Alumnae Association
The mission of the Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association is to strengthen ties between the alumnae and Ursuline, to nurture alumnae sisterhood at home and abroad, to preserve and share the Ursuline heritage, and to promote opportunities for spiritual, social, intellectual and professional enrichment.
Throughout the year, alumnae come together through special events and other activities designed to share in the Serviam spirit. The association also sponsors student scholarships and presents the annual Alumnae Awards at Alumnae Day in April.
Alumnae Awards
Nominations for the 2024 Alumnae Awards are now closed.
Awards will be presented during Alumnae Weekend in April 2024. If you have questions, please contact the Alumnae Office.
2022 Alumnae Award Recipients
Susan Heller Stanzel, Class of 1957
In 1970, Susan returned to Dallas and began her work with Holy Trinity parish, the Diocese of Dallas, and the community. She served as a Board Member of the Diocesan Convention on Parish Life, Coordinator of the Holy Trinity Jail Ministry, and President of the Altar Society. Simultaneously, she served on the boards of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, the Dallas Ballet, the Dallas Council on World Affairs, the Way Back House for penal ex-offenders, the Ursuline Alumnae Board, and as President of the Colony of the Meadows School of Fine Arts.
Susan Flume Bauer, Class of 1964
Susan began her teaching career at Ursuline in 1977 teaching Algebra I and Math Lab. During her time in the Mathematics Department, she taught all the possible mathematics courses. She became Mathematics Department Head in 1979. While she was Department Head, she expanded the mathematics curriculum to include a wide variety of 4th year mathematics courses including AP Calculus. Susan taught AP Calculus students and developed pathways for a broader group of students to be prepared for Calculus.
Dr. Cara Buskmiller, Class of 2007
Following college, Cara attended Texas A&M Health Science Center, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and Alpha Omega Alpha, and received the American Medical Women's Association's Glasgow-Rubin citation for academic achievement in 2015, given to the top female medical student in each graduating medical school class. Also in 2015, Dr. Buskmiller was consecrated in the Diocese of Dallas as a consecrated virgin living in the world, an ancient vocation of permanent virginity dedicated to love Christ as a spouse, and service of His Church.
Gabriela Aguilar, Class of 2011
The daughter of successful immigrants from Michoacán, Mexico, Gaby was raised to be a mujer del mundo (woman of the world) and value hard work and dedication. Her passion for cultivating connections and educational opportunities compels her to work for the growth and empowerment of her family and communities.
Accordion
Award Categories and Recipients
The Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association honors several alumnae each year as the recipients of the following award categories:
- Distinguished Alumna
- Serviam Alumna
- Young Alumna
- Sister Marie Staats Award
- Ursula Laurus
- Special Honorees
- Alumnae Award Luncheon & Celebration Video Archive
Distinguished Alumna
Established in 1984, the Distinguished Alumna Award honors a graduate who through her service, leadership, and achievements has distinguished herself to Ursuline, her community, or her profession over her lifetime. She is a recognized leader in her chosen field who reflects the Christian ideals, standards, and objectives of the Academy.
Distinguished Alumna Award Recipients
2021
Janet Rayfield '79
2020
Tia Tortoriello Raymond ‘88
2019
Gabrielle Martinez '89
2018
Kathleen Flatley Hickman '76
2017
Melinda French Gates '82
2016
Teresa Tolle '56
2015
Alessandra Comini '52
2014
Mnikesa Whitaker '97
2013
Melina McKinnon Cain '91
2012
Jean-Marie Carson Jobs '81
2011
Karen Decker '83
2010
Theresa Ackels Kemp '77
2009
Susan Hayes Raffo '74
2008
Julia Vassallo Murad '57
2007
Ann Zurlis Poynter '55
2006
Theresa McCauley Francis '71
2004
Mary Helen Hager Shockey '49
Priscilla Morantes Mahaffey '67
2003
Rita Gallagher Smith '35
2002
Patricia Brown O'Brien '52
2001
Victoria Pitts Lattner '69
1998
Martha Blalack Brooks '40
1997
Mary Emma Ackels Karam '72
1996
Shenikwa Nowlin '77
1995
Claudia Vilfordi '69
1994
Jeanne Marie Aber '33
MaryCook Nabors Blanshard '67
1993
Karen Livesay Shuford '66
1992
Merriellin Lindeman Lehner '70
1991
Judy Browne Huff '58
1990
Catherine O'Connell Schulze '32
Ann Marie Stanley '40
Anne Glasco Brawley '55
1989
Frances Wilson McCaffrey '28
Catherine Richardson '31
1988
Norma Lee Murphy Bowers '48
1987
Ruth Gibbons Crutcher '27
Ellen Smith Pryor '74
1986
Louise Buhrer '35
1985
Mary Ann Neuhoff Collins '48
1984
Elsie Ingram Griffith '42
Lydia Haggar Novakov '68
Serviam Alumna
Established in 1990, this award honors a graduate who embodies the Serviam volunteer spirit of Ursuline Academy. She is recognized for her commitments, involvements, achievements, and service within the last five years. By the quality of her life and spirit, she exemplifies the Christian ideals of her Ursuline education in her service.
