2022 Alumnae Association Honorees

Alumnae Association Honors Four Classmates

Alumnae from across the nation reunited on campus and shared heartfelt camaraderie during the 2022 Reunion weekend June 2-5. This year, it was alumnae from the class years ending in 2s and 7s who participated in several days of back-to-back events, including receptions, panel discussions, campus tours, and of course the Awards dinner. On Saturday, June 4, four outstanding alumnae were honored for their dedication to their profession, faith, and the mission of the College. 

Outstanding Young Alumna

The Outstanding Young Alumna Award honors one who, within 15 years of graduation, exhibits leadership in her personal and professional accomplishments, as well as her involvement with the Alumnae Association and Saint Mary’s College. This year, the Alumnae Association honored Rachael Stowe, class of 2007. A double major in math and humanistic studies, while at Saint Mary's she received the Saint Catherine Medal, the Thomas More Award, and the Outstanding Senior by the Alumnae Association. In the 15 years since her graduation, Rachael has given back to Saint Mary’s in many ways. She is a faithful donor to the Madeleva Society, sits on the National Advisory Council for the College’s Christian Culture Lecture, and has also served as a member of the Down the Avenue Steering Committee. She started her professional career at Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago, and Press Ganey Associates in South Bend. After the birth of their daughters Molly and Emma, Rachael and her husband Jeff downsized their possessions and living space, and began a blog, “What If We Fly.” For many years, Rachael chronicled their minimalist, travel lifestyle, during which they visited 41 countries, 48 states, and 22 national parks—and welcomed sons Callan and Pippin. However, in the past two years, the lens of Rachael’s life has shifted again. After receiving a terminal colon cancer diagnosis in May 2020, Rachael continues her primary vocation as a wife and parent to her four children—while receiving regular cancer treatments. She now uses her blog as a way to chronicle God’s faithfulness in the midst of brokenness. Amid all of the challenges and commitments of her time to her family and her fight against cancer, Rachael finds the small moments in life to give of herself to others. Her vigilant support of the refugee population, which began as a student, continues to this day. 

Humanitas Award

The Humanitas Award recognizes an alumna who is outstanding in her personal and volunteer accomplishments and for her concern for the interests and welfare of her fellow human beings. This year’s recipient is Heidi Cerneka, Class of 1987, recognized for her lifelong dedication to serving the most marginalized and needy. From her initial volunteer work as a teacher in Belize, Heidi worked in campus ministry at Loyola University in Chicago, before joining the Maryknoll Lay Missioners in 1996. She has served in Latin America, Africa, and most recently on the border of the United States in Mexico to advocate for the rights of the forgotten. Heidi graduated in 1987 from Saint Mary’s College with a degree in Religious Studies. From 1996 to 2014, Heidi lived and worked in São Paulo, Brazil. She served with both the National Prison Pastoral Ministry and the Institute for Land, Work, and Citizenship. Heidi worked on public policy and human rights issues for people in prison, but she developed a specific ministry to protect women in prison. At the same time, her work also addressed larger issues related to crime, drug, and human trafficking, identifying patterns that repeat from country to country. Heidi participated in United Nations working groups to standardize the treatment of women. In 2017 after earning her law degree from Loyola, Heidi served in Kenya, helping women navigate the criminal justice system. Since 2019, she is based in the city of El Paso, Texas, which borders on the city of Juárez, Chihuahua, serving as an immigration attorney with Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, working almost exclusively with detained migrants—primarily asylum seekers who find themselves in jail simply because they asked for protection. Her nominator wrote, in part, “Heidi is motivated 100% by her faith and the Gospel and seeks no personal attribution. She is a remarkable role model for all women—but especially Saint Mary’s women—as a servant leader who combines her faith and skills to serve with a joy and commitment that is authentic and unwavering.” 

Alumna Achievement

The Alumna Achievement award honors a woman who exemplifies the standards, ideals, and mission of Saint Mary’s College. This year we honor Mary Anne Luzar Tattersall, Class of 1972. Mary Anne embraces the values of Christian culture taught at Saint Mary’s and has exhibited those values at each stage of her impressive career. Her international perspective took root during her study abroad year in Angers, France. It deepened with a double major in Humanistic Studies and French Literature. After recovering from a serious illness in her mid-20s, Mary Anne studied pre-med at DePauw University while teaching French. She was increasingly drawn to science, and she completed her master’s degree in microbiology at the University of Tennessee. Her research in cystic fibrosis infections, leadership and development skills brought her to the commercial arena and the world stage in Belgium. Employed by Baxter Healthcare in Brussels, she completed her doctoral degree in microbiology and defended her dissertation in French, with the distinction of summa cum laude. Her transition from the humanities to success in the sciences demonstrates—besides her intellect and drive—her ability to learn, which is the hallmark of her Saint Mary’s liberal arts education. For 20 years Mary Anne has been chief of the Regulatory Affairs Branch, Division of AIDS, at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Institutes of Health, playing a key role in the Division of AIDS’ international clinical research. Her leadership during the HIV pandemic propelled her to a primary role in the campaign against COVID-19. She was responsible for the overall regulatory strategy for treatment protocols, and the largest treatment trials for COVID-19 in the world. As one of her many nominators wrote, “To me she exemplifies a true "new woman," an adventurer, a culturally sensitive foreign resident, a gifted scientist, a devoted daughter, wife, and mother, and one of the most heartfelt friends I've ever known.” 

Distinguished Alumna

The Distinguished Alumna Award honors an alumna who exemplifies the standards, ideals, and mission of Saint Mary’s College and has distinguished herself through consistent support of the College and ongoing work for the Alumnae Association. This year, we honor Carol Ann Mooney, Class of 1972. Carol’s genuine love for Saint Mary’s, her dedication to the Holy Cross mission, and her commitment to the education of women are all unparalleled. After Saint Mary’s, Carol studied at the University of Notre Dame Law School, and graduated first in her class. Her academic record and respect from professors led to a teaching position at the law school, and in 1983—just three years into her teaching career—students voted her Teacher of the Year, a testimony to her love of knowledge and expertise in sharing it. In 1996, she joined the university’s leadership team as a vice president, associate provost, and officer of Notre Dame. Carol has continually set an example for all women to rise high in their careers. Installed as President of Saint Mary’s College in 2004, she found a larger platform for her fearless advocacy to empower women through education. Among her many successes was establishing a Title IX program in collaboration with Notre Dame and Holy Cross College to reduce sexual violence within the tri-campus community. At the top of the long list of her presidential accomplishments is increasing the College’s endowment while expertly guiding Saint Mary’s through a national recession. She served as chair of the board of directors of the Women’s College Coalition and of the Independent Colleges of Indiana, and of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. She also served as a member of the board of directors of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the Annapolis Group. Carol also led Saint Mary’s to create opportunities for first generation students, and increase the diversity of campus. Her vision for Saint Mary’s included a larger national presence, as well. She increased graduate studies programs, and oversaw the construction of Spes Unica Hall and the renovation of Madeleva Hall. She installed the College’s first provost.