ONYX ANNEAU - FALL 2025

FALL 2025/Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Magazine

2025 Move-In President Brennan J. Randolph and the Admissions Team

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES 2025-2026

CHANGING SEASONS A note from President Brennan Randolph

L to R: Nathan Odle, Rudy Bowman, Jayden Hickenbotham, Clara Westcott, Brinlee McCloud, and Gwen Garman with President Randolph.

It’s truly inspiring to see our campus come alive once again with the start of a new academic year. We’ve welcomed another strong class of students to The Woods, and the energy and excitement they bring is a powerful reminder of our mission and purpose. We are dedicated to providing a faith-based, values-based education to our students. Our vision statement captures this beautifully: “Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College embodies a spirit of student-centered academic innovation, faith and leadership to transform ourselves, our communities and our world.” Every day, we witness the transformative impact SMWC has on our students—and just as importantly, the impact our students are making in the world. These stories fuel our commitment to educate, empower and nurture servant leaders who are ready to make a difference. As we approach the 185th anniversary of our founding by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we reflect on her enduring wisdom:“Have confidence in Providence that so far has never failed us.” Her words continue to guide and inspire us, just as they did in the earliest days of our College. I am deeply proud of our dedicated faculty and staff, who work tirelessly to support our students on their journeys. I’m equally grateful for our alumni and friends—your unwavering support and advocacy for The Woods make all the difference. We are truly blessed to have such a strong and passionate community. This autumn, I invite you to visit campus and experience the breathtaking beauty of The Woods as the leaves brighten our days with color. It’s a vivid reminder of the special place we all hold dear. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

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ONYX Anneau FALL 2025

Vol. 100

No.1

Brennan J. Randolph President Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98 Editor in Chief Vice President for Advancement BJ Riley ’16, ‘23MLD, ‘24MBA Editorial Director Associate Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Community Relations Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel ’21, ‘25MLD Managing Editor Advancement Officer Kristy Fry Creative Director Director of Creative Services Betsy Simon Writer Digital and Brand Marketing Manager CONTRIBUTORS Kaylee Lowe ‘25 Tonya Sawyer ’07, Ph.D.

Many students from the Class of 2029 gathered on the steps with President Randolph, Chris Lozier, associate vice president of enrollment management and Darla Hopper, ‘12MLD, FAAC, vice president for enrollment management, as well as Onyx, after the Blessing of the Class held in Harvey Auditorium of the Conservatory of Music. Lozier and Hopper presented President Randolph with a treasure chest full of acorns, each representing a new student of the Class of 2029.

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER

The SMWC Admissions team joined by President Randolph posed with their welcome banner at the front gate. Admissions decorated The Avenue and invited the campus community to join them in welcoming students on Move-In Day.

Kinesiology - A Growing Career Field 10

What Makes A Successful Well-Rounded Student-Athlete 6 Amanda Jensen Wright ’03, Ph.D., Comes Full Circle 4

Move-In Photo Album 12

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 © 2025 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.

INSIDE EVERY ISSUE Woods Today.........................................3 Nota Bene.............................................23

CLASS NOTES ARE ONLINE smwc.edu/class-notes/

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THE WOODS TODAY

The Avenue moment occurred upon entering one evening to support a family member who would soon become a fellow “Woodsie.” She sang with the Madrigals one evening in the Conservatory of Music, one of the most breath-taking venues I had ever been in. Then realizing The Woods has a softball program, I said to myself, what are the chances. I had recently changed my major to elementary education and in search of a new college to pursue not only my academic dreams, but my athletic dreams. Then one evening it happened, I received a phone call from the softball coach requesting a visit. During my time at The Woods in addition to playing softball, I was a resident assistant, a member of presidential corps, and participated in all the memorable historical traditions; the Acorn Ceremony, Big Sis/Lil Sis, Ring Day pounding and Midnight Breakfast to name a few. The career services opportunities left an ever-impactful impression. Setting the stage for my next steps into the real world, I was able to build relationships, network and ascertain the skills to begin a career. Becoming a practitioner in the industry was not only an eye-opening and life-changing experience but truly fulfilling an athletic niche. I had grown to love and appreciate the industry while also beginning to teach. The best of both worlds was at hand. However, when The Woods has an opportunity in the field you grew to know and love for years, you take it! Was it a “calling,” maybe, was it the right time, perhaps. Was it Providence, most likely! I embraced the opportunity to return home to provide the experience I once had, to impact the future generations, especially with the addition of athletic programs, which enhance the culture and future of The Woods, absolutely! The small class sizes, one-on one instruction, and the sense of belonging and focus on people through support of the administration and peers are why I came back and remain in my current position. Aspire Even Higher — as the possibilities to grow and develop as a young professional are endless! Throughout her career, Sawyer served as NCAA assistant compliance director at ISU and the assistant athletic director/ compliance and senior women’s administrator at Eastern Illinois University. She came to The Woods as an assistant professor in sport management in 2020 and was named chair of the Department of Business and Leadership in 2023. Tonya Tonya Gimbert Sawyer, Ph.D., earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SMWC in 2007. She later earned a master’s degree in recreation and sport management and her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Indiana State University.

