Graduate Surprised with Lumen Christi Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Graduate Surprised at Commencement with Lumen Christi Award

Patty Duffy '10 rises from her seat at Commencement after
learning she was the 2010 Lumen Christi Award recipient.

Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary’s College
Notre Dame, Ind.
(574) 284-4579

May 17, 2010 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Each year Saint Mary's College presents the Lumen Christi Award to a member of the senior class who is recognized by the College community as an outstanding Christian woman. The recipient is someone who has excelled in leadership and loyalty to Saint Mary's and whose presence has had a profound effect on the College community. It is the highest award the College confers upon a student. The recipient of this year’s Lumen Christi Award is Patty Duffy ’10, a nursing major from Chicago, Illinois. Patty received the award at Commencement on Saturday, May 15.

Students, faculty, administrators and staff alike respect Patty. Every day, she finds a way to make a difference in the world and her passion for helping people encourages others to help her make that difference.

In addition to the demands of her major, Patty was a four-year athlete, competing in two sports—soccer and basketball. (She was honored recently with a 2010 Senior Athlete Award.) As busy as she was, Patty always found time to do even more. Last summer she worked with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in their school and clinic in Uganda. When she returned to campus she organized “Belles for Africa”, a fundraising effort that resulted in a $5,400 donation for the Sister’s Uganda Mission. (Saint Mary’s students are referred to as Belles.) Patty also encouraged her peers to become personally involved with the people of Uganda through a pen pal relationship she established.

Patty Duffy '10 shares a few words at the podium at Commencement after
learning she was the recipient of the 2010 Lumen Christi Award.

Patty’s faith and passion for life and its blessings shine through her daily actions. Last year when June Walker, a Saint Mary’s housekeeper, was diagnosed with cancer, Patty organized a group of students to provide care and support for June. After the earthquake in Haiti in January, she fasted for 24 hours to raise money for the victims.
Patty has been active in the Student Nurses Association and dedicates herself to a higher calling. As stated in Patty’s citation, “She truly is Christ’s light for others…she defines what it means to be a Belle. She is Saint Mary’s. She has fully developed her talents and is now ready to make a difference in the world.”

Patty hopes to practice nursing in the Chicago area and is currently looking for a position.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top 100 liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2010 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.