Celebrating Success: Saint Mary Alumni Awards

The annual Saint Mary Alumni Reunion is not just a time for reconnecting but a celebration of individuals whose lives continue to reflect the values of Saint Mary. This year, three remarkable alumnae – Jeannine T. Edmonds, Pat Regan, and Peggy Niles Kwoka – were honored with Saint Mary Alumni Awards.

Pat Regan, C’74
This year’s Sister Mary Janet McGilley Service Award recipient has helped advance the University of Saint Mary by sharing her time and talent. Regan’s journey has been marked by a commitment to service and a life dedicated to helping others. At 31, Pat made a bold decision to leave her job, give away most of her possessions and move to rural Alabama to serve as a missionary volunteer with the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. After four years, she moved to their headquarters in Maryland to work in their fund development office. Ten years later, she was named the executive director of development, the first layperson to hold that role. Regan’s time in Alabama put her in touch with the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate (MCA), an international association of the lay faithful founded by a Vincentian priest in 1909 in Brooklyn, NY. In 1991, she made her Act of Consecration as an associate. In 2015, she was elected to serve as the General Superior and re-elected for another four-year term in 2019. In 2011, she earned a Master of Arts in Theology with a focus on mission studies.

Jeannine T. Edmonds, C’89
Edmonds was honored with the Saint Vincent De Paul Award, which recognizes an alum who exemplifies the mission of the university. Edmonds has spent her life lifting others up, both personally and professionally. As the youngest of 10 children, she learned early on about the importance of resilience and family support. Edmonds is happily married to her husband, Rick, and they have two adult daughters, Rita and Beth. In her spare time, Edmonds enjoys traveling, camping, and relaxing on her porch, where she loves watching the birds. With almost 20 years of experience as a financial advisor, Edmonds has dedicated her career to helping others achieve financial stability.

Peggy Niles Kwoka, C’79
The Sister Mary Mark Orr Pioneer Spirit Award is given to alumni who have achieved great success in their professional careers. Kwoka is a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, holding a United States patent for developing a pharmaceutical formulation. As a Certified Quality Auditor and Certified Supplier Quality Professional through the American Society for Quality, Kwoka has bolstered the safety of the pharmaceutical supply chain in the US, UK, Japan, Poland, Thailand, China, Brazil, and Mexico. She has been married to her husband, Bill, for 43 years, and together they have two daughters and five grandchildren. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kwoka served as a member and leader of her church board from 2020 to 2023, reflecting her commitment to both her career and community.