By Lydia Szyjka ’09 M.A.
In 1925, eight young women proudly walked across the stage as the first graduates of Villa Maria College—known today as Immaculata University. They also became the founding members of the University’s alumnae association. A century later, they are joined by over 21,500 alumni from 28 countries, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Immaculata community.
Times have changed during the past century, but the mission and focus of the alumni association holds steadfast—serving Immaculata’s growing alumni base. Here is a look at the history, evolution and future of one of the oldest associations of Immaculata.
Early Years
On June 1, 1925, members of the charter class gathered to draft the constitution for the Villa Maria College Alumnae Association. Three years later, on June 3, 1928, the constitution was finalized and adopted, marking the official establishment of the association. Members paid a $3 initiation fee and $5 in annual dues.
Sister Mary of Lourdes and alumni raising funds for Alumnae Hall in 1970.
The first chair of the alumnae association, Marion C. Kilker, an education major, served three terms from 1925 to 1931. Under her leadership, the association flourished, and its constitution stipulated officer elections every two years. In 1929, the association underwent its first major change, officially becoming the Immaculata College Alumnae Association. That same year, the Cosmas Chapter was added, expanding membership opportunities for graduates who lived far from campus and could not join one of the existing chapters. On April 27-28, 1957, Immaculata held its first Alumnae Weekend.
From the very beginning, the alumni association played a vibrant role in campus life. A notable example is the class of 1925’s selection of the amethyst stone for the class ring—a cherished tradition that continues to this day.
In its early years, the alumni association was affiliated with the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae, the American Association of University Women and the American Alumni Council. A brochure from 1925-1934 outlined the association’s purpose: to encourage the continuous pursuit of Catholic living, thinking and involvement by its members; to promote the growth and progress of Immaculata; and to further cultural and social activities within the association.
1925
First graduates of Villa Maria College & founding members of the Alumnae Association
1925-1931
Marion C. Kilker serves as the first chair of the Alumnae Association for three terms.
1957
Alumni Association holds its first Alumnae Weekend
1975
50th Anniversary of the Alumnae Association.
1976
American Revolution Bicentennial celebration theme for Homecoming.
2021
Immaculata University hosts its centennial event, inviting alumni of all years to join in the celebration.
2024
Launch of 20Below, designed for the alumni of the past 20 years
Evolution of the Association
As Immaculata transitioned from college to university status and welcomed male students, the alumni association underwent further transformations, adopting the inclusive name Immaculata University Alumni Association.
Over the past century, 48 women have served as president of the association. Two distinguished themselves by serving multiple terms: Helen Hagerty Coady, who led from 1941-1942 and again from 1955-1957, and Jo Anne McAdams ’84, ’87 M.A., ’96 Ed.D., who served from 2002-2004 and 2017-2018.
The association’s efforts to continually engage alumni have only grown stronger in recent years. Nancy Girvin Burke ’68, ’00 Ed.D., who served as president from 2023-2024, championed innovative initiatives, including the Service Challenge. This program encouraged alumni to showcase the contributions they are making to their alma mater, churches and communities. For example, alumni from the Harrisburg area participated in a volunteer day at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, organized by current association president Izanne Leonard Haak ’70.
Burke was president during the University’s launch of 20Below, a program designed specifically for alumni who graduated within the past 20 years. By creating opportunities for recent alumni to connect, Immaculata is securing the next generations of alumni.
Looking Ahead
The future of the alumni association lies with current students. To engage them, the alumni board is actively fostering connections through initiatives like the 20Below Alumni Council and exclusive events for 20Below members.
Leonard-Haak, who will lead the alumni association through June 2025, has outlined clear goals for her term with input from the governance, outreach, affinity and service committees. Her priorities include increasing alumni participation in activities such as Reunion (especially the All-Class Dinner at Mac’s Pub), expanding engagement with non-traditional alumni after graduation and encouraging broader involvement across the alumni community. Additionally, Leonard-Haak is executing projects that engage Immaculata alumni in providing meaningful support to needy individuals and organizations, which include the Service Challenge, donations to the IU Cares Food Cupboard and various campus ministry projects.
