2024 Mary A. Bruemmer Award Honorees Celebrated at Luncheon

05/07/2024

The Women’s Commission hosted the 47th annual Mary A. Bruemmer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon on Monday, May 6, in the Wool Ballroom of Busch Student Center.

The SLU Women's Commission hosted the 47th annual Mary A. Bruemmer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon on Monday, May 6, in the Wool Ballroom of Busch Student Center. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 1/8

❯

SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., and First Lady Fran Pestello, Ph.D., raise their glasses for a toast at the 47th annual Mary A. Bruemmer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon on Monday, May 6. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 2/8

❯

Sister Shirly Kolmer Memorial Grant recipients, from left, are Jennifer Buehler, Ph.D.; Maria Weber, and Esmeralda Aharon. The trio were recognized at the 47th annual Mary A. Bruemmer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon on Monday, May 6. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 3/8

❯

Mary A. Bruemmer Award honoree Aline Tanios, M.D., speaks at the award reception on Monday, May 6. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 4/8

❯

Mary A. Bruemmer Award honoree Gina Merys, Ph.D., speaks at the award reception on Monday, May 6. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 5/8

❯

Mary A. Bruemmer Award honoree Molly Schaller, Ph.D., speaks at the award reception on Monday, May 6. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 6/8

❯

Mary A. Bruemmer Award honoree Ellen Barnidge, Ph.D., speaks at the award reception on Monday, May 6. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 7/8

❯

Mary A. Bruemmer Award honoree Susan Fanale speaks at the award reception on Monday, May 6. Photo by Joe Barker.

❮

Slide 8/8

❯

At the ceremony, the 2024 Mary A. Bruemmer Award Honorees were recognized and celebrated. The Women’s Commission has recognized outstanding women with its Women of the Year honors since 1977. The awards are named after the inaugural winner, Mary Bruemmer. 

This year more than 50 women across the University were nominated. Five were selected to receive the Mary A. Bruemmer. 

The 2024 class is: 

• Aline Tanios, M.D., Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
• Gina Merys, Ph.D., Director, Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning
• Molly Schaller, Ph.D., Associate Dean, School of Education
• Ellen Barnidge, Ph.D., Professor, Behavioral Science and Health Equity
• Susan Fanale, Director of Orientation, Office of Admissions

The winners were selected based on their commitment to Saint Louis University’s philosophy, measured by the quality and diversity of their service, their work ethic, and integrity.

Also recognized at the luncheon were the Sister Shirley Kolmer Memorial grant recipients. In 2016, the Saint Louis University Women’s Commission established the Sister Shirley Kolmer Memorial Grant to support the mission of the Women’s Commission, which is to educate, enrich and empower the women of SLU by providing funding to connect SLU women with opportunities that foster their personal and professional development. 

The grant awardees were:

• Esmeralda Aharon, who received a grant to attend the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cornell Certificate Program
• Jennifer Buehler, Ph.D., who received a grant to support her project "Book Bans and the Problem of Political Polarization in America Today: from Judy Blume to Gender Queer
• Maria Weber, who received a grant to support 25 student memberships for the Women in Cybersecurity organization.

Also recognized at the ceremony was the SLU women's basketball team for winning the 2024 Women's National Invitation Tournament in April.