Barbara Stuckwisch

Tell us why you're proud to be a KNIGHT!

2011-11-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

On November 5, the currently undefeated Knights take on the #1 ranked Saint Xavier University Cougars, and we want our alumni to come out and cheer them on!

This is football at its most exciting, and if you bleed blue and gold, then we want to hear from you. Do you think you're Marian University's biggest fan? Tell us why and you could win a cool tailgating prize package!

Comment on why you're proud to be a Knight in 50 words or less on our Facebook page. We'll pick our two favorite entries and each winner will receive a tailgating prize package, including a Marian University party cooler and two tailgating chairs, at this Saturday's game.

Don't forget to wear your Marian University gear at the game (vintage Marian College gear works too!) Also, stop in at the David B. Haire Family Welcome and Alumni Center during tailgating 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks before kickoff.

Go Knights!

Football Season Opener August 27th

2011-08-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for some football?

After a record breaking season in which the Knights finished in the top ten and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series, Marian University is getting ready for the first home football game of the season, Saturday, August 27th at 6 p.m.

This is no ordinary football game. In addition to being the season opener for the sixth-ranked Knights, the evening is also a celebration of President Elsener's 10th Anniversary in leading university.

Come early and tailgate with friends, then stop in at the alumni center 4-6 for some snacks, refreshments, and an alumni t-shirt (free with coupon below, quantities are limited).

Then head over to the game for football, cake, and fireworks.For more information about football tickets, tailgating passes, and game day parking, go to http://www.marian.edu/tickets.

Welcome to the Class of 2011...

2011-05-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

Address to the Class of 2011 at Marian University's Commencement, given by Alumni Association President Michael Vierling '93:

Welcome faculty, staff, alumni, families, and friends. Welcome, graduates of the class of 2011. Today, you will hear many people congratulating you, many people sharing best wishes, and even more people sharing advice.

But the truth is, you don’t need any more advice. We’ve already shared our most treasured lessons with you. They’re all over this campus. They surround the fountain, they blanket the walls of the dining hall, they are printed on your class syllabus, they are spoken by the sisters that walk this campus. They are the same four values that we teach every incoming freshman student:

Value the dignity of each individual. In short, treat people well. Support those around you, be kind to them, encourage them, empower them. Success that is achieved by taking advantage of others is not success at all. Remember that at some point in your life, you will fall, and when you do, if you have treated people well, there will be people to catch you.

Be responsive to the ever-present issues of peace and justice. Stand up for the poor, the weak, the oppressed, and the forgotten. Don’t just drop a few coins in the cup of the homeless man on the corner; support practices and policies that prevent poverty and homelessness. Support education; higher levels of education correspond to higher levels of volunteerism and civic participation and lower levels of unemployment and poverty.

Forgive. Francis and Clare understood that reconciliation and forgiveness do not forget or ignore pain, but allow for new possibilities, change, growth, and life. You will almost certainly be deeply hurt in your life; you may have already experienced this. Remember that retaliation will not make you whole again. Revenge does not have the power to heal. But you can move forward, and you can be stronger and better than you were before.

Exercise responsible stewardship. Somehow, we have lost our way on this earth. We have poisoned the water we drink, we have polluted the air we breathe. We created an awful lot of garbage, and then we stuffed it in the ground. And it's not just the earth that we mistreat – we waste our talents, we ignore requests for help. But each of you has a responsibility to do what you can to be good stewards of the earth, of each other, and of all creation. Take care of the next generation. Give back, so that others will have the same opportunities as you. Support the students who will follow you here at Marian University, as we have supported you.

If you remember these four things, you can’t go wrong.

In many ways, we all have a stake in what you do when you leave this institution. We have nurtured you, taught you, coached you, befriended you. We have given our time, money, and prayers to see you through these years at Marian University. We have done so because we see what is in you, and we see what lies before you.

There will be difficult years ahead. Each of you will experience hardship and heartache, frustration and failure. When you are faced with those moments, it is how you react that will make all the difference. How you react will define who you are.

