"St. Stephen the Witness has developed me, beyond my imagination, into the young adult I am today. It is integral rather than supplemental!" - Anonymous
"When I walked past St. Stephen the Witness for the first time during the first week of classes, I felt a welcoming hand that led me to this wonderful Student Center. Being a transfer student, it has been a great place to meet other people, grow in faith, and provide that stepping stone to branching out to see what UNI has to offer. St. Stephen the Witness is a place where we can have that sense of belonging because we know others are on the same path. It provides an opportunity to grow in relationships and faith." -Janelle Brehm, Student
"St. Stephen the Witness has re-awakened my faith and has made me want to learn more about it and spread it wherever I go. In high school, I just went through the motions, but through the friends I have gained at St. Stephen's, I've been more able to fully walk with Christ on this faith journey and with others. Though it may just seem like a simple student organization, The community that is here feels like a family and supports each other like a family." -Katherine Jamtgaard, Student
"I came to UNI as a freshman having been fairly involved in my home parish. I wanted to keep volunteering, and going to church every Sunday, but I really had no idea how much more St. Stephen was going to become to me. My roommate and I in our first semester decided to both take a self defense class at the WRC and join a Bible study at St. Stephen. They were right after each other, and it ended up that another girl was also in both of these. The three of us decided to go on Antioch together that October, and since then have been pretty much inseparable. My junior year, I was the social justice peer minister, and got to organize and participate in so many cool service and social justice opportunities. My faith and trust in God grew by leaps and bounds as I experienced new faith opportunities. I fell in love with taize prayer, and with social justice issues. I became very close to many other students at St. Stephen, and with the staff. We shared not only faith, but other things, like weird loves for squirrels. I always felt so incredibly comfortable and welcome at St. Stephen - I could be completely myself whenever I set foot in the building and know that no one was going to judge me. One of the hardest things about student teaching and graduating was having to go to church in a new place by myself, and leaving the St. Stephen community. But the coolest thing about St. Stephen is that you never really leave - through St. Stephen, I have connections to teachers across the state that I regularly talk to about my classroom. I have best friends that I talk to every single day and have been there for me through many things. There are so many people I've met through St. Stephen, I probably have someone I could call to ask about almost anything I wanted help with! And I know that any time I'm back in Cedar Falls, I'm going to walk into St. Stephen and get AT LEAST one excited yell of my name and a hug from someone. St. Stephen was my family away from home when I was at UNI, and still is, even two years after graduation." -Liz Mastalio, Alumni
"Throughout my freshman year at UNI, I was always aware of how St. Stephen the Witness is a very welcoming place of worship. It is a place where I met great friends, went on some exciting adventures with fellow peers - the spring break service trip to Kansas City and Antioch - and noticed plenty of smiling faces throughout my day not only at St. Stephen but also across campus. St. Stephen the Witness has a strong faith community, and if anyone questions that, tell them to come see how inspiring and powerful the "Our Father" is at Prime Time." -Megan McFadden, Student
"I have been away from the St. Stephen community for two years now, since I graduated. I still think of my time at UNI and being a part of the St. Stephen family often. UNI as a whole prepared me well for my future, but it was the Catholic student center and its amazing mission and community that bettered me spiritually. I am forever grateful to St. Stephen the Witness for preparing me for my life that lay before me as I stepped across the stage to receive my diploma. My parents, family, and parish back home did an amazing job of planting the seed of faith in me while growing up, but it was the Holy Spirit himself who led me to UNI and St. Stephen the Witness in order for me to really dig deeper into my faith, once I was on my own. Funny thing is: I didn't even want to go to college in the first place, but I made virtuous friendships that I still cherish today and will continue to. I was instantly eager to get involved in the MANY great things the student center had to offer, such as retreats, liturgical ministries, prayer opportunities, and serving others. I was inspired by men and women my age who were so faith-filled and in love with Jesus, especially through the Eucharist, that I had to have what they had. So I dug deeper into my faith, friendship, and love for Jesus Christ and others. It also takes a special, outgoing, committed, approachable, and perseverant person to lead the youth today, and that's what St. Stephen has - a great priest, Fr. Ken, and his amazing staff. I still happily reflect on my time at UNI and the student center. I am now a wife and mother to our son, Elijah. But, most importantly, I am, always have been, and always will be a child of God. I thank St. Stephen for encouraging me in my faith while I was there and for showing me how important and easy it is to continuously grow in love for our Lord every day." -Rachel Mueller (Anderson), Alumni
