Sincere Cannon ’25
The Outstanding Senior Award is presented by the Alumnae Association Board of Directors to a member of the senior class who has demonstrated outstanding devotion to Saint Mary’s College.
The recipient of the Outstanding Senior Award exemplifies the spirit and values of her school, and is distinguished by scholarship, leadership, and outstanding dedication to Saint Mary’s through participation in both curricular and extracurricular activities. As the valedictorian represents the mind, and the Lumen Christi recipient reflects the soul, the Outstanding Senior embodies the heart of Saint Mary’s.
The 2025 Alumnae Association Outstanding Senior is Sincere Cannon.
Graduating with a major in Nursing, Sincere is distinguished by her commitment to effect change, her intellectual curiosity, and her compassion for others.
Sincere’s nominators span all corners of the Saint Mary’s Campus, from nursing faculty to our Global Education Office, and they all share the same sentiment—Saint Mary’s College is a better place because of Sincere Cannon. One of Sincere’s nominators, Renée Schutze in the Nursing Department, said when reflecting on “what it truly means to be ‘Saint Mary’s’”, she thought of Sincere and her “academic prowess, initiative, and compassionate heart for service”.
Sincere’s educational pursuits seek to bring about lasting change to communities that need it most. Focusing her research on improving the assessment and treatment of postpartum depression in mothers, Sincere is affecting real change that will impact countless lives. Even in her regular academic work, it was observed by her nominators that Sincere is quick to earn trust in the academic setting, and consistently goes above and beyond to make sure her patients and colleagues feel they can rely on her. There is, perhaps, no greater indication of Sincere’s academic prowess than her intention to continue this incredible academic journey through the Saint Mary’s Doctorate of Nursing Practice program to, in her own words, “pay it forward…in part to inspire first-generation students who come after me, but most importantly, to all future Belles who not only seek a college, but a home.”
Beyond the classroom, Sincere’s nominators include members of the Global Education Office and Embody Summer Theology Institute program staff. Rather than follow the traditional path of finding hospital jobs over the summer break, Sincere chose to dedicate herself to service within the Saint Mary’s community as a camp counselor for the Embody Summer Theology Institute. In this role, Sincere was able to help young women grow in faith and self-knowledge, assisting them in this journey of spiritual development while exemplifying the spirit and values of Saint Mary’s College. Her volunteer work continued into the next summer, where Sincere took a position as Student Program Coordinator for the Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program. Working closely with Global Education Office staff and the program participants who were visiting the US for the first time, Sincere embraced everything that came with this opportunity and found ways to use her academic skills in this new volunteer space. Assisting with any students who fell ill or even checking on those who might be struggling in this new environment, Sincere’s capacity to care extends into every facet of her Saint Mary’s experience.
Renée Schutze says it best: “Sincere’s unwavering dedication to those she loves is a testament to her character and values,” and Saint Mary’s College is truly lucky to be a place Sincere loves.
The Alumnae Association Board of Directors proudly honors Sincere Cannon as the Outstanding Senior of 2025.