The Pam Rector Center for Service and Action renamed a new award last spring to acknowledge seniors who performed countless service hours on campus, honor the legacy of religious women at LMU, and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the merger. CSA is also working with the CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice to offer an award that honors the contributions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange this academic year.
“I felt really proud,” said Sarah-Jane Thomson ’24, who was awarded the R.S.H.M. Senior Service award. “The Marymount part of LMU is important to me because of what they represent. It’s incredibly important to honor the place of women in higher education,” said Thomson. “I am standing on the backs of giants – the religious women who contributed to the university — and the many women who came before me, “said Thomson. “They made the spaces exist for me, and I am humbled by that. Also, I am honored by the legacy of those contributions will be observed and honored through this award.”
As a student at LMU, Thomson was an Emergency Medical Services (EMT) member, led Alternative Breaks experiences, and Ignacio Companions trips. She said many of her mentors in Student Affairs and Campus Ministry were women whom she witnessed “advancing the work that needs to get done.” Thomson is doing postgraduate service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Spokane, Washington, and currently works as a nutrition educator at Second Harvest.
Clare Houston 24’ also received the R.S.H.M. Senior Service Award and is doing postgraduate service at Walker’s Point Community Clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She helps low-income patients get free medications and is enjoying the work. “It’s awesome. I am so glad I chose to do this. I love the volunteering and the intentionality of the community,” said Houston. She plans to go on to medical school after she completes her service.
Houston said she was very excited to receive this honor because she feels the religious women need more recognition. “I have been really influenced by awesome women who are role models to me, so I am honored,” said Houston. “It was so great to receive this award alongside my peers. I saw different ways people found a heart for service and justice at LMU though the celebration,” said Houston. She found a lot of that passion in Campus Ministry through Ignacio Companion trips, being a member of Gryphon Circle, and serving the community as an EMT.
Patrick Furlong, director of CSA, was behind creating these awards to honor the religious women. “When you look at the space of service and justice, it is women who are leading the way. This is the history in our center, with Pam Rector and other women who contributed meaningfully,” said Furlong. “But even with the service of faculty and staff on campus, its female-identifying leaders who really exemplify the best of service and justice work. And so, it felt it important for CSA to recognize and honor that,” said Furlong.
As a student, Furlong was transformed by two pioneering women: Pam Rector and former campus ministry director Peg Dolan, R.S.H.M. Furlong was moved by Dolan’s radical hospitality and how special she made each student feel special, loved, and unique. He hopes these awards show the incredible contributions women have made to the fabric of this institution. “It’s a chance for me, as a CSA staff member, to be in a sacred position to teach students about Peg’s goodness and magic,” said Furlong.