OA - Summer 2024

Spring/Summer 2024/Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Magazine

ONYX Anneau SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Vol. 98

No. 3

Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98 Editor in Chief Vice President for Advancement BJ Riley ’16, ‘23G, ‘24G Editorial Director Associate Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Community Relations Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel ’21 Managing Editor Content Marketing Manager Kristy Fry Creative Director Director of Creative Services

Ph.D. COHORT PARTICIPATES IN RING DAY The first cohort of the Ph.D. in Global Leadership Program participated in Ring Day on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Pictured L to R, First Row: Jennie Mitchell, Ph.D., emerita professor; Second Row: Janet Clark, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; Kim LaComba, Ph.D., director of the Ph.D. in Global Leadership Program; Meredith Williams, ring recipient; Annie Kolb ‘18G, ring recipient; Christina Pearison ‘19, ‘20G, ring recipient; Kourtney Barrett, ring recipient; Third Row: Karen Dyer, ring recipient; Emilee Roberts ‘17G, ring recipient; Shelby Kuhlman ‘13, ring recipient; Rusty Tryon, DMin, director of the library and associate professor; Fourth Row: Doug Sperry, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Lisa Thatcher ‘17G, ring recipient; Ashley Hemrich, ring recipient; Fifth Row: Eric Hubbard, Ph.D., director of master’s programs in Business and Leadership; Trent Deckard, ring recipient.

CONTRIBUTORS Katie Wendorf ’24 Carol Schumacher Bicknell ’24G

CONTENTS

Kylie Pelfrey, an Equine ON THE COVER

2024 RING DAY 2

Interim President Brennan J. Randolph, MBA

Science major with a minor in Equine Breeding

Management from Greencastle, Indiana, kneels down to be face to-face with her new foal, “Hottie.” Pelfrey brought her horse, Rue, to campus for the breeding program. INSIDE EVERY ISSUE Woods Today..............................................1 Nota Bene.................................................21

EQUINE DEPARTMENT WELCOMES GROWTH 6

Please send correspondence to: Office of Advancement PO Box 70 Saint Mary of the Woods, IN 47876-0070 Phone: 812-535-5270 E-mail: alumni@smwc.edu © 2024 by Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information contained in this magazine is accurate.

REUNION 2024 16

CLASS NOTES NOW DIGITAL WITH UNLIMITED WORD COUNT CLICK HERE TO READ

THE WOODS TODAY

Home is not a place; it is a feeling. Since stepping on campus, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has done nothing less than provide a supportive atmosphere for me. From its beautiful campus to its deep-rooted community, this school is truly a hidden gem. I discovered the College in the fall of 2019 during my senior year of high school when the Hasten family recommended SMWC’s equine program to me. At that point in time, I had visited a handful of colleges, but not yet experienced that click or “feeling” that every high school senior hopes to have when they step onto a campus.

I fell in love with SMWC the second I arrived. During a campus tour, I was introduced to the head coach of the SMWC equestrian team and one of the professors of the equine department. She talked to me about the wide range of opportunities offered by the program and equestrian team. Her words alone made me realize that this was the place I needed to be. I submitted riding videos for potential scholarships and in April of 2020, I received an exciting email offering me an athletic scholarship and position on the SMWC hunt seat equestrian team.

My Woods experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. The last four years at SMWC have been full of unforgettable memories and valuable lessons. The amount of experience I have gained from the equine program is immeasurable. My curriculum, while focused on equine science, was well rounded and applied to several aspects of the equine industry. On top of this, the equine faculty was always dedicated to student’s success and kept us involved! My favorite experience at The Woods was being a member of the equestrian team. Through teammates, ownership and gratitude, the equestrian team has been the backbone of my college career. Not only have I grown so much as a horseman, I have also gained lifelong friendships and valuable skills that I know will be vital in my future endeavors. Additionally, the team provided several leadership opportunities that allowed me to use what I learned and guide others on their path to success. A highlight of my college career was being captain of the hunt seat equestrian team for the 2023-24 year. My experience at The Woods has been so amazing that I am continuing my education here and pursuing my master’s degree in Equine Science.

