The Madonna Medal represents the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate by Mount Mary University and the Alumnae Association. Awards are given to highlight a graduate’s long-standing commitment in one of three areas:

• Professional Excellence
• Community Service
• Service to the University or the Alumnae Association.

This is evidenced by outstanding and unique accomplishments that separate them from their colleagues. Their nomination demonstrates the ways in which their lives and/or career reflect the Mount Mary values of competence, community, compassion, and commitment.

A Madonna Medal recipient may be given no more than one award in each category. Final award categories are determined by the Awards Committee. 

The Tower Award recognizes the accomplishments of up to two graduates within the first fifteen years of their graduations. The award honors a graduate whose unique accomplishments have distinguished them from their colleagues.  Nominees have demonstrated excellence in their work or volunteerism and show great potential for future growth. Their nomination demonstrates ways in which their lives and/or career reflect the Mount Mary values of competence, community, compassion, and commitment. 

• Competence – a commitment to excellence that is reflected in the person’s professional expertise as evidenced through personal conduct, work progress, policies or services
• Community – a shared sense of purpose reflected in a welcoming attitude toward diverse populations, evidenced by service to others, good listening skills, and a devotion to the goals of the group
• Compassion – an overt expression of concern, empathy, and purposeful action that results in advocacy, respect and/or service for others
• Commitment – a deliberate, persistent approach to advancing human dignity by encouraging personal development, professional standards based on vision, mission, and values

Nominations are scored using the criteria within the selected award category, based on the amount of evidence or documentation provided. The following chart outlines the criteria within each of the four award categories along with its corresponding weight.

Tower Award

Carla Marie Shaw ’08 & ’18, B.S.N. Nursing and Behavioral Science & MBA Health Systems Leadership

As a lifelong learner, Carla motivates herself, and others around her, to grow intellectually and professionally. She was selected for the Nursing Ministry Leadership Development Program at Wheaton Franciscan and completed the program in 2016. She was chosen for this prestigious program because she embodies the art of nursing…a science, a profession, a calling. Besides having a strong calling for nursing, Carla also exhibits a passion for the community in which she lives and works by strongly supporting local businesses and community events.

“Mount Mary University, its culture, programs, professors and faculty inspired me and helped me see possibilities.  My experience and collaboration with Mount Mary allowed me to have the courage to believe in who I am and what I can do.”

Madonna Medal for Professional Excellence

Shari L. Bernard ’89, B.S. Occupational Therapy

Shari is a visionary and a compassionate leader who excels in her many contributions to the communities in which she lives. Embodying these traits, Shari has been a leader and collaborator, excelling in the field of occupational therapy dysphagia practice. Shari has left her mark permanently in her field through the development of the first OT Dysphagia Fellowship. In fact, the first two fellowship students graduated this past March! 

 “I have never forgotten how I valued Mount Mary University’s commitment to my education…I would not have had the confidence to be where I am today without being surrounded by people who helped me live out the values of competence, community, compassion, and commitment.”

Madeleine “Dee Dee” Krebs ’66, B.A. Sociology

Dee Dee’s passion for her work with foster and adoptive children began after graduation when she took her first position with Milwaukee County’s Department of Public Welfare. This passion continued with her “dream job” at the Center for Adoption Support & Education where she developed a series of workshops on topics such as grief and loss. Dee Dee always had a goal to improve the lives of children, both in foster care and adopted, along with their families.

“Thank you, Mount Mary…for believing in me as well as providing encouragement, kindness, and most importantly, a superb education that has supported me throughout my life.”

Madonna Medal for Community Service

Tanya Gross ’91, B.A. Fashion Design/Patternmaking

Tanya’s compassion ignites her to act. She has volunteered for Campus Ministry while a student at Mount Mary, served as a lector at church, helped at the Gathering meal program, and is the co-leader of a twinning project with a parish in Haiti. Tanya credits her experience in Haiti with grounding her and making her realize what is important in life – like buying a house, determining what work she does and how best to give of herself.

“My college years at Mount Mary taught me how to be a servant leader and grounded me in my faith. I still remember reading a book in a Theology class called "Faith is a Verb" where it was clear to me that you live out your faith through action…My service right out of college began with being a part of the Alumnae Association Board and the Starving Artists’ Show Committee.”

Madonna Medal for Service to the Alumnae Association

Mary Ellen Luxem ’68, B.A. Sociology

Mary Ellen’s love of volunteering began at Mount Mary when she was offered the opportunity to read to children at an elementary school and to socialize with youth who were living in a boys’ home. Since then, Mary Ellen has been active in the Alumnae Association helping with Popcorn Day, the Starving Artists’ Show, serving as a class of 1968 delegate and ensuring that students are looking their best on graduation day by helping with robing.

“I would like to thank the School Sisters of Notre Dame who have impacted my family since the 1920’s when two of my aunts joined their order. With the encouragement of my aunts and parents, my two sisters and I chose Mount Mary. I am grateful for the education that I received and for the volunteer opportunities where I can give back to the school.”

President's Award of Distinction

The Burke Foundation

The Burke Foundation has profoundly impacted the lives of hundreds of Mount Mary students over the last 20 years. The Foundation has granted more than 20 million dollars in scholarships and program support to provide access to education for marginalized young women in Milwaukee through the Grace Scholars Program, to nurture a passion and commitment for social justice in devoted young women through the Caroline Scholars Program, and to build teacher capacity in urban Milwaukee through the Urban Education Fellows Program. 

The Foundation’s support for the University and our students goes well beyond a financial commitment. The Foundation’s staff and Board of Directors are involved in the programs, often providing guidance, connections, and resources to Scholars during their college years and beyond. The Burke Foundation has been instrumental in many partnerships and collaborations with donors and community organizations that have contributed to the success of the University as a whole.