A Letter from the President — Spring 2016

Dear Friends and Alumni,

Another school year has passed. They go faster each year. Yet, each is unique because of the students who are with us. While we do our best to instill in them a love for life-long learning and care of their brothers and sisters in need, we also learn from them. I learn anew about the yearning of the human heart and the need to find meaning in life. Something profound happens when we link the depth and breadth of liberal arts with service. We call it a Saint Mary liberal arts education.

Whether joining the Sisters of Charity in feeding the hungry at St. Joseph’s Church in Leavenworth or packaging meals for those in Tanzania, our students learn firsthand how blessed they are to have the privilege of serving God’s people. As usual, students participated in hundreds of service projects throughout the year. Seven nursing students served the poor of Mexico over Spring Break. Campus ministry students traveled 14 hours to New Orleans to help those in need, and our Spires football team dedicated over 3,000 hours to our local community. Being of service, our students know, is an essential part of being a Saint Marian.

This service is linked with the liberal arts education that continually asks the questions and probes for answers, so that we might not just provide food, but empower our neighbors to stand with dignity on their own two feet. The issues are complex and the answers only partial, but we are committed to the challenge with and for our neighbors.

So much of who we are today—teachers, leaders, doctors, moms, and dads—can be attributed to who we were challenged to become at Saint Mary and the dreams we were encouraged to follow beyond. Gracious God, thank you for giving us the endless opportunities to learn and serve, reminding us anew to see you in the face of our neighbor.

Peace and blessings to you,
Sister Diane Steele, SCL, Ph.D., C’83