After looking at other programs, SMWC fit all of my requirements and provides many opportunities of interest. The master’s program also allows me to learn more about coaching and instruction providing an even more well-rounded education in this industry and broadening my options for future careers! Anyone debating on coming to The

Woods should pursue their education here, especially if you want to make lifelong relationships and get involved. The community truly has so much to offer!

Katie — Katie Wendorf ‘24 Equine Science Graduate Student Arlington Heights, Illinois

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2024 RING DAY Grow your roots, Extend your branches.

With a record 147 ring recipients, SMWC held two ring ceremonies in the Harvey Auditorium in the Conservatory of Music on Saturday, April 13, for Ring Day 2024. The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Grow your roots, Extend your branches.” The theme symbolizes the growth each recipient made during their time at the college and gives hope for each students continued growth beyond SMWC. Trustee Emerita, Barbara Brugnaux ’70, gave the reflection and said to the Woods Ring recipients, “When you put your ring on your finger today, its weight will surprise you. You get accustomed to it very quickly, and soon — if you are not wearing your ring — you will miss that reassuring comfort. Your ring is a tangible reminder of your connections and your roots to this place and to each other. Just as we all experienced that first Avenue moment (and I still do every time I come to campus), wearing a Woods Ring brings with it a reminder of good times, hard times, respect and love. Each of you has faced your own challenges in reaching this achievement, each of you in your special way, has earned the privilege of receiving a Woods Ring. You may have thought at some point, ‘I cannot do this, I cannot read one more book, or do one more equation or write one more research paper,’ but you did. Remember Eleanor Roosevelt’s words…. ‘You must do things you think you cannot do.’” The 2024 ceremony marked the 102nd year of the College’s iconic symbol of academic success. Hope McGuire, Junior class president, shared that their class was honored to hold such a significant role in the tradition. “It has been exciting to see the growth at The Woods, which resulted in a record number of rings being distributed this year. Being a part of the very first Ring Ceremony in the historic Harvey Auditorium made for a great experience to celebrate the day with our friends and family,” McGuire said.

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2024 RING DAY

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Equine Department Welcomes Growth

When someone asks, “What’s new in the Equine Department at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College?,” answers will include new majors and minors, renovations in the equine center (indoor arena), upgrades to the barn and new state-of-the-art equipment in the classroom. And now, all of those answers are superseded by the answer “Hottie.” That is the name of the foal born from a student’s horse, Rue. Hottie is the living result of the minor in Breeding Management added to Equine Studies in August 2023. When Ed Ferguson, Ph.D., chair of the equine studies department, came to SMWC, he realized that there was a need for horse breeders and horse farm managers in Indiana. Building upon the curriculum that already had equine nutrition and other equine science classes, he added courses to concentrate on breeding. “We added Endocrinology,

or how the hormones work, and then Reproductive Physiology, which is how the reproductive system works. Then, they will take an Artificial Insemination class and learn to inseminate the mares and how to ultrasound them in the Equine Reproduction class.” During the fall term, Rue was inseminated in class and monitored with ultrasound during her pregnancy. “The Mare and Foal Management class I taught in the spring went perfectly because the foal was born in the middle of the class.” From conception to birth, the students had a hands-on experience! According to Ferguson, SMWC’s unparalleled hands-on learning experience sets the program apart. He believes this gives students a significant edge over their peers in other undergraduate programs nationwide. Combining theoretical and practical experience can benefit students when entering the workforce

or pursuing more education. In the new academic year, Ferguson plans to breed three to six mares, allowing students to perform the inseminations. He also intends to demonstrate embryo transfer. This hands-on exposure to Assisted Reproductive Technology equips students with practical skills before entering the industry, instilling confidence in their abilities and readiness for their future careers. The introduction of Equine Pre vet Science in the Fall of 2023 immediately pushed it to the largest equine major in the department. “It has helped us attract more students than we would get without creating the major. Being able to offer a pure pre-vet has been tremendous for our recruiting,” Ferguson said. The combination of standard pre-vet classes at other colleges is combined with barn management classes and riding classes that are unique to a

