August 17, 2023 Kessler Scholar Program Launches at Saint Mary’s The Kessler Scholars have arrived at Saint Mary’s. The inaugural cohort—19 women who are the first in their families to go to college—came to campus as part of a $1 million, five-year grant that will connect the first-generation students with resources and opportunities across campus. August 4, 2023 Alumna Hosts Podcast to Support Mental Wellness A podcast produced by alumna and licensed clinical social worker MJ Murray Vachon ’82 brings her work in support of mental wellness in young adults to new audiences. July 26, 2023 Commencement 2023 The Class of 2023 ended their senior week on May 20 under a cloudy sky and amid unseasonably cold weather that belied the mood of the greatest of all celebrations, Commencement. Before friends, family, and the picturesque Le Mans Hall, President Katie Conboy greeted each graduate and presented them with their hard-earned diplomas. July 25, 2023 Forging the Future of LAFD A year into her role as fire chief for the Los Angeles Fire Department—the first woman in its history—Kristin Crowley ’93 is just getting started. July 25, 2023 Upon Reflection Each year, it is a wonderful gift that over the course of just a few weeks in late spring we have opportunities to look forward and to look back. In this issue of Courier, we reflect on Commencement and Reunion 2023. Through several stories, we also focus on what is forged at Saint Mary’s: knowledge and skills, preparation for careers, deep friendships, and life-long relationships to the College. July 25, 2023 Spark Lab Makerspace Becomes a Center of Innovation The first floor of Haggar College Center has become a Shangri-la for creation. The same area where some alumnae remember visiting the Helpdesk for IT support and others remember the campus bookstore is now a space dedicated to women-led innovation and technical skill development. July 25, 2023 Avenue News This summer Saint Mary’s will host 22 women from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia for five weeks as part of the Study of the US Institute’s (SUSI) Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders Program sponsored by the US Department of State. July 25, 2023 When Home is Where Your Girls Are There is a key waiting to unlock the front door for Mollie Meehan Baumer at nine homes, each one warm inside with the promise of comfort found only with friends who have become family, bright and sustaining outposts for an exceptional group of women. July 25, 2023 A Trip Down Memory Lane Nearly 700 alumnae from the classes of “threes” and “eights” flooded onto campus for their Reunion the first weekend of June. Alumnae returned to reconnect with classmates and reminisce about their College experience while making new memories.