Onyx Spring-Summer 2017

NewWall Established in Parents’ Memory BY DIANNE FRANCES D. POWELL

and coached college basketball. “My parents went to every game. They never missed,” Decker said. For these reasons – and for their shared love of sports – Decker and Kosowsky felt SMWC athletics was the right place to make their gift. They were also among the first to offer their support for the building of the new Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center, which broke ground in 2013. In an afternoon ceremony on Feb. 4, 2017, the two could not help but get emotional when they unveiled the Athletic Hall of Fame wall. “They would have loved to have been a part of this,” Decker said of her parents.

The new Athletic Hall of Fame wall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) now bears the names of its first class, but the driving force behind the establishment of this honor roll includes a few more names. Susan Decker and Vicki Kosowsky, both administrators at the College, put their hearts and resources toward the establishment of the new feature, which has been dedicated in memory of their parents, Claude and Patty Decker and Nick and Evelyn Kosowsky. For them, it was a way to honor the individuals who instilled in them the value of education, love of sports and the importance of giving back. “ Our parents were very committed to education and encouraged us to become educated,” Decker said.

“They taught us to be good community members. This is an opportunity to honor them while recognizing student-athletes.” Decker and Kosowsky both have strong ties to the College. Educated by the Sisters of Providence, Decker is currently a faculty member and the director of Master of Leadership Development. Her father, Claude, was also a former College employee of the Business Office. Kosowsky, vice president for operations, has served at the College for 22 years. Among her many contributions was her leadership in the growth of the athletics department. Plus, they both love athletics. Kosowsky was a swimmer. Decker was a basketball player, a tennis player

(Left Top, L-R): Those receiving plaques during the 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet were: SMWC Athletic Director Deanna Bradley; Sisters of Providence General Superior Dawn Tomaszewski, SP, ’74 accepting for Barbara Doherty, SP, ’53 ; Joseph Pomeroy accepting for Mary Joseph Pomeroy, SP, ’21 ; Brooke Griffith- Langford ’02 and Tammy Smelcer Welborn ’02 .

(Top, L-R): Susan Decker and Vicki Kosowsky shown with the Athletic Hall of Fame wall dedicated in memory of their parents, Claude and Patty Decker and Nick and Evelyn Kosowsky.

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