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By BJ Riley ‘16, ‘23G, ‘24G Associate Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Community Relations

college with its stables on campus. Students also learn how to restrain and handle horses and therapeutic techniques like wrapping legs because the horses are on campus. This fall, the newly added Master of Science in Equine Science program with concentrations in equine coaching and instruction, thesis in equine science and non-thesis in equine science will be introduced. The concentration in coaching and instruction is about the critiquing of equine riding and how to coach a rider to be more competitive. The thesis concentration will require the students to do a research project and write a thesis and will be designed for people who want to teach at colleges, go on to get their Ph.D. or are waiting to get into veterinarian school. The non thesis option is designed for people such as agriculture extension agents who need continuing education.

They can take graduate-level equine classes to help serve their county that has kids in 4-H who are interested in horses. Additionally, the College will offer an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Racetrack Management through Woods Online in August. The program is designed to provide students with a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The Equine Racetrack Management A.S. degree program equips graduates with the expertise needed to excel in various roles within the racing industry, including racetrack management, event coordination, facility maintenance and more. The course is designed by and will be taught by racetrack professionals with backgrounds in the racehorse industry. Ferguson expects around 50 students to be enrolled in the Equine Department when classes start in

August, more than doubling the 17 equine students he had when he began at The Woods in August 2021. His enthusiasm for horses and learning is contagious, and it is obvious that students are the beneficiaries. His vision for the Equine Department is taking shape, and the results are tangible and inspiring, as is watching the young foal Hottie run alongside her mother, Rue.

Top Left: Ed Ferguson, Ph.D., chair of the equine studies department with Rue and new foal, Hottie. Right: Students participate in performing an ultrasound on one of the horses in the equine facility lab.

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GO POMEROYS! M O !

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SMWC Athletic Review 2023-24 By Kevin Lanke, Associate Vice President for Athletics

The third NAIA year for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College included history making success, as the Pomeroy athletic teams continue to enhance their reputation on a national level. The men’s basketball team provided the most media coverage and its first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament. The Pomeroys set a school record with 25

The second-year sprint football program also enjoyed significant success under head coach Blaine Powell. The Pomeroys hosted the Midwest Sprint Football League (MSFL) championship game for the first time after winning a share of the regular season title. The team reached the MSFL

women’s golf team came home third at the RSC Championships, highlighted by a 4th-place finish from Renae Jaeger. The men’s volleyball team compiled a winning record in just its second season as a varsity sport, finishing 17-15 overall. Men’s volleyball will join the remaining NAIA sports team by competing in the River States Conference starting in 2024 25, increasing the chances of even more program success. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College student-athletes also continued to enjoy success in the classroom as well as the playing field. Members of the women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s golf, women’s soccer, softball, men’s track and field, women’s track and field, men’s volleyball and women’s volleyball team were each crowned Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators. A total of 48 student-athletes also earned NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete honors for having grade point averages of 3.50 or above and completing varsity participation status in their sport. The future of SMWC athletics continues to shine brightly with two facility improvements that took place due to external grants. A locker room complex has been installed at the outdoor sports complex, providing lockers and changing rooms for the soccer, softball and sprint football teams. The equestrian facility has also undergone external classroom renovations. Both projects were completed without spending SMWC funds, ensuring strong competition opportunities for these students in the future. We look forward to the continued support of SMWC student-athletes, families, friends, alumni and fans as we look to achieve more excellence on the field and in the classroom during the 2024-25 academic year! Left: Molly Coomer, SMTG Scholar, a junior nursing major and cheerleader with Onyx.

