Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579
June 10, 2008 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Saint Mary’s College is pleased to announce the recipients of four annual awards of distinction. The following is the list of the awards and the 2008 recipients.
Spes Unica Award: Professor Claude D. Renshaw, Business Administration and Economics
This award recognizes a faculty member’s eminent service to the College in some particular aspect of its development. Professor Claude D. Renshaw is the 2008 Spes Unica Award recipient. Renshaw, who retired from the College in the spring, came to Saint Mary’s in 1977. In 1979, he became the chair of his department, a position he held for more than 10 years. For almost 30 years Renshaw and a colleague at the University of Notre Dame, have coordinated and overseen a program where students help low-income taxpayers in the South Bend community prepare their taxes. Renshaw’s work in the local community includes co-authoring an annual tax-advice column in the South Bend Tribune.
Maria Pieta Award: Professor Mary K. Porter, Mathematics
This award was established in 1976 in honor of Sister Maria Pieta, CSC, who was a teacher and an administrator at the College. The award recognizes the quality of teaching done in courses for freshmen and sophomores. Professor Mary Porter is the 2008 Maria Pieta Award recipient. Porter came to the College in 1995. She is known for exciting, challenging and encouraging her students. She has great faith in them and is not afraid to say so. Those who may have doubted their ability to succeed in the major are urged to persevere and excel. While generous with her own time, Porter fosters independence by persuading students to form learning communities and help each other.
Saint Catherine Medal: Andrea M. Krebs ’09
Each year, Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic Honor Society, awards the Saint Catherine Medal to a sophomore or junior who has demonstrated high standards of personal excellence and scholarship and has contributed to the College community in the spirit of Christian leadership. This award commemorates Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of scholars and especially of women scholars. Andrea Krebs of Oronoco, Minnesota, is the recipient of the 2008 Saint Catherine Medal. Krebs, who is majoring in Biology and Mathematics, has tutored high school students and mentored young children. After completing college next spring, she plans to attend medical school and eventually provide health care in Central and South America.
Lumen Christi Award: Kristine E. King ‘08
The Lumen Christi Award is presented each year to a member of the senior class who is recognized by the College community as an outstanding Christian woman⎯someone who has excelled in leadership and loyalty to Saint Mary's College 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 award is Kristine King of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who majored in Business Administration and Economics and Humanistic Studies. King often served as a Eucharistic Minister and stood as a role model for her peers in her faith, maturity, and ability to lead a life with God at the forefront. King also served as a Resident Assistant for two years and as a Student Ambassador for three years. In addition, she served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Blue Mantle (the yearbook) and a photographer for the Observer (the Notre Dame/Saint Mary’s student newspaper).
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 2008 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.
