St. Mary's University

Search

Table of Contents

Tours

1. Campus Tour

   Take a virtual tour of the St. Mary's University campus.

   Stops

   1. Stop 1: St. Louis Hall and Memorial Plaza

      Before you begin exploring the St. Mary's University campus and culture, take a moment to watch the short video about what makes St. Mary's the place for you.

       

      Ready to start the tour?

      • St. Mary’s was founded in 1852 and is one of three Marianist universities in the U.S.; the Marianists (Society of Mary) is a Catholic order founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade.

        St. Mary’s follows the Characteristics of a Marianist Education. There is a timeline segment on this!

        • Educate for formation in faith
        • Provide an integral, quality education
        • Educate in the family spirit
        • Educate for service, justice and peace, and integrity of creation
        • Educate for adaptation and change
      • St. Mary’s was the first institution of higher learning in San Antonio and is the oldest Catholic University in the Southwest. 
      • The first building on campus, St. Louis Hall opened in 1894. Learn more University history from the timeline on the first floor.
      • St. Louis Hall is home to several administrative offices on campus, including the President’s Office, the Provost’s Office, Financial Aid, Registrar and the Business Office.
      • We have Texas’ only set of the renowned seven-volume Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition. One volume is always on display in St. Louis Hall.
      • President Winston Erevelle’s vision is for StMU to be one of the finest private universities in the region. Stop by his office on the first floor to say hello.
      • Tradition says students should not exit through the front doors of St. Louis Hall until after they graduate.
      • On the south end of St. Louis Hall, Memorial Plaza honors former students who died in wars and is a focal point of the University’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.
      • St. Mary’s was just the second Catholic college in the nation to add a military training unit — now called ROTC. Since 1932, 31 alumni have attained the rank of general or admiral.

   2. Stop 2: The School of Science, Engineering and Technology

      • The School of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) is housed in four buildings in this area: Garni Hall, Moody Life Sciences Center, Richter Math-Engineering Center and the Blank Shepard Innovation Center.
      • SET boasts state-of-the-art labs for engineering, robotics, biological sciences and even a wind tunnel. Students and faculty pair up for ground-breaking research, including work on diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes.
      • SET students do amazing internships, which have included spending the summer in Biosphere II, working at a federal lab to improve firefighter safety and searching for ways to expand the world's wireless capabilities.
      • The school’s alumni go on to amazing careers, including working on the Hubble telescope and Mission Control, leading the Center for the Intrepid, and being the team physician for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.
      • Our students are accepted to medical and dental schools at a higher rate than the national average.

       

   3. Stop 3: The Heart of Campus

      • Reinbolt Hall — the second-oldest campus building — is considered the spiritual center of campus. It is home to Assumption Chapel and is the future site of the University's Center for Catholic Studies.
      • Daily Mass is held in Assumption Chapel, where generations of alums have gotten married or baptized their children. With gorgeous stained glass windows and a breathtaking altar, this is a common spot for students to pause for prayer and contemplation.
      • Tucked behind Reinbolt and St. Louis Hall, the Quad is a frequent gathering space for students. In good weather, the nearby Amphitheater can become an outdoor classroom. 

       

   4. Stop 4: The Bell Tower and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

      • The Barrett Memorial Bell Tower is a common spot to meet up or a landmark for giving campus directions. (It's the tallest structure around.)
      • Marianist Three O'clock Prayers are held here, as well as ceremonies and social gatherings. On special occasions, the tower rings out the StMU alma mater, The Bells of St. Mary's. In the evenings, lights illuminate the blue glass at the top of the tower.
      • When the alma mater plays, it is tradition to point toward the Bell Tower from wherever you are on campus.
      • From the Bell Tower, you can see several buildings that house the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), including Reinbolt, Chaminade Tower and Charles Francis Hall, which is also where you find the Financial Assistance Office.
      • HSS is the largest school on campus and offers most of the courses that make up the St. Mary's Core Curriculum.
      • Cool HSS student internships have included studying whales and other marine mammals in Alaska, working in New York City on digital media and communication, and solving the mystery of an American pilot downed in France during World War II.
      • HSS alums go on to exciting careers, including starring in major motion pictures, serving as a national network sports commentator, working with civil rights organizations, and becoming the U.S. Director of National Intelligence.

   5. Stop 5: The University Center

      • The University Center, known as the UC, is a busy campus hub and home to 80-plus student organizations, the Dean of Students, The Rattler student newspaper and the University Bookstore.
      • There are venues for social activities and meetings, as well as events such as Battle of the Bands, Greek Rush and lectures from national and international speakers and thought leaders.
      • Dine at the Diamondback Café, home to internationally recognized chef Robert “The Omelet Man” Johnson, or grab a bite at Chick-fil-A.