Kevin Lanke

championship game with a 23-13 win over Quincy on November 11, before falling to Calumet St. Joseph in the title game that featured a program record of nearly 1,000 fans watching the matchup at West Vigo High School. Individual sports were led by standout Krislynn Bailey, who finished 11th in the women’s pole vault at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships and added a 20th place finish at the NAIA Outdoor Championships. The women’s volleyball team also hosted RSC Tournament action for the first time in program history after a school record 28-7 season under third-year coach Ashley Harris. The team’s 14-5 record and fourth place finish in the RSC standings also marked NAIA school record performances. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College also sent the softball and women’s soccer teams into RSC postseason tournament play. The softball team reached the 30-win mark for the third straight year, led by all-region honoree Lyric Krause. The women’s soccer squad finished 4-3-3 in league play, allowing just 10 goals in 10 regular season matches. An early highlight of the upcoming 2024-25 season will be the women’s soccer team traveling to Indiana State to open both team’s season on August 15. The women’s golf and men’s volleyball programs also enjoyed extremely successful seasons. The

wins, led by NAIA All-American and River States Conference (RSC) Player of the Year, Cobie Barnes. First-year head coach Jesse McClung was named RSC Coach of the Year after inheriting a roster of six players in June, recruiting a strong roster for the 2023-24 season, then leading the team to a 17-1 record in conference play. The season included an opening night game against crosstown NCAA Division I Indiana State University, propelling the Sycamores and Pomeroys to historic seasons. The women’s basketball team also enjoyed success with an 18-11 record under second-year head coach Terry Bowe for the program’s most wins in a season since 2013. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted RSC Tournament games, marking the first time SMWC competed in on campus postseason basketball action. Outside of basketball, the SMWC equestrian teams enjoyed arguably the most successful season in program history under eighth-year head coach Tabatha Taylor. The Western team finished 9th at the IHSA National Championships at Tryon, North Carolina, in May, while the Hunt Seat team brought home a 10th-place national finish. This marked the first time that both SMWC equestrian teams finished in the top 10 nationally, and SMWC was the only college to place both of its teams in the national top 10.

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321 Graduates Turn Their T Saint Mary-of-th

With the conclusion of two more commencement ceremonies, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) welcomed 321 graduates from the Class of 2024 to join thousands of alumni on Saturday, May 13. Interim President Brennan J. Randolph, MBA, welcomed graduates and their loved ones. “As Interim President of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to these ceremonies and open the College’s 190th Commencement,” Randolph said. Commencement speakers were students selected by a committee from nominations by students, faculty, staff and the student body. Nominees had a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, among other criteria requirements. Polet Horsley Horton, from Terre Haute, Indiana, who received degrees in nursing and kinesiology, addressed her peers during the morning ceremony honoring campus undergraduates with words of encouragement. “Although we share this special moment together, each one of us has unique backgrounds, gifts and qualities, creating new legacies to inspire us and the people around us as we go into this new chapter of our lives. Each one of us has created a legacy, whether we know it or not, that inspires future generations among families, friends or even ourselves as we take a new road of our own legacy story,” she shared.

In the afternoon ceremony, online and graduate students reflected on inspiring words shared by Elizabeth Hein, ’21, ’22G,’ 23G, of Rockville, Indiana and a graduate from the first Master of Business Administration (MBA) cohort, who is also a Woods Online graduate with two master’s degrees in Leadership Development and Healthcare Administration. “The world to you is different than the world

of the person sitting next to you. We have made it to the top of our first mountain. I encourage each of you to pause, look around and admire

the beauty that comes from achieving this milestone,” Hein said.

