Trish McMahon '06 majored in English is is a reporter for the Ogdensburg Journal. She was editor of our student newspaper. "One of the first qualities I noticed about St. Lawrence was the friendliness of the staff and students." Let our location inspire you!

It Just Feels Right
By Trish McMahon ’06

“When I got to campus, it just felt right.” That’s how some students describe their feeling about their college campus.
So how does a campus “feel” right?  Judging by my time at St. Lawrence, that feeling has come from the campus community as well as the local community.

St. Lawrence is different from UCLA or NYU, and Canton is not comparable to Los Angeles or New York City.  That may seem obvious, but it’s important to keep in mind when thinking about the campus environment.  The dynamics of a small school, such as St. Lawrence, are unlike those of large universities.  And the village of Canton offers a different kind of community than you’ll find in a major metropolitan area.

For me, this is a good thing.

One of the first qualities I noticed about St. Lawrence was the friendliness of the staff and students.  The campus seemed to be the home of a strong community.  Part of this, I’ve come to realizes, stems from the facts of a relatively small student body and rural location – people can’t help but get to know one another.  When I visited while I was looking at colleges, people were always willing to talk about St. Lawrence and help with my questions.  The women I stayed with treated me just like any other student—not like a “prospective” who needed to be shown the school in some glorious light.  I even kept in contact with one of them and am now friends with her.

When people complain that Canton is sub-par to, say, New York City, I ask, “If you wanted to be in New York City, then why didn’t you go to school there?”  A movie theatre, restaurants, gift shops, coffee shops, and ice cream store are all within easy and safe walking distance from campus.  Hiking and fishing spots are nearby.  Drive to nearby Potsdam and you can see an Amish family selling crafts from the back of their buggy, two old railroad cabooses in people’s yards, and a herd of bison.  Try doing that in a big city!

The character of the St. Lawrence community and the Canton area makes the University very welcoming.  No place is perfect, but the “it feels right” sentiment I get here is what’s important to me.  You’ll know what I mean when you experience it.