Stephanie de Sam Lazaro ’05, MAOT’06, OTD’14 and Rose Swe Zin ’27
On Wednesday, November 12, the St. Catherine University community will come together to achieve one ambitious goal: to raise 100 scholarships for our incredible students.
As public funding shifts, donor support becomes increasingly vital. Donations from our generous alumni, families, faculty, and staff provide critical scholarships and support services, ensuring students have the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.
For many students, scholarships are life-changing. Rose Swe Zin ’27 shared, “Access to scholarships has allowed me to pursue my education at St. Kate’s without the constant stress of wondering how I would afford it. It’s given me the freedom to focus on my classes, get involved in leadership and volunteer roles, and fully embrace the opportunities here that are shaping me into the physical therapist I aspire to be.”
Why Give on November 12?
On Give to St. Kate’s Day all gifts are matched dollar for dollar, thanks to generous challenge donors. Additional challenge funds will be unlocked throughout the day as goals and milestones are met — doubling the impact of your gift.
New challenges this year encourage parents, faculty, and staff to join in on the fun.
- Parents Challenge: If 75 parents of students or alumni make a gift, they’ll unlock $20,000 in challenge funds.
- President’s Forum Challenge: If 20 leadership-level donors make a gift of $1,500 or more, they’ll release an additional $30,000.
- Faculty and Staff Challenge: If 100 faculty and staff make a gift of any size, the Senior Leadership Team will unlock their challenge funds.
Rose Swe Zin ’27
D’Ann Urbaniak Lesch
Other challenges and friendly competitions include the 50 States Challenge, Class Leaderboard, and Recent Grad giveaways — and even more surprises throughout the day you won’t want to miss!
“Give to St. Kate’s Day is an opportunity to come together and support this place that matters so much to so many,” said D’Ann Urbaniak Lesch, assistant vice president for engaged learning and employer & community partnerships. She recalls meeting a student’s grandmother at Commencement and learning that both grandmother and granddaughter’s journeys were shaped by the Katie Fund. “That moment reminded me of the generational impact of a St. Kate’s education.”
Join the Movement
Help us spread the word and inspire support for this important day as a Give to St. Kate’s Day Ambassador. Sign up at stkate.edu/ambassador to access branded images, sample posts, and a unique referral link to track all of the dollars and donors that you’ve helped inspire. On Nov. 12, watch your name rise to the top of the leaderboard. The top ambassador will win two tickets to a show of their choice at The O’Shaughnessey!
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 12 and help break down barriers, open doors, create opportunities, and be part of something truly life changing.