Woods Online graduate Catelyn Blackman earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Hometown: Carlisbad, California

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Tassels and Become he-Woods College Alumni

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Award winners were recognized during the ceremonies. The Alumni Leadership and Service Award recognizes a graduate who demonstrated outstanding leadership and service during their time at SMWC. Katrina Strow, from Paris, Illinois, received the Undergraduate Alumni Leadership and Service Award and Kirby Gilliam, from Anderson, Indiana, received the Graduate Alumni Leadership and Service Award. The Maud Helm Rockwell Medal for Academic Excellence is awarded to a graduate of the campus-based program and a graduate of the Woods Online program with the highest academic grade point average. Medals were awarded to Sara Allard of Brazil, Indiana, Graycee Ansari of Peru, Indiana, Julian Green of Lancaster, California and Bailey Thompson of Crawfordsville, Indiana, in the campus ceremony, and to Jeannie

Owsley of Howe, Indiana and Stephanie Potts of West Lebanon, Indiana, in the Woods Online ceremony. During the morning ceremony, Interim President Randolph presented

The Distinguished Alumni Award to Barbara Brugnaux ’70. (See full story on page 14.) A baccalaureate liturgy was held on campus in The Church of Immaculate Conception between both ceremonies. All graduates, families and friends were invited to celebrate Mass.

Campus graduate Brittany Peacock earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

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Distinguished Alumni Award 2024 Recipient Barbara L. Brugnaux ’70 and Interim President Brennan J. Randolph, MBA, at the Commencement Ceremony.

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The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA) was presented during the 190th Commencement Ceremony this past May. The 2024 recipient, Barbara L. Brugnaux ’70, joins other DAA winners such as Jean Wilkowski ’41, Barbara Doherty, SP, ’53, Dorothy Weinz Jerse ’75, and the most recent honoree in 2022, Dr. Sharon Harley ’69. Brugnaux’s journey is courageous and compassionate while exhibiting inspirational leadership and service in her groundbreaking accomplishments. She has left an indelible mark on both the community and her alma mater. She came to SMWC from Youngstown, Ohio, choosing The Woods because it was the only Catholic women’s college east of the Mississippi to offer a journalism major. After earning her degree, she began her career as a reporter for the Terre Haute Tribune, entering a field dominated by men. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University in 1974. She went on to earn her law degree from Indiana University and was admitted to practice law in 1985. Brugnaux was in private practice for nearly a decade, with seven of those years serving as a deputy prosecutor. In 1994, she became the first woman appointed to a Vigo County court; in 1996, she became the first woman elected to a Vigo County court. She established the Vigo County Drug Court in 1996, only the second program of its kind in Indiana and among 150 nationwide. The court offers nonviolent offenders who are battling substance abuse the opportunity to engage in intense treatment and avoid criminal convictions. Her advocacy for women’s rights

and social justice has been a beacon of hope and inspiration with such nonprofits as 100 Women Who Care of Vigo County, Council on Domestic Abuse, Covered Bridge Girl Scout Council, TREES Inc., and Wabash Valley Master Gardeners Association. A frequent speaker on substance abuse and criminal justice issues

Following two elected terms as a superior court judge, Brugnaux continued to serve the community as a senior judge throughout a seven county area until 2022. Brugnaux has been active with the College since graduation. She has served in a variety of roles including professor of journalism, director of public relations and in recent years, volunteered in the office of advancement. She served on the Alumni Board of Directors and remains an active member of the Terre Haute Alumni Club. In 2022, she retired from 11 years of service on the SMWC Board of Trustees, the last two as chair of the board. Her tenure on the board included the decision to become coeducational in 2015, and, as chair, she helped guide the institution through significant growth and the construction of Les Bois Hall. During Ring Day’s keynote address in April, she told recipients, “Whatever may happen in your lives, now that you have achieved this milestone and have earned the privilege of receiving your Woods ring, never lose your sense of curiosity and your commitment to make your corner of the world a better place. If you do that, you will continue to sow the seed Mother Theodore first planted here in 1840, and your roots will remain firmly planted at The Woods; you will continue her legacy, which becomes our legacy, and your branches will grow and strengthen.” Brugnaux’s accomplishments are only outweighed by her passion for The Woods. Her life is characterized by a legacy of success and her unwavering dedication to improving the world, one person and one interaction at a time.

