The four winners (left to right) 鈥 Mysee Chang '13, Mary Ellen Kennedy '61, June Klaphake '91 and Judi Druke Teske '66 鈥 will be honored at the President's Luncheon at Reunion in June.
Each year, 草莓视频 recognizes alumnae who represent the ideals of the University. These alumnae demonstrate excellence in leadership and service to others, and play an influential role in family, profession, community, church or volunteer activities.
The 2016 Alumnae Award winners 鈥 Mysee Chang 鈥13, Mary Ellen Kennedy 鈥61, June Klaphake 鈥91, and Judi Druke Teske 鈥66 鈥 are prime examples of influential leaders. They will be honored during Reunion at a luncheon on June 18.
Mysee Chang 鈥13: Global Change Maker
Mysee Chang is this year鈥檚 recipient of the Rising Star Award, recognizing young alumnae making an impact.
A year after graduating from 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 with a degree in women鈥檚 studies and sociology, Mysee was named a Fulbright Fellow. For 14 months, she worked as an English teacher at Savannakhet University in Laos. Her work included creating the curriculum for two courses focused on Asian culture and Western culture, taught to Lao students in English.
Mysee also served as advisor to Savannakhet鈥檚 English club and coached students applying for international scholarship in the United States.
In addition to her duties at Savannakhet, Mysee volunteered for VivNcuas, Sisterhood for Development, in Laos鈥 capitol of Vientiane. The program helps skilled artisans build viable businesses selling their wares. She wrote grant proposals, and tutored program participants in English.
鈥淚 had a very full year in Laos,鈥 Mysee says. 鈥淚t was an amazing experience. I grew and developed so much.鈥
After returning to Minnesota, Mysee began working for College Possible as a program coordinator. She manages and advises eight coaches at three Twin Cities high schools. Her coaches serve 360 low-income students at these schools who are seeking college admission.
鈥淚鈥檓 learning so much about being a manager,鈥 says Mysee. 鈥淚 have to think about the big picture and how we can have the most impact.鈥
Mysee has big goals for her career. Her passions are working with youth and education.
鈥淚 often think about how I will make change in the world,鈥 she says. 鈥淵oung people are the ones who will solve many of our problems. I want to empower them to find solutions.鈥
Mysee calls her 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 experience powerful. She had many mentors, and took advantage of programs offered. She studied in India, took internships through Community Work and Learning, and sought advice in the Center for Women.
In 2015, she joined the Alumnae Council, eager to surround herself with passionate, thoughtful people.
鈥淚 made it because so many people reached out their hands to me,鈥 says Mysee. 鈥淚 want to do the same for others.鈥
Mary Ellen Kennedy 鈥61: Educator and Volunteer
Throughout her life, Mary Ellen Kennedy has been a nurturer. From her career as an elementary school teacher to her extensive volunteer work, she has made a difference in so many lives.
As a child, she was inspired by her mother, also a teacher. Her parents instilled a value for education, and made sure both Mary Ellen and her brother could attend college.
鈥淚鈥檝e always felt that education is the thing that will help people improve their lives,鈥 says Mary Ellen.
Mary Ellen had a successful 35-year career teaching fifth and sixth grade students, retiring in 1996. Along the way, she earned a master鈥檚 in elementary education at Purdue University.
One of the most rewarding parts of teaching for Mary Ellen was watching her students catch on to new ideas and seeing them get excited about their education.
Her advice to new teachers is to be as caring to students as possible. 鈥淣o matter how a student might struggle, she is an important person and she is worthwhile,鈥 says Mary Ellen. 鈥淚鈥檝e had students tell me some of the little things I did really meant something to them.鈥
Volunteer work has been a big part of Mary Ellen鈥檚 life for one reason 鈥 it鈥檚 the thing that makes her happiest.
The list of organizations Mary Ellen has served is long. She鈥檚 participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters, and is still in touch with her Little Sister, now married and a mom to three children.
She has mentored women at the Shakopee Correctional Facility through the Amicus program, and tutored adult ESL students who are preparing for citizenship exams and job interviews. She鈥檚 a charter member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, and a tutor at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so important for me to be doing something for someone else,鈥 she says. 鈥淭here are such needs.鈥
Mary Ellen has kept close ties to 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚, serving on her class leadership team and Reunion planning committees.
