The Power of Story
Trauma, fear and addiction once isolated them, but they refused to be defined by their circumstances and pain. Students of past, present, and future candidly retell their stories of struggle to help others feel less alone.
by Sara Woelfel
When word got out that one student planned to share her family’s story of coming to the U.S. from Mexico for a 2017 feature in Stritch Magazine, the news triggered an unprecedented response. Within hours, seven other students asked to share their stories, too. Even more volunteered in the days that followed.
In the end, the “Daring to be DREAMers” digital series featured numerous impassioned first-person accounts of children brought to the U.S. for a better life. The eagerness and rawness with which these students recounted their stories revealed a glimpse into the immigrant community’s deep-down desire to be better understood and to take ownership of a narrative that so often negatively portrayed their loved ones. The students knew all too well the risks of sharing details of their personal lives, especially since some were undocumented. But they also understood the greater risk of remaining in the shadows, enabling others to own their narrative, choose their adjectives and cast their families in shame. They believed in the power stories have to unite, heal and inspire.
Three people connected to Stritch—students from the past, present and future—likewise entrusted Stritch Magazine to share their personal tales of despair and how they turned them into stories of triumph. Today, each speaks with a joyful, energetic spirit, expressing gratitude and hope despite their difficult days and trying circumstances. They discovered a sense of peace not because life became easier, but because they changed their perspectives and narratives. Their true contentment came not in avoiding suffering, but in finding purpose in their struggles by courageously and vulnerably telling their stories to help others feel less alone.
Magazine features
Students express gratitude to Kellners for their $2.5 million gift
The Stritch community gathered for a special celebration in December 2019 to announce a $2.5 million gift from Mary and Ted Kellner that will benefit students, academic programs and activities.

The heart and spirit of the Stritch family
In the months since our campus community dispersed due to the global pandemic, our Stritch family has remained united in a shared Franciscan spirit, bringing caring, compassion, peace and reverence for creation into the wider world through our intentional efforts and outreach in this unprecedented time in history. Read about the ways faculty, staff, students and alumni encountered, contemplated and responded to this ever-evolving worldwide crisis.

Board of Trustees, Alumni Association Board of Directors welcome new members
In fall 2019, the Cardinal Stritch University Board of Trustees elected four new members and the Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomed five new members. The University is grateful for the expertise, dedication and diverse perspectives these new members bring to table.

Your gifts play a crucial role in the lives of our students and our community
The 2018–2019 Honor Roll of Donors recognizes by name every donor whose stewardship helped open classroom doors and future opportunities for generations of students. Donations that fund the dreams, callings and mission of our local and global workforce make a difference not just in our community but in our world.

Guest essay: The Stritch Piazza Project
"The Stritch Piazza is a moving, meandering work of art, one with long-term aspirations. It is a true manifestation of my 'artist brain.'" Guest essayist Jeff Zimpel, '09, writes about his inspiration for the Italian piazza concept that he installed at Stritch in Summer 2019.

Desk Job: Ann Leinfelder Grove
The president and CEO of SaintA in Milwaukee, this 2010 master's in management alumna gave us a glimpse of her office where she immerses herself in the mission of the organization she has served for decades.

Archives acquires new artifacts, bestowed with new name
Now known at the Sister Margaret Ruddy, OSF, Archives, the University's historic trove is home to several new precious acquisitions belonging to two esteemed Catholic leaders - namesake Samuel Cardinal Stritch and Pope Pius XII.

Scholarships honor Wisconsin leader, help students achieve goals
Walter J. Yakich founded the Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation in 1999 to honor his late wife. The foundation, directed by their daughter Jan Drzewiecki, established Stritch's Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation Scholarship for high-achieving incoming freshmen.

Check out the latest faculty publications
Crack open one of these new books, written by our very own faculty members within the last couple years. Find instruction, inspiration and humor within the pages of these six books.

Honoring his crowning achievement
As one of the first graduates from Stritch’s innovative Programs in Management for Adults (PMA) in 1984, the late Clem Arend fulfilled a long sought after dream of earning a college degree to complement his successful career. To honor his father’s commitment to education, Clem’s son, Bob, ’01, ’04, established the Clem J. Arend, ’84, Scholarship Fund to support Stritch students.

Shining a spotlight on our alumni
Join us in celebrating the work of these Cardinal Stritch University alumni, whose professional work is making a difference in their communities, in their workplaces and in the lives of the people they serve.

Brady Corporation Foundation supports LDRS initiative with $10,000 grant
The Brady Corporation Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to support Stritch’s Leadership Development, Reflection, and Service (LDRS) Initiative, a comprehensive program for incoming first year students who come from low-income families, are first-generation college students, and/or are students of color. The LDRS Initiative has been integral at Cardinal Stritch University since its inception in 2013.

Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi celebrate milestone anniversaries
Fifteen Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi celebrated their milestones of vowed commitment of religious profession at a Jubilarian Mass in July 2019. As foundresses of Cardinal Stritch University, all Sisters hold a special connection to the University. Among the 15 honored in 2019, 13 have studied and/or worked at Stritch.

Polling the Experts: Business Owners
In fall 2019, six alumni experts answered the question: if offering advice to future business owners, what would you identify as one significant practice, strategy or core value in your business that you think is key to your ongoing success?
Stay connected, keep us updated and lend a hand
Let’s catch up!
Learn the latest and greatest through StritchNews, Stritch Magazine, Stritch Connections monthly eNewsletter, our social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and SnapChat) and simply by attending a music performance, theater production, athletic competition or alumni event or visiting your favorite professor.
Send your updates, questions and feedback to communications@stritch.edu.
Archive your beloved Stritch artifacts
To donate an artifact or schedule a tour of the archives, contact Sister Margaret at mruddy@stritch.edu or (414) 410-4260.
Link to the latest Wolves’ team updates
Interested in upcoming games, matches or meets but unable to travel to campus? Visit the Wolves YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/stritchwolves to view recorded and live home contests at Panella Court. Plans are in the works to expand livestreaming to include additional athletic venues.

Graduate Information Session: Ph.D in Educational Leadership
February 09, 2021
Online
5:00 PM