Distinguished

Alumni

Award

Presented to

Barbara L. Brugnaux ’70

at state and national conferences, seminars, area services clubs and bar associations, Brugnaux has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Public Servant of the Year from the Wabash Valley Labor Council, the League of Women Voters Make Democracy Work award, the Harry S. Truman award and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Cardinal Mooney High School, among others.

By Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98, Vice President for Advancement

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REUNION 2024

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Leading a legacy to serve others and make a difference

By Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel, ‘21 Content Marketing Manager

A s an institution born in sacrifice from the beginning of its time, Saint Mary-of-the Woods College has persevered and inspired thousands of alumni to make a difference in their communities through leadership, service and walking in the steps of foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. During Reunion 2024, three graduates of SMWC were honored with prestigious alumni awards by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Each awardee has embarked on an admirable journey after graduating from The Woods.

Award Winners From Reunion 2024

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Award The Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Award is presented to an alum who embodies the spirit and virtue of SMWC’s foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. As a Sister of Providence and educator, Rosemary Nudd, SP, ’69, Ph.D. faithfully demonstrates devotion through her work, with her community and to her students. Much like our beloved mother, foundress and saint, Sister Rosemary has made the Providence of God tangible to many. As a child, the Sisters of Providence at Saint Joseph’s Elementary in Downers Grove made a great impression on her. She arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for boarding where she honed her writing skills and love for literature. While in formation, she attended SMWC and devoted her time and talents to publishing pieces in the Aurora, singing in the Sister’s Choir and serving as a catechist. She was called to teach and after only a few years she was off to Nashville where she earned a master’s degree in 1976 from George Peabody College for Teachers. Then, with a teaching fellowship at Vanderbilt University, she earned her Ph.D. in 1983. She returned home in 1981 to complete her dissertation while teaching at SMWC, which became the beginning of a more than a thirty-year career she dedicated to teaching Woods students. One of her greatest legacies at the College is a result of her sabbatical research that introduced service learning to The Woods. Sister Rosemary was integral in the creation of what has evolved to today’s values-based education model infusing spirituality, social justice, sustainability and gender equity in the curriculum–our Woods Core. Retirement did anything but slow her down. She shaped the “Journey with A Saint” for visitors, not only as a passionate docent, but as the author of the storyline that wraps the walls of our Saint’s shrine. Her work created a path inspiring others to know God’s Providence by following the footsteps of Saint Mother Theodore, much like Sister Rosemary has followed throughout her life.

Rosemary Nudd, SP, ’69, Ph.D.

The G.O.L.D.E.N. Oak Award The G.O.L.D.E.N. Oak Award recognizes professional achievement, service and outstanding personal characteristics. Sydney Wilderman ’17, D.O., embodies the spirit of what it means to be a charismatic leader. She strives to be a caring and compassionate healthcare provider. She consistently puts others first, not only through her patient-centered approach to osteopathic medical care but also in her day-to-day life. In 2020, she obtained her Master of Science in Biomedicine and recently obtained her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, both from Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. While attending The Woods, Sydney participated in various clubs and organizations, including the western equestrian team. Additionally, she was the 2016 recipient of the Dr. Theresa L. Gioannini Memorial Endowment for Women in Science and performed research at the University of Iowa. As an alum, Sydney stays connected with her former western equestrian teammates by attending virtual weekly workouts. She also volunteers at Seton Harvest, which provides locally grown food to people in need, and has inspired several alumni to volunteer with her.

