2026-09-29T23:27:54+00:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://rattlersremember.stmupublichistory.org/ Rattlers Remember https://rattlersremember.stmupublichistory.org 2019-05-04T21:39:06+00:00 2019-05-08T01:16:38+00:00 https://rattlersremember.stmupublichistory.org/items/show/11 Pierre John Gutierrez Jr In 1966 Treadaway Hall was built as a space the Marianist brothers could use on the St. Mary’s University campus. Although it was on university grounds, the entirety of Treadaway belonged to the Marianist brothers, and the school did not actually own it. The lower levels included a lab, a foundry, and an art room. The art room would later become Calderon Hall. Eventually, the brothers realized they didn’t need Treadaway anymore since they were no longer receiving as many brothers as they were in previous years so they sold the building to St. Mary’s in 1978. St. Mary’s University is also home to a Reserve Officer Training Corps program which is a part of the US Army and commissions cadets as 2nd Lieutenants upon graduation. At the time, the ROTC commissioned only Field Artillery officers and even had a pair of Howitzer artillery pieces on campus that they would occasionally take to Camp Bullis to practice shooting with. The ROTC had previously occupied a smaller building that was close to Treadaway nearby to where the glass garden house is today. This building was called Seng Hall and was named after Colonel Seng who was one of the professors of military science for St. Mary’s. However, once the school was in possession of Treadaway, Seng Hall was torn down and they allowed the ROTC to move into part of the lower levels of Treadaway giving them an equipment area, instructor offices, and a classroom.. The Treadaway classroom was named in honor of a former cadet, Orlando B. Calderon, who was tragically killed during his senior year at St. Mary’s. Orlando Calderon was an avid supporter of the Rattler Battalion’s Marian Guard Drill Team and would often accompany them wherever they performed. One night in the December of 1968, while coming back home from an event in Houston, Calderon was killed in a single vehicle accident. In order to honor his memory the Rattler Battalion decided to name the classroom after him as well as present an annual award to a high performing senior cadet that holds his name as well. Nowadays, Calderon Hall still acts as the main classroom for ROTC cadets and a picture of him accompanied by a small printout about him accompanies it. Near the Professor of Military Science’s office, there is a sword representing the Orlando B. Calderon award along with a list of all its awardees. For more (including 2 images and 1 sound clip), view the original article. 2019-05-02T16:24:31+00:00 2019-05-08T01:16:38+00:00 https://rattlersremember.stmupublichistory.org/items/show/6 Nicole Johnson In 2013, after the passing of the Marianist brother and artist, Mel Meyer, his art studio asked St. Mary’s University to browse Brother Mel’s career-long collection. After St. Mary’s University was offered first choice of Brother Mel’s collection, an informal selection committee was formed. Brian St. John, Chair of the Art Department at St. Mary’s University, was a member of this committee. He recalls choosing pieces based on the types of lighting required to showcase each piece properly. After careful selection, brothers from St. Mary’s University headed to St. Louis, Missouri to bring colorful, inviting, and meaningful pieces of Brother Mel’s art to St. Mary’s University. Students, staff, faculty, and visitors can now enjoy these unique and abstract artworks as they stroll through campus. Brother Mel Meyer dedicated his life to producing purposeful art that embodied Marianist principles, even in the most abstract formats. He never lost sight of the meanings behind what he was creating. When creating his pieces, he took every color and detail into consideration. The intricacies and ideals behind his artwork generated a large amount of interest, which eventually enabled him to support the Marianist community through his earnings. The Marianist brothers at St. Mary’s University have deeper ties to Brother Mel beyond selecting these pieces to bring to campus. Brother Brian Zampier was one of the Brother Mel’s artist assistants. Brother Zampier painted many of Brother Mel’s sculptures, including the Statue of St. Francis, which stands by Assumption Chapel and St. Louis Hall. This statue has had a profound impact of students boarding in Chaminade Hall, and notably, it has helped one student overcome family hardship and grief by inspiring her to write poems about the statue’s light reflection on Chaminade Hall. Brother Mel’s artwork extends beyond the limits of the St. Mary’s University Sculpture Garden. His paintings and murals can be found in many different spaces around campus. Look around and see the gifts that Brother Mel has provided to the campus of St. Mary's University! For more (including 3 images and 1 sound clip), view the original article.