For many students, deciding what college to attend is a lengthy and difficult
process. Factors like residence, campus life, academics, and sporting events
are all considered by prospective students. At Benedictine College, the
concept of family is emphasized, both literally and figuratively.
Founded on the Benedictine tradition, the college operates under the shared
values of work and prayer, forming a figurative family. Through the concept
of legacies, the term family is taken literally and runs deep at the college.
As defined by the college’s website, legacy students are “students who have
had a relative formerly attend the college.” According to Benedictine College
Residence Life, there are 43 students in the freshman class that have at least
one sibling attending the school this year. Dozens more are considered
legacy students through other family alumni.
For many of these students, having siblings attend the school played a large
role in their college decision as it adds a layer of comfort and safety.
Freshman Audrey Bolan loved the reassurance of living in a small town with
her sisters, who she also considers to be her best friends. Audrey has two older
sisters that currently attend the school and one that graduated last May.
Bolan said, “to go to school with your siblings is knowing that someone you
love is walking the same path as you. If you are ever having a rough time,
you have someone immediately there for you.”
For some families, this allows for the relationship between siblings to grow
deeper. After being encouraged to choose Benedictine by his older brother,
Senior Sam Palmer felt their relationship grow as they had to be more
intentional in finding time to see each other.
Palmer said, “College actually helped me grow closer to him. We both had
different friend groups but tried to always make time to hang out.”
Sam is the second of four kids in his family to choose Benedictine and has
seen both sides of the experience. He successfully convinced his two
younger siblings to enroll as students when they visited for family weekend.
“Because they visited, they were able to meet my friends and already knew
a ton of people before going to school here. I think this really helped their
transition to be a lot smoother. They both love it here!” said Palmer.
The Benedictine tradition and community are strengthened through the
presence of legacy students, more specifically siblings that attend at the
same time. The familiar ties add a sense of protection and aid in a smoother
transition that enhances the overall college experience.