Kymberli Payonk ’86

Frances Murphy Rumely Award The Frances Murphy Rumely award is presented to an alum who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to leadership within civic, religious or educational organizations. Kymberli Payonk ’86 has long been considered by her peers as someone who exudes the passion and compassion needed to make a positive impact wherever she goes. While a student at SMWC, Kymberli took advantage of every academic and self development opportunity to grow as a lifelong learner and leader. She was very involved during her time at The Woods and held several student leadership positions, including serving as Junior Class Treasurer and served as an eucharistic minister. Kymberli graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 1986, second in her class with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. Kymberli has always had a passion for giving back and volunteering. In addition to volunteering with community organizations and programs, such as Reading Neighbors and Real Men Read, she also volunteers in the NICU at Union Hospital. One can hardly look around the SMWC Campus without seeing Kymberli’s loving handprint. Having served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, she chaired the Celebrating Service Committee and still manages the Celebrating Service Facebook group, which shines a light on all the good work SMWC alumni are doing worldwide. Her outstanding dedication and leadership have been achieved through elevating others. Her genuine desire for goodness and spirited love and support for SMWC make her a deserving award recipient.

Sydney Wilderman ’17, D.O.

SMWC CAREER CENTER AND ASCEND INDIANA PARTNERSHIP EMPOWERS WOODS STUDENTS

By Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel, ‘21, Content Marketing Manager

For nearly two centuries, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) has continued to inspire students to engage and embrace realistic, experiential learning. From completing hands-on projects to conducting research for non-profit organizations, studies, and causes, Woods students have made an impact on several fields of study. One significant way that Woods students are gaining real-world experience is through internships. In the early 2000s, SMWC received a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish a Career Center. Since then, students have been mentored and received support through résumé and cover letter reviews, honing of interview skills and assistance in job searches. In spring 2024, SMWC partnered with Ascend Indiana to connect more students to good and promising career opportunities in Indiana. Through the Ascend Network, the initiative’s online job matching platform, SMWC students can connect with Indiana jobs and internships that match their skill sets and interests and receive increased one-on-one career guidance and job search support. In addition, this partnership provides Indiana’s leading employers with a unique platform for hiring SMWC students. “Ascend has been a great addition to the College. Not only are they taking time to meet with students to assist in their professional searches, but they’re showing them what Indiana has to offer to keep their learning experience through internships or their first job out of college within the Hoosier lines. With

such an extensive network available, it elevates the College’s ability to provide connections to students and graduates for internships and job opportunities,” said Martha Reed, director of the career center. In addition to the components of helping students build skills in “Then, I’ll remind them that I only helped them find what was already within them, and that’s why we do what we do here.”

find their vocation,” Reed said. Reed also explained that it’s her own mission to make sure students start their internship search early. As Reed has been a part of several student success stories, she shared that Bailey Thompson Long ’24, from Crawfordsville, Indiana, was a perfect example of how an internship can benefit a Woods student. During the summer between Long’s junior and senior year at The Woods, she completed an internship as a marketing intern with WalkerHughes Insurance. During her internship experience, Bailey shared, “I wanted to do an internship to gain more experience in the marketing field and work on a team with others. I loved my time at WalkerHughes as an intern and met the best people in the process.” Projects for Long included completing a social media audit, creating content in InDesign and making a content calendar for the company. Her work as an intern paid off as she was offered a full-time position upon graduating from The Woods. Bailey now serves as social media coordinator at WalkerHughes Insurance. For the summer of 2024, there are several students completing internships. “In the end, the journey begins by helping students believe in who they are and their capabilities. Many times, students don’t understand that they already have it in them, but they’ll tell me how much we helped them succeed. Then, I’ll remind them that I only helped them find what was already within them, and that’s why we do what we do here,” Reed concluded.

Martha Reed, SMWC Director of the Career Center

professionalism, Reed shared that it’s all about setting students up for success at The Woods and after graduation. “Students don’t always realize that they need real-world experience, but then they discover that they’ve taken knowledge gained in the classroom and turned it into hands-on learning. Once in a great while, a student will do an internship and realize that their original field of interest isn’t for them – that’s where we come in, more to guide them as they

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Patricia Hoffman Tummey ’51 : March 31, 2024. Sister of Jacquelyn Hoffman, SP ’53 (deceased). ALUMNI NOTA BENE MARRIAGES

Juanita Garcia-Maldonado Sayres ’65 : April 28, 2024.

