Six years after graduating from College of Saint Mary, Barbi Hayes ’89 was the first woman appointed to the Douglas County Planning Commission in 1995. She was elected the first woman chairman in 2003.
When Linda C. Schindler ’69 enrolled at College of Saint Mary, she began a new chapter in her life. The Bartlett, Neb., resident had to adjust to living in Omaha after growing up in a farm community.
When Sr. Rosemary Arrah, HHCJ, ’11 arrived at the College of Saint Mary, she planned to earn her degrees in education and theology and then move on. However, she soon realized the importance of extracurricular activities while still attending classes.
Years after graduating from College of Saint Mary, Debbie Kay Ward’s passion for the education opportunities the University provides women has not diminished.
Though she attended the College of Saint Mary for only two years, Betty Egan still credits the University with instilling the “desire to be a strong, confident, and independent woman.”
Joan Tu ’83, ’92 was a full-time licensed practical nurse at Methodist Hospital when she enrolled at College of Saint Mary to pursue her associate degree in nursing.
Attending college was the natural next step for Barbara Schindler Dinslage ’63 following her high school graduation. But growing up in a small town required her to overcome many obstacles and adjust when she enrolled at College of Saint Mary.
As a teaching artist at Omaha’s Rose Theater, Robyn Helwig M’22 taught in summer camps, after-school classes and the Every Single Child program, which was designed to allow every elementary and middle school student in Omaha to take part in at least one meaningful theatrical experience each year.
Stacey Flowers ‘08 thought her dream of being the first in her family to go to college was over when she became pregnant in high school. She was going to drop out. Her guidance counselor gave her two options.
After spending her freshman year of college in Kentucky, Jennifer Kros-Dorfmeyer ’97 had the opportunity to return to Omaha and be a part of the first-ever collegiate soccer program at College of Saint Mary.
At a young age, Jenni Herchenbach ’99, M’12 learned her family didn’t talk about death -- something she didn’t quite understand. She wanted to talk about it.
When Sarah O’Callaghan ’15, M’21 got her first French bulldog puppy, she fell in love with the breed. “They’re kind of like potato chips. I had to have another one,” she said.
Nicole Kolm-Valdivia '06, then a senior biology major at College of Saint Mary, was considering her next step when she realized medical school might not be the answer.
Manuela Priesemuth ’05 heard about the potential opportunities to play soccer in the U.S. following her high school graduation in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein.
With a career focused on helping develop and grow businesses, Rosemary (Rose) Stanek Jaspersen ’70 hopes her experience can help College of Saint Mary students.
Pat Lenaghan ’74 is hoping her more than 45 years of nursing experience and the knowledge of other College of Saint Mary graduates can help those getting ready to enter the field.
Tierra Murphy Robinson MBA, MHA, ‘06 has been promoted to the role of Director of Adaptive Learning and Inclusive Excellence with Inclusion and Diversity at Nebraska Medicine.
