Katie Diary: Reflections of St. 做厙輦⑹ identity

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It is an iconic piece of campus, and one of the first sights upon entering historic Derham Hall: this year marks 95 years since the installation of the exquisite gilded mirror that has become instantly recognizable to Katies throughout the decades.

The French Mirror, so called by Sister Helen Margaret Peck 24, PhD, in her history of the University, was donated to the school in 1928 by Eugene McCahill, St. Kates trustee from 19381961 and 1968 recipient of an honorary degree. The McCahill familys rich legacy with the University spans St. Kates history, with relatives who became our first lay trustee (Eugenes mother, Mary Rahilly McCahill, in 1919), an alumna (his sister, Mary Eleanor McCahill Denny 26), and a trustee emeritus (his nephew and Mary Eleanors son, Charles Denny, Jr.).

Gold Mirror

Photo by Rebecca Zenefski Slater 10

For almost a century, students have paused before the mirror to touch up their hair before a party, straighten their caps while lining up for graduation ceremonies, and, more recently, take selfies to celebrate moments large and small. Whether in 1959 or now, whether we are hurrying past on our way to class or lingering to admire its craftmanship, the French Mirror remains a constant in the St. Kates experience