Hispanic Heritage Month Starts with GOZA, Hosted by SOMOS

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

SOMOS at Regis University is a student affinity group that celebrates and promotes Latinx culture. To kick off the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15th to October 15th, SOMOS hosted GOZA. On September 16th, at the Student Center Patio, GOZA brought the entire Regis community together, to share a meal and experience the beauty of Hispanic and Latinx culture. 

Students are all smiles as they receive delicious plates of food. Photo by James Ortiz

GOZA by SOMOS had a large turnout. Photo by James Ortiz

Members of SOMOS serve students. Photo by James Ortiz

Dinner is served. Photo by James Ortiz

Live music by SOMOS members completed the evening’s festivities. Photo by James Ortiz

Realistic Advice for New College Students

Austin Price, Editor in Chief

The college journey is one of the most influential, substantial, and wonderful times of a person's life. However, it can also be one of the scariest, most intimidating, and overwhelming times of a person's life. And so, as I embark on my senior year of college at Regis, I come to you all with some pieces of advice that are realistic to achieve, and that will help you manage this new environment while keeping your sanity in check. So, let’s begin!  

Give Yourself Some Grace  

One of the most common mistakes I have made, and have seen other people make, is to punish yourself for making a human mistake. In case you don’t know it yet, you will oversleep and be late for class sometimes. You will bomb a test you thought you were prepared for. You will say the wrong answer in front of a class, and you will screw up. That is ok! I cannot emphasize enough how imperative it is to give yourself a break, grant yourself some grace, and understand that mistakes, accidents, and slip-ups are an unavoidable part of life. No one can treat you better than you treat yourself. So please, be kind to yourself and know that you’re only human and college is hard. You’re not expected to be perfect at it at any point, and certainly not in your first year.  

Don’t Overbuy on School Supplies  

I will admit that I am guilty of overconsuming unnecessary school supplies. My little elementary school self took full control during my freshmen year of college and spent an exorbitant amount of money on a ton of supplies I didn’t need and never used. Now that I’ve reigned in the shopping addict of my former self, my school supply budget stays under $20. For me, all I need for a new semester at college is a planner, a notebook, and a set of gel pens. This list is short and sweet and was formulated after my first 3 years of college where I lugged around an overflowing backpack with binders, stickers, and folders, all of which were unnecessary. So, I’m saving you all the time and money that I spent by advising you to shop small and shop smart when it comes to school supplies.  

 Be Selective in Your Extracurriculars  

College is a breeding ground for new clubs, electives, student organizations, volunteer projects, and social gatherings. While these opportunities are great, they can also be excessive and cause stress and burnout. I am warning you now that you will be bombarded at activity fairs and internship events with new opportunities and optional programs. While this can provide valuable experiences, it can also lead to students being peer pressured into excessive projects, overpowering the initial mission of pursuing higher education. With the immense potential in work-study possibilities and the social atmosphere from clubs and events, I recommend each college student only selects one or two extracurriculars to start. Remember, you can always add more extracurriculars to your schedule once you feel settled into your starting routine. If you start by commiting to too many extracurriculars at the start, you will feel too much pressure and be stretched too thin. As I said, college is hard, and to make it a bit easier, limit your number of responsibilities to start out. You can always add, but it’s hard to subtract.  

Invest in Reliable Technology  

A functional, reliable, and up-to-date piece of technology is an irreplaceable investment for college students. Most students choose either a laptop or a tablet to use for schoolwork, and this is an important part of college life. Most of your assignments are done electronically, and submitted electronically, so a functional piece of technology that can be used in any environment is an integral part of your successful college life. Be sure to have your chosen device updated and serviced before the start of the year and begin implementing an organizational system that will keep your files and electronic work separated appropriately. In addition to a laptop or tablet, investing in earbuds, headphones, or other hearing devices will provide enhanced focus for studying, and gives a clear sound for online tutorials, videos, or other learning materials.  

 Take Advantage of Your Resources  

Colleges and universities often offer a variety of resources for students. These include services such as mentoring, tutoring, and career counseling. Other amenities include medical care such as physical insurance, mental wellness, and emotional support. There are also material resources including school supplies, clothing, merchandise, and swag gear. I recommend you use these resources to their fullest extent. The real world outside of college doesn’t have the same catalog of easily accessible resources, and by using these resources while they’re in reach, you will be better prepared when you don’t have them in the future.  

And with that, I wish you all the best of luck in your first year of college. Please know that you’re not on this journey alone, and that you are allowed to make mistakes. You will be ok, you will get through this, and you will succeed.  

