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Past Making A Difference Events

Since its inception in 2004, the Making A Difference Scholarship Benefit has raised nearly $4 Million for tuition assistance, ensuring that countless young women have had the ability to access a Mercy education.

Relive the inspirational stories from past Making A Difference speakers below. 

Making A Difference Keynote and Student Speakers

2004
Penny Stack Alexander '78
Jamila Sinlao Zanette '04

2005
Sister Susan Vickers, RSM '61
Daniella Klopocki '05

2006
Jan Selenger Robertson '53
Katie Rohrbach '06
Carmen Kestekyan '06

2007
no event due to 75th Anniversary Gala

2008
Elaine Andrews '69
Emma Jepsen '08

2009
Karyn DeMartini Szeman '88
Rachel Reid '09

2010
Sister Marilyn Lacey '66
Cristina Barrazza '10

2011
Stacey Longwich Kleis '98
Cortney Rebholtz '11

2012
Cindy Urquidez '94
Patricia DeLuca '12

2013
Lorraine Welch Paul '68
Jasmine Mallory '13

2014 
Penny Stack Alexander '78
Camila Ron '14, RIP

2015
Brandy Martinez Navarro '98
Sammy Baker '15

2016
Gina Rosaia Collins '99
Odalis Castellanos '16

2017
Alison Vorsatz '98
Gabriella "Chickie" Polanco '17

2018
Honorees: Mary Louise Castillo and Eileen Horan
Gianna DeRanieri '18

2019
Honoree: Sr. Suzanne Toolan, RSM
Maggie Dugoni '19

2020
Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan '02, Ed.D
Zoe Hammer 20

2021
Vashti Sinigayan '99
Asupa Mila '21
Jenna Canicosa '21

 2022
Meghan Chavez Railey '04
Carolina Gutierrez Rodriguez '22