MARYLOU SULLIVAN '80 RECEIVES 2007 ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

At the November 18, 2007 Alumni Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in Alumni Hall, Marylou (Hutchinson) Sullivan ’80 received the annual Alumni Service Award. The dinner was followed by the traditional Alumni Mass of Thanksgiving in the Chapel of Mary.

Each year, the Alumni Association honors a graduate who has worked for the betterment of the College and has contributed greatly to the success of the Alumni Association. Sullivan, a dedicated member of the Alumni Council for ten years (1995-2005), received the award in front of family, friends and fellow volunteers.

A member of the Scholarship Committee since 1996, Sullivan recently stepped down as the Committee’s chair, a position she had held since 1997.

“I have been blessed to work with Marylou during her tenure as the Alumni Council Scholarship Committee chairperson and in the course of her other numerous Stonehill volunteer activities,” noted Anne Sant '88, director of Alumni Affairs.

“Marylou always accomplishes her volunteer tasks without fanfare, without the spotlight,” added Sant. “She is a doer, and one that is consistently drawn to the most arduous tasks that we have to offer.

“Marylou completes every task that she takes on with kindness, compassion, and an unfailing positive attitude. We are lucky to have a volunteer like her, one who likes to be where the action is,” said Sant.  Alumni Council President Katie Schwartz ’86 presented the award to Sullivan.

It was Rev. John “Jack” McCarthy, C.S.C., the College’s first alumni minister, who persuaded her to run for the Alumni Council, explained Sullivan in accepting the award. “I assumed that I would go to a couple of meetings a year, find out what was going on at Stonehill, and meet some new people.

“But before I knew it there were auctions and scholarships, antique shows and art shows. I was showing up at Stonehill at least a couple of times a month. There were great people, adult conversation, and a wonderful feeling of community.

"I have met the most amazing people, all of whom lead very busy lives, but who are also very committed to Stonehill College,” said Sullivan. “It is comforting to know that the spirit and influence of Fr. McCarthy and others…lives on in us and continues to inspire us in our work with the Alumni Council.”

Sullivan has worked successfully with the Alumni Office and other volunteers to revamp the application and scholarship-awarding process to run more effectively. Last year, eight students benefited from the Alumni Council Scholarship Fund.

During Sullivan’s tenure, the Alumni Office estimates that more than 120 Stonehill students have benefited from scholarships amounting to more than $500,000.

In addition to being the chair of the Scholarship Committee, Sullivan has been a leader on many other fronts. She serves on the Alumni Council’s Special Projects Committee (1993 to the present) and the Auction Committee (1997 through the present).

She has also been a member of the Executive Committee (1997-2007), the Class of 1980 Reunion Committee for several years, and an alumni representative on the College’s Catholic Identity Committee.

Sullivan lives in Canton, Mass. with her husband Bill and their three sons, Will, Conor, and Brennan. 

11/19/07