— Tonya Gimbert Sawyer ’07, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Business & Leadership Assistant Professor of Sport Management

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Amanda Jensen Wright ’03, Ph.D. Believes in Articulation Agreement Between SMWC and Marian University

By Betsy Simon Digital and Brand Marketing Manager

When Dr. Amanda Jensen Wright ’03, met the more than 200 incoming first-year medical students and master’s degree students at Marian University’s Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine this fall, she greeted them as she does every new class – each with an acorn and a special message just for them. May you be curious. May you be strong. May you keep promises. “I’ve taken the Saint Mary-of-the Woods College’s (SMWC) acorn and lovingly stolen pieces, and it’s become a neat tradition now at Marian, too,” said Wright, who has been dean of Wood College since 2020. “I stress that they have all the potential to do anything they want, but it means they’ll have to have the right soil, and we will provide all of it that we can.” It’s an offer now extended to her alma mater after SMWC signed an articulation agreement with the Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine last May. Under the agreement, Marian’s Osteopathic Medicine program will reserve a total of 10 interview spots for SMWC students. Five spots are for early decision, meaning qualified students could interview for Marian’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in September of their senior year at SMWC and receive an acceptance decision within one week. The other five spots are for students in the guaranteed interview track. This ensures students an interview in October of their senior year at SMWC with an acceptance decision by November.

The photo above is from a 2003 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College promotional piece. Jensen, shown in her Le Fer Hall dorm room, graduated from SMWC, as well as the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (Midwestern University). Today, Amanda Jensen Wright ‘03, Ph.D. is the dean of Marian University’s Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine. SMWC and Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine signed an articulation agreement in 2025.

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To qualify, students must be biology majors with a preprofessional concentration. Depending on the track they choose, they must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA and score no less than 500 on the MCAT. Keeley Cleghorn, assistant professor of biology at SMWC, serves as a mentor for students. She says students often know they want to be a vet or a doctor, but they haven’t chosen a field. “As they take classes, we talk about different routes – physician assistant, dental or medical. Now, we have a new path they can get into – osteopathic medicine,” she said. “It’s a medical doctor that emphasizes more holistic methods. There’s a push now to look at the well-being of the whole person, and this gives students a chance to really expand and look at the entire human being.” After graduating from SMWC, Wright earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her family medicine residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. She says osteopathic physicians and schools used to make up only a small sliver of the market, but the field is growing fast. Right now, one in four medical students is an osteopathic medicine student. That figure could grow to one in three students by 2030. “You’ll find that a lot of osteopathic medicine physicians go into primary care,” she said. “I think that harkens back to our foundation of helping empower patients to care for themselves and live a healthy lifestyle. At our school’s last (residency) match in March 2025, we had 59 percent of our students going into primary care specialties.” The need is especially great in Indiana, where Wright says 62 of the state’s 92 counties are experiencing primary care shortages. “We have to do better for our state to prepare for the future of healthcare,” she said. “We want students who do their undergrad in Indiana to do medical school, residency and practice

in Indiana.” Applying to medical school is both competitive and expensive, though, making the agreement between SMWC and Marian an even greater opportunity for students. “You put out so many applications, and you don’t know if you’re even going to get an interview, let alone get in. I think that’s the major benefit for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College students,” Wright said. “If they have a certain GPA and MCAT score, and they send an application to Marian, they know they’re guaranteed an interview. It’s a 100 percent guarantee. There aren’t many of those.” Wright says the partnership is a testament to the reputation of SMWC and its students. “It means that Marian’s Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine thinks that great students come out of SMWC,” she said. “I have a lot of faith in a Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College graduate’s ability to come in and present themselves well and be a highly competitive applicant once the door is opened. This agreement just makes it much easier for that door to

swing open.” Even freshmen and sophomores at SMWC can prepare for the program, Wright says, by maintaining the GPA requirement all four years, especially in science courses, and preparing to take the MCAT, most likely junior year. Wright says Wood College offers more of the same student-centered approach they’ve grown accustomed to at SMWC. “I love when students come from somewhere like Saint Mary-of-the Woods,” Wright said. “You’re going to be in a class with 160 students, but their faculty will know their names like they’ve had before. They will have people who are committed to them. I cannot ask a student to be holistically centered on the patient if we are not holistically centered on them as a student when they are here.”

