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On April 21, 2024, CSA welcomed Patti Reese and Karen Abler into associate relationship. The formal commitment took place in the motherhouse chapel, surrounded by Sisters, Associates, family, and friends.

As part of the associate discernment process, each woman was assigned a mentor. Patti worked with Sister Patrice Rog and Karen worked with Sister Eileen Mahony. During the past year, Patti and Karen met with their respective CSA mentors to discuss and reflect on the spirituality, charism, mission, and history of CSA and associate relationship. This process helped them discern their call to live an associate way of life integrating the mission and charism of CSA and to reflect on how they might nurture and expand their connection with associates and sisters.  

Associate Patti Reese said, “Thanks to the discernment process, I have moved from having a religion to having a personal relationship with the Lord and I look forward to sharing my experience, strength, and hope as I join this group in serving Jesus. As Pope Francis reminds us, ‘Our life spreads light when it is given in service. The secret of joy is living to serve.’”

Associate Karen Abler reflected similarly, “The discernment process allowed me to continue to deepen my relationship with God and to fully respond to my baptismal call and to daily saying ‘yes’ to what calls me. The associate relationship will allow me to join with other CSA associates and sisters to continue to live out the mission, charism, and spirituality of CSA.”

To find out more about what it means to enter into an associate relationship with CSA, contact Kelly Robe at krobe@csasisters.org. 
 

The Marian University Board of Trustees and Marian University’s sponsor, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, are pleased to announce that Aaron Sadoff has been appointed the 18th president of Marian University.  He will succeed Dr. Michelle Majewski, who retired after 37 years of service to the university, including four years as president.

President-elect Sadoff comes from the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, where he was executive director since 2022, supporting community growth and philanthropy through managing 540 funds with over $68 million in assets.  Sadoff, a native of Fond du Lac, is excited to expand his role at Marian.  He served as a Marian Board of Trustees member and he is a two-time alumnus.  He received his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Marian in 2001 and his Superintendent Licensure Certificate through Marian’s Educational Doctoral program in 2011.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

“I love Marian University, its core mission to serve, and the Fond du Lac community,” said Sadoff. “There are significant challenges in higher education and incredible opportunities. Working together, I believe we can transform Fond du Lac into a university town, where Marian University not only continues to provide a world-class education, but is a thriving hub of culture and entertainment, providing a community environment based on Catholic ideals focused on service, community, and learning.”

Some highlights of Sadoff’s career include: 

• Superintendent of the North Fond du Lac School District for 13 years, with over 1,500 students, 200 employees.  He helped lead three successful referendums, which included over $48 million in facility improvements.  He was the 2019 Wisconsin State Superintendent of the Year.
• Principal and Educator in Wisconsin for 12 years, including three years as principal at Bessie Allen Middle School in North Fond du Lac, and nine years teaching everything from World Geography and Civics to Intro to Psychology and AP Psychology at Fond du Lac High School, Woodworth Middle School in Fond du Lac, and Lincoln High School in Manitowoc.
• Past Board Member of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, the Children’s Museum, the Volunteer Center, and a Wisconsin representative to the Governing Board of the Association of American School Administrators.
• Professional presenter and TEDx speaker on Happiness and the Power of Positive Psychology.

Sadoff is an Army Gulf War veteran, who served as a Cavalry Scout from 1990-92.  He and his wife of 29 years, Kelly, have three adult children, Paige, Lilly, and Ethan.

“Aaron Sadoff is a leader with a proven track record of helping students, as well as faculty and staff grow professionally and personally,” said David Klumpyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Marian University.  “In addition, he brings valuable connections from his involvement on many boards and in civic organizations that will contribute to the economic prosperity of both Marian University and the Fond du Lac community.”

Dr. Majewski will continue with Marian University in a transitionary role until the start date for Mr. Sadoff on June 1, 2024.  Dr. Majewski, who has a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, had retired in 2018, but was recruited to return as acting president in April of 2020 and then named Marian’s 17th president 7 months later.  Throughout her Marian career, she has been a full-time faculty member, chairperson, dean, and professor emerita.

“President Majewski has led Marian with grit and determination, in the spirit of Marian’s founders, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.  She leaves Marian on a solid financial foundation, raising over $15 million in major financial gifts for the university, including $12 million in funding retirement of all university debt, several gifts of $500,000 – $1 million, and a recent $1.049 million in Congressionally-directed spending for equipment for STEM-related majors,” said Klumpyan.

Marian University is sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, a group of pioneering sisters who founded the university in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1936. The university has a rich tradition of dedication to the education of the whole person and offers a variety of undergraduate, master’s, and adult learning degrees at its main campus and online.
 

Each spring, Marian University spends a day inviting faculty, staff, students, and the community at large to explore a single theme at their Academic Symposium. This year, the symposium focused on the concept of work. “It can be a calling, or it can be punishment, not life-giving. The magnitude of this simple four-letter word helps create identity and self-worth, assists in establishing societal norms and expectations, design laws to regulate workplace fairness and safety, and throughout history has shaped human culture.” 

The planning team for the event included Sister Donna Innes, Associate Cathy Mathweg, and Professors Cheryl Ayala (emerita), and James Gray. The team brought together speakers and panelists from various walks of life to offer a keynote address and 31 sessions over the course of the day. Two sisters and two associates were among the many session presenters and panelists.

Associate Jen Farvour presented “The Role of Empowerment, Leadership, and Innovation in the Workplace: The Relevance of the Challenges Facing Higher Education.” Sister Mary Christine (pictured above) was one of three panelists speaking on “Who/What Am I When I am No Longer a …”. Associate Tracy Abler presented “The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: A Catholic Social Teaching Theme.” Sister Sue Seeby joined four other panelists for “Stories of How We Choose Our Life’s Work.” 

Those in attendance remarked on how they were given greater insights in the current state of higher education, how they left feeling more hopeful about retired life, and that their eyes had been opened about human trafficking in our region. One attendee remarked, “I loved to hear the stories of how each individual ended up where they are today, and that people’s lives ended up different than what they intended.” Another echoed that the sessions had brought them comfort in the ambiguity of the future, “It was helpful to hear that you don’t have to know what you want to do!” 

Explore photos from the day