Ian McIntyre ’18 was married to Delaney Kendall McIntyre ’21 on May 11, 2024.

Laurette Bellamy, SP, ’52 : February 9, 2024.

Patricia Wedlock ’67 : February 11, 2024.

Catherine Burns Foster ’52 : March 9, 2024.

Kathleen Gundy Rayburn ’69 : March 10, 2024. Daughter of Joanne Brown Gundy ’46 (deceased).

Mannah Mace ’20 was married to Brady Timberland on March 16, 2024.

Mary Ann Burke Krach ’54 : March 25, 2024. Sister of Margaret Burke Nolan ’50 (deceased). Cousin of Mary Elizabeth McGrath ’65 . Mary Catherine Miller ’58 . May 2, 2024. Sister of Mary Ann Miller Cosgrove ’61 (deceased) and Mary Elizabeth Miller Cowden ’62 . Mary Kathleen Fleming ’61 : April 29, 2024. Cousin of Anne Nohl Traub ’76 . Rosemary Eyler, SP, ’63 : March 30, 2024. Sister of Margaret McCafferty, LMHC ’87 . Nancy Van Uum Langworthy ’63 : February 27, 2024. Mother of Sharon Langworthy DesHotels ’90 . Sister of Susan Van Uum Perozek ’65 (deceased), Sheila Van Uum Campbell ’68 and Michele Van Uum Neaderhiser ’71 . Elizabeth Vessels Ayers ’60 : March 1, 2024.

Elizabeth Lettelleir Erath ’70 : February 23, 2024.

Carol Schumacher Bicknell ’24G was married to Tyler Bicknell on May 4, 2024.

Violeta Bingelis Kaselionis ’70 : October 27, 2022.

BIRTHS

Claudette Lewis ’73 : December 20, 2023.

Alexis Rusch ’08 and Graceyn - twins, Eldon Jerome and Ella Jean - March 7, 2024. Katrina Dayhuff Stantz ’18 and Will - girl, Emma - May 16, 2024. Jessica Bicknell Crawford ’19G and Cameron - girl, Elizabeth Danielle - February 14, 2024. Madison Stuck ’20 and Parker Nuest Stuck ’21 - boy, Theo Kaladin - February 10, 2024.

Lily Yau Wong ’74 : September 30, 2019.

Joann Van-Horn Wieland ’75 : February 13, 2024. Daughter of Kathryn Van Horn ’77 (deceased). Mary Kay Thomas Flynn ’76 : May 28, 2024. Daughter of Joan Stubbing Thomas ’49 (deceased). Sister of Anne Thomas Fifarek ’81 and Margaret Thomas Walsh ’81 . Cousin of Rita Klein Eggert ’49 (deceased) and Barbara Eggert Maloney ’78 .

Margaret Kudrna Hicks ’76 : May 8, 2024.

DEATHS

Brigida Battiata Anthony ’78 : April 12, 2024.

Michael Sermersheim: February 6, 2024. Husband of Patricia Hannan Sermersheim ’49 (deceased). Trustee Emeritus.

Clelia Cecchetti, SP, ’64 : February 3, 2024.

Tina Slapar Jernigan ’80 : March 19, 2024.

Lillian Sasse Loveall ’64 : May 21, 2024.

Martha Bertke Siegrist ’81 : April 28, 2024.

Geraldine Cady O’Laughlin ’41 : March 19, 2024.

Grace Marie Meehan, SP, ’64 : March 2, 2024.

Margaret Mathewson, CBS, ’90 : April 14, 2024.

Christine Sposato ’44 : February 9, 2024.

Phyllis Bowling ’96G : February 15, 2024.

Julia Rooney Ladner ’51, ’89G : March 7, 2024.

CLASS NOTES ARE NOW DIGITAL AND UNLIMITED IN WORD COUNT! Thank you to all of the Class Secretaries who continue to keep their classmates connected and compile the notes.

READ CLASS NOTES CLICK HERE

JOIN US AT THE WOODS HOMECOMING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024

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