Onyx Fall-Winter 2018

FRANCES MURPHY RUMELY AWARD

Alice Sherfick Shelton ’87 Alice Sherfick Shelton’87 is a quietly effective and dedicated woman whose life seems to revolve around service to others. Shelton has volunteered couples for marriage and in the adult faith formation program; choir member; religious education teacher; and member of the Art and Environment committee.

9 Shelton has also volunteered extensively at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Indianapolis since 2001. She has served in the following roles over the years: Eucharistic Minister; sacristan; team member, with husband John, preparing engaged thousands of hours to her alma mater, her parish and her family. Shelton once said she "most clearly experience[s] the presence of God through other people and through encounters with nature." Her deep spirituality seems to shape everything Shelton does and how she works with others. Shelton was a member of the SMWC Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2017, two years beyond the normal nine-year term; she served as vice chair from 2014-17. She previously served on the SMWC Alumnae Association Board of Directors for three years, including one year as chair. As a very active Trustee, Shelton reached out to other board members to understand their positions on a matter, to listen to their concerns and opinions. A true advocate for SMWC, she reflected seriously on the College's challenges, always looking out for its best interests. She continues to serve the Board as an ex-officio member focused on recruiting new Trustees with critical skills for SMWC.

As one of the first Providence Associates (PA) with the Sisters of Providence, Shelton once said it " ... is so much a continuation of an existing part of my daily life"; the PA directors called her association a "full spiritual circle." Shelton also worked with a Woods classmate for six years on a weekly spiritual radio program. Shelton's dedication has again shone through in her 27-year career at Marian University, where she has received the 2015 Franciscan Values Award and the 2017 Global Citizen Award. Finally, Shelton is dedicated to family. She is the proud daughter of a Woods alum, Cecilia Cornelius '62 (RIP) and also two aunts, Melissa Cornelius Mates '67 and Sondra Cornelius Wellman '54 . She married John Shelton in 1995 and is step-mother to John's four children. She is proud of her two grandchildren, six nieces and nephews, and two godchildren. Alice received the 2018 Frances Murphy Rumely Award for her outstanding dedication to and leadership within civic, religious and educational organizations.

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