Alumna Maryanne L. Walsh ’98, ’02 SGS and Lafayette Hill resident, was the recipient of the 2015 Eleanor Dolan Egan ’28 Award for Outstanding Service to Chestnut Hill College awarded at the College’s 69th Annual Reunion Weekend in early June.
Maryanne, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and technology and a master’s degree in leadership and applied technology has been a tireless advocate of Chestnut Hill College for many years. During her time since graduation, she has mentored other students, served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and volunteered her time to assist with numerous events.
As an alumna volunteer, Maryanne focused on increasing alumni loyalty engagement and commitment to CHC’s vision and goals. As an appointed and elected member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for seven years, and one year as board secretary, Maryanne chaired the Young Alumni committee and the newer Outreach Committee. She also served on the Bylaws Committee, which produced the most extensive revisions to the Alumni Association’s operating document in more than 10 years.
Her tenure on the board was marked by the word relationships, as her outreach efforts drew non-involved alums back to the College and produced increased numbers of recent and not-so-recent grads at events ranging from the annual Holiday Cheer to Breakfast With Santa for younger families, to the first-ever on-campus Alumni Beer Garden following the Alumni Fall Festival and Annual Fall Conference for Alumni Volunteers. Along with other alums, she shared Christmas Decorating Night war stories with current students during several annual Christmas Decorations Fireside Chats, welcomed and greeted new students and families on Move-In Day, and has been a visible and active volunteer presence and guide to student assistants at seven annual Reunion Weekends. Her most recent volunteerism includes the CHC Night at the Phillies last fall.
Maryanne also worked from April 2009 to May 2011 to initiate her own unofficial traveling alumni happy hours. These totaled 10 and provided a personal alumni presence and connection that went beyond what the College staff provided. She also co-chaired the Emerald Evening events and served on the committee of its predecessor, the Spring Art Auction. Maryanne has been a strong supporter of the College’s Spring Scholarship Gala as well.