Serviam Alumna Award Recipients
2021
Dr. Tammy Clarke '88
2020
Cecilia Ackles Martin ‘84
2019
Kathryn Mello Polk '04
2018
Claudia Lewis Crocker '71
2017
Laura Virant Einspanier '77
2016
Miki Bone Melsheimer '79
2015
Marguerite Farmer Marz '75
2014
Mary Walker Sladek '79
2013
Jeanie Payne Phillips '60
2012
Mary MacHutta Kearney '95
2011
Sharon Broun Keeler '78
2010
Peggy Haden Nolan '71
2009
Dianne Wright Doyle '78
Jodee McCarthy '82
2008
Donna Hafertepe Butzberger '72
Marian Haggar Bryan '72
2007
Patricia Meneses Kutscher '74
2006
Bridget Dunne Buell '77
2004
Judith Fontenot Pierre '74
Sharon Keating McQuown '74
2003
Patty Sullivan '81
2002
Teresa Daly Walther '74
2001
Estela Meneses Jones '71
1998
Monica Prachyl Cochran '71
1997
Deb Cummings Dunne '74
1996
MaryAnne Doran Mathews '76
1995
Carolyn Neuhoff Shaw'79
1994
Kathleen Martin Weatherford '77
1993
Ann Haden Letteer '76
1992
Sylvia Orozco-Joseph '77
1991
Mary Murphy Gill '62
Patty Morgan McNally '67
Young Alumna
The Young Alumna Award honors an alumna who graduated in the last 15 years and who, through her service, leadership, and achievements, has made outstanding commitments within her community and/or profession.
Young Alumna Award Recipients
2022
Gabriela Aguilar '11
2020
Erin O’Malley Gleim ‘10
2019
Alexandra Perez-Garcia '12
2018
Allison Mathews '03
2017
Alice Ann Spurgin Holland '04
2016
Elisa Ringholm '04
2015
Bailey Butzberger '02
2014
Rebecca Wade '07
2013
Madeline Elliott '03
2011
Mary Kidd Cosper '96
2008
Dina Habib Powell '01
Sister Marie Staats Award
The Sister Marie Staats Award honors a member of the Ursuline family, male or female, who has shown an outstanding commitment and tireless service to Ursuline Academy or its Alumnae Association. Such individual’s service and commitment should have deeply and positively affected the Ursuline Community.
Sister Marie Staats Award Recipients
2021
Sr. Mary Troy, O.S.U. '51
2018
Myrna Lamping Tenholder '54†
2016
Rose Hemstreet
2007
Rosalyn & Alan Bell
2006
Fr. Jack Deeves, SJ†
2002
Jennifer Staubach Gates '84
Ursula Laurus
Special Honorees
Alumnae Award Luncheon & Celebration Video Archive
Alumnae Leadership Scholarship
The 2022-2023 application for the Alumnae Leadership Scholarship is closed.
Applications will reopen in Spring of 2024 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Any current Ursuline freshman, sophomore, or junior student who is a daughter, sister, niece, grandniece, or granddaughter of a graduate of Ursuline Academy of Dallas is eligible to apply for an Alumnae Leadership Scholarship.