Pizza Picnic on the Quad

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer 

Earlier this season, Regis University and Brooklyn’s Finest Pizza combined to provide a pizza picnic on the quad. This picnic was open to all members of campus and was a delicious treat, complete with a sunny sky and warm temperatures. 

Students pick their pieces of pizza to enjoy. Photo by James Ortiz

The Regis community brings blankets to enjoy the summer sun while they eat. Photo by James Ortiz

Students enjoy a tasty treat. Photo by James Ortiz

Destino, A New Organization Coming to Regis

Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager 

Destino is a national Latino, non-denominational Christian organization that is a part of a larger national ministry known as Cru. As a campus ministry, Destino connects with college students to build community around a shared faith in God. While Destino is rooted in Hispanic identity and culture, it is open to people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and denominations and has a heart to help people learn about Christ and grow in their spiritual journey.

I had the opportunity to attend Destino’s annual conference this past January, and it was an incredible experience. I connected with many amazing people as we came together in a shared space to worship Christ. The conference was filled with fun, joy, meaningful learning, and—above all—God’s love. I truly enjoyed every moment and am already looking forward to going again next year!

Destino’s Mission and Values

Destino’s mission is to journey with students, faculty, and their communities to follow Jesus and fulfill their God-given destiny. Destino seeks to be a compassionate community committed to being: Culturally Connected, Academically Achieving, Financially Responsible, and Empowered Spiritually. These are known as Destino’s “C.A.F.E.” values.

Destino Nationwide

Currently, Destino is active on 40 college campuses across the U.S., including the Community College of Denver and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Excitingly, Destino is now in the process of becoming an official organization here at Regis University!

Destino’s Purpose at Regis

At Regis, Destino seeks to build a welcoming community grounded in fellowship, unity, diversity, and the love of God. This vision will come to life through weekly or monthly gatherings, Bible studies, retreats, conferences, and fun, food-filled events.

Destino’s ministry focuses on empowering student leaders, strengthening faith, celebrating cultural identity, and guiding others toward their God-given "Destino"—destiny.

Whether or not you identify as Hispanic, Destino could be the right space for you to grow spiritually and find community.

Destino is set to launch at Regis in Fall 2025. If you’re interested, keep an eye out for announcements and join the journey through Destino’s Instagram: @destinodenver. For more information, visit Destino.org.

Regis University Honors Día de los Muertos

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

On November 1st, Regis University hosted a celebration to recognize one of the most ancient feasts in the cultural life of Mexico: Día de los Muertos. The event took place on the Student Center Patio and was open to Regis students, faculty, staff, and the local community. The afternoon was complete with live music from Mariachi Regional de México, and a culturally significant craft with artist Mamibel (Maribel Arrendondo). 

A decorative arch welcomes students to the festivities. Photo by James Ortiz

Mariachi Regional de México performs live at Regis University. Photo by James Ortiz

Handmade shrines to honor those who have passed sit in the Student Center. Photo by James Ortiz

More shrines are honored in the Student Center. Photo by James Ortiz

Día de los Muertos decorations are displayed around the Student Center patio. Photo by James Ortiz

Regis University's Haunted History

Austin Price, Editor in Chief

It’s my favorite time of year. The leaves are falling, the air is blowing, and the skies are gray. Yes, that’s right everyone, it’s Spooky Season! Some of you might remember that last year, I brought you a special section of ghosts, ghouls, and all ghastly things. This was the Spooky Series. Because I had so much fun reading, research, and reporting on some of the most unhinged, unsettling, and overall insane Halloween content last year, I figured I’d continue the trend of scaring my parents and worrying my friends about my Halloween obsession. And so, it is with great excitement and misplaced enthusiasm that I introduce part two of my Spooky Series! We are kicking it off with a look into the legends and lore of our very own school, Regis University. I present to you Regis University’s Haunted History.  

Since my freshman year at Regis, I have heard the superstitions and secrets surrounding the so-called “hauntings” of this university. As we all know, gossip and the passing on of supposed true stories can be easily misconstrued. But we also know that journalism is mainly organized gossip, so I’ve dissected and evaluated the most popular spooky stories. Our story begins in the potentially the most recognizable and iconic piece of architecture on campus, the Main Hall.  

