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Education has always been a priority for Shelstad. “Having a college degree, I just think you gain so much.” While college was not possible for Marlene, she made sure her own children and countless other students could claim their St. Kate’s education. As one of St. Kate’s longest consecutive donors (42 years!), Shelstad attributes her husband Terry’s experience with the GI Bill to inspiring the couple to help others whenever they can — with their time, their talents, and their treasure. Daughters and St. Kate’s alumnae Diane Shelstad Huston ’81 and Jeanne Shelstad VanDyke ’82 also carry forward their parents’ generous philosophy.

Despite the constraints of graduate school, Myklebust still makes an intentional practice out of giving, in order to sustain the same feeling of possibility that she experienced as a student: “When I was at St. Kate’s, I felt like anything was possible. We were all cheering each other on; it felt like a very supportive environment. And very safe — a safe place to make mistakes, a safe place to be yourself, but also get good work done. And be proud of that.” Myklebust continues to nurture this same environment as a mentor in Katie Leadership Impact, a program that supports future leaders of color at St. Kate’s.

Paying it forward is important to Schenck. “I was able to attend St. Kate’s because of the funding I received … and so now that I can give something, it’s important to me to contribute to those funds to give others opportunities.” It’s a tribute to the collaborative, supportive environment that Schenck has found in her social work program, which has “allowed me to see how important that is in other aspects like work environments.” Her first gift, made during in gratitude to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, had added meaning for her, “honoring important women in my life who have made my journey here possible.”