Each year, seven students (two from each grade level, and one at-large) are selected to receive a $1,250 scholarship each. Qualified candidates must exhibit outstanding leadership, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or higher, complete an application, and submit letters of recommendation and an essay that defines the meaning of the word leadership.
Please apply below:
Past Recipients
Past Recipients
Alumnae Board 2023-2024
The purpose of the Ursuline Alumnae Association is to encourage a lifetime connection between alumnae and The Academy through spiritual, social, and intellectual activities and promote and sustain both current and future philanthropic support for the Ursuline mission.
The purpose of the Alumnae Board is to operate at the strategic level of alumnae programming and communications related to engagement, giving, and service.
Chithra Arumugham Volluz '91, President
Rivann Saynhalath Yu '03, President-Elect
Amanda Rivera Johnson '11
Jenn Jascott Crumley '88
Jenn Kim Wilson '91
Emily Henrich Meister '95
Mary Thornton Mosley '96
Mauri Whitacre Hinterlong ‘99
Sarah Crain ‘03
Ashley Hardeman Bailey '07
Dee Wallander Rindt '08
Elizabeth Nipper '15
Emily Sims '15
Gretchen Kane (ex-officio)
Claire Blanshard Webb '97 (ex-officio)
Past Board Presidents
2016-19
Lauren Johnson Housh '96
2015-16
Catherine Baetz Maurer '98
2013-15
Amy Wills Reading '88
2011-13
Lorilei Cardenas Cronin '95
2009-11
Aimee Baillargeon Griffiths '90
2007-09
Amie Cantu Hinderliter '95
2005-07
Teresa Daly Walther '74
2003-05
Michelle Marlow '84
2002-03
Tierney McClellan Thompson '89
1999-02
Judith Fontenot Pierre '74
1995-99
Sharon Keating McQuown '74
1993-95
Monica Prachyl Cochran '71
1991-93
Colleen Costello Armstrong '60
1989-91
MaryAnne Doran Mathews '76
1985-89
Merriellin Lindeman Lehner '70
1983-85
Theresa Canales-Jud '52
1979-83
Lydia Haggar Novakov '68
1976-79
Betty Lee Marquis '46
1974-76
Sybil Emmett Tucker '51
1973-74
Anne Marie Kerin Thomas '46
1972-73
Julia Vassallo Murad '57
1971-72
Jeanne Ashmore Doxey '59
1970-71
Judy Browne Huff '58*
1969-70
Susan O'Brien Jones '58
1968-69
Mamie Anton Coston '31*
1966-68
Alma Smith Thie '34*
1965-66
Betty Schenewerk Kurilecz '42*
1963-65
Frances Currin Marshall '43*
1961-63
Virginia Hughes Wildes '40*
1960-61
Betty Heraty Swenson '43
1958-60
Pat Schenewerk ’42*
1956-58
Dorothy Adams Huffhines '31*
1954-56
Jean Schaffnit Melton '39*
1953-54
Mary Ann Neuhoff Collins '48
1952-53
Catherine O'Connell Schulze '32*
1951-52
Mary Ann Triece Vogel '47*
1950-51
Jeanne Abraham Totah '46
1948-50
Lucille Putnam '15*
1945-48
Katherine Niland Rubenthaler '15*
1943-45
Merle Shook Sullivan '17*
1941-43
Jane Talty ’31*
1939-41
Margaret Shields '04*
1938-39
Kathleen Blakeney Kennedy '11*
1937-38
Mildred Bennett Bale '10*
1936-37
Ruth Sweeney Bethancourt '28*
1934-36
Virginia Baker Mitchell '13*
1932-34
Floss Brown Spake '12*
1929-32
Delia Davoren '99*
1928-29
Otilia Bohny Davidson '03*
1926-28
Margaret Shields '04*
1924-26
Loula McQueen Cowser, Assoc.*
1921-24
Minnie Miller Miller, Assoc.*
1915-21
Agnes Gannon Coke '96*
1911-15
Kate Layden '00*
1907-11
Mary DeWitt Buell, Assoc.*
1899-07
Katie Cabell Muse '78*
*Deceased
The 2023-2024 Alumnae Board Application is Closed It will reopen in the Spring of 2024