Main Hall’s Haunted Walls 

Main Hall is one of Regis’ biggest, and most famous buildings. With its orange bricks, iconic bell tower, and overall aura of “fancy university” Main Hall serves as a host for classes, office of several Regis leaders, and overall tourist trap for prospective students. However, despite its outward appearance, legend has it that Main Hall has a deeply disturbing secret hiding literally within its walls.  

According to old Regis records and archives from The Highlander, the spirits sleep in an abandoned storage room. While it seems to be an unthreatening, non-imposing space, a hidden storage room, buried deep in the crevices of this massive building, serves as storage for a wall of spirits. The storage room has cracks in the plaster sides that reveal a layer of brick walls and a line of tombstones of deceased Jesuits. 

While I personally have yet to experience this, past visitors to this unusual room have reported hearing loud humming sounds, with vibrations rattling the old pipes of the ancient building. Other reported physical sensations include excessive sweating, flushed faces, and tightened chests. As far as we know, this room is still accessible to the public, for those who dare to enter.  

 Creepiness in Carroll  

Now largely used as a host for faculty offices and conference spaces, Carroll Hall is said to house one spirit with an ax to grind. In the former student newspaper of Regis University, The Brown and Gold, the specific attack on a room in Carroll Hall is examined.  

According to The Brown and Gold, “the third-floor Language House in Carroll Hall was ransacked by someone or something that replaced furnishings with items one would associate with a scholar or scientist”. This room initially served as a study for Rev. Armand Forstall, S.J., who has since passed. Apparently, the good old reverend wasn’t so revered and rather, came back with a raging vendetta. The Brown and Gold reports that “In a letter that’s supposedly from the culprit, the ghost of the late Rev. Armand Forstall, S.J., claimed responsibility for the vandalism, saying ‘no one has the right to make a language lounge out of my study’.”  

Rev. Armand Forstall, S.J. was clearly very defensive of his research and his scientific findings. His haunting is believed to be related to his death in 1948, when his scientific work was lost. Rumor has it that the reverend won’t find peace until his work is found. Personally, I think this ghost needs to get over it. Times change, people change, uses for different rooms change, etc. But that’s just me. Good luck to all the faculty members in Carroll. Please be sure to save all research on Word, that way we don’t have another issue like this.  

 Jack and the Jesuits  

As a student who has witnessed a medical emergency take place and had to call for help on campus, this next story bothered me a bit more than the others. It’s no surprise that unexpected medical phenomena take place, and while we always hope for the best, sometimes an emergency response is not enough to save a person in distress. Unfortunately for a student named John J. “Jack” McDonnell, this situation became a grim reality.  

On a bright, seemingly normal May afternoon in 1900, former student Jack McDonnell walked out of his class in Main Hall and headed north across the campus towards what is now known as the gym. Throughout his afternoon stroll, Jack met a tragic fate when, just north of Main Hall, Jack collapsed. According to archives in the Dayton Memorial Library, attempts to save Jack’s life were valiantly carried out. “Distraught classmates rushed to his side and Rev. Modestus Izaguirre, S.J., who was nearby, knelt beside Jack, trying to revive him, but soon realized all he could do was offer absolution,”. 

According to the College Diary, Jack “died between the Main Hall and Gym at 3:20 p.m. The cause was a violent hemorrhage from the lungs. In five minutes, it was all over.”  Quickly thereafter, the school’s physician, Dr. James Devlin, arrived and promptly pronounced Jack dead at the scene. Dr. Devlin claimed that even if he had gotten there earlier, there was “simply nothing” he could have done to save the boy. After Jack’s death and following extensive investigation, the College Diary noted that he had “weak lungs,” and had been sick a month before his death.   

Two days later, on May 12, 1900, John J. “Jack” McDonnell became the first, and only, student to be buried in Regis’ cemetery. This cemetery was officially dubbed “Regis' Little Cemetery of the Jesuits” and is stationed east of where St. Peter Claver, S.J., Hall stands now. While he may be the only student buried there, Jack is certainly not alone in the ground on Regis campus. Regis’ Little Cemetery of the Jesuits is also the final resting place for 43 Jesuit priests. 

While none of the above stories have been officially proven real, meaning no professional paranormal investigation has ever been done on campus, I firmly believe that there are spirits with us at Regis. My belief stems from a deep connection to my Catholic faith, religious values, and overactive imagination. Now that you know the stories, I encourage you all to go to these places on campus and see what you experience. While none of these spirits are ever described as “evil” or “harmful” I still recommend bringing along some Holy Water, and a positive and respectful attitude. Curiosity is good, but when investigating such powerful stories, please, proceed with caution.