In 2007, a computer science professor named Randy Pausch gave a speech in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie-Mellon University. The speech was on “achieving your childhood dreams.”

Professors had been delivering speeches at Carnegie-Mellon University for years; the speeches had typically been known as the last lecture series because the idea was to share something really important with the audience, as in – if this was the last lecture you ever gave, what would you say? For Randy Pausch, it really was his last lecture. He was dying of pancreatic cancer, and he knew it.

In that lecture, he spent some time talking about “the brick wall.” The brick wall was a metaphor for the things that stop you from achieving your dreams. When you run into a brick wall, he told his audience, just remember: that wall is not there for you. It’s there to stop the other people, the ones who don’t want it bad enough.

You will run into a lot of brick walls in your lifetime. But what Randy Pausch wanted to share, and what I think is important to share with you, is that the brick wall is not insurmountable. It’s only an obstacle. You can go over it. You can go around it.

If you want to do great things in your life, you will have to overcome great obstacles.

So on behalf of the thousands of alumni who have come before you, I issue a challenge: live out our vision. Go out and transform lives, society, and the world in a positive way. Do something great. We have great confidence in you.

Finally, I want to leave you with one of my favorite quotes. I don’t know who this is attributed to, but it has always stuck with me: one day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.

Michael Vierling '93 is the president of the Marian University Alumni Association. He works Account Manager for Major Hospital in Shelbyville, IN and lives in Batesville with his wife, Beth, and four children.

Meet the Alumni Association National Board

2011-03-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

This year's alumni association national board of directors is an impressive group. Check out their profiles below, and go to the Marian University alumni web site to learn more about the alumni association, find a local chapter near you, or volunteer to become more involved.

Introducing the members of the 2011 Alumni Association National Board:

Matthew Browning ’00
As a student at Marian University, Matthew Browning served as a resident assistant in Doyle Hall, participated in the inaugural Ethics Bowl competition, and was a member of the cycling team. After graduation, he joined the central Indiana chapter of the Marian University Alumni Association, which he served in many different capacities, culminating in his election as president in 2005. Outside his university involvement, Browning actively volunteers with a group called Giving Sum, which utilizes an innovative scholarship approach to philanthropic donating. Browning has an M.B.A. from the University of Indianapolis and recently earned a master’s degree in health administration from Indiana University. He currently serves as the director of quality resource management and project manager for Hendricks Regional Health YMCA in Danville, Indiana.

Patti Paquin-Cavanaugh ’76
A 2010 recipient of the St. Francis and St. Clare Award for Distinguished Achievement in Peace and Justice, Patti Paquin-Cavanaugh has worked in the human services field for over 33 years. Currently, she is employed as a social worker, child advocate, and guardian ad litem with Child Advocates, Inc. in Indianapolis. As a Marian University alumna, Cavanaugh supervised current students from 1997-2002 during the course of their social work/psychology internships and presently volunteers with the Marian University Ecolab. She was recently the recipient of a United Way Human Services Professional Renewal Grant. She and her husband Rick are passionate supporters of various Marian University scholarships.

Austin Crites ’08
Austin Crites, a financial advisor for Edward Jones, graduated from Marian University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a concentration in business creation and development. As a student, Crites was an athlete, competing in collegiate baseball and intramural flag football. As an alumnus, he is a mentor for the Allison Fellows entrepreneurship group in the Clark H. Byrum School of Business and participates in Networking Knights, an event which connects Marian University alumni with students preparing to graduate. He is married to Marian University alumna Allison Arth-Crites ’09.

Lindsey Day-Karanovich ’08
By working with the Marian University Alumni Association, Lindsey Day-Karanovich is continuing her tradition of service and involvement that she began during her college career. As a Marian University student, she served as a member of the student government, an orientation staff member, a student ambassador, and a San Damiano Scholar. Most notably, Karanovich is the founder of the still popular Shantytown and 30-hour famine, an annual campus event which raises student awareness of Indianapolis homeless. Currently, Karanovich resides in Indianapolis with husband and Marian University alumnus, Zachary ’08, and works at Precise Path Robotics while also pursuing a degree in nursing through Marian University’s online, accelerated BSN program.

