TRES BIEN AWARD

The Trés Bien Award is presented to an outstanding alumna who exemplifies in her life the values of Sacred Heart education. The recipient should demonstrate her dedication to the ideals instilled during her school years and carried out in her life whether in charitable, civic and/or professional work.

Following is an excerpt from the award ceremony.

The name Sister Mary Pat Ryan has become synonymous with Duchesne for thousands of women.  This remarkable woman has had, and continues to have, a profound impact on the lives of many.  When you think of Sister Ryan, you think of the essence of Duchesne – a community where it is safe to be who you are, and where you are loved and encouraged like nowhere else in the world. 

Capturing the interweavings of this one remarkable life across the entire Duchesne tapestry is a daunting task.  If you say her name, anyone touched by Duchesne knows immediately who she is, and how she exemplifies the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart.

Her family became part of the Duchesne community more than 80 years ago when her mother, and then she and her sisters, attended Duchesne College.  An extraordinary journey began when Sister Ryan committed herself to the service of the Society of the Sacred Heart on September 18, 1956.  For over 50 years, she has completely dedicated herself to the Children of the Sacred Heart, and more than 30 of those years have been in service to Duchesne.  

After working in Chicago and Ohio, Sister Ryan returned to Duchesne for nine years in 1974 as Dean of Students and a Freshman English teacher.  She then spent some time at the Sacred Heart school in Newton, Massachusetts before coming home to Duchesne again in 1990 as an administrative assistant.  Sister Ryan then spent 14 years as Alumnae Director.  In 2006, she was named Alumnae Director Emerita, and the Caffrey-Ryan auditorium was named for her mother, Mary Caffrey, and the legacy left by the five Ryan daughters.  In addition, the annual Alumnae Association scholarship was renamed the Sister Mary Pat Ryan Alumnae Scholarship in honor of her leadership and selfless dedication to our alumnae.

It seems that Sister Ryan has touched every thread of the Duchesne tapestry through her years of service.  She has shared her love and given witness to the love of Jesus with her schoolmates at Duchesne College; Academy students, parents, faculty and staff from her time as a teacher; and all Duchesne College and Academy alumnae from her service as Alumnae Director with her heartfelt notes and steadfast prayers.  Sister Ryan is Duchesne: a friend, mentor, teacher, and confidante.  A genuine inspiration and spiritual leader whose dedication and talents are unmatched.  Her love of Duchesne and the Sacred Heart never stops, and neither does Sister Ryan. 

In gratitude for her attention to every little detail, her tireless efforts in every major task she has led, and for the boundless love she generously shares, we joyfully recognize our beloved Sister Ryan for constantly reminding us of what Duchesne has been, is, and will become.  Please join me in saluting Mary Pat Ryan, RSCJ, our 2009 Très Bien recipient.