Maximizing Value for Maxis Associates

By Lydia Szyjka

Daniel Burns ’14 graduated from Immaculata University with dual majors in business administration and marketing management and minors in human resources and management information systems. His Immaculata education coupled with his industry experience has led him to his current position as director and chief of staff for the human resources department at SAP, which is the world’s leading enterprise software company helping businesses manage their processes, operations and customer relations.

“I credit much of who I am today to what I have learned and who I have met during my time at Immaculata,” stated Burns, who is an associate member of the Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin Society.

For alumni such as Burns, the University began offering graduates of the last 20 years membership in the society as Maxis Associates for supporting Immaculata at leadership levels defined according to their class year. For example, a 2017 graduate is granted Maxis associate member status with a giving commitment of $12.50 per month.

“As a member, I choose to donate in order to give back to the school that gave so much to me,” Burns said, and he recognizes that many alumni feel similarly toward Immaculata and want to support the University’s academic programs, student life activities and personal financial aid.

However, the financial circumstances of younger alumni, who are often dealing with family priorities, school loan repayments and establishing careers, can make it difficult to offer financial support. According to Burns, “The associate level of the society strikes a balance.” It not only serves as a conduit for financial support but also grants younger alumni a tangible presence on campus.

In addition to supporting the University, Maxis Associates receive invitations to special events, such as the reception preceding Carol Night. For Burns, Carol Night was, and still is, his favorite Immaculata event, as it signifies the unofficial start to his Christmas season.

As a student, Burns learned to become a leader on campus. After getting acclimated to college life, he served as a resident assistant, admissions ambassador, mentor for first-year students, president of the business club, new student orientation leader and coordinator of camps and conferences for Immaculata. Additionally, he was heavily involved with campus ministry and made professional connections as a member of Enactus, a national student club dedicated to business and industry. What’s more, after graduating, he served six years on the Immaculata University Alumni Board of Governors.

A decade post-graduation, Burns remains impressed by the beauty of Immaculata’s campus, including the new state-of-the-art Parsons Science Pavilion, and the unwavering emphasis on student mental health. For these reasons, he allocates his donations to the Immaculata Fund, which allows for flexible and immediate use by the University.

“This fund allows those responsible to tailor the donations towards the demands and needs of that particular time,” Burns states. “There is great dependency on this fund, which is why I contribute to this general purpose.”

With the Maxis Associates, younger alumni, such as Burns, can support the University at levels more appropriate to their personal and career status. However, Burns emphasizes that no donation is too small, and he encourages alumni to give what they feel comfortable with.

The Mother Theresa Maxis Society Associates Levels

Graduates of the last 20 years are offered membership in The Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin Society as Maxis Associates, supporting Immaculata at leadership levels defined according to their class year. For more information, visit immaculata.edu/maxis.