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Ursuline News

Friendship. Education. Serviam.

The Haggar Family has a long-standing history with Ursuline Academy.

A brief timeline:

  • In 1984, the Haggar Family provided generous funding for a building constructed as a student center, dining hall, and arts complex. Haggar Center continues to serve as a gathering place for students and teachers alike.
  • In 1984, Lydia Haggar Novakov ’68 received the Distinguished Alumna Award.
  • In 2005, Marian Haggar Bryan ’72 co-chaired Mardi Gras and Rosemary Haggar Vaughan, Ed† and Patty Haggar†, and Joe† and Isabell Haggar were honorary chairs.
  • In 2008, Marian Haggar Bryan ’72 received the Serviam Alumna Award.
  • Over the years, several members of the Haggar Family have served/are serving on the Ursuline Board of Trustees.

This year, the 2020 Mardi Gras Committee is pleased to recognize the Haggar Family as Honorary Chairs: Patty Jo Haggar Turner ‘63, Lydia Haggar Novakov ’68, Marian Haggar Bryan ’72, Mary Lynn Vaughan ’73, Marty Vaughan Rumble ’74, Vicki Vaughan Miller ’75, and Mary Alice Haggar Stedillie.

When the honorary chairs were asked to reflect upon their time at Ursuline, three common themes arose: Friendship, Education, and Serviam.

“I am most grateful to Ursuline for the everlasting and meaningful friendships that have developed and continued to last for almost 60 years,” says Mary Lynn.

Lydia agrees. The friendships she made while at Ursuline, “are as dear today as they were 50 plus years ago.”

Marian’s favorite memory of Ursuline is Intramurals, a tradition that dates to the 1950s. She feels that the education an Ursuline girl receives and the camaraderie and friendships they walk away with are instilled in them for life.

Lydia refers to her Ursuline education as a “true gift.” 

“Ursuline cares for the mind, body, and soul of each girl,” says Lydia. “An Ursuline Education is a blessing that should be available to any young girl who wants to excel as a leader, personally and professionally.”

To Vicki, an Ursuline education should, in a perfect world, be accessible to every young woman.

“The education a young woman receives at Ursuline is faith-based, and helps young women develop strong morals and values for their lives,” she says. She believes this ultimately helps women to be confident and successful in their careers and family life.

Her favorite Ursuline memory is of Mother Emmanuel, her kindergarten teacher, who taught by making learning fun and a game.

Finally, it is the Ursuline Serviam (“I will serve”) spirit that sets Ursuline girls apart, and it carries on through the lifetime of a graduate.

 “Ursuline helps students embrace the spirit and importance of service, with Serviam becoming lifelong and transformative,” Lydia notes.

Marian agrees. “I consider it a privilege to be able to say I graduated from Ursuline because of the mission the school supports and the community it serves,” she says.

“I did my senior service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” Marty, a member of the 100th graduating class, remembers. “It’s one of the memories that stands out to me most. Ursuline showed us how to serve others, that lasts a lifetime.”

The work and service of Ursuline alumnae make a true difference for others, not only in the immediate community, but all over the country and the world.

Help us continue the tradition of providing a unique and special Ursuline education, like the ones described by the Haggar Family above, by joining us for Masquerade, Mardi Gras 2020, on February 22, or by making a gift or pledge to scholarships