鈥湶葺悠 Kate鈥檚 gave something special to me,鈥 she says. 鈥淢y education has opened doors to really wonderful experiences. I also built lifelong friendships. My time at 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 was so worthwhile, and I鈥檇 like to give back.鈥
June Klaphake 鈥91: Mentor and Guide
When June Klaphake formed her consulting business in 2002, it was a result of turning down a full-time job offer that wasn鈥檛 quite the right fit for her. She asked for a consulting contract instead, which allowed her to work part-time hours for the same pay as the full-time position, while having the time with her children she craved.
Fourteen years later, Klaphake Communications is thriving. June has been back to working full-time hours for a number of years, and she has no shortage of clients.
鈥淚 do work that I love to do, 100 percent of the time,鈥 she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 at a fabulous point where I can choose the clients and projects I want to take on.鈥
As a change consultant, June helps clients through complex organizational changes. She鈥檚 able to strip a situation down to the basics and put together a plan to move her client forward.
As a mentor to young professionals, she stresses the importance of participating in professional associations and networks, and taking every opportunity to learn and expand one鈥檚 skill set.
鈥淚nvest in education, and do it regularly,鈥 she advises. 鈥淚t builds confidence.鈥
Among the benefits of June鈥檚 work is the flexibility to focus on being a mom to her four children, Charlie (20), Ahna (18), Elizabeth (15) and Leah (9). All have been involved in scouting.
June is a troop leader and the volunteer coordinator for Girl Scouts at Nativity of Our Lord School in 草莓视频 Paul.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an impressive program,鈥 says June. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so much more than crafts and hiking; it鈥檚 a leadership program. It鈥檚 developing little girls into strong women, which is a natural fit for me.鈥
As she prepares to celebrate her 25-year reunion, June reflects on what her 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 education has meant to her. She is reminded of role models from 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 who mentored her, and taught her how to do the same for other women. Among her 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 mentors were Deb Miner, Stacy Jacobson, Colleen Hegranes, Sandy Middendorf, Catherine Lupori, and Ellen Richter-Norgel.
鈥淚 left 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 with a sense that if I put my mind to any task, I can do it,鈥 she says.
Judi Teske 鈥66: Healthcare Leader and Philanthropist
Judi Teske鈥檚 career in healthcare is long and accomplished. Yes, she鈥檚 been officially retired since 2005, but she鈥檚 still so involved in healthcare causes that it seems inaccurate to speak about her career in the past tense.
After graduation from 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚, Judi moved to Washington, D.C., and began working as a medical technologist. In the years to come, she served as a lobbyist, a fundraiser, a political appointee, and a leader at the world's top biotechnology corporation, Amgen. The common thread is healthcare.
鈥淢y grounding in science and healthcare gave me the wings to fly,鈥 she explains. 鈥淏ecause of 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚, I was well educated and self-confident.鈥
Today, Judi remains active on the governing board of the Providence Health Foundation in Washington, D.C. She also serves on the advisory council for 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 Henrietta Schmoll School of Health.
Judi has remained closely tied to 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 since her graduation. When asked how 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 has impacted her life, she answers, 鈥淚n every way possible.鈥
What Judi took away from 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 was what she calls 鈥渁 first-class, Catholic, liberal arts education.鈥 Among the gifts she received from 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚: expanded knowledge, a grounding in theology and philosophy, critical thinking skills, an appreciation for lifelong learning, and scholarships. While she didn鈥檛 know the names of her benefactors, she was aware of their impact. She endowed the Judi Teske Endowed Scholarship Fund to return the favor.
Judi gives generously to other organizations, too. The patient entrance of the newly remodeled emergency care center at Providence Hospital was named for Judi and her late husband Richard.
Growing up in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, Judi experienced community service and philanthropy in a natural, organic way. Neighbors helped neighbors. When she arrived at 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚, she saw more of this kind of service.
鈥淭he Sisters of 草莓视频 Joseph were incredible examples,鈥 she remembers. 鈥淭hey were strong, well educated, and had can-do attitudes. We knew we were being educated not just for ourselves but for the world.鈥
by Sara Berhow