Above: Amanda Jensen Wright ’03, Ph.D., dean of Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine speaking at Marian University.

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What makes a successful, well-rounded student-athlete?

By Betsy Simon Digital and Brand Marketing Manager

Good grades, time management skills, adaptability, being one foot in the classroom and the other in the sport. For Saint Mary-of the-Woods sophomore Callee Riggle it also means remembering that the goal is to have a diploma in one hand and an opportunity in the other when her time in track and field is over. Riggle stays busy every spring participating in javelin and hammer throw, while earning her degree in Elementary Education K-6. She does it balancing a full plate as a Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Scholar, member of the leadership council for SMTG Scholars, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and working as a Student Ambassador. “My involvement has helped me create relationships with other individuals, develop skills that have made me a better teammate, and I’ve found a home away from home while doing it,” said Riggle, of Roachdale, Ind.

Involvement has been a test of Riggle’s time management skills, but she’s mastered it while learning other valuable lessons. “I try to manage my time to the best of my ability by going to my favorite study spots on campus to finish my class work,” she said. “I’ve had to learn communication, problem solving and more to make it work, but they are all skills I can use now, and in the future, to be a leader in whatever I do. And, of course, rest is important to me and how I perform, and I always try to put aside time for myself to do the things I enjoy.” Students are not only seeing success in athletic arenas but are thriving in the classroom. In the 2024-25 academic year, 87 Pomeroys were recognized as Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes. To qualify, students must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. Additionally, when the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester was released, student-athletes made up just over 50% of the campus students who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Kevin Lanke, SMWC’s associate vice president for Athletics, likes to say that a student-athlete is a four-year commitment for 40 years of value. “While their sport is important to the student, we’re trying to build teamwork, leadership and character, and those are all things that are going to take students forward in their careers,” he said. “There are skills,

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like leadership, that these athletes can learn by doing other things, and they can bring what they learn back to their teams. You might become a team captain based on things you learned by being involved in a club on campus.” There are nearly 400 student athletes at SMWC this fall. With athletes making up more than 60% of the student body, Lanke says, they’re involved in basically every activity campus has to offer. “If students want help getting involved, we encourage them to talk to their RA or their teammates who have been here for a while and can help them find that SMWC experience to make the most of college,” he said. “While their sport is important to the student, we’re trying to build teamwork, leadership and character, and those are all things that are going to take students forward in their careers.” — Kevin Lanke, Associate Vice President for Athletics Sports are often one of the first places students look to elevate their four years on campus. “Sports enhance their experience, and help with their ability to grow and be successful in the classroom. It certainly helps them to be more successful in the classroom and outside the classroom,” Brennan Randolph, president of SMWC. “They learn how to work on a team, sometimes in a stressful environment because of the spirit of competition, and they’ll be able to use those same abilities on a job.”

A student-athlete’s campus involvement, Lanke noted, could have a trickle-down effect. “The more connections student athletes have on campus, the more their fellow students are going to want to come watch a game. So now, you’re building a student section,” he said. “If the student body has Pomeroy Pride, now you’re not just relying on the athletes to support each other. Now, the student body is coming out to support them.” It’s a different kind of support than former Pomeroy softball player and basketball team manager Tonya Gimbert Sawyer, Ph.D. and alumna of the Class of 2007, remembers during her time as a student. She says student-athletes today have even more chances to build a well-rounded college experience outside of their sport. “We supported each other at athletic events, but our programming was more on our floors in the dorm, not campus-wide events that are held today,” said Sawyer, who now serves as chair of the College’s Business and Leadership Department. “Today, our student athletes have a lot more opportunities to grow, to connect and to learn from others through organizations and clubs. It’s all to help them become more diverse, more marketable than someone else in their career.” The challenge, Sawyer says, is getting students to realize the value. “If we help them understand why it’s important to be involved, they’re more likely to want to get involved,” she said. “It teaches them soft skills and communication with others, and they’ll discover things about themselves that will help them down the road. Ultimately, it will help them on their teams, too.” When he’s not on the field with the sprint football team, senior Jake Skinner spends much of his spare time helping younger athletes and staying connected with classmates. “From balancing schoolwork, training and helping others, I’ve really learned how important time management and communication are,” says Skinner, of Sullivan, Ind. “Those lessons carry over into the classroom, where I make sure to stay

