With Halloween today, the air on campus has filled with excitement. However, the tension and fear grow stronger at Clarke University where the sounds of walking feet are heard, and sights of black shadows are identified. Stories of haunting experiences at Clarke have spiraled through community conversations, even possibly city conversations. Even if people take the stories lightly or truly feel fear, these experiences invite us to explore the mysteries of our surroundings and admire the shared haunted history that defines our university.
In the spirit of the holiday, an exploration to uncover the truth behind the eerie stories that have circulated amongst students and faculty has transpired. The Clarke history of hauntings has brought tremendous attention to the university’s dorm hall "Mary Fran", where residents have said they often feel as if they are being watched since 1924. After a nun hung herself, the hall’s fourth floor is supposedly possessed by her spirit along with the observation of the words “help me” etched into a window, according to a former student. Students have also believed to see Mary Frances Clarke as a dark figure near the chapel. The sights and hearings of these events have left students alarmed over the years.
Paranormal activity has been present not only in the Mary Frances Hall on campus but also in the Mary Benedict Hall, built in 1965. The rumors are haunting, and they are from a former student and the founding sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Residents of the third floor of Mary Ben in the past have declared that books and tickets were thrown off shelves and a concealed dark figure was seen. There were also strange occurrences of water running on its own at night. Even now, girls in the hall have reported that they experience an ominous feeling during silent alone hours with unusual sights and hearings.
In addition, our founder, Mary Frances Clarke, is buried in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa. The connection between the University and Mount Carmel also lies in the relationship between Clarke’s BVM sisters, which are administrative headquarters for the sisters of Charity and a living space for them and others. Moreover, Mount Carmel has a chilling history of hauntings at the location as well. It is a nunnery that has been around since the late 1800s. Because of the number of nuns that have lived at the location, it has delivered an overwhelming quantity of sisterly paranormal activity. The activity is present in the form of turning lights on and off, objects shifting around, and apparitions. The rumors also say Mount Carmel, unfortunately, encountered an awful fire where a room filled with students/children tolerated appalling destinies. Sometimes people allegedly can still hear their cries and screams in the cackles of the fire.
While all the rumors and tales have shaken the community, there is no clear evidence that demonstrates those stories to be true and it is important to listen to them with skepticism. During this season, the power of observation, felt with fear and vivid imagination, allows people to believe in paranormal experiences more than what it is. Many of these stories are rooted in a mix of historical events, rumored lore, and the natural creaks and sounds of old buildings that can easily be misunderstood in dark moments. While it is enjoyable to wallow in the spirit of the holiday and feel the thrill of haunted stories, it’s important to remember that many of these experiences and tales are just stories.
The history of Halloween dates back to 2000 years ago during an ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts were stationed mostly in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Northern France where they celebrated their new year on November 1. This was a signal that summer was final and only the start of dark, cold winters was upon the people; a time when human death was common. According to the Celtics, the line between the worlds of the living and the dead intersected with each other the night before the new year. Every year, they participated in the festival of Samhain on the night of October 31, when ghosts paid a visit to Earth. During this celebration, the Celtics started a tradition of wearing costumes to burn crops and sacrificial animals. They wore things like animal heads and skins, which is where the lore of dressing up for Halloween came from. While Halloween serves the purpose of celebrating the thrill of the supernatural, there is also a part of the holiday that honors the history and stories of those who came before us.