"Coming from a small town and school, college was a huge transition for me. I truly believe if it was not for St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, I would not currently be attending UNI. St. Stephen the Witness has given me a sense of community with doors wide open. I met so many great people and began forming relationships with others. Not only is it the relationship with others that makes St. Stephen the Witness a great place but also being able to focus on a relationship with God and to have others who are also focusing on that relationship. It is so great to know other people who are striving for something greater. It is a place to share God's love and help each other on that journey. St. Stephen the Witness has opened my eyes to God's love, and for that, I will be forever grateful." -Lydia Reding, Student
"St. Stephens truly was my home away from home. I went there between classes to eat lunch, a few times a week for different prayer experiences, and just to hang out! St. Stephen the Witness helped me feel accepted when I was a scared, terribly homesick freshman. I met some of my best friends there. The people who go to St. Stephens the Witness are truly one of a kind and all centered around faith. It is an exceptional place, and my college experience definitely changed for the better because of this Student Center and the people who work and attend events there." -Lauren Schmitt, Alumni
"A common perception of college is that students come primarily to obtain an academic degree. St. Stephen the Witness has challenged me to not only pursue that degree but also strengthen my faith journey amid the academic and social stresses associated with the college experience." -Jordan Sigwarth, Student
"St. Stephens is a huge part of my life, but I'm not referring to the building. I'm talking about the staff, community, friends, and opportunities for the growth in my faith that have influenced and continue to contribute to the person I am today. I honestly don't know where I'd be without the people and experiences I've had here. I'm constantly amazed at how great His plans are. It's another place to call home, and I couldn't be more grateful or proud to be a part of St. Stephen the Witness." -Abigail Stecker, Student
"When I walked past St. Stephen the Witness for the first time during the first week of classes, I felt a welcoming hand that led me to this wonderful Student Center. Being a transfer student, it has been a great place to meet other people, grow in faith, and provide that stepping stone to branching out to see what UNI has to offer. St. Stephen the Witness is a place where we can have that sense of belonging because we know others are on the same path. It provides an opportunity to grow in relationships and faith." -Janelle Brehm, Student
"St. Stephen the Witness has re-awakened my faith and has made me want to learn more about it and spread it wherever I go. In high school, I just went through the motions, but through the friends I have gained at St. Stephen's, I've been more able to fully walk with Christ on this faith journey and with others. Though it may just seem like a simple student organization, The community that is here feels like a family and supports each other like a family." -Katherine Jamtgaard, Student
"I came to UNI as a freshman having been fairly involved in my home parish. I wanted to keep volunteering, and going to church every Sunday, but I really had no idea how much more St. Stephen was going to become to me. My roommate and I in our first semester decided to both take a self defense class at the WRC and join a Bible study at St. Stephen. They were right after each other, and it ended up that another girl was also in both of these. The three of us decided to go on Antioch together that October, and since then have been pretty much inseparable. My junior year, I was the social justice peer minister, and got to organize and participate in so many cool service and social justice opportunities. My faith and trust in God grew by leaps and bounds as I experienced new faith opportunities. I fell in love with taize prayer, and with social justice issues. I became very close to many other students at St. Stephen, and with the staff. We shared not only faith, but other things, like weird loves for squirrels. I always felt so incredibly comfortable and welcome at St. Stephen - I could be completely myself whenever I set foot in the building and know that no one was going to judge me. One of the hardest things about student teaching and graduating was having to go to church in a new place by myself, and leaving the St. Stephen community. But the coolest thing about St. Stephen is that you never really leave - through St. Stephen, I have connections to teachers across the state that I regularly talk to about my classroom. I have best friends that I talk to every single day and have been there for me through many things. There are so many people I've met through St. Stephen, I probably have someone I could call to ask about almost anything I wanted help with! And I know that any time I'm back in Cedar Falls, I'm going to walk into St. Stephen and get AT LEAST one excited yell of my name and a hug from someone. St. Stephen was my family away from home when I was at UNI, and still is, even two years after graduation." -Liz Mastalio, Alumni