organized with my academics. On my team, I try to set an example through preparation and accountability.” Skinner says he’s benefited from the relationships he’s built off the field. “I’ve had a chance to grow as a person, not just as an athlete,” he said. “I’ve met new people and built on my leadership skills that will help me after college sports are over.”

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KINESIOLOGY KINESIOLOGY KINESIOLOGY a growing career field

By Betsy Simon Digital and Brand Marketing Manager

Sydni Baliey ’23 landed her dream job when she was hired as head high school volleyball coach at her alma mater, Robinson High School in Illinois. “Volleyball and the community around it played such an important role in my life, and I wanted to give back by sharing my passion for the game,” said Bailey, who earned her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. “My goal has always been to help young athletes develop both the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.” After graduating from Lincoln Trail College with an associate’s degree, Bailey was offered a scholarship to join SMWC’s volleyball team while she got hands-on experience in teaching her own team someday. “As part of my coursework, I interned with the middle school volleyball program in Robinson, Ill. That experience gave me an early glimpse into what my future career would look like and helped me develop confidence in my decision to pursue coaching,” she said. “Each year in my first week of practices, I incorporate some of the icebreakers I learned in my classes with Dr. Quinn. My team always enjoys them—they find them fun, thought-provoking and a great way to spark conversation.”

Nobody questions when an athlete takes time to recover from a sprained ankle or broken wrist. Those injuries are easy to see and come with a clear understanding – they can’t be ignored.

“I feel like athletes’ mental health gets overlooked sometimes, and I want to give them opportunities to be heard as a sports psychologist,” said Douglas, a senior on the women’s basketball team. “I’ve already had the opportunity in my major to learn how to really help someone in the gym through the programs I make. By understanding different age groups at a fitness center, I help build programs for people and show them what certain exercises are.” Douglas says SMWC’s Kinesiology program keeps learning fun and students engaged. “If you don’t have fun, you won’t understand the material,” she said. “The professors in this program are amazing and want to work with you. They care about your academics and your mental health.” The kinesiology major was first offered on campus in fall 2020. Kinesiology prepares students to pursue careers in various fields, including health, fitness, physical education, coaching and sports instruction, and sports management. Career opportunities include becoming a fitness trainer, health promotion specialist, strength and conditioning coach or sports administrator. As part of a nearly $1 million Lilly

But what about their mental health needs? It’s the question that brought Samara Douglas from her hometown in Avon, Ind., to study Kinesiology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. — Sydni Bailey ’23 with Robinson Middle School Volleyball Head Coach Eric Dean during her internship.

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Endowment Inc. grant, Quinn helped launch the undergraduate degree in Kinesiology for fall 2020 and Exercise Science for fall 2021, allowing the College to offer two high-demand programs. The proposal included a request for capital funds to create two new classrooms and purchase equipment. In 2023, three concentrations were added to the major: health science, exercise science and recreation science. Students can also choose from minors in sports coaching, nutrition, Kinesiology and myoskeletal massage. “Ninety-nine percent of our students are athletes in our program, and a lot of them will declare a Kinesiology major and myoskeletal massage minor,” said Penny Quinn, Ph.D., chair of the Math and Science Department and a professor of Kinesiology and Wellness. “I also encourage students to add a business minor, especially if they think they might want to open their own business.” All Kinesiology majors must complete an internship to graduate. Some classes also require students to complete hours within their class, where they lead activities with the Sisters of Providence. “I require students to job shadow as part of that figuring out phase,”

Quinn said. “My leadership class is a freshman-level course, and I require students to do job interviews with professionals in the field that they think they want to enter. This is especially important for those “My leadership class is a freshman-level course, and I require students to do job interviews with professionals in the field that they think they want to enter. This is especially important for those students who are choosing between two majors.”

