The winding path to the center of the circle represents a journey of faith, reflecting Catherine McAuley’s conviction that life is a journey toward God.

Part of Saint Joseph's campus rests along the shore of Maine's second largest lake. It encompasses about 45 square miles in surface area, has a length of 14 miles, and has a shoreline length of roughly 105 miles. It is also one of the state’s deepest lakes with a maximum depth of 316 feet. It is bordered by the towns of Casco, Naples, Raymond, Sebago. The primary water source for the City of Portland, Sebago Lake is considered to be one of the purist lakes in Maine. With fall’s fiery ignition of the trees all over campus, especially along the path down the lake, you will find rest here from the hustle and bustle of daily life at the College amidst the comfort of the woods, the watery breezes, and the faint crashing of waves on windy days.