Saint Mary\'s Stories Archive








In 1990, Jennifer Herzog Clark ’90 graduated from Saint Mary's with a heart full of literature, a gift for writing, and the love of her professor and peers. A joyful soul who cherished Faulkner, Plath, and quiet moments at the Grotto, Jennifer lived her life with grace—even through a decade-long battle with brain cancer that took her too soon, just shy of her 20th reunion. Today, thanks to the enduring love of her family and friends, Jennifer’s light shines on through a scholarship endowment in her name. From a memorial bench beneath the shade trees outside the dining hall to a lasting investment in the futures of young women, her story is one of inspiration, resilience, and faith.
First generation student Mish Yepez-Cornejo ’26 has a summer job lined up in the Office for Student Equity at Saint Mary’s. Her recent creation of Hidden Syllabus, a comprehensive resource guide for fellow first gens covers everything from traditions like The Ring to navigating academics, finances, and myriad other topics that students may not know, with helpful links throughout. In it, she shared: “As a first gen student, you might sometimes feel like you're charting unknown territory,” she said. “There may be moments when you wonder if you truly belong or if you're making the right decisions. But students should remember, they’ve earned their place here, and they have everything it takes to succeed.”