Kinesiology-related careers more appealing to college students. Employment demand for exercise science and kinesiology careers is projected to increase 10% through 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The former Health and Wellness program was predominantly female, but as men’s athletic programs have gained momentum, Quinn’s seen an influx of male athletes into Kinesiology. And the growth may not be over yet. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a few more students enter the major when the College switches from sprint football to NAIA football next year,” Quinn said. “When you have a lot of students who have been in sports since they were six years old, they’re more comfortable with their bodies and they’re used to goals that are related to their movement. “They’ve interacted with athletic trainers, physical therapists and coaches like they want to be, so it feels familiar to them as they think about what they want to do in the future. It’s not just a job for them. I think many students are drawn to this area because they see it as a career that can have a positive impact on others.”

— Penny Quinn, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Math and Science

students who are choosing between two majors.” A greater focus on health, wellness and preventative care, combined with an aging population, has made

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DRUM ROLL, PLEASE... THE NUMBERS ARE IN! Fall 2025 Enrollment

FALL 2025 NEW STUDENT BREAKDOWN

1400 TOTAL ENROLLMENT IN FALL 2025 FOR ALL PROGRAMS

Graduate Programs

Campus Program

47

75

212

Woods Online

TOTAL NUMBER OF CAMPUS STUDENTS 603

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of campus students are athletes 61%

of color 31%

are students

Total Campus Population 65% 34%

TOP 3 MAJORS

FROM AROUND THE GLOBE...

Woods Online

Campus Program Nursing

Music Therapy

Paramedic Science to BSN

Kinesiology

Fall 2025 campus students represent 29 states, Puerto Rico and 17 countries.

Human Services

Business Administration

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MOVE-IN DAY 2025

Scan to view all the Move-In photos!

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SMWC Sets Woods Fund Goal for 2025-2026 Fiscal Year

For the second year in a row, Saint Mary-of the-Woods College (SMWC) has set a Woods Fund goal of $3 million. The Woods Fund is the College’s unrestricted operational fund that is essential to ensuring SMWC’s ability to deliver its mission of educating students while challenging them to think critically. “We have been very blessed with strong support from our alumni and donors, and we look forward to continuing those efforts this year,” said Brennan Randolph, SMWC president. Following a record-breaking fundraising year for the 2024-25 fiscal year, Catherine Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement, explained how this will assist the institution and its students. “Another significant fundraising year will allow the College to focus on high needs that enhance the overall student experience at The Woods,” Saunders said. Saunders added that it all comes down to a shift in the advancement team’s mindset and how they approach their work. “We recognized that setting a $3 million goal was ambitious, but entirely within reach. Our alumni and friends have shown that they are committed to supporting this institution and advancing our mission. This record breaking fundraising year is proof. If we had not asked for it, I don’t know if we would have accomplished it,” Saunders said. “Once again, the team has enthusiastically set a goal of $3 million for the Woods Fund to continue supporting our long-term success as The Woods endures what we referred to as ‘growing pains’,” Saunders added. In total, 1,949 donors supported the Woods Fund in the 2024-25 fiscal year, several being first-time donors a more than 2% increase from the previous year. The year ended with raising $3,576,226 contributed to the Woods Fund. A significant boost to last year’s initiative was the tenth annual Woods Giving Day, known as WGD-X. Thanks to an early giving challenge made by members of the board of trustees, SMWC exceeded the goals of

$1 million and 1,200 donors for WGD-X. Saunders explained that it was a no-brainer decision to increase the goals for WGD-X. “After increasing the overall Woods Fund goal for the year, we knew we needed to do the same for Woods Giving Day. What an accomplishment it was for the College to have so much support leading up to and on the day,” she said. Additionally, Saunders explained that estate gifts also played a role in the year’s success. “With more than $1.1 million of our total unrestricted giving attributed to estate gifts, the impact of a planned gift truly has been felt at SMWC, and we appreciate being included in our alumni and friend’s estates.” With the end of 2025 approaching, typically a season of reflection, thankfulness and giving, the Advancement Team thanks the thousands of donors who supported the College last fiscal year and asks everyone to include The Woods in giving plans this year, July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026. The Woods Giving Day 2026 initiative begins on December 1, 2025, culminating on the day of giving, February 10, 2026. All gifts received between Dec 1 and Feb 10 will be included in Woods Giving Day totals, as well as this fiscal year’s giving. Saunders emphasized, “Every gift of every size makes a difference. We are excited about the growth of fundraising and the positive impact it has on a Woods student’s experience.” Supporters may contribute to the Woods Fund by: • Visiting giving.smwc.edu • Mailing a check to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Office of Advancement PO Box 70 Saint Mary of the Woods, IN 47876 • Calling 888-769-0013