LaNier Echols ’10
LaNier Echols graduated from Marian University with a master of arts in teaching degree and is currently a member of the first cohort of the Marian University Academy of Teaching and Learning Leadership. As an undergraduate, Echols attended Florida State University and received a bachelor of science in social science education degree. She then decided to join Teach for America in order to further her mission of making a difference in the education of inner-city school children. Currently, she is working for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) as a teacher while pursuing a graduate degree in educational administration.

Kathryn Keilman-Cardenas ’01
Kathryn Keilman Cardenas was very involved on campus as a Marian University student. She was a resident assistant, served on the student government as academic affairs representative, and participated in groups such as Mentoring in the City, Orientation Staff, Psychology Club, and Golden Knights (students who provided tours and hosted prospective students). Cardenas has kept up her trend of service to the university by becoming involved in the bricks and pillars committee. You may have seen her and her husband, Victor, a former resident director for Marian University, in the Marian University Magazine, where they advocate for the recurrent gift program. Kathryn and Victor have one child, Lewis, and reside in Michigan where she works for the University of Michigan.

Marina Kukla, Ph.D. ’04
After graduating with a degree in psychology from Marian University, Marina Kukla continued her education and eventually earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from IUPUI in Indianapolis. She currently works as a postdoctoral fellow at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. As a Marian University student, Kukla served as representative of her class to the student government, most notably as senior class president from 2003-04.

Douglas Hunter, Jr. ’09
After graduating from Marian University’s Adult Programs (MAP) with a degree in business administration, Douglas Hunter entered Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. There, he is pursuing a master of arts in Catholic philosophical studies and divinity. He hopes to be ordained to the priesthood in 2015. During his time at Saint Meinrad, Hunter has stayed actively involved with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Before entering the seminary, Hunter worked with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department as a cadet program coordinator and in the Metropolitan School District of Perry Township as a school police officer.

Scott McNamee ’05
Scott McNamee graduated from Marian University’s Adult Programs (MAP) with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 2007, he became the director of youth ministry for Holy Spirit Parish at Geist. He earned an M.B.A. from Anderson University in 2009 and currently works as director of campus ministry at St. Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville, Indiana. He and his wife Kristy live in Fishers.

Jim Meer ’92
Jim Meer graduated from Marian University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and minor in business. During his time on campus, Meer was president and treasurer of the student body and was involved with many clubs and residence hall activities. After Marian University, he went on to Xavier University and achieved a master’s degree. Currently, he resides in Indianapolis with his wife Kellie and two sons, Samuel and Evan. He also works as the global controller at Ener1 Inc.

Joe Nierman ’04
Even after graduating seven years ago, Joe Nierman didn’t leave campus for long. Currently residing in Indianapolis with his wife Lindsey, he has stayed involved with Marian University. He frequently serves as a guest speaker for the Office of Career Services, participates in Networking Knights, and attends football games regularly. Nierman is also involved with the brick and pillars fundraising program. He is heavily involved with several charitable foundations in Indianapolis, including Colburn Place and the American Cancer Society. Nierman has an M.B.A. from Anderson University and is also a member of Young Professionals of Central Indiana.

Denis O’Brien ’05
Denis O’Brien was very involved in campus activities as a Marian University student. He was president of the Booster Club and was also involved with the Business Club during all four years of his collegiate career. He was also a member of the baseball team, the communications club, and new student orientation staff. Currently, he resides with his wife, Buffy, and their three children in Indianapolis and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Agent Leadership Council at Keller Williams, and the team leader of the Scott Smith Team. Denis also sits on the Young Professionals board for the Skyline Club and Young Professionals of Central Indiana board.

