Omaha City Wire

College of Saint Mary President Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, will be honored by the NEBRASKAland Foundation on March 4 during the annual Statehood Day Dinner held in the State Capitol Rotunda. Dr. Stevens will receive the 2023 Distinguished NEBRASKAlander Award.

“This award is presented to Nebraskans who have distinguished themselves in service and recognition of our state’s social, historical, cultural, or economic well-being,” Gov. Jim Pillen said in a letter to Dr. Stevens. Pillen serves as the foundation’s honorary chair. “Your leadership, vision, and commitment to Nebraska are worthy of recognition.”

Other honorees include Secretary Chuck Hagel of Arlington, Va., and Sen. John and Rita Stinner of Gering, Neb.

“I’m honored to receive this prestigious award and be included in the company of such outstanding Nebraskans who have been recognized before me,” Dr. Stevens said.

Dr. Stevens is CSM’s longest-serving president. She plans to retire after 27 years at the University on June 30.

Under Dr. Stevens’ guidance, CSM has developed several innovative programs, specifically, a residence hall allowing college-age single mothers to live with their children on campus; Marie Curie scholarships for low-income women majoring in math or science; the Latina and African-American Summer Academies for high school girls; graduate programs in education, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, kinesiology and organizational leadership as well as a unique doctoral program in physical therapy.

Dr. Stevens’ passion for education and advancement of women cannot be more evidenced than by her leadership of numerous capital campaigns and scholarship initiatives that have allowed CSM to take its rightful place in the regional landscape of higher education. Most recently, CSM completed a $40 million Striding Forward Campaign in just four years, allowing for growth in the endowment, new scholarships, and the building of an addition to its fitness center.

Affordability and transparency have always been important to Dr. Stevens. In 2013, all student fees were rolled into the tuition so students knew what they would pay. And in the fall of 2017, CSM slashed undergraduate tuition by 33%, or approximately $10,000. The move was in accordance with the institution’s mission of providing access and affordability to women who seek higher education. As a result, students borrow less and follow more direct – and cost-effective – paths to their careers. Since the tuition reset, students’ average annual loan borrowings decreased 43% from $11,224 to $6,357. This year, Dr. Stevens is raising money to respond to a $2 million challenge grant from the Harper Family Foundation to provide nursing students with a debt-free path.

Dr. Stevens serves on several community and national boards, including the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Educational Finance Authority, Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation, the Tri-Faith Initiative, and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

Original source can be found here.