   6. Stop 10: Blume Library and Alkek Plaza

      • The Louis J. Blume Library is home to much more than just books — although it has those covered as well. The Cotrell Learning Commons, on the first floor, is a hub of student activity for studying and socializing. It includes the technology help desk, space for group study, computers and Starbucks.
      • Ensuring academic success is a priority. On the third floor is the Learning Assistance Center, offering tutoring and academic skills development for undergrads. Just down the hall is the Graduate Center for Excellence, which provides technology and academic offerings targeted to graduate students’ success.
      • Near the Commons is a Student Lounge with TVs, video games and more, and The Pub at St. Mary’s where the campus community gathers for fellowship and fun. Outside the first level, students enjoy the Contreras Family Terrace where they study, relax, and hang out with friends.
      • Alkek Plaza is a new gathering spot on campus and is now the site of the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, which brings hundreds of students, employees and alumni together.
      • The Center for Life Directions, just to the side of the plaza, houses several important student services, such as University Ministry, career services and civic engagement.

       

   7. Stop 9: The Greehey School of Business

      • The Greehey School of Business, found within the Albert B. Alkek Business Building (9a), was endowed with a $25 million gift from alumnus Bill Greehey (B.B.A. ’60).
      • The school offers innovative programs, such as “Big Data” Accounting, Rattler Enterprises (a student-run business) and the Entrepreneurial Scholars Program.
      • Students manage a $1.7 million investment portfolio through classes that meet in the school’s trading room laboratory — one of the few in the nation — complete with stock tickers and Bloomberg terminals.
      • The Greehey Scholars Program offers full-tuition scholarships to exceptional business students with a penchant for servant leadership, and our 18-month, cohort-based MBA includes values labs that prepare students for leadership and success.
      • Alumni are military generals, corporate CEOs, public servants, entrepreneurs, small business owners and more.

       

   8. Stop 8: The School of Law

      • St. Mary’s School of Law, the only Catholic law school in Texas, is housed within several buildings: Sarita Kenedy East Law Library, the Law Classrooms Building, Raba Building and the Law Administration Building.
      • More than 500 living judges and elected officials are graduates of St. Mary’s, many from the School of Law. Our law alumni are federal and state legislators, mayors, government and civic leaders, and corporate and private practitioners.
      • The School of Law offers a 3+3 program where students can earn a bachelor’s and a law degree in six years.
      • Our law students practice in a real courtroom and participate on advocacy teams that are known for winning national competitions.
      • The law clinical programs are housed in the Center for Legal and Social Justice, 2507 NW 36th St., located less than one mile north of the main campus.

       

   9. Stop 11: Treadaway and Pecan Grove

      • Treadaway Hall is many things to many people: It’s home for students living in its “microlofts,” it’s a performance venue for students and faculty using the Recital Hall, and it’s a spiritual place for the many community members who come together inside Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel.
      • The Pecan Grove, an outdoor space and pavilion, is the starting point for many activities, including Continuing the Heritage Day of Service, the StMU 5K Run/Walk for the Neighborhood, and the Alumni Association’s annual Homecoming Oyster Bake.
      • It is also the heart of the Association’s annual Fiesta Oyster Bake — a huge music and food festival that is an official Fiesta Week event and a scholarship fundraiser.

       

   10. Stop 6: Living on Campus

       • Our 12 residence halls boast many amenities and options, such as living-and-learning communities based on academic or social interests.
       • Most are located on the far west corner of campus: Dougherty, Founders, Flores, Adele, Cremer, Leies, Donohoo, Frederick, Lourdes.
       • Three are located closer to the campus center: Marian Hall, Chaminade Hall and Treadaway Hall.

   11. Stop 7: The Park at St. Mary's

       • The Park at St. Mary’s is a collection of indoor and outdoor sports facilities that includes new and upgraded venues for athletes and fans. The cornerstone structure within the Park is the Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center, or AA&CC. In the AA&CC, fitness fans can enjoy a rock climbing wall, a natatorium, racquetball courts, a dance studio, the cardio and weight training room and a suspended track.
       • Bill Greehey Arena, a 3,800-seat arena, is home to men’s and women’s basketball, and volleyball. It is also the site of Commencement Exercises and campus-wide gatherings such as Academic Convocation.
       • Just west of the AA&CC lies the rest of The Park at St. Mary’s: eight tournament-quality tennis courts, a multiuse Flex Field, Dickson Baseball Stadium, the Softball Stadium, a FIFA-regulation-size soccer field, plus intramural fields.
       • StMU boasts robust campus rec programs, including intramurals in many sports. Students can also join the Rowdy Rattlers, a fun spirit group that energizes fans at varsity games. Rattler Madness kicks off the basketball season, and the Spring Fling Chili Cook-off opens spring sports.
       • Sports are about tradition, and winning is definitely a tradition at St. Mary’s. Varsity athletics boasts five national championships in basketball, softball, baseball and golf, plus an academic title.