91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½

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Pioneering spirits.
Innovators in their fields.
Passionate advocates for education.

91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ is proud to introduce the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund Council, alumnae/i and friends representing the many faces of a 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ education. Their reasons for giving back to 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ are as diverse and unique as each of them, but they share a common passion: a commitment to the transformative power of a personally focused, high-quality education. That’s why they support the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund.

Gifts to the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund provide for scholarships, service initiatives, and the support that enhances our students’ experiences. We are proud to share inspiring testimonials from our Council members about why they give to the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund.

Ellen M. Bendry ’57, Co-Chair

“I remember when graduating from Rosary my mother (class of 1924) saying "we will be good to Rosary; they were good to us." We felt it was a privilege to attend a school taught by the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Sisters.  They helped us in all aspects of our lives. I am proud to support the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund to help students have an opportunity to obtain a 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ education.â€

Shanon J. Cole ’98, Co-Chair

“I support DU because they provide a quality education for the whole individual (intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual) regardless of their economic background, while still enabling the individuality of each person who attends. You never feel like a number being thrown through the system. DU provides students with small school attention but with a world of opportunities.â€

Mary Alice Mulhern ’74, Co-Chair

“I support DU because they focus on ensuring that those who are first in the family to go to college receive an academically impressive education in an environment designed to nurture and support them.â€

Erick Baumann ’93

“I give back to 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ because it will always hold a place in my heart. Being an alum and a long-time staff member, I have seen and experienced the impact that the university can have on a life.  Be it alums that come back and share stories, or the current student-athletes in our programs, I hear the stories of the bonds and friendships that have been cultivated at 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ and understand that the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund is making a difference in the lives of those that attend. “

Melissa Chavez ’18

“I support 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ through the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund because it provided me with the resources to attend a school surrounded by a community of encouraging professors, staff and fellow peers who became an integral part of both my personal and vocational growth throughout my undergraduate journey.â€

Annette J. Clemens ’92

“I give to 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ because it is the place where I had the opportunity to learn from faculty who cared deeply about the educational development of every student. Also, I give because 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ is the place that clearly lives its mission of creating ‘a more just and humane world’ like no other organization that I've experienced. They know how to empower students to meet the challenges of our time.â€

Lois K. Dittus ’59

“I have always been extremely thankful for my Rosary education; both the knowledge and the logical and critical thinking skills I acquired. They have enabled me to adjust to many types of job situations throughout the years. I feel strongly that these advantages be available to today's students. I support the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund because I want 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ to be a viable institution in the future, passing along knowledge, student-centered philosophy, and spiritual development to future generations. Donating has also kept me connected to the university and to other people sharing the vision."

Elizabeth Enciso ’18

“I have 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ faculty and staff to thank for never giving up me and helping me succeed. Coming in as a freshman, I was unaware of the challenges I would face. With the hardships I encountered, 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ made it possible for me to get an education.â€

Kathy Giamalva ’60

“I contribute to 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ because I was raised on Rosary/91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½! As a child, I learned the importance of education. My parents were the first in their families to go to college.  My mother graduated from Rosary in 1928 – a member of Rosary’s first 4-year class.

I graduated in 1960 and have always cherished the liberal arts education I received at Rosary/91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½. It instilled in me a lifelong love of learning and the desire to pursue religious and social justice issues. Because of my gratitude to 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ for providing wonderful training for my teaching career and graduate study, I want other students to have this great opportunity. This is why I give an annual unrestricted gift to the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund. I know it is a donation appreciated and used wisely.â€

Mary Alice Griesinger ’75

“When I started college at 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ I had dreams of becoming a person who helped people in what they wanted to do and 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ fulfilled those dreams for me... Now I want to give others that chance to become what their dreams are...  Truly, I changed both my life and my family - a semester in London made me want to travel the globe, and that started my family on becoming world travelers.    I hope to give the ability for 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ students to have dream made possible...â€

Anthony E. Powers ’82

“I give to the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund to ensure that succeeding generations of DU students have access to the same quality education that I received.  The ability to think critically with a social justice perspective, the spirit of Caritas Veritas, are qualities that the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ experience uniquely provides and are necessary to preserve.â€

Sister Peggy Ryan, OP, ’79

“Looking back, I support DU because it is part of my family history and an important part of my past.  Looking forward, I give because I believe in the mission of the University to prepare students to pursue truth and create a more just and humane world.â€

Matthew A. Toles ’97

“As an alum and an adjunct faculty member, I am proud to be a leadership donor to the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Fund. I am grateful for the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ education I received and feel privileged to have the opportunity to teach and work with students. I see first-hand how annual gifts impact our students and the programs that are essential to their success.â€