Saint Mary Stories

Saint Mary Strong

June 29, 2020 // 0 Comments

A Snapshot of Spire Stories during the COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has strained nearly every aspect of life in recent months. But the Saint Mary spirit remains stronger than ever. Members of the USM community have stepped up in numerous ways during the global health crisis. Here are [...]

Building a Fabric Bridge

June 29, 2020 // 0 Comments

How Quilting Helped Jean Ameduri, C’69, Establish Lasting Cultural Connections As soon as Jean Ameduri crossed the threshold, she could tell how different her life was compared to those of her new friends. She had heard and read about life in Russia in the early 1990s. She even had a brief [...]

Guardian Angel Leaves Behind Legacy of Devotion

November 9, 2019 // 0 Comments

She’s known for her loving spirit and a kind smile that often trailed into a giggle. For her generosity and chocolate chip cookie recipe. For her devotion to the University of Saint Mary and the many students that occupied it. The admirable qualities of Sister Madonna Fink, C’54, go on – as [...]

The Voice of Marshallese Women

June 20, 2019 // 0 Comments

Mona Levy-Strauss, C’80, Following Her Call Empowered by her Saint Mary education, Ramona “Mona” Levy-Strauss (C’80) has dedicated her life to the advancement of women in the Marshall Islands—a sprawling chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls located in the central Pacific Ocean, [...]

Teaching the Teachers of Tomorrow

November 6, 2018 // 0 Comments

Being in a military family inevitably means moves. And for Cheryl (Stein) Reding, C’89, that meant moving away from Leavenworth after just one year at Saint Mary. As with any change, comes a little discomfort—especially when leaving a place that feels like home. Leavenworth was where Cheryl’s [...]

Faking Symptoms – It’s What She Does Best

June 26, 2018 // 0 Comments

Sarah DaMetz, U’16, Puts Her Theatre Degree to Work Sarah DaMetz, U’16, spent her days at the University of Saint Mary gracing the stage in Xavier Theatre. From day one on campus, she was destined to be a star—embracing every opportunity to not just be a lead, but to build sets, piece [...]

Building Small-School Comradery in the Big City

October 4, 2017 // 0 Comments

Thomas Grossman, U’14, Initiates Spire Alumni Chapter Born and raised in Southern California, Thomas Grossman, U’14, would have never thought “home” would be Kansas City. Not that he didn’t love his four years in the Midwest as a Spire, but he had his sights set on coaching college [...]

Suiting Up To Change The World: Keeton Krause, U’16, Tests Live Zika in Search of a Vaccine

December 28, 2016 // 0 Comments

Think back to August—the threat of the Zika virus plastered the news. Rio-bound Olympians were turning in their tickets, while countries were taking every possible precaution to guard their athletes against infection. And just as tens of thousands were devising a plan to avoid contamination, [...]

Serving Those Who Serve: Journey to Veterans Affairs Medical Center CEO for Kathy Fogarty, C’82

September 23, 2016 // 0 Comments

Topeka, Kansas City, Sioux Falls, Houston, Oklahoma City, Fayetteville, Jackson, Biloxi, Shreveport, Tampa, Phoenix—Kathy Fogarty has been on the move for the past 33 years. Her journey began with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 1983 when she assumed her position as a clinical dietitian in [...]

Striking at New Goals: Alex Bartels, U’15, is a Mentor in the Classroom and on the Field

December 1, 2015 // 1 Comment

Less than a year ago, Alex Bartels, U’15, was living the life of a USM student. Walking the halls of Miege, studying for tests, finishing homework—all before afternoon soccer practice. If you told Alex that she would soon cross a barrier very few women do, she probably wouldn’t have [...]