The Women of Marian Society, established in 2019, honors Marian University’s foundresses, the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana, and founding as a women’s college. This group of philanthropic women expand opportunities for women at Marian through scholarships and opportunities for women to grow as leaders.
The Women of Marian Society provides opportunities for its members to:
Thanks to annual contributions from society members, over $500,000 has been raised to date for scholarships. The society’s goal is to increase funding to award eight scholarships each academic year, two per undergraduate class year. Currently, the society supports four undergraduate students and an additional two will be supported at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.
Scholarship criteria for Women of Marian Scholarships include leadership, service, mission alignment, involvement, academic success, etc. Scholarship criteria is reviewed annually by the Women of Marian Leadership Committee and is updated in partnership with the Office of Financial Aid.
Current Women of Marian Scholarship Recipients
The Women of Marian Society hosts four signature events throughout the year. Attendance is complimentary for society members, as listed above, with reasonable ticket prices for guests to attend including a special discount rate for Marian alumnae. All proceeds from these events benefit the Women of Marian Scholarship Endowment.
Upcoming events
In addition to signature events, student society members are invited to participate in regular service opportunities and social gatherings during the academic year.
Circles within the Women of Marian Society honor the founders of Marian University. Members include alumnae, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Marian who recognize that women’s philanthropy has the potential to transform the next generation of women leaders of Marian.
Membership is based on gifts during our fiscal year between July 1 and June 30. Benefits are offered for one full year based on gift date (e.g. September gift include benefits through August of the following year). Gifts benefit the Women of Marian Endowed Scholarship.
Clare Circle ($1,000)
Dillhoff Circle ($500)
Hackelmeier Circle ($250)
Young Alumnae Circle ($100)
*For alumnae who graduated with any degree in the past 10 years
1851 Circle ($18.51)
* For current Marian University students only
Members of the Women of Marian Leadership Committee’s role is to coordinate events, grow the society’s membership, and recommend scholarship criteria. Members at the Clare and Young Alumni Level are eligible to serve. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact Becky Frey at bfrey@marian.edu, (317)955-6232.
Women of Marian Society Listing
December 2024 – Document attached
The Women of Marian Society, established in 2019, serves to honor Marian University’s foundresses, the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana, and founding as a women’s college. Its mission is to celebrate the contributions of women in Marian’s history and expand opportunities for women at Marian for generations to come.
The name “Women of Marian” was originally coined for graduates of Marian College when it served as a women’s college from 1937-54. Annual gatherings of the Women of Marian happened throughout the years and evolved into an annual luncheon held on campus. Beginning in 2010, an official Women of Marian luncheon began on campus and invitations were extended to various women stakeholders. This luncheon has been held annually under various names, but all focused on serving to bring women of Marian together.
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Notice of Nondiscrimination
Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age or disabilities in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students.
*Placement rates are gathered from data collected from graduates within six months of graduation.
Students may make a complaint to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
Marian University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.
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