Colleen O’Connor ’10
After graduating with a bachelors of science in biology, Colleen O’Connor worked in the Office of Alumni Affairs at Marian University during the summer and fall of 2010. Since then, she has been working as a lab analyst for advanced testing laboratory in Cincinnati. O’Connor is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the daughter and granddaughter of two fellow alumni. During her time at Marian University, O’Connor participated in the women’s golf team, College Mentors for Kids, the Performing Knights Club, science club, and the Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB). She was also president of the Silver Knights, Baila Conmigo, and a resident assistant.

Troy Peters ’93
Troy Peters graduated from Marian University with a bachelor’s degree in business and a concentration in marketing. He currently works as a commercial lines underwriter for Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Group and resides in Westfield, Indiana. He and his wife, Sweet, enjoy traveling to exotic countries such as Thailand and the Philippines. As a student, Peters was active in events such as Mock Rock, intramural basketball, flag football, and volleyball. He began taking karate classes during his sophomore year and this led to him eventually becoming a first degree Shodan black belt in the International Shotokan Karate Federation in December 1995.

Mark Purichia ’88
Currently living on the west side of Indianapolis with his wife Lisa, Mark Purichia works at Marsh Building Supply as a remodeling salesman. During his time at Marian University, he was involved in many activities, including various intramural sports. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. Purichia is the son of Nicholas Purichia, a former Marian University professor, and Elaine Purichia, a Marian University alumna. Purichia and his family have set up an endowed scholarship in honor of his parents.

Susan Smith-Strom ’68
Currently residing in Hunt Valley, Maryland, Strom retired in 2006 from the St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore Maryland as the head of learning services and is a learning specialist. She worked in education after graduation, first as an English and French teacher and eventually as a learning specialist. In 2006, Strom also received the prestigious Linda L. King Award from St. Paul’s School for Girls for excellence in teaching. She and her husband, Len, serve as vice chairs for the university’s initiative, Investing in Students, Academics, and Campus Life. They also established an endowed scholarship with their friends and fellow alumni Mary and Chuck Welch which benefits out-of-state students who have financial need. Strom recently received the Sisters of St. Francis Award for Distinguished Achievement in Volunteerism from the university.

Bridget Stenger-Working ’96
Bridget Stenger-Working is dedicated to keeping a close connection with Marian University. As a student, she served as a resident assistant for three years and was involved in the student government and the psychology club. As an alumna, Working has been a representative of the university at HobNob in Indianapolis and volunteered as a host for the freshman-alumni dinners. As a professional, she is involved in several organizations related to higher education and student affairs, including the Human Resource Association of Central Indiana and the American Society for Training and Development. Working is a training and organization development consultant at IUPUI, and she and her husband reside in Indianapolis and are the proud parents of new baby Tyler.

Clifford Tinsley ’07
Clifford Tinsley received his bachelor’s degree in business administration through Marian University’s Adult Programs (MAP). In the past, he has served as a volunteer fundraiser for WFYI and as a mentor at Nora Elementary School. As a professional, Tinsley worked as a DST Systems representative and senior account representative at American Funds and an administrative retention supervisor with the U.S. Army Reserve. He currently resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Danielle, and their twin boys.

Chuck Traylor ’75
After graduating with a degree in business administration, Chuck Traylor married his college sweetheart, the late Deborah Mackel Traylor ’75. As an alumnus, Traylor was co-chair of the alumni golf outing for two years and helped to organize class reunions. Presently, he is heavily involved with many volunteer opportunities, including Beggars for the Poor and his home parish of St. Luke in Indianapolis. He is the proud parent to three grown children, Stacy, Lauren, and Jeffrey Traylor ’05, as well as three grandchildren.

Michael Vierling ’93
After graduating from Marian University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Michael Vierling’s career path led him into healthcare as a controller in the physician practices at Major Health Partners in Shelbyville, Indiana. His personal life brought him back to Batesville, Indiana, where he lives with his wife and college sweetheart, Beth ’94, and their four beautiful children: McKenna, Logan, Trysta, and Keagan. Vierling is passionate about serving the organizations that helped shape his life. That has led him to become involved in the Marian University Alumni Association, where he currently serves as president.

