Saint Mary's News & Stories

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In 2025, Saint Mary’s College and Guadalupe Center of Immokalee, Florida entered into a partnership to introduce students from the center to the College through its Summer Camps and Pre-College Programs. So far, over 20 students have attended and have encountered a welcoming environment that prepares them for college.

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Guidance Counselors Nominate High School Students to Attend Summer Camps

This year, seven students attended Saint Mary’s Summer Camps and Pre-College Institutes at the recommendation of their high school guidance counselors in a new initiative aimed to increase access for students who may not otherwise be able to attend. Guidance counselors can nominate up to five students, and each student then receives a 50 percent discount on tuition.

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Saint Mary's Stories Archive

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Answering the Call to Care Double Belle MiAn Luu is an intensive care nurse at Beacon Health System in South Bend. She joined the Master of Science in Nursing program as a way to deepen her skills while broadening her professional opportunities. A 2024 graduate, she hasn't looked back. Saint Mary's College Board of Trustees Extends President Katie Conboy'... The Saint Mary's College Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a two-year extension of President Katie Conboy's contract. Conboy became the 14th president of Saint Mary’s College on June 1, 2020. She expressed her appreciation to the Board for its continued trust and support. "I am deeply honored by the Board's confidence in me and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Saint Mary's College." How to Solve a Murder at Saint Mary’s The Forensic Science Institute is one of nine summer programs at Saint Mary’s—and one of the most popular. Led by expert faculty, participants work as real-life homicide detectives, using science, technology, and deductive reasoning skills in the areas of forensics and criminology. Examining a staged crime scene, student investigators gather evidence and interview volunteer suspects to solve a murder. A visit to a police crime lab gives campers a further look into what a career in forensic science or criminal justice looks like. The week-long residential institute is just one of many pre-college programs at Saint Mary’s to prepare students for real-world careers. A Chance Encounter, A Lifetime of Cherishing Saint Mary’s A rainy game day, a chance encounter at a campus party, and a stack of long-distance letters that started a lifelong partnership. For Becky Radwan Updegraff ’91, choosing Saint Mary’s was the decision that shaped everything—from stepping into her confidence to meeting her husband, Jay. Decades later, the couple is paying it forward, ensuring the transformative power of a Saint Mary’s education continues for the next generation of women. Dive into their story of connection, devotion, and why giving back to the Saint Mary’s Fund means so much to them. 2026 Valedictorian Abby Newton Continues Her Education at Saint Mary�... After earning her bachelor's degree this spring, Newton is continuing her journey through Saint Mary’s accelerated 4+1 Master of Data Science program, preparing for a career in one of today’s fastest-growing fields. Learning by Doing: Campers Experience Healthcare at Saint Mary’s Campers Discover Healthcare Careers Through Saint Mary’s Pre-College Program Cultivating Discovery In her July letter, President Katie Conboy reflects on the true promise of a Saint Mary's education: discovery. As the College prepares to welcome the Class of 2030, she explores how students arrive seeking knowledge, purpose, and belonging—and how the most meaningful discoveries are often the ones they never expected. Drawing on Kathryn Schulz's "Lost & Found: Reflections on Grief, Gratitude, and Happiness" and Sister Madeleva Wolff's enduring promise of discovery, Conboy considers how Saint Mary's fosters both intentional learning and life-changing moments of surprise that shape students long after graduation. Meet Madeleva Award Recipient Javien L. Smith, MSW ’26 While on a military deployment, Javien L. Smith, MSW '26, applied to Saint Mary's College on a whim. A next-day response from a faculty member from the MSW program changed everything. In May, he earned Saint Mary’s highest graduate honor, The Madeleva Award. Trustey Trail Groundbreaking Celebrates Vision for a More Connected Ca... Ground has officially been broken on the Trustey Trail! Thanks to the generous support of Kristine Anderson Trustey ’86 and Sean McGraw, Saint Mary's is creating a new wellness loop that will inspire movement, reflection, and connection across campus. Expected to open this November, the Trustey Trail will be a place where community, wellness, and the natural beauty of Saint Mary's come together.