"Throughout my freshman year at UNI, I was always aware of how St. Stephen the Witness is a very welcoming place of worship. It is a place where I met great friends, went on some exciting adventures with fellow peers - the spring break service trip to Kansas City and Antioch - and noticed plenty of smiling faces throughout my day not only at St. Stephen but also across campus. St. Stephen the Witness has a strong faith community, and if anyone questions that, tell them to come see how inspiring and powerful the "Our Father" is at Prime Time." -Megan McFadden, Student
"I have been away from the St. Stephen community for two years now, since I graduated. I still think of my time at UNI and being a part of the St. Stephen family often. UNI as a whole prepared me well for my future, but it was the Catholic student center and its amazing mission and community that bettered me spiritually. I am forever grateful to St. Stephen the Witness for preparing me for my life that lay before me as I stepped across the stage to receive my diploma. My parents, family, and parish back home did an amazing job of planting the seed of faith in me while growing up, but it was the Holy Spirit himself who led me to UNI and St. Stephen the Witness in order for me to really dig deeper into my faith, once I was on my own. Funny thing is: I didn't even want to go to college in the first place, but I made virtuous friendships that I still cherish today and will continue to. I was instantly eager to get involved in the MANY great things the student center had to offer, such as retreats, liturgical ministries, prayer opportunities, and serving others. I was inspired by men and women my age who were so faith-filled and in love with Jesus, especially through the Eucharist, that I had to have what they had. So I dug deeper into my faith, friendship, and love for Jesus Christ and others. It also takes a special, outgoing, committed, approachable, and perseverant person to lead the youth today, and that's what St. Stephen has - a great priest, Fr. Ken, and his amazing staff. I still happily reflect on my time at UNI and the student center. I am now a wife and mother to our son, Elijah. But, most importantly, I am, always have been, and always will be a child of God. I thank St. Stephen for encouraging me in my faith while I was there and for showing me how important and easy it is to continuously grow in love for our Lord every day." -Rachel Mueller (Anderson), Alumni
"Coming from a small town and school, college was a huge transition for me. I truly believe if it was not for St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, I would not currently be attending UNI. St. Stephen the Witness has given me a sense of community with doors wide open. I met so many great people and began forming relationships with others. Not only is it the relationship with others that makes St. Stephen the Witness a great place but also being able to focus on a relationship with God and to have others who are also focusing on that relationship. It is so great to know other people who are striving for something greater. It is a place to share God's love and help each other on that journey. St. Stephen the Witness has opened my eyes to God's love, and for that, I will be forever grateful." -Lydia Reding, Student
"St. Stephens truly was my home away from home. I went there between classes to eat lunch, a few times a week for different prayer experiences, and just to hang out! St. Stephen the Witness helped me feel accepted when I was a scared, terribly homesick freshman. I met some of my best friends there. The people who go to St. Stephens the Witness are truly one of a kind and all centered around faith. It is an exceptional place, and my college experience definitely changed for the better because of this Student Center and the people who work and attend events there." -Lauren Schmitt, Alumni
"A common perception of college is that students come primarily to obtain an academic degree. St. Stephen the Witness has challenged me to not only pursue that degree but also strengthen my faith journey amid the academic and social stresses associated with the college experience." -Jordan Sigwarth, Student
"St. Stephens is a huge part of my life, but I'm not referring to the building. I'm talking about the staff, community, friends, and opportunities for the growth in my faith that have influenced and continue to contribute to the person I am today. I honestly don't know where I'd be without the people and experiences I've had here. I'm constantly amazed at how great His plans are. It's another place to call home, and I couldn't be more grateful or proud to be a part of St. Stephen the Witness." -Abigail Stecker, Student