“Every gift of every size makes a difference. We are excited about the growth of fundraising and the positive impact it has on a Woods student’s experience.” — Catherine Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement

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A Job Well Done, But Not Yet Finished Remembering Why We Started, And Where We’re Going…

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As Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College continues to invest in students who are pursuing their aspirations and careers, one question has been, and continues to be, asked: What is your “why”? It is always a question that calls on students to pause and reflect on what keeps them going: friends, family, dreams, breaking a cycle by being a first-generation college student, etc. When looking back on the history of SMWC, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her companions ventured out from their convent in France with all odds stacked against them and their plans to form an academy for women. Facing uncertainty of the future, the Sisters only had faith to lean on as they worked to ensure the education of young women. The long-held lesson of leaning on faith through challenging times, continues to serve the College well. From the 1800s through the transformative decades of the 1960s and 1970s, innovation in education was nothing new at The Woods. Guided by visionary leadership, the College consistently responded to the evolving needs of its students. As the Sisters of Providence embraced the call for justice and renewal following Vatican II, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College faced new challenges in educating women whose priorities had shifted from family and caregiving. Recognizing this emerging reality, Jeanne Knoerle, SP, ’49—the College’s 12th president—introduced a groundbreaking solution: the Women’s External Degree (WED) program. This initiative became the country’s second distance education program and a lifeline for women seeking both academic and personal fulfillment. The program continues today, now known as Woods Online, giving students the opportunity to earn their degree while maintaining their busy life-style. Exactly one decade ago, Saint Mary of-the-Woods College’s leadership made the decision to fully transition to a co educational institution by making the campus-based program co-ed. Although it was a time of uncertainty, The Woods community leaned on faith to meet the growing needs of students and the institution. Studies show that female students are more likely to choose a By Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel ’21, ’25MLD Advancement Officer

co-educational institution instead of a single gender school. As a result, the College has educated record numbers of female students in the last ten years. Five years later, SMWC navigated a new challenge with the 2020 pandemic changing the educational landscape. From updated tools and appliances to renovated classrooms or earning a values based education, the needs of today’s students continue to increase and evolve. A common question is, “How can I help?” The answer is simple – support the Woods Fund. “We value our donors and their call to support SMWC. Of course, a donor is welcome to designate their gift to a specific cause, whether it’s a scholarship, facility, or passion project,” said Catherine Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement. “But the greatest need of the institution is unrestricted giving – the Woods Fund,” she explained. For ten years (between 2014-15 and 2023-24), the campus student population has continued to grow, more than doubling since 2015 while the amount contributed to the Woods Fund has remained consistent, averaging $1.1 million annually. “Enrollment growth has created a need for more of almost every resource,” said Frankie Morris Enochs ’93, MBA, vice president for IT and operations classrooms. “There is increased use on current spaces, tools and equipment. Classroom needs just aren’t the same as they were decades ago. Students require equipment and technology that have an ever-growing cost. Contrary to what many might think, donors significantly impact our ability to update spaces and replace items as needs rise,” Enochs added. Today, The Woods is part of “the why” for more than 1,400 students. Support from the 10,000+ alumni who have gone before them and the many family and friends who sustain SMWC philanthropically is critical to their successful experience. Your gift to the Woods Fund helps answer their “why” while making their dreams a reality. “Perhaps, instead of asking ‘Why should I give to The Woods?’, we start asking ‘How can we support the needs of Woods students today?’” Saunders concluded.

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Spirit Week Students, faculty and staff celebrated Spirit Week leading up to Homecoming 2025. The week kicked off with a Pep Rally and Pomeroy Picnic. Other activities included Lighting the Towers Blue, Bingo, Games in the Sunken Garden, a Glow Run and Bed Races.

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Homecoming 2025 Alumni, students, faculty and staff had a great time at the equestrian show, the alumni softball game and on the lawn of Les Bois Hall. Music bingo, bracelet making, massages, cow bell decorating, poster making, painting, corn hole and more were enjoyed by all. Onyx even got some cotton candy!

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Pomeroys 27/Midway 20 SMWC Pomeroys took on Midway University during the Homecoming Sprint Football Game held at 3 p.m. at the Jay Barrett Field at West Vigo High School. Alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community came out in full force to cheer the Pomeroys to a victory.

