Cincinnati, OH – October 2, 2015 – Ruthie Keefe of Hyde Park was honored recently as the 2015 Angela Merici Award recipient at the annual Merici Reception for the top donors and contributors to Saint Ursula Academy. The Angela Merici Award recognizes extraordinary dedication to Saint Ursula Academy and the Ursulines of Cincinnati through stewardship efforts. Several people nominated Ruthie because she embodies the mission of Saint Ursula in helping students blossom into women of faith, integrity and courage committed to building a better world.
Ruthie is a 1977 graduate of Saint Ursula Academy and has supported the Academy in many ways since graduation. Ruthie is full of energy and enthusiastically and skillfully shares her expertise to assist SUA anytime she is able. Along with her marketing company Blue Sky Creative, Ruthie has helped develop two websites for Saint Ursula Academy and an online portal for event registration and payment, designed Capital Campaign materials, joined as a founding member of the Saint Ursula Academy Leadership Alliance (SULA) which provides scholarships to students with financial need, hosted “Soul of the City” events which have netted over $90,000 for SULA, provided countless hours of marketing strategy and collaboration with the Saint Ursula Marketing Department, along with serving on various committees, boards, and event fundraisers.
Carol Beyersdorfer ’70, who was previously honored with this award, was given the honor of introducing Ruthie at the annual Angela Merici Reception. Said Carol, “Ruthie embodies the SUA mission of becoming a woman of faith, integrity and courage committed to building a better world. While she is a prolific volunteer across the region, we are honored that she dedicates so much of her time and energy to Saint Ursula Academy.”
Many of Ruthie’s family members and friends attended the reception to honor her service to SUA, including her husband, Fred, daughter Emma, son Ryan, brothers Tom and Kevin Keefe, and her sister’s family, Mac, Lelia and Madison Kramer.
St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. St. Ursula welcomes students from more than 70 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2002 the Academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. The Class of 2015 earned college scholarships totaling more than $19-million.
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Photo Caption: Ruthie Keefe ’77, was recently honored for her service to Saint Ursula Academy with the annual Angela Merici Award. Featured in the photo with her siblings: Tom Keefe, SUA President Lelia Keefe Kramer ’77, Ruthie Keefe, and Kevin Keefe