Onyx Fall-Winter 2018

SAINT MOTHER THEODORE GUERIN AWARD

Ellen Cunningham, SP, ’61 skills to carry out SMWC’s mission to "effect positive change in a spirit of service and social responsibility.”

Ellen Cunningham, SP, ’61 has been described as a shining light at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. A valued mentor and co-worker, Sister Ellen’s gifts of graciousness, listening, intellect and humor have reflected God's love and abundant grace to each student she has taught; each faculty, staff or administration member she has known; and each visitor she has encountered at The Woods. Sister Ellen entered the Sisters of Providence in 1959. Like Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, Ellen's purpose as a Sister of Providence is to live her vocation by showing love, mercy and justice to whomever she meets, wherever she is. Sister Ellen became a faculty member at the College in 1974. As an SMWC professor, advisor, department chair, frequent committee member and volunteer, Ellen showed that virtue and knowledge may be appreciated as well as practiced. In conversation or in class, she demonstrated faith, hope in Providence and love for God and others as well as a special delight in sharing the wonders of mathematics and chemistry. She has always been passionate about social justice and the environment, and often assigned projects which guided students to recognize the crucial needs of our society and our planet, giving them the information and

Following her 2012 retirement at Saint Mary- of-the-Woods College, Sister Ellen had a strong desire to continue her service to the institution that she loved dearly, and made a commitment to work with the Advancement team, connecting with the alums that she had once taught as students. With her continued presence today, she is one of only a handful of Sisters who remain actively connected with the daily operations of the College. She has regular office hours, serves as an alumni ambassador at all events, and works on committees such as the Catholic Identity Committee for the Aspire Higher Strategic Plan. After having given so much to The Woods already, Sister Ellen continues to bless the College each day rather than enjoying the full retirement she has earned. She embodies the values upon which this institution was founded, and does it happily and with gladness in her heart. It is through the recognition of all that she means to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College that Sister Ellen Cunningham received the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Award at the Reunion 2018 Banquet.

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