Each year, the Alumnae Association recognizes outstanding alumnae with several special honors, including the Distinguished Alumna, Serviam Alumna, Young Alumna, Sister Marie Staats Award, Ursula Laurus Award, and Special Honorees.
If you know an alumna who should be nominated for one of these special awards, please complete the nomination form.
2026 Alumnae Award Recipients
Award Categories and Recipients
The Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association honors several alumnae each year as the recipients of the following award categories:
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
2025
Rita Garcia Ransdell '69
2024
Cheryl Unis Mansour '66
2022
Susan Heller Stanzel '57
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
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
2025
Susan Wing Oglesby '65
2024
Elizabeth "Libby" Ryan Galvin '75
2022
Dr. Cara Buskmiller '07
2021
Dr. Tammy Clarke '88
2020
Cecilia Ackels 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
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
2025
Jacqueline Gibson '15
2024
Dr. Megan Madonna '11
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
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
2024
Sr. Lois Castillon, O.S.U.
2022
Susan Flume Bauer '64
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 Award was created in 2011 to honor an alumna whose life example of commitment – a generous giving of time and resources to a community in need on a national level – merits this honor and more!
Ursula Laurus Award Recipients
2012
Anne Simmons-Benton '74
2011
Shannon Grothues Maxwell '86
Special Honoree Award Recipients
2009
Sybil Emmett Tucker '51 | Retiring Alumnae Director
And most amazingly, I’ve seen you all, over and over, come back to Ursuline at 25, 50, 75 and all years in between, and as you walk down Main Hall you magically become 16 again.
Sybil Emmett Tucker '51