As I wrap up my term as President of the Marian University Alumni Association Board, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. It has been an honor to serve this incredible community, and I’m confident the board is in great hands with Kameron Utter ’17 stepping in as our new President. His leadership, dedication, and deep understanding of our alumni family will serve us all well. 

Partnering with Marian’s Office of Alumni Engagement over the years has been incredibly fulfilling. Together, we’ve helped grow and guide alumni engagement efforts, welcoming recent graduates into the fold and strengthening bonds with our longstanding alumni. I’m proud of the meaningful strides we’ve made—building community, supporting one another, and celebrating what it means to be a Knight. 

Personally, I’ve made lasting memories, built friendships, and had a lot of fun being part of something so enduring and important to the university and our alumni base. I encourage all alumni, whether you graduated last year or decades ago, to reflect on the connections you made at Marian and the impact it’s had on your life. Find a way to reconnect, give back, or get involved that speaks to you. 

And as always, let’s continue to live out the Franciscan values that shaped us: the dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship. May these values guide how we treat others and how we engage with the world. 

GO KNIGHTS! 

 

We are proud to announce Kameron Utter ’17 as the new President of the Marian University Alumni Association Board. A dedicated board member since 2021 and most recently President-Elect, Kameron steps into this leadership role with a strong foundation in our Franciscan Values and a deep understanding of the Marian alumni community. During his time at Marian, Kameron studied Psychology and was a member of the 2012 and 2015 Championship football teams.

Professionally, Kameron serves as Director of Customer Experience and Digital Strategy at Quest Safety Products, Inc., where he has advanced through multiple leadership roles. He holds an MBA from Butler University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University.

As Board President, Kameron will guide our efforts to strengthen alumni engagement by supporting events, affinity groups, and strategic initiatives, bringing both insight and energy to our shared mission.

Thank you for your leadership!

Alex Sylvester '12

President, 2022-2025

Jessica Plew '06

Secretary, 2022-2025 

Marian University Announces New Deans to Lead Key Academic Schools

Marian University is pleased to announce three major leadership appointments across its academic portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to excellence through strategic growth and innovation. 

Dr. Chris Nicholson, Ph.D. has been named Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective June 1. Since joining Marian in 2018, he has held several leadership roles, most recently serving as interim dean. He was selected after a national search and is recognized for his strong leadership and commitment to student success. Read more

Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Ed.D. has been appointed Dean of the Klipsch Educators College. Since 2024, she has served as vice president for the college, launching the Indiana Institute for Literacy and securing key funding. She brings state-level experience in K–12 leadership and will continue advancing educator preparation. Read more

Dr. Daba Gedafa, Ph.D. joins Marian as Dean of the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering, effective June 2. Previously at the University of North Dakota, he led research in pavement and materials engineering and mentored graduate students. At Marian, he will lead program growth, research efforts, and student-focused initiatives. Read more

Together, these leaders bring deep expertise in academic administration, K–12 outreach, and research innovation. Their appointments reflect Marian University’s ongoing strategy to enrich its academic community, strengthen its liberal arts, education, and engineering programs, and prepare students for impactful careers.

Women of Marian Summer Luncheon: A Celebration and Community

The Women of Marian Society will host its annual Summer Luncheon on Saturday, July 26, from 11:00am to 1:30pm in the Marian University Arena. The signature event brings together hundreds of women from Marian University and the greater Indianapolis community to celebrate and learn from each other.

Enjoy mimosas and lunch followed by a panel focusing on women in civic leadership moderated by Anne Hathaway, president and CEO of Hathaway Strategies, and featuring Senator Cyndi Carrasco, Representative Julie McGuire and Representative Vanessa Summers.

Open to alumnae, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Marian, this event brings together women of all generations to learn and grow from one another. It’s the one experience you won’t want to miss!

Date: Saturday, July 26

Time: 11:00am-1:30pm

Location: Marian University Arena

Attire: Summer festive, derby hats and fascinators encouraged

Register for the luncheon here.