Onyx Anneau Spring 2021

Cherished: A Ring

to Keep

By Jennifer Fredericks Dorsey ’97, Ph.D.

A symbol of the longstanding instantly recognizable the world over. With this year serving as the penultimate celebration leading up to next year’s 100th anniversary of the Woods Ring, the traditional awarding of Rings took place on March 20, 2021, in two ceremonies. More than 100 campus, Woods Online and graduate students received their Rings. As important as the Woods Ring is to students and alumni, it is not an inexpensive purchase. Depending on the metal, costs for the Ring can range from $375 to $1,700, creating a financial barrier for some students. Two programs are available to help bridge this cost gap for those who need assistance purchasing a ring: the Legacy Ring Program and the Woods Ring Scholarship Program. Awards for both programs are decided by a committee of staff and faculty — many of whom are alumni — based upon applications from the students. The Legacy Ring Program allows alumni and their families to donate pre-owned legacy rings to juniors who qualify on the basis of financial need. Anna Madden ’18, ’20G , currently serves on the Alumni Board of Directors and is a legacy Ring recipient. “I applied for a legacy ring, because I not only wanted to enjoy the piece of home close to my heart on a daily basis, but I wanted a reminder to carry on The Woods’ values, education and traditions in my forthcoming career and life,” Madden says. Olivia Wendell ’20 , holds her B.S. in music therapy and will be starting her master’s in music therapy at SMWC in the fall while working at Rhythm Garden Music, LLC in Jasonville, Indiana. She is the proud recipient of a legacy Ring from the traditions of Saint Mary-of-the- Woods College (SMWC), the Ring is

Olivia Wendell ’20 is the proud recipient of a Legacy Ring from the estate of Sue Pietrus, SP, ’72 who served as SMWC’s director of choirs and Madrigals for 28 years.

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