Retention Stories

The Office of Student Retention is proud to recognize members of the college community that go above and beyond the call of duty to serve our students. If you'd like to recognize someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help St. Mary's students be successful, send an email to ralderman@stmarytx.edu.

Here are just a few of our amazing retention stories:

• "I would like to nominate Dr. Rafael Moras, he has been my adviser since I started studying at St. Mary's; he has also been a great mentor and professor. He was my mentor in the Senior Design Project, and I just enrolled in the Graduate program advised by him." —Damaso Garza, Class of 2009
• "My name is Didya Magana, and I want to nominate Professor Roy Robbins for making my experience at St. Mary's so much better. When I met him I was intimidated by him. After hearing rumors that his classes were tough, I became discouraged and wanted to drop his class. However, the first time I went to his office I had a very unexpected long talk with him, which gave me the courage to change my major to one that I really enjoy, economics. He is a great adviser and really cares about his students. He is my work study boss, professor and adviser, and I am so thankful that St. Mary's has professors like him." —Didya Magana, Class of 2011
• "One staff member I would like to recognize is Jenny Brydon of Student Activities and Transition Programs. Although she came in midway through the fall semester, she was such a blast to work with. Her enthusiasm and optimism to learn and grow was so inspiring. I am sure it was intimidating to come in mid-semester to a school that is very set in its ways, but she soaked everything up like a sponge and was able to make a difference in many of the students' lives, including myself." —Juan Elizondo, Lambda Chi Alpha President
• "My name is Sarah Batista, and I'd like to nominate my work study director Wayne Romo from University Ministry. Mr. Romo has always been a huge motivating force for me and almost everyone around him. He helped get me through my freshman year and has always offered me great advice during the harder times. He's a very positive and encouraging individual who does so much for the campus. I'd love to nominate him for all the dedication he not only puts into his work but into helping those around him. He's an amazing person, and I can only hope that he be given the recognition for all the wonderful things he does." —Sarah Batista, Class of 2012
• "My greatest experience with a faculty member at St. Mary's was through Dr. Nolan's Physiology class. Not only did she teach me Physiology, but she taught me how to learn in a productive way so you are retaining more cohesive knowledge rather than memorizing random facts. She has impacted my experience at St. Mary's because, through her expectations and demands, I learned a lot about myself, my abilities, and have gained a great deal of confidence by succeeding in her class. She is an amazing person and someone I can attribute much of my success to here at St. Mary's and in my career to come." —Megan Foster, Class of 2011
• "For me I was struggling last year because of financial aid difficulty and with the help of Mr. Chadd Bridwell and Dr. Rosalind Alderman I will be able to continue school at St. Mary's. They gave me a bullet list of things I needed to do in order to find out new possibilities on how I could stay at StMU. One day I received a voicemail from Mr. Bridwell saying that I needed to report to the admissions office. When I got to the office I was given great news on the scholarship I was nominated for and won. The Hero Scholarship was new and awarded me with $12,000 a year for four years. I was so happy because it was a big scholarship and as soon as I left the office I called my parents to let them know the great news. Without them nominating me I do not think I would have returned to St. Mary's. I'm grateful for them, and it feels good to know that there are faculty members that really do care about me! Thank you!!" —Christopher Rivas, Class of 2013
• "Dr. Priesmeyer is the kind of professor you dream about having. One that is challenging, yet, open-minded. One that expects greatness and allows you room for professional and personal growth. As faculty adviser to the St. Mary's University American Marketing Association, he helped bridge relationships between students, professors and administration as no other professor could. Dr. P, as I fondly call him, is truly remarkable in his accomplishments, and I know he will make the Bill Greehey School of Business even better as Chair of the Department of Management." —Lance S. Gossen, Class of 2009

Thank you to all who have helped make a student's experience at St. Mary's positive!