Saint Mary's News & Stories

Professional Success and Personal Faith

Christina Fleming ’90 decided long ago that if she were ever in a position to give back, she would. It wasn’t only what she refers to as her “Midwestern Catholic values” that led to this decision, but also a stint working on life-threatening disease research with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital early in her career that led her to establish The Nekvasil Fund, and later The Fleming Giesinger Family Endowed Research Fund.

Read More
Liz Hanlon Sands ’04: A Story of Courage and Change

Alumna Liz Hanlon Sands ’04 is a survivor and a thriver. As part of the upcoming Raise Your Voice Sexual Violence Prevention Symposium, Sands will share her story with the College community, showing her trajectory from survivor to advocate. "I feel called to keep sharing my story and to continue to find ways to help and encourage others to do the same.”

Read More

Saint Mary's Stories Archive

Search Stories
September 21, 2026 Young Donors Make a Long-Term Impact Millennial and older Gen-Z alumnae at Saint Mary’s are carving their own path for charitable gifts which, down the road, will have a big impact. In this interview, alumnae Caroline Johnson '18 and Julia Wilson '21 discuss how being part of the Young Madeleva Society is an opportunity worth sharing. August 24, 2026 Advancement Update This summer marked an extraordinary milestone in the history of Saint Mary’s College as we officially launched the public phase of our comprehensive campaign, Ring Out Ring True. The energy surrounding our campaign launch, combined with the joy of welcoming hundreds of alumnae home for Reunion, served as a powerful reminder of what makes Saint Mary’s so special: a community united by shared values and a deep commitment to ensuring future generations of women have access to the same transformative experience. August 24, 2026 A Community of Faith, Hope, and Love: Commencement 2026 A community built of faith, hope, and love was the abiding theme of Commencement 2026. Valedictorian Abigail Newton told fellow graduates, “as I reminisce about our time at Saint Mary’s, one word rises above all the rest: community.” Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient Anne Thompson (ND '79) added elements of faith, hope, and love in her address. Over 370 students were awarded their undergraduate and graduate degrees.  August 24, 2026 Reunion 2026: Celebrating Sisterhood Over 880 alumnae and guests from class years ending in 1s and 6s attended Reunion 2026 to celebrate enduring friendships, revisit the beautiful Saint Mary’s campus, take part in programming, and ring in a new era at the College with the unveiling of a bell in the Le Mans Hall tower. August 7, 2026 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. August 5, 2026 2026 Valedictorian Abby Newton Continues Her Education at Saint Mary�... 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. 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.