A Legacy Blazes Her Own Trail
Emily Peppers Towne
BA and MA in Speech-Language Pathology
Currrent Role: Speech-Language Pathologist, South Bend Community School Corporation
Long before she ever became a part of the vast alumnae network of Belles, Emily Peppers Towne, grew up on the beautiful campus that is Saint Mary’s. As a little girl, she was a student at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC); during her summers, Emily participated in the Fine Arts and Volleyball camps, with volleyball being her favorite.
“It always felt like my second home,” Emily said. But what truly made Saint Mary’s a second home for Emily was her mother, alumna Lisa Reed Peppers ’87. Lisa has worked at Saint Mary’s for 37 years, most recently as the assistant director of Campus Experience and Events. Colleagues laud her as the glue that holds the College’s campus spaces together. Growing up, Emily would tag along with her mom to work, especially when Lisa had late-night events. This early exposure created that sense of belonging. “Even before I formally attended Saint Mary’s, it already felt like it was my second home,” she said.
When it came time to go to college, Emily knew in her heart exactly where she would attend. “I always knew I was going to Saint Mary’s. “It was a gut feeling,” she said. "I have always looked up to my mom. I quickly learned from a young age how important Saint Mary's was to her and the impact it has had on her."Emily was attentive to her surroundings, as well: "I noticed faculty and staff loved being involved in the Saint Mary’s community,” she added. Emily listened to her gut. Her college decision was an easy one.
Finally and officially a Belle, Emily began her Saint Mary’s career. She quickly got involved, joining the SMC Volleyball team in the gym she used to spend her summers in. And when it came time to declare a major, she remembered something her mom had said to her: “Speech therapy might be a great career for you.” It wasn’t just a hunch. At age 1, Emily had yet to vocalize, so Lisa enrolled her in speech therapy. She continued with it until middle school. In middle and high school, Emily hadn’t a clue what her career could look like, but she always thought she might be a teacher of some sort. “I remember seeing fellow students who required extra attention, and thought that might be something to pursue, but back then I didn’t really understand the kind of education I’d need to receive, or understand the support I would need to provide.” So when it came to choosing a major, she decided to study Communication Sciences and Disorders (Today the program is called Speech-Language Pathology).
Emily loved being a Belle. “I felt like going to all-womens school helped me in so many ways, more ways than one can think. You learn confidence, such as being able to speak up for yourself and others, as well as finding and how best to use your voice.” Emily strongly believes that it is because of her Saint Mary’s experience that she became confident accepting leadership roles personally and professionally. “I discovered who I am as a person, and that sounds so cliché.”
Emily points to an essay the College often uses with prospective and incoming students and families. From her essay titled Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Sister Madeleva Wolff, CSC wrote: “We promise you discovery, the discovery of yourselves, the discovery of the universe and your place in it.”
Even though she had long been steeped in the traditions of the College, “I remember being so hesitant about [Madeleva’s quote], thinking, ‘There’s no way Saint Mary’s can promise me all of that. I already know who I am.’ But now, I don’t think I’d be who I am or where I am without Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s truly pushed me to discover who I am, what my purpose is in life, and new possibilities.”
Just as entering Saint Mary’s, leaving Saint Mary’s also promised her discovery. After graduating in 2019, Emily, still discerning whether or not to continue her education, took a gap year, got a job, and worked. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue a master’s degree,” she said. During her gap year, Emily worked with high school students with special needs; not only did she receive a much-needed break from her own academics, but it gave her the clarity of what she wanted—and did not want—out of her career.
So Emily, once again, attended Saint Mary’s. This time for her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. “I was back on campus, and so happy. But it was different.” Her program took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while it was significantly different from the first time, she loves that “it gave me two more years at Saint Mary’s.”
Emily graduated from Saint Mary’s a second time, walking across Le Mans Green on a Saturday in May 2022, this time with her Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Now a double Belle, her career has flourished. She is currently an early childhood speech-language pathologist for the South Bend Community School Corporation. “The speech therapist that made the biggest impact in my life is now my coworker!”
Saint Mary’s has been, and will always be, a central part in many areas of Emily’s life. Not only is her mother Lisa an essential piece of the Saint Mary’s ecosystem, her father-in-law was a former a landscaper for the College. She and her husband were married in August 2024, at the Gillespie Center, and had their reception in Noble Family Dining Hall. Emily had three maids of honor, each of whom were her best friends at Saint Mary’s.
“It’s so funny how this universe and God works,” said Emily. Indeed it is.
“We promise you discovery, the discovery of yourselves, the discovery of the universe and your place in it. We promise that you will find these marked by the Cross, that you will take possession of them in the name of the Holy Cross, our legacy and your birthright.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow we pray for your ultimate and complete discovery of the will of God for you. It will lead you beyond the farthest limit of happiness. For in that will is your peace.”
—Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Sister Madeleva Wolff, CSC.
Connect with Emily 
Quick Takes
- Tradition: Late Night breakfast
- Dining Hall Meal: Chicken Nuggets
- Class: Early Childhood Disorders
- Spot on campus: Le Mans Green
- Place to live: Le Mans Hall