The Highlander

Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Spotlight

Media Credit: Brett Stakelin Denver's own "Flobots" performed at Ranger Day, capping off a week of great events with record-setting attendance.

In 1958, Regis' first "Regis Week" took place to mark the 70th anniversary of Regis College. This anniversary was recognized throughout the state of Colorado and Governor Stephen McNichols made an official observance day for Regis Week.

This past week, April 14-19, many students participated in Ranger Week activities, including hypnotist Jim Wand, who returned for his fifteenth performance at Regis. Over 500 students, faculty, and staff crowded into the dining hall on Wednesday night. The week also included a Power Puff Football game and dance at Jackson's Sports Bar on Monday, Ranger Idol on Tuesday, the First Annual Dance-Off on Thursday Night with single, couple, and group performances. Finally, on Saturday, Ranger Day was held on the "beach" behind O'Connell (name for the area that once surrounded a lake).



The tradition begins

The first Regis Week had a schedule of events very different from the present, as reported in the Brown and Gold (now known as the Highlander). The schedule of events involved a Regis Week Banquet, the blessings and dedication to new buildings of O'Connell Hall and the Student Center, and also a family dinner.

This first Regis Week was named a success and Regis College decided to embark on a new tradition.

A year later, in 1959, Regis College added Ranger Day. The first Ranger Day was held Sunday, May 3. The daylong event, from 12:30 p.m. through 11:00 p.m, provided students with indoor and outdoor entertainment at a very minimum cost. The Brown and Gold wrote that Ranger Day was "in no way designed to be a money-making venture."

The first scheduled Ranger Day had a variety of softball games, frisbees, hula hoops, auto destruction, egg-throwing, and a dance. In 1959, the college was still an all men's school, but that did not mean women weren't allowed to join in. The ladies of Loretto Heights College were often invited to participate.

In the 1960's, Ranger Week began to take on new meaning. "There exists a more pervasive meaning to each event during Regis Week and Ranger Day which must be kept in clear view,"reported the Brown and Gold. Regis Week and Ranger Day were established to affirm faith and to improve the facilities for greater service in the field of education.

Continued...

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