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HI j t \f ^^ J Digitized by the Internet Archive 2011 with funding from in LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/goldenlegend2008sain Ack4K>wle<lgem&n£y Without God nothing is possible, but with God all things are possible. The 2008yearbook staffhas been more hardworking and dedicated than any other yearbook team I have been on. Melissa, thankyouforyour unique style ofcreating pages andfor bringing laughter to theyearbook office even in those stressful times. You have been so willing to design more pages thanyou were assigned. Edwin,your quietspirit, and talent of writing and creating page layouts have been a valuable asset to thisyearbook. Davion,wehave allgrown to loveyour easygoing attitude and sometimes mischie- vous nature. Nikia, thanksforyoursmiles ofencouragement andyour hard work. Tasheika,your willingness to learn and to meetyour deadlines are appreciated. Salome,you are dependable and dedicated and that's hard tofind. Kava, thanksfor your unique contribution. To ourbeloved advisor Page Ramsey-Hamacher,you believed in us, even when we , missed deadlines or becamefrustrated in securing pictures. You were the one to bring us together when we wanted togive up. We could not have done this without you. To any otherpersons who contributed to thisyearbook by supplying pictures, such asAndre Cury,JeffWeiss, and Mike Carlson, thankyou. Cover design by Melissa Ramos Theme by Edwin Fastnacht ^x 1 — 1 Feature* Editor* Flate 05 OQ From the President* Desk E CaD. CD cro" 13 Yearbook Advisor* Reflection 7 a4 Faculty Staff B - ft 05 3 o 5eniarjr IB C/3 3 Underclassmen 34 50 Residence Life Sports BO B4 Senior Profiles Greek 92 Life HE Honor Societies Dubs Organisations 1SE ft 15E Activities aODB Vearbaak Staff 174 memorial 17E Df ontents Personal transformation can and doeshaveglobal effects.A is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one. -Marianne Williamson H.ditor\ Note/ It was no mere coincidence that out of all the universities we could have gone to, my sister and came to Saint Leo. Three years ago leaving home for university was I heartbreaking but now leaving what have known as home for the last three years I is somewhat difficult. Working as the editor for the Golden Legend Yearbook for the past two years has been rewarding. have not only learnt to take more pride I in the work do, but have learned to work as part of and lead a team. I I As the physical aspects of Saint Leo have dramatically transformed over the years, so has my life. have become someone hardly recognize/Teachers such as Dr. I I lain Duffy made me realize the value of working hard for what wanted because I in the real world, success will not just be handed to you. The support system that Saint Leo has offered through its faculty and staff is invaluable. So, hope that this yearbook serves to remind you of not only how Saint Leo's I campus has transformed, but how your life has transformed since being at Saint Leo. Congratulations Class of 2008! Renell David Editor yV retids&rtt aint Leo's transformation over the last eleven years was described by one of the leading authors and con- ultants on higher education as one of the most impressive in several decades. We cannot evaluate how aint Leo's transformation compares with other schools', but we do know Saint Leo has come a long, long vay in the last eleven years. Eleven years ago Saint Leo was struggling in many ways, enrollments on ampus had declined to a three decade low of 700, the campus buildings were in general disrepair, and nany other problems were evident to the most casual visitor. The institution's faculty and staff rallied around a plan to transform Saint Leo in every respect except two critical ones: our Catholic, student cen- ered mission and our Benedictine values. We transformed the academic programs: twice, improving every students' liberal arts foundation, most re- :ently developing the LINK Program to improve even more so our students' ability to write, compute, think ritically, act ethically, solve problems, understand their world in all its manifestations and do much more. Ve strengthened every major while adding a few. We also developed several new graduate programs in business, education, criminal justice, and theology. Most important to our academic development has been the growth of our faculty doubling the number and enhancing the breadth and depth of expertise and PhDs. since came. We added twenty-seven additional full-time faculty just the last two years. Every stu- I dent graduates today with increased knowledge, better skills and a set of six values that all employers and people of good will seek and celebrate. All aspects of student life and services have also developed, expanded and improved. There are more activities, clubs, cultural opportunities and organizations and students participating in them. New leadership development programs teach students critical skills. The number offraternities and sororities increased and the number of Greeks increases every year as well. We added eight intercollegiate athletic teams and ten of our thirteen NCAA post season appearances have come since arrived. A much higher percentage of our I athletes excel in the classroom and graduate, meaning more athletes do better on the field and in the classroom. University Ministry has also developed and expanded. Staff has increased, a music ministry added and more students participate. SERVE trips started in University Ministry and this year we have seven trips and almost 100 students and faculty involved in Spring Break service trips here and internationally. And, of course, the campus itself provides the clearest evidence of Saint Leo University's transformation. The six new buildings that we have built since 2003 only tell part of the story. A campus master plan de- signed in 1999 has been meticulously followed and has transformed the campus from one with an attrac- tive setting but no plan or distinction to one distinguished by Spanish missionary architecture and a classi- cal organization of buildings, roads and landscaping around a campus quadrangle from the Abbey Church to Alumni and Roderick Halls that promotes our mission, values and vision and impresses everyone who ar- rives here. All of these improvements and many, many more, large and small contributed to an increase in campus students by 1000 and a tripling of resident students bringing more life and vitality to our campus. Our students are more diverse in every way: geographically, ethnically, religiously. Our students are better prepared, more engaged in their learning, the campus and the community. They represent our values and truly make our University great. God bless the Class of 2008 and all of our students. Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. President