Mindy Wallpe-Coles ’00
After she graduated from Marian University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Mindy Wallpe continued her education and recently achieved a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Kentucky. She currently works as a staff therapist and outreach coordinator at Butler University. As a Marian University student, Wallpe was very involved on campus, serving as a resident assistant, a member of the psychology club, a member of student government, a cheerleader, and a campus events coordinator. As an alumna, Wallpe’s involvement with the university hasn’t ended. She participated in the central Indiana chapter of Marian University Alumni Association and returns to campus frequently to serve as a guest speaker. She currently resides with her husband Travis in Hartford City, Indiana.

2011-02-21T13:40:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, the 2011 Marian University Alumni Board met for their annual retreat, and I have to tell you - I'm impressed!

This year's board reminds me of what is great about Marian University. Each member of the board is someone that I'm proud to have representing the university. Collectively, they represent some of the best and brightest of our graduates, with eleven graduate degrees among them, including three graduates with an M.B.A., one with a Ph.D., and a current doctoral candidate. Their commitment to their faith is equally impressive. Among our new members is a seminarian, who is currently at St. Meinrad pursuing a Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophical Studies and Divinity and hopes to be ordained as a Catholic priest.

In addition, these are graduates who made the most of their collegiate experience. Several played baseball, were resident assistants, and were active in student government, including those who served as student body president or class president during their undergraduate years. Others served as presidents of various campus clubs, orientation leaders, and student ambassadors.

I'm also proud that this is our most diverse board ever, with graduates representing each decade from the 1960s to 2010. We also have three graduates of Marian's Adult Programs as well as a graduate of our Master of Arts in Teaching program, who also happens to be in the first cohort of the Academy of Teaching and Learning.

But what strikes me most about this group is their dedication to Marian University. Many of our board members have served the university in various roles for many years, and all of them are excited about the possibilities of contributing to Marian University's success through the work of the Alumni Association.

You can learn more about the Marian University Alumni Association and the 2011 board members on the alumni web site at www.marian.edu/alumni.

New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-18T07:36:00.000-08:00

For the last couple weeks, I've been thinking about new year's resolutions. Now, I know there are those of you that think new year's resolutions are silly. But I also know that sometimes we need some prodding in life to get going, and the new year may provide just that.

As I get older, each new year tends to remind me that there is less time to achieve my own "bucket list" - that list of things that I want to do, achieve, or see in my life (somehow that's a more palatable definition than "the list of things I would like to do before I die"). Sure, I'd love to lose ten pounds (okay, twenty), clean out the closets, and finish that novel sitting on my bookshelf; but January really gets me thinking about the stuff that I'd most like to do, like travel to Egypt, run the Indy 500 mini-marathon, and finish that master's degree in English.

What about you? Are there things on your list that you've been putting off for "someday"? What are you waiting for?

Have you always wanted to get your college degree or go back to school to be a teacher or a nurse? You're not alone. Why don't you make 2011 the year that you enter Marian's Adult Programs, the Master of Arts in Teaching program, or the accelerated nursing program?

Maybe you've been thinking about reuniting with a long lost friend or college roommate. Try Facebook, LinkedIn, and yes, even your friendly Office of Alumni Affairs to help you reconnect with someone you've lost touch with.

Perhaps there is someplace special you want to go. First of all, to all those students out there: don't pass up an opportunity to study abroad. It's worth it. For everyone else, make 2011 the year that you get that passport, start that special savings account, or finally order those plane/train/cruise tickets.

This January, check your own "bucket list" and choose something to get started on. Don't keep it to yourself. Instead, share your goal with family and friends; they want to support you. Finally, check your progress on a monthly basis. Keep moving forward on the important things because frankly, nobody ever regretted that the closets didn't get cleaned out.

