College of Nursing Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumna in Service to Nursing Award
MARY CORRIGAN CARY, NURS '72
Mequon, Wis.
After graduating from the College of Nursing in 1972, Mary began her career at Milwaukee’s St. Joseph Hospital in '73. Since then, she has nearly done it all in the field: serving as a staff nurse in pediatrics, orthopedics, intermediate intensive care, childbirth education, pediatric oncology, hematology and transplant, adult oncology, adult extended care, home hospice, and ambulatory pediatric care. And if that isn’t enough, she raised six children and is the proud nana of four grandchildren.
In addition to her professional and personal aspirations, Mary has given back to the community on many levels. She has served on several boards, including Women for MACC, the Marquette University High School Mother's Guild, and the Sts. Cecilia and James Parent Association. In 1978, she was named president of the Association of Marquette University Women, the youngest in history. She is a member of the Christ Child Society, a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Pastoral Care Commission for her parish, Lumen Christi Catholic Church.
Mary was awarded the Marquette University High School Spirit of Ignatius Award, and she and husband John — a 1973 alumnus of the then-College of Speech — co-chaired Marquette University High School’s 150th anniversary celebration. John was the 1991 Alumnus of the Year in the College of Speech.
Humbled by the honor bestowed on her, Mary says, “I credit the Marquette University College of Nursing with its incredibly professional and dedicated faculty for instilling in each one of us what it means to be of service to others.”
Fun fact: Four of Mary and John’s six children attended Marquette.
