Alumnae Homecoming Brunch 2019 CORNELIAN AWARD
Mary Wickman ’69, Ph.D., RN Mary Wickman ’69, a leader in nursing and education for almost 40 years, has given a lifetime of service to her country, her community and her church. Mary was nominated by her sisters, Kathleen Wickman Setina ’67 and Patty Wickman ’77, who described her as “a woman of conviction, compassion, faith and integrity.” Mary earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount St. Mary’s College and Master of Science in Nursing from UCLA and worked in obstetrics while raising her family. Early in her career, she was on active duty for three years in the U.S. Navy, then served in the reserves for 18 years before being recalled for Desert Storm in 1991. Mary earned her Ph.D. in Nursing from UCLA in 2004 at the age of 53. The mother of four would regularly wake up at 3:00 a.m. to work on her doctorate, which investigated risk behavior in adolescents, while working and raising her youngest daughter. Mary has been the director of Vanguard University’s nursing program since 2011. Highly sought after for her experience in developing and securing accreditation for graduate nursing degrees, she previously worked and taught at Chapman University, Santa Ana College, Mount St. Mary’s College, and California State University, Fullerton. She also served as the President of the Association of California Nurse Leaders in 2017. Mary’s Homecoming reflection on Cornelia Connelly’s story urged us to live a life of faith even in adversity, and to do so with joy and passion—qualities her sisters say that she epitomizes. Mary continues to generously share her faith with others in a weekly Bible study class and as a church healthcare minister, both at Sunday services as well on mission trips to Rwanda. To meet Mary is to learn exactly what Cornelia Connelly meant by “a bright and joyful spirit.”
We’re still beaming from the love and sisterhood and allaround good vibes that surrounded us at this year’s Alumnae Homecoming Brunch! On a sunny Saturday in early April, 200 incredible Mayfield women reconnected to share memories, mimosas and merriment. For the first time, we had alums from every single reunion class, from five to 70 years! After Mass celebrated by Msgr. Clem Connolly, we honored Mary Wickman ’69 with our 2019 Cornelian Award for Alumna of the Year for her life of “Actions Not Words” as a nurse and educator.
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Mary Wickman ’69 (center) with her sisters, Patty Wickman ’77 (left) and Kathy Wickman Setina ’67 (right), and other family members
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POSTSCRIPTS 2019
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