LATROBE, PA – Looking back on her past four years at Saint Vincent College, Meredith Marsh was struck by how much she has grown as a leader.
A senior middle grade education major from Morgantown, West Virginia, Marsh joined several organizations during her first year at the College. She is part of the Student Government Association’s senate as the senior class vice president and is a campus tour guide for prospective students through the Office of Admission.
“It’s been really cool these past four years to be a part of building up the community here and trying to share what Saint Vincent is all about,” Marsh said. “Even though we’re a small school, there are so many ways to be involved. I’ve always had that trait of being an organizer and a leader but being at Saint Vincent helped me identify with it, build upon it and grow within it.”
Marsh’s most enduring legacy at Saint Vincent likely will be her work with Campus Ministry. She led a women’s Bible study group and wanted to do more. Knowing that 60% of Saint Vincent’s students are not Catholic, Marsh began to look for ways to connect with Protestant and nondenominational Christians.
Three years ago, Marsh and a few other students—Azzia Berestecki, Reilly McKay, Joshua Dailey and Kaley Lazere—founded the Rooted Discipleship group through Campus Ministry. Led by volunteer campus minister Kirt Conroy, the lead pastor at Latrobe Alliance Church, the group hosts biweekly Sunday services, Bible studies and fellowship activities for men and women.
“We want to be able to share the Gospel and help walk students through wherever their journey is in their faith with the Lord,” Marsh said.
Director of Campus Ministry Father Maximillian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, and assistant director Bridget DiVittis have been valuable advocates for the group, Marsh said.
“As time went on, we began to find our footing,” Marsh said. “This past fall is when we really put everything together and got a lot of different people involved.”
Several members of the football team who’ve been conducting their own Bible study have begun attending Rooted Discipleship’s functions. The Sunday services draw about 25 students.
“It’s been really neat to see it grow,” Marsh said. “It adds to the variety of offerings from Campus Ministry. Faith is a big part of Saint Vincent, so I think it's super important to have something available for students to make them feel at home and know they have a place where they can build upon their faith.”
Meredith Marsh
