A Transformational Tenure

Celebrating the Presidency of Sister Diane Steele

Courtney Manago Huhn, U’07, was partway through her first semester at the University of Saint Mary when she headed home for Thanksgiving Break. It was meant to be a comforting and joyous time, but the night before the holiday, her family’s home caught fire. No one was hurt, but her family lost everything. Manago Huhn was left on her front lawn with nothing but a pair of pajama pants and a Saint Mary soccer sweatshirt.

On Thanksgiving Day, Sister Diane Steele knocked on the door where Manago Huhn was staying with a cash envelope in hand. The next week, the student returned to campus, where classmates gave her copies of their notes, paper, pencils, and other items to show their support.

“These were people I’d only known for like, two months, right? To have that was really powerful,” Manago Huhn said. “The university was just incredible. That’s when I was like, ‘OK, this is home.’”

After nearly 25 years of leadership, University President Sister Diane Steele, SCL, PhD, has helped make Saint Mary a home for countless students. In addition to her strategic impact on the university, she leads with compassion – helping students navigate hardships and celebrate triumphs.

“I’m so thankful I get to go to a school where I can build a relationship with the president.”

Abigail Price, U’25

“She has a gift for seeing students as individuals – really getting to know them as people with stories, room to grow, and God-given potential,” said Father Bill McEvoy, C’83, a classmate of Sister Steele’s, who also serves as the University Chaplain. “She has a special place in her heart for those whose paths to college may have been more complicated. She patiently gives people the space – and time – to mature. That kind of patience is rare. As president, she carried the weight of significant transitions and challenges with steadiness and grace. And through it all, her commitment as a Sister of Charity was evident – in how she led, how she served, and how she stayed grounded in mission. I admire her deeply for that.”

Sister Steele has announced her plans to step down from her role as president at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year. She was inaugurated as the university’s ninth president on Sept. 12, 2001.

Originally from Butte, Montana, Sister Steele is a 1983 graduate of Saint Mary College with degrees in English and education. Before becoming president, she went on to earn a master’s and PhD – both in Systemic Theology – from the University of Notre Dame. Sister Steele joined the Saint Mary faculty in 1993 and is one of the university’s longest-serving presidents.

“It has been my great honor and privilege to serve you and serve this institution,” she said. “From the time I attended as a student, to my faculty tenure, to my term as president, Saint Mary has been and is dear to my heart. I trust you, my friends and colleagues, to continue to live the mission and educate the next generation of Saint Marians.”

During her tenure, Sister Steele helped the university set several enrollment records, with total USM enrollment more than doubling – from over 700 in 2001 to nearly 1,600 at the start of the fall 2025 semester.

Key to USM’s growth during this period was the development of new academic programs. The university launched three doctoral programs under Sister Steele – the Stefani Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and the Doctor of Education in Leadership. The university also added several master’s programs to the now dozen offerings at USM, including the Master of Social Work and two nurse practitioner tracks. New undergraduate programs, including recent additions like cybersecurity, also emerged during this time, bringing the university’s undergraduate offerings to around 30.

“The most important thing Sister Diane brought was a positive spirit and a commitment to do what was necessary to not only ensure that USM survived but thrived,” said Col. (Ret.) Stanley Evans, who served on the Board of Trustees for many years and previously served as commander of Fort Leavenworth and dean of the Command and General Staff College. “In those first few years, everything was a struggle. It was tough. Sister Diane was relentless in seeking out ways to not only keep the doors open, but to instill a belief in others that keeping the mission of USM alive was worth the effort.”

In the past decade, the university also saw a building and renovation boom – most notably the Campus for Tomorrow capital campaign. Guided by Sister Steele, the Campus for Tomorrow campaign led to the construction of Charles J. Berkel Memorial Stadium as well as the complete renovation of Saint Joseph Dining Hall and conversion of the De Paul Library into the Keleher Learning Commons. Other major projects during her term included the construction of two residence halls – Berkel Hall and Steele Hall – the addition of a Human Anatomy Lab, and the conversion of Berchmans Hall into the university’s health sciences building.

“I step away knowing the University of Saint Mary will continue to thrive more than I had ever imagined when I first assumed the role,” Steele said. “I know USM will continue to flourish. We are in a strong place: consistently setting records for enrollment; remaining fiscally sound with a balanced budget, an $8 million reserve, and a $30
million endowment.”

Saint Mary has also improved student outcomes and bolstered campus life.

• Nearly all Saint Mary students receive financial assistance from the university.
• The athletic department launched 20 new athletic programs since 2009.
• Students are prepared for the workforce, with 70% of recent undergraduates completing an internship, externship, or clinical experience.
• Currently, around 35% of undergraduates are first-generation students. USM launched a First-Generation Scholars program in 2021 to help connect these students with scholarship opportunities, mentorship, and academic support.

“We throw around words like ‘servant leadership’ often in corporate America. Sister Diane lives this out every single day,” said Michael Lu, C’00, who previously served on the Saint Mary Board of Trustees. “She has helped me be a better leader. She is the epitome of serving the community in putting the university and its students first. She does everything with heart, spirit, and a selfless attitude. I’ve seen her show love and humility to janitors, cooks, and random visitors who do not know who she is. She reminds me how in God’s eyes, we all have value, dignity, and purpose.”

Finding the Next Leader

Three USM Board of Trustees, who are also Saint Mary alumni, will lead the national search for the university’s 10th president. They are Board Chair Dr. Tes Mehring, C’74; past Chair Dr. Carol Wambeke, C’81; and Aaron Weissenfluh, C’95. The selection committee will also include Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth First Councilor Sister Melissa Camardo, as well as Saint Mary faculty and staff members. Together, they are conducting a nationwide search.

“Sister Diane Steele’s leadership has been nothing short of transformational,” Mehring said. “Her deep love for Saint Mary, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to our mission have shaped the university in profound and lasting ways. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our deepest gratitude for her years of faithful service. As we search for our next president, we do so with confidence, knowing that Sister Diane has positioned Saint Mary for a strong and vibrant future.”

For updates on the presidential search, visit stmary.edu/leadership/presidential-search.