Onyx Fall-Winter 2019

ON THE AVENUE

As an institution, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College contributes to the advancement of the field of mental health through its academic programs including the graduate programs in music therapy and art therapy. In June, the Independent Colleges Indiana (ICI) announced SMWC among the winners of the Ball Venture Fund competition, which provides ICI colleges and universities with seed funds for innovative start-up projects. SMWC’s $25,000 award will be used to develop a graduate certificate in addiction counseling. This new certificate program will prepare graduates for positions in community mental health centers and for specialization as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) in Indiana.

The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) inducted Athletic Director Deanna Bradley into the association's Hall of Fame. Bradley was selected based on her 28 years of meritorious service to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1991-Current) and incredible impact on the USCAA. Bradley inducted to USCAA Hall of Fame Top: SMWC Athletic Director Deanna Bradley with USCAA Executive Director Mathew Simms. Right: Bradley, USCAA President Michael Fischer and SMWC Assistant Athletic Director Todd McIntyre.

The Department of Athletics was named 2019 USCAA Director's Cup Champions. The Director's Cup is awarded annually to the USCAA athletic department that achieves the most cumulative success across the athletic program during the academic year. Athletics was also named 2019 USCAA President's Cup Runners-Up. The President's Cup trophy is given to the member institution that achieves the highest academic point total for the year. Department of Athletics honored

Darla Hopper ’ 12G , associate vice president for financial aid and admissions, was honored with the 2019 Aspire Higher Award by President Dottie L. King, Ph.D. Hopper, who has been working at SMWC since 2009, is an asset to the College. During her early years, she implemented new financial aid processes resulting in recent years of clean audits. In addition, Hopper worked with the offices of advancement and enrollment management to restructure the awarding of endowed and merit scholarships to maximize enrollment. She was instrumental in developing an enrollment strategy for Twenty-First Century Scholars and the implementation of the Pomeroy Scholars program. Most recently, Hopper negotiated a partnership with the owners of McDonald’s restaurants to take advantage of the employee tuition program to bring talented McDonald’s employees to The Woods. Hopper receives 2019 Aspire Higher Award

Darla Hopper ’12G with President Dottie L. King, Ph.D.

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