Making a Difference

by Patty A. Leos

Dr. Lou Agnese, Mrs. Ruth Juren, Mrs. Micky Agnese and Dr. Ruth Eilene Sullivan (left to right) at this year's fashion show.

When thinking of people who constantly give of themselves to Incarnate Word, there are three women who share not only an abiding commitment to the University, but also the same name.

A twist of fate this year brought together Dr. Ruth Eilene Sullivan, Mrs. Ruth Juren and Dr. Mary Ruth Moore as they were recognized for the many contributions each has made to the betterment of the University.

“Through their selfless devotion to Incarnate Word, these ladies represent the best of our community,” said Dr. Lou Agnese, President of the University of the Incarnate Word. “We're extremely grateful for everything they have done for us.”

Mrs. Sullivan and the Sullivan family share a long history with UIW. This association dates back to 1902 with the addition of the Grotto of Lourdes to the campus. Additionally, together with her husband, the late Dan Sullivan, a mutual interest in baseball led to the donation of Sullivan Field. And after previously serving on the UIW Board of Trustees, Mrs. Sullivan responded to an invitation in 2000 to become the new Chairman after the death of
then-Chairman Kathleen Martin Watson.

Dr. Mary Ruth Moore, Mrs. Ruth Juren, and Dr. Ruth Eilene Sullivan (left to right)

As the new Chairman, Mrs. Sullivan continued the Board's mission of ensuring the University's annual Cutting Edge Fashion Show remained one of the signature events of Fiesta San Antonio.

“It's a way of expressing my love for Incarnate Word,” said Mrs. Sullivan of her work on behalf of the University.

Mrs. Sullivan was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2002. She was furthered honored this year when The Ruth Eilene Sullivan Fashion Design Program was named after her, as was the Juren/Sullivan Center for Fashion Management, which also shares its name with Mrs. Juren.

“I'm thrilled to be a part of this particular department,” said Mrs. Sullivan. “It's the only thing that I've ever had named after me other than my daughter.”

Like Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Juren also has a long association with UIW. She has played an instrumental part in the ongoing success of the annual Cutting Edge Fashion Show, particularly its growth into one of the premier events of Fiesta San Antonio. The Fashion Management Program is currently the largest in Texas.

“I'm afforded the privilege of helping deserving students enter the fashion world and seeing the results,” said Mrs. Juren of the fashion show, which was held in the Sky Room in April before a capacity crowd of more than 750 people that included everyone from local retailers to high school students interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry.

It was at the fashion show that Mrs. Juren learned that The Ruth Birmingham Juren Fashion Merchandising Program had been named in her honor as well as the Juren/Sullivan Center for Fashion Management. In 2001 her husband, Dennis F. Juren, a member of the UIW Board of Trustees, established the Ruth B. Juren Endowed Scholarship in Fashion Management and Design in her name.

Dr. Moore made history earlier this year when she was selected as one of 10 Piper Professors in Texas, an annual award that recognizes excellence in teaching at the college level. Dr. Moore, an Associate Professor for the Dreeben School of Education, is the seventh Incarnate Word faculty member to be honored since the Piper Foundation established the award in 1958. The other recipients are Sister Agnesine Hannick, CCVI; Sister Joseph Marie Armer, CCVI; Sister Claude Marie Faust, CCVI; Dr. Bernard C. O'Halloran; Dr. Robert Connelly; and Dr. Larry Hufford.

“This award is extremely meaningful to me because it is awarded for teaching and my whole life has been devoted to teaching,” said Dr. Moore, who is President of the UIW Faculty Senate and also a member of the Board of Trustees. “In addition, I prepare pre-service teachers to become the next generation of teachers and it is affirming to receive such a great honor for what I do.”

Dr. Moore was also instrumental in acquiring the largest children's play and play-environment research collection in the United States from Dr. Joe Frost, who is often called the contemporary father of play advocacy. A well-known figure in this field, Dr. Frost has devoted 30 years of work to this subject matter.

“Dr. Frost chose us because we are a faith-based institution, and because in 1998 we established the Playwork Institute of the Americas,” said Dr. Moore.

Dr. Sullivan, Mrs. Juren and Dr. Moore are shining examples of individuals who have made a difference to the UIW family and to advancing the University's Mission.