Parents Volunteer in Support of St. Edward’s

Hilltopper parents make an impact by volunteering their time and resources to support the St. Edward’s community. Several events in the past year spotlight their generosity.

Send-Off Parties Welcome New Hilltopper Families

Freshman send-off parties can be a big help in easing the transition to college. Cindy and Bill Ward, parents of Blake ’13, verified this outcome after hosting a summer send-off party at their home. So did Margo and Ken Train, mother and stepfather of Marcy Marbut ’15, and Bob and Jan Marbut, father and stepmother of Marcy, after co-hosting a party at the Trains’ home. The gatherings gave incoming freshmen and their families the chance to meet for the first time and hear from current students and alumni before heading to Austin.

The Wards welcomed more than 70 attendees to their residence in Houston. “People really enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to get to know each other,” says Cindy Ward. “Many parents told me how the party relieved the anxiety of their kids leaving home for school.”

In San Antonio, close to 35 people attended the Trains’ and Marbuts’ send-off event. “Being involved with the university makes me feel more connected to my daughter’s college experience,” says Margo Train. “St. Edward’s has such a friendly, caring environment. We’re happy to spread that sense of community in San Antonio.”

Informative Evening with Dean Supports Sciences

In addition to the send-off party, the Trains and Marbuts co-hosted an evening with Tom Mitzel, PhD, dean of the School of Natural Sciences, to help St. Edward’s secure funding for its new state-of-the-art sciences center. Mitzel shared the university’s vision for the facility, opening in 2013, and its impact on science, math and technology education. “The evening gave us a good glimpse of the high caliber of professionals St. Edward’s attracts,” the Trains said.

San Antonio Spurs Bring Hilltoppers Together

Last spring, Frank Miceli, father of Maria ’14, and a senior vice president at Spurs Sports & Entertainment, created an unforgettable evening for 120 Hilltopper fans of the San Antonio Spurs. Alumni and parents of current students were invited to a special one-hour Courtside Experience prior to the start of the Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers home game.

Hilltoppers sat together in the arena’s first 13 rows as players and coaches ran through warm up drills while interacting with each other and courtside fans. Attendees also enjoyed refreshments at the Saddles & Spurs charter lounge. Miceli spoke about the business side of sports and shared insights on why Maria chose to attend St. Edward’s.

“The event was a great success, and it was a pleasure organizing it,” says Miceli. “Our family loves St. Edward’s. This is one way I can be involved and give back to the university that’s educating our daughter.”

For details on how you can volunteer in support of St. Edward’s, contact Rachel Harms »