Scan to read the full story and view all the photos from Homecoming 2025.

President Brennan J. Randolph presented Team PPP (several softball team members) the annual “Homecoming Cup” filled with gift cards and candy during halftime at the game. Teams competed during Spirit Week and received points for various activities.

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Join Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College family and friends -old and new - in Indianapolis next fall for the inaugural Onyx Gala. Sponsorship opportunities are available now; table and seats sales will open in January 2026. Proceeds from the Onyx Gala will provide access to a Woods education by increasing scholarship support. This evening of elegance will celebrate our 185 years of tradition as we look to the future, sustaining our mission that challenges students to become leaders and effect change through knowledge and virtue rooted in our Catholic foundation. SMWC is proud to provide a faith-based, values-driven education that empowers students to live with purpose and compassion. Save the date to be in Indy on September 25, 2026!

smwc.edu/onyxgala

We love your support!

You invest in their future, their Woods experience and the memories they will carry with them throughout their life when you make a gift to The Woods. Invest today. giving.smwc.edu

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Did you know? The Master of Business Administration now has five concentrations* when you earn your MBA from SMWC. • Artificial Intelligence • Business Analytics • Cybersecurity • Finance • Healthcare Administration These concentrations enable you to further focus your studies and provides new pathways to employment.

Frances Froehlich ’64 has been awarded Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter. ALUMNI NOTA BENE AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS D. Richard Ryan, Jr. : December 27, 2024. Former Trustee Patricia Abowd Saker ’49 : July 17, 2025. Kathryn Sonderman Wald ’50 : July 15, 2025. Sister of Carolyn Sonderman Herriges ’55 (deceased). Mary Lou Debeljak Davison ’53 : August 16, 2025. Joan Kirkpatrick, SP ’55 : July 9, 2025. Rosalie McGlynn ’57 : August 15, 2025. Ellen Cooper Riddle ’59 : June 2, 2025. Ellen Amer Erzen ’60 : May 11, 2025. Ann Browne Martin ’60 : January 2025. Ann Klaus Simons White ’60 : May 31, 2025. Sara Murphy ’61 : February 24, 2024. Brigid Bonner, SP ’62 : July 23, 2025. Sister of Eileen Bonner, SP ’63 . Joyce Brophy, SP ’62 : August 27, 2025. Gloria Hemery Duckworth ’62 : August 1, 2025. Kathleen Crone Koepele ’63 : May 7, 2025. Mary Gail Stilwill ’63 : July 5, 2025. Maureen Browne Harrington ’64 : August 17, 2025. Elizabeth Lechner Bormann ’65 : May 10, 2025. Kathleen Dede, SP ’66 : June 25, 2025. Sister of Eileen Dede, SP ’63 and Mary Mark Dede, SP ’64. Marilyn Trobaugh, SP ’67 : May 18, 2025. Carol Conway ’71 : July 6, 2025. Sister of Gilchrist Mercedes Conway, SP ’64 (deceased). Mary Bridget O’Malley Kratofil ’71 : August 12, 2025. Daughter of Mary Kay Baty O’Malley ’44 (deceased). Sister of Mary Kathryn O’Malley ’77. Diane Chandler Hickman ’76 : August 12, 2025. Susan Record ’78 : June 18, 2025. Sister of Sally Record Eck ’76 and Sheila Record ’79 . Aunt of Amanda Eck ’12MLD . Carol A. Utz ’80 : April 12, 2025. Marilyn De Haven ’81 : July 17, 2025. Martha Lucas Atkinson ’86 : May 21, 2025. Saundra Stoops Jayne ’93 : July 8, 2025. Ted L. Ramsey ’94MAPT : August 22, 2025. Deacon Ronald Morrow ’01MAPT : June 2, 2025. Michelle Cole ’11 : August 8, 2025. Stella Hartman ’12MAAT : May 28, 2025. DEATHS

*The MBA with no concentration is 36 credit hours; with a concentration, the program is 48 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 18 months. No residencies required.

Scan and learn more or visit smwc.edu/mba

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Alumni Awards

The Alumni Awards program of SMWC honors the achievements of outstanding alumni. Nominations are accepted year-round! Scan and nominate someone deserving today.

Rosemary Nudd, SP, ’69, Ph.D., 2024 Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Award Recipient

Mary Alvanos Deady ’19 2025 G.O.L.D.E.N. Oak Award Recipient

smwc.edu/alumni/awards/