Mary Ellen Horwath, B.A., Class of ’68, traces her lifelong commitment to political activism and community engagement to Hallmark Number 4: We commit ourselves to community service.
“It started when I tutored students at Ravenswood School as a sophomore in the mid-1960s,” Mary Ellen recalls. “That experience was followed by a summer with VISTA, teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Kentucky.”
She describes those experiences as transformative. “I was the proverbial protected only child,” she says. “Serving others at 19 was a real awakening. It opened my eyes to lives and challenges far beyond my own sheltered world and inspired a lifelong commitment to making a difference.”
For Mary Ellen, the seven Hallmarks reflect NDNU's strong moral compass, emphasizing lives of purpose, service to others, and an education that empowers people to make a positive difference in the world. They attract students who share those values and help shape the graduates for whom NDNU has become known.
The Hallmarks also connect NDNU's 175-year legacy to its future. As she explains, “The Hallmarks remind us that while we continue to evolve, our core values and mission remain unchanged. Our essence stays the same.”