An Extraordinary Gift

2010-12-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

We hear the message that this is the season of giving so often that it’s easy to let your eyes glaze over. But giving, making a sacrifice for the benefit of someone else, is neither trite nor ordinary. It is special and deeply personal.

Around two thousand years ago, a carpenter turned preacher told his followers to sell everything they owned and give their money to the poor. Two hundred years later, a wealthy young man who lived in what is now known as Turkey was so inspired by Christ that he did just that, eventually giving away his entire inheritance to help the needy, the sick, and the suffering. The generous nature and humility of St. Nicholas have inspired many stories over the years; even today he inspires us to put others first at this time of year. And so, every Christmas, anonymous givers quietly drop gold coins into Salvation Army buckets, and people donate brand new toys to toy drives for children they don’t even know. That’s not trite or ordinary; that’s amazing.

A similar thing happens here at Marian University when donors send checks to support scholarships for students that they will probably never meet. They are welcomed gifts at any time of year. Most of our students are here because of the generosity of Marian University’s donors. That’s another statement that you probably hear a lot, but take a moment and think about that. A donation to Marian University helps a student like Arthur Spencer or Cindy Muhlenkamp get a college education. That is a meaningful gift. It is a gift that will change someone’s life.

Today is the feast of St. Nicholas. I hope that you feel inspired to give, to make a sacrifice for the benefit of someone else. Somewhere out there, a high school student has applied to Marian University and is wondering if he will be able to afford to attend. Make an online gift and change his life.

Join the 2011 Alumni Association Board!

2010-12-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

It's snowing here at Marian University. Well, just a dusting really, but it reminds me that the end of the year is fast approaching. There is a buzz of excitement on campus that comes every December. Students are finishing up classes and preparing for finals, the Silver Knights are putting up the Christmas tree in Marian Hall, and the Madrigal Dinners bring alumni and friends back to campus.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, I've been working with the Marian University Alumni Association (MUAA) to prepare for 2011. If one of your New Year's resolutions is going to be to get more active with Marian University, don't wait until January! The MUAA National Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for the 2011 term. Directors are responsible for advising the Office of Alumni Affairs and providing guidance on topics related to alumni relations. The national board works to encourage alumni giving, promote involvement in campus events and activities, and strengthen the alumni network through meaningful engagement.

The exciting news is that we've had almost a dozen applications already! This is a great opportunity to get more involved with your alma mater and make a difference in the lives of over 10,000 alumni nationwide. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, fill out an online application at http://www.marian.edu/alumni/Chapters/Pages/BoardApplication.aspx.

Applications are due December 10, 2010, so don't delay! If you have any questions, contact me at 317.955.6210 or bstuckwisch@marian.edu.

2010-11-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Homecoming has come and gone, but the chatter hasn't stopped! Despite the rainy weather, Marian alumni refused to allow their spirits to be dampened. Hundreds of alumni braved the weather to turn out for class reunions and other homecoming events, and over 1200 people attended our homecoming football game.

Tailgating featured local radio station I94, who did a live broadcast. Alumni and friends gathered in the Mother Theresa Hackelmeier Memorial Library to enjoy Longs donuts and hear President Daniel J. Elsener speak about the state of the university (we're on the move and making history!) and best of all -- we won the football game!

The fun continued with Casino Night, which for the first time brought together the whole Marian community -- faculty, staff, alumni, students, and friends. People enjoyed Las Vegas style gaming, prizes, sinfully delicious desserts, and great camaraderie. Many attendees raved that it was their favorite event of the year!

If you missed homecoming this year, make sure to mark your calendar for October 7-8, 2011. The party will start all over again, and we want you to be a part of it. If you're a member of the class of 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, or a graduate of the last decade, contact me to join a reunion planning committee at bstuckwisch@marian.edu. Go Knights!

