Libbey Detcher ’23
May 2023
The Outstanding Senior Award is presented by the Alumnae Association Board of Directors to a member of the senior class who has demonstrated outstanding devotion to Saint Mary’s College.
The recipient of the Outstanding Senior Award exemplifies the spirit and values of her school and is distinguished by scholarship, leadership, and outstanding dedication to Saint Mary’s through participation in both curricular and extracurricular activities. As the valedictorian represents the mind, and the Lumen Christi recipient reflects the soul, the Outstanding Senior embodies the heart of Saint Mary’s.
The 2023 Alumnae Association Outstanding Senior is Libbey Detcher.
Graduating with a major in political science and minors in justice studies, intercultural studies, as well as a minor from the The Hesburgh Program in Public Service at the University of Notre Dame. Libbey is distinguished by her interest and motivation to engage in scholarship.
One of Libbey’s nominators, Communication Studies Professor Susan Mancino, said this: “Libbey is among the best students that I have taught. She is tenacious, hardworking, and determined. Although communication studies is not Libbey’s major or minor, Libbey designed a project that joined several of her interests to uncover creative and meaningful implications related to her academic pursuits. Libbey’s interest and curiosity in academic research is genuine.”
Hailing from Garrett, Indiana, Libbey has taken advantage of every opportunity offered by Saint Mary’s. She holds numerous leadership positions, and utilizes her time outside of the classroom to serve as a co-leader for SMC Votes; an admission ambassador; a phonathon supervisor; treasurer of Feminist United; co-chair of the Class Gift Campaign; a volunteer tutor at La Casa de Amistad; and president of the Political Science Club.
Libbey has reignited her faith and uses it to fuel her passion for Catholic social justice and voting rights. She accepted the Hesburgh Democracy Fellowship at Notre Dame to promote democracy within the tri-campus community.
Other notable accomplishments in Libbey’s four years include a collaboration with Professor Mancino on research projects focused on the significance of children’s mass media. The pair submitted their essays in order to participate in a panel at the Eastern Communication Association Conference in Philadelphia in April 2022. She has also published a guest blog on prison-based gerrymandering conflicts for the Network Catholic Lobbying Group.
Her professional experience includes serving as a teaching assistant in the political science department and a department assistant for the justice studies program, as well as internships with The United States House of Representatives and Yoder & Jessup, PC.
Global studies and political science professor Marc Belanger says of Libbey, “In 28 years at Saint Mary’s, I have only worked with a handful of students who combined a passionate voice for justice with such strong analytic and writing talents. I believe she will be a voice to listen for in the future.”
The Alumnae Association Board of Directors proudly honors Libbey Detcher as Saint Mary’s Outstanding Senior of 2023.