Saint Mary's News & Stories

A Chance Encounter, A Lifetime of Cherishing Saint Mary’s

A rainy game day, a chance encounter at a campus party, and a stack of long-distance letters that started a lifelong partnership. For Becky Radwan Updegraff ’91, choosing Saint Mary’s was the decision that shaped everything—from stepping into her confidence to meeting her husband, Jay. Decades later, the couple is paying it forward, ensuring the transformative power of a Saint Mary’s education continues for the next generation of women. Dive into their story of connection, devotion, and why giving back to the Saint Mary’s Fund means so much to them.

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2026 Valedictorian Abby Newton Continues Her Education at Saint Mary’s

After earning her bachelor's degree this spring, Newton is continuing her journey through Saint Mary’s accelerated 4+1 Master of Data Science program, preparing for a career in one of today’s fastest-growing fields.

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June 30, 2026 Trustey Trail Groundbreaking Celebrates Vision for a More Connected Ca... Ground has officially been broken on the Trustey Trail! Thanks to the generous support of Kristine Anderson Trustey ’86 and Sean McGraw, Saint Mary's is creating a new wellness loop that will inspire movement, reflection, and connection across campus. Expected to open this November, the Trustey Trail will be a place where community, wellness, and the natural beauty of Saint Mary's come together. June 3, 2026 Bringing Storytelling to Life: Jennifer Flores ’24 Completes Orr Fel... Jennifer Flores ’24, who graduated from Saint Mary’s with a degree in communications studies, recently completed the prestigious Orr Fellowship, an early-career development program that connects talented college and university graduates with businesses in Indianapolis and Evansville. One of 46 fellows in her graduating cohort, Flores joins the ranks of more than 650 high-achieving Orr professionals who are now working in their chosen fields. May 22, 2026 Philanthropy Elevates the Liberal Arts at Saint Mary’s For Susan Eyerly Pichler ’61 and her husband, Joe Pichler (ND ’61), establishing an endowed chair in the humanities was a natural extension of many of those things the couple holds most dear: a shared passion for art and great books, their longtime relationship with Saint Mary’s College, and an abiding belief in the power of education to lift up students and communities. May 12, 2026 Investing in the Future of a Nation: The Journey of Dr. Maria Josephin... Dr. Maria Josephine Kasindi Kamm ’63 is inarguably the mother of modern education in Tanzania. Affectionately known as “Mama Kamm,” she is an internationally renowned educator, philanthropist, politician, and role model for empowered women. Through her commitment to educating generations of Tanzanian women and girls, Mama Kamm has changed the face of modern Tanzania. Many of these women are now doctors, lawyers, educators, scientists, and entrepreneurs. “When you educate a woman, you are investing in the future of a nation. Seeing them grow into confident, capable leaders is what I value most—it is why I dedicated my life to education,” she said. May 4, 2026 The Power of She: From Saint Mary’s to Medicine and Back Again Mary Morgan Mitchell ’12, at right, never believed the naysayers. If she had, she would never have become the accomplished, generous doctor she is today. Because of the affirming experiences and opportunities afforded to her at the College, Mitchell, a sports medicine physician at Virginia Tech University, has become a loyal donor to the Saint Mary’s Fund. “I give back so others can have the same experience that I had. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would have made it into a position like this. That is what Saint Mary's did for me,” she said. April 16, 2026 A Smart Investment in Saint Mary's College Lisa Dittrich Wurst ’77 fell in love with Saint Mary’s, graduating with a degree in business. After a long career in finance, she continues to stay connected with her alma mater in retirement. In her professional opinion, Wurst shares how a donor-advised fund is among the easiest ways to invest in the future of Saint Mary's. April 16, 2026 Holy Spirit Chapel Celebrates its Centennial On April 24, 1926, the Chapel of the Holy Ghost, now known as Holy Spirit Chapel, was dedicated at Saint Mary's College. One hundred years later, the campus community will gather in that same sacred space to celebrate its centennial milestone. March 29, 2026 Showing Up for the Next Generation: Why Giving to Saint Mary’s Matte... Kelly Cook Lewis' 97 is a regular visitor to the College, offering her time and talents to assorted committees and student initiatives. Lewis is also relishing in her time as a champion for Ring Out Ring True, the College’s fundraising campaign, which will publicly launch on June 6. Recently, Lewis sat with us to talk about the benefits of giving, and how Saint Mary’s continues to be part of her life.   February 9, 2026 Toni Brock Johnson ’89 Named 2026 Shannon Executive Scholar In January 2026, Saint Mary’s College welcomed Toni Brock Johnson ’89 as the Shannon Executive Scholar. A trailblazing alumna, Johnson returned to share her remarkable career. From pharmaceutical sales pioneer to corporate vice president, entrepreneur, and advocate for women and sustainability, Johnson met with current students in business, chemistry, and STEM classes.