Marian University Athletics: More Than Just a Game

2010-10-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

Athletics can have an extraordinary impact on students. Any of the student-athletes on Marian University’s campus can tell you stories that illustrate that. I also know this to be true because my husband was an athlete in college, and his experience truly shaped him. He learned about commitment, dedication, character, integrity, and sportsmanship. He, in turn, became a teacher and a coach, and year after year, I see the students he coaches become not just stronger and better athletes, but stronger and better people.

Athletics is a conduit through which powerful lessons are taught, and the best coaches know how to harness that potential. Jeff Traylor ’05, is one of those coaches. Traylor coaches junior varsity softball at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. This past spring, Traylor’s softball team did something special. The team was scheduled to compete against Marshall Community High School. However, the Marshall team lacked the proper equipment, many of the Marshall players were new to the game, and the Marshall coaches were volunteers who were inexperienced themselves. Seeing this, the girls on the Roncalli softball team chose to do something out of the ordinary. Instead of playing a game they could easily win, they spent the entire time working with the Marshall players, teaching them the fundamentals of the game. Traylor did the same with the Marshall coaches.

Following the game, Traylor began soliciting donations for the Marshall team. Believing that he and his team could do more than just help on the field, he sent out emails telling everyone about the experience and asking them to help. The story spread nationally when it was picked up by ESPN, and soon Marshall received numerous donations of equipment and funds for their softball team.

It’s the kind of thing that we’ve come to expect from Marian University graduates. Our Franciscan values: dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship aren’t just words that we promote. They are living values. Our alumni have learned how to activate them in ways that make this world a better place to live, whether through their professional work, volunteer activities, or community service.

Come Home!

2010-08-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Recently, I spent the weekend with some friends from college. They live in Missouri, about a five-hour drive from me, so I haven't seen them in a long time. In fact, as I was planning this visit I realized that it had been ten years since I had seen them! Like many of you, we keep up with each other through email, Facebook, and the occasional phone call; but kids, work, and life have kept each of us so busy that a visit just never seemed possible.

It was wonderful to see them, and great to catch up. However, I also felt some sadness. Ten years is a long time, and I had missed so much during that time. I realized that all of those missed opportunities - the homecoming reunion I couldn't attend, the get-togethers that never made it on my calendar - they had collectively left a gap, both in my memories and in my heart.

Over the past few months, I've been working with Marian graduates that are planning their own reunions, and I've been privileged to catch a glimpse of their college memories. The stories they've shared are funny, heartwarming, touching, and sometimes a little shocking (I'm thinking of you, class of '75). They make me smile, and every planning meeting or phone call leaves me wanting to share the experience with all of you.

Somewhere, your classmates are sharing stories, too. Somewhere, they are saying "Remember when...?" and "Whatever happened to ...?" I hope that each one of you makes the most of Marian University's upcoming homecoming weekend, October 1-2. It's your chance to come home, reconnect with long-lost friends, and fill in the gap.

If you want to learn more about what's going on during homecoming weekend, visit the Marian University alumni web site at www.marian.edu/alumni/homecoming. Contact your friends and classmates, organize a group on Facebook, and let me know how I can help you plan the best reunion ever. I hope to see you there!

2010-08-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of you at football games and special events. Some of you have been receiving my e-mails and phone messages about alumni programs, homecoming, or the new announcement that Marian University is planning to establish a college of osteopathic medicine. For others, this column is our first contact. With that in mind, I wanted to share a little bit about myself and invite you to do the same with me.

I attended a small, private, liberal arts college in northeast Missouri. The school I attended was similar to Marian University in many respects, including the strong tradition of liberal arts and the close-knit community. Perhaps that is why when I came here in October, it felt like coming home, though the extraordinary warmth and sense of welcome that exists at Marian University certainly helped!