A second-generation alumna (her mother graduated in 1943) Leonard-Haak finds serving on the alumni association board immensely rewarding. For her, It’s an opportunity to understand how the University operates, connect with the evolving student population and explore new academic majors and sports programs. “It makes me feel young to be engaged in supporting all this academic activity,” she added. “I now wish I had gotten more involved much sooner but am encouraged by the number of young alumni who have started coming back regularly to the campus.”
After 100 years, the Immaculata University Alumni Association continues to provide opportunities to create meaningful relationships with alumni and the Immaculata community through ongoing commitment, communication and connection.
Alumni Association Presidents
Marion C. Kilker ’25 (1925-1931)
Catherine Topper Iannarelli ’29 (1931-1933)
Grace Ferguson O’Haren ’30 (1933-1937)
Helen Callaghan Law ’32 (1937-1941)
Helen Hagerty Coady ’38 (1941-1942)
Dorothy Campbell Dapprich ’29 (1942-1945)
Marguerite Gillingham Landau ’38 (1945-1949)
Stella Hinch ’29 (1949-1953)
Suzanne C. Earley ’42 (1953-1955)
Helene Hagerty Coady ’38 (1955-1957)
Margaret Mary O’Brien ’48 (1957-1959)
Winifred McSorley Allen ’37 (1959-1960)
Margaret Montgomery Murray ’33 (1960-1963)
Josephine Quinn Shober ’42 (1963-1965)
Marie Walsh McDermott ’38 (1965-1967)
Kathryn Killian Gordon ’58 (1967-1969)
Margaret Rowan Hartman ’61 (1969-1971)
Barbara Sahutsky Bannigan ’57 (1971-1972)
Margaret Kelly Harley ’61 (1972-1973)
Mary Rose Cunningham ’69 (1973-1974)
Marie Markle Gerber ’69 (1974-1975)
Barbara Murphy Zupko ’68 (1975-1977)
Margaret Martin Roach ’51 (1977-1979)
Cecilia Gross Rose ’75 (1979-1981)
Janice Murphy Gruber ’69 (1981-1983)
Jean Marie Paslawsky ’79 (1983-1985)
Roberta Regetta ’81 (1985-1987)
Mary Lou Koppenhafer Dondero ’51 (1987-1989)
Louise Ann Cipriani Luongo ’70 (1989-1991)
Joan Hefton Lynn ’49 (1991-1993)
Marie Moughan ’87 (1993-1995)
Joan Stephens Healy ’48 (1995-1997)
Rita Ryan Callahan ’44 (1997-1999)
Carolyn Johnson DiFilippo ’86 (1999-2000)
Carolyn Fagan ’80 (2000-2002)
Jo Anne McAdams ’84, ’87 M.A., ’96 Ed.D. (2002-2004)
Lorraine Panaccio ’96 (2004-2006)
Kathleen Gallagher Healey ’76 (2006-2008)
Rosemarie R. Gallo ’81, ’92 M.A. (2008-2010)
Mary Elizabeth Devine, Esq. ’89 (2010-2012)
Lisa A. Dougherty, Esq. ’02 (2012)
Barbara Crea Shannon ’70 (2012-2014)
Kathleen Freney Smith ’90 (2014-2016)
Kathleen James ’74 (2016-2017)
Jo Anne Mc Adams ’84, ’87 M.A., ’96 Ed.D. (2017-2018)
Sally Tamburello Winterton ’68, Ed.D. (2018-2020)
JoAnne McAdams Osborn ’84 (2020-2021)
Eileen Monahan Chopnick ’73, M.B.A. (2021-2022)
Lori De Rea Kolb ’05, ’09 M.A. (2022-2023)
Nancy Girvin Burke ’68, ’00 Ed.D. (2023-2024)
Izanne Leonard-Haak ’70 (2024-2025)
