Luann Dummer Center for Women
Nancy Graf, Class of 1998
I am a member of the class of ’98 with a B.A. in Applied Sociology and minor in Theology. I accomplished this wonderful goal through the Parents on Campus program. I actually completed three years of undergraduate classes from 1966 through 1969 at St. Catherine’s and just needed to finish that last year. Although it took 30 years to finish what I started, I realize that each of us has different ways to accomplish our goals. St. Thomas was an important part of that process at many steps along the way.
It started with taking an English class and a Sociology class at St. Thomas during the 1968-69 school year, during the early years of the cooperative agreement between St. Thomas and St. Catherine’s, beginnings that encouraged the formation of the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC). Yes, I was one of those students who took the first bus rides on the old blue bus that traveled between St. Catherine’s and St. Thomas. In the English class, I was the only female student, and I think I cramped the style of the instructor, or so I was told. In the Sociology class, I enjoyed the diversity of discussion, and Mr. Ahler seemed to be OK with a female student in the class. I also made some new friends from the then all-male St. Thomas campus.
As often happened in those times, I, then a "Katie," married a "Tommie." We met through the introduction of our eventual best man and lifelong friend. We have been married now for 38 years, still stay in touch with several of my husband’s classmates from St. Thomas, have attended several reunions over the years, and actively contribute to alumni giving programs.
My renewed activity as a St. Thomas student came when our third son chose to attend St. Thomas as an undergrad. I was browsing through the catalog and read this small paragraph about the Parents on Campus program. I was looking to make a change in my job situation, and thought that this might be the change to focus on—finally completing my B.A. through this program. When our son attended Orientation activities at St. Thomas, I scheduled an appointment at the Admissions Office to have them look over my 30-year-old transcript and assess the possibilities for me. After a few weeks of analyzing my transcript, they accepted ALL my credits! Now I just needed to make arrangements to do it.
This was not an easy task. We live in Iowa. Going back to St. Thomas as a full-time student meant leaving my husband and our 14-year-old daughter at home for a year to "fend for themselves." My mother still lived in the Twin Cities area and agreed to let me be her roommate for a year while attending classes. Our son, now a junior at St. Thomas, gave up his PC and the use of his car to me so I could have computer access and drive to class. It was definitely a family decision with full family support.
I started back to classes at St. Thomas in the fall of 1997. I was amazed, despite the growth since the late sixties, how close the college community remained. I was seeing it again as a student and felt good about that as a parent as well. When deciding what major program to pursue, I chose Applied Sociology, switching from my former focus on Elementary Education. Sociology seemed more aligned with my interests and activities at this point in my life. I didn’t have much room for electives and began registering for all the remaining required classes. One of the classes was a full year of Research. One of the instructors was Mr. Ahler. Yes, it was the same Mr. Ahler whose class I attended back in the late sixties. I signed up for his class.
My experiences as an older, female student during 1997-1998 were great. I was attending all upper level classes. The students were motivated, full of great young ideas and idealism. Some of them were my son’s friends. There were many female students in the classes. Discussion was full, diverse, and open. Faculty were supportive and loved their interaction with students. My advisor was a wonderful coach and remains a friend to this day. In research class, Mr. Ahler and I became comrades who shared some of wisdom and facts of the sixties. I also realized that, even with just the use of a small, basic calculator, not a graphing calculator as some of the other students had, I could figure out all those research formulas. I understood the research stuff. Later that year, I received some actual research experience through an internship (required for Applied Sociology students) at the Wilder Research Center, experience that eventually led to my current position as a research assistant at the University of Iowa School of Social Work in the National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice.
Another experience that added to a more positive perspective on my life and future was receiving a leadership grant from the LuAnn Dummer Center for Women to attend the Leaders of Today and Tomorrow (LOTT) conference in January 1998. Hearing the personal stories of several women in leadership positions in the State of Minnesota, I realized I had much to offer. It gave me confidence to pursue further goals after graduation both professionally and through volunteer activities.
Volunteer leadership positions I currently hold include Chair of the Evangelization and Stewardship Commission in our parish, member of the Davenport Diocese Stewardship Commission, and co-chair of our parish’s knitting ministry. In the past, I have also served as school board member and Secretary for our Catholic community’s Interparish Education Center and Service Unit Director for a local Girl Scout unit. I wouldn’t have even considered taking on these positions without the confidence, inspiration, and opportunities I received during my final year of undergraduate class and activities at St. Thomas.
Not only are my husband and I graduates of St. Thomas, our son is a member of the class of 1999, with a double major in Physical Education and Elementary Education, and our daughter, the class of 2005 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. We remain connected to St. Thomas in many ways.