After college, I attended Northern Illinois University College of Law, where a primary emphasis was placed upon using our legal education for public interest. Like many of my classmates, I went into public service after graduation, working as a prosecutor and supporting the development of community efforts such as the Restorative Justice Program (helping offenders accept the consequences of their actions and reconcile with their victims) and the Children’s Advocacy Center (advocating for child victims and witnesses). This experience instilled in me an unwavering commitment to the values of peace, justice, and reconciliation, and it is gratifying to now be a part of an institution that shares those values. The Franciscan values, informed by prayer, call to me as a Catholic and as a person dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others.

Those values also brought me to the field of non-profit administration, and over the years I have worked in the fields of criminal justice, social service, and education. I’ve served as executive director of a national women’s fraternity with collegiate chapters and alumni associations throughout the country, and most recently as executive director at a private secondary school. I feel honored to be at Marian University, and I’m excited about helping this institution and its many extraordinary alumni make a difference in the world.

This year, we’ve set a goal to reach more alumni than ever before by providing opportunities that are both engaging and fulfilling to our alumni. To that end, we’ve developed a storytelling program, a career mentoring program, and an alumni ambassador program. Learn more about all three by visiting the alumni web site: www.marian.edu/alumni/stayconnected.

We also have exciting new plans for the 2010-11 school year: All Alumni Weekend has been moved to fall in order to take advantage of all that homecoming spirit! Save the date for October 1-2, 2010; we’re planning a fabulous weekend full of all those great traditions you love, memorable class reunions, and one rousing football game as we take on Trinity International. I’ll be there, and I’d love to see each of you there as well.

If you want to learn more about alumni events in the upcoming year, go to www.marian.edu/alumni. Also, make sure we have your updated information so that we can stay in touch with you. You can update your info right on the alumni web site, e-mail us at alumni@marian.edu, or call us at 800.952.3917 and press 1 for alumni affairs. Finally, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at bstuckwisch@marian.edu or 317.955.6210.

Santa's Brunch

2009-11-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

For many years, Marian University hosted a Santa’s Brunch for alumni and friends. During that time, Professor Denis Kelly played an indispensible role as our "Santa." Denis Kelly was a very special person, and he graced our community with his wisdom and good-humor.

Last year, at the return of the spring semester, Denis Kelly passed away. It was a tremendous loss, as he was an educator, friend, and colleague to those in our community.

We have decided to retire our Santa’s Brunch event in memory of Denis Kelly. To put it quite simply, no one can replace him. He was the heart and soul of our event and we’d like to remember him always in that special role.

We still want to provide an opportunity for alumni to connect with Marian University during the holiday season, and would like to know what type of alumni holiday event you would enjoy. The holidays are the perfect time to remember and celebrate what a wonderful community we have, and we are looking forward to unveiling our new event during 2010. What type of alumni holiday event would you like to see? Share your favorite memories of Denis Kelly and suggest an idea for an alumni holiday event below.

Welcome Home, Alumni

2009-11-03T09:36:00.000-08:00

When you go to the Marian University alumni web site, you'll see the message “Welcome Home, Alumni.” This phrase describes exactly how we feel about our alumni and how we hope they feel about us. No matter what age or stage of life, we hope that you always feel like coming back to Marian University is like coming home.

This blog is part of an effort to improve your home on the web. We are always searching for ways to connect with alumni, improve communication, and seek your input. This provides an additional opportunity to do that. Each week, I'll post an article about a topic impacting or involving alumni and solicit your input and feedback. You can read and respond at your convenience.

Speaking of coming home, last weekend was Homecoming, and we celebrated our first Homecoming football game on the beautiful St. Vincent Health Field. It was wonderful to see so many alumni and friends, and I hope it is the start of new traditions and a new culture of "coming home."

We have a home on campus now, too. The David B. Haire Family Welcome and Alumni Center was dedicated in 2008 as a place to welcome alumni, friends, and visitors to campus. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and check out your new home. The alumni center is available to reserve (at no charge) for your class reunion or a simple get-together with a few classmates and friends.

So check out your home on the web as we continue to update and improve the Marian University alumni web site, stop by your new home on campus and say hello, and save the date for next year's Homecoming on October 2, 2010.