20 Questions: Everything You wanted to Know and More

Name: Mary Vu
Graduation Year: Left in 82, graduated in Info. Word Processing in 84 from Strayer U.W. in Arlington. VA. 1986 took Edgewood College Independent Study course from Sr. Loretta Dornish
Occupation: Action Officer/Administrative Assistant at Headquarters United States Marine Corps
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Family: Husband Hien Vu 53 yrs old Son James Vu 17 yrs old Son Gabriel 24 (deceased)
From all my years at Edgewood, I'll never forget: The Edgewood College Nuns, Fr. Benjamin Russell and the wonderful friends I made. I was treated like a beloved daughter. That kind of love has sustained me up to the present and I try to love others the way I was loved at Edgewood. The Nuns and Fr. Russell taught me subjects in courses I thought were too hard for me, but when I passed the courses, it gave me self esteem and self knowledge that I had never had before. Many blessings I received while at Edgewood that I am eternally grateful for. The Dominican Spirit is awesome. For anyone interested: There are Dominican Associates for people who are married who want to live the Dominican Spirituality. Contact one of the Dominican Sisters to find out the requirements and how to join. Sr. Loretta Dornisch would be a good person to talk to about becoming a Dominican Associate. It is open to men and women.
Favorite Edgewood Class: Introduction to the Bible taught by Fr. Benjamin Russell. Intro to Logic by Sr. Catherine Cordon, Math classes taught by Sr. Norton, Art class taught by Sr. Devine, Classes taught by Sr. Loretta Dornisch
Favorite Food: While at Edgewood anything that Phil served for breakfast. Breakfast was my favorite meal, but Phil made every meal taste very good.
What's in my CD Player: All songs by Keith Urban. I love Country music, blue grass and mountain music.
Favorite Book: The Catholic version of the Bible
Famous person (living or dead) I would like to meet: Pope Benedict XVI
If I had all the time in the world, I'd spend it: 1. Return to college for a graduate degree in Catholic apologetics and Moral Theology. 2. Travel all over with my family, especially to meet the Pope at the Vatican, Scandinavia, Australia, Ireland, Tennessee to the Grand Old Opry.
What really gets on my nerves is when: When good people are hurt by others or life's circumstances. When a good person wants to go to college but can't afford to go.
If I could change one thing, I would: Create Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees via Distance learning, paper based, video and web based offered at Edgewood College. I keep praying that Edgewood will be able to offer this in the future like Catholic Distance University, and Franciscan University of Steubenville Ohio and Franciscan U.W. of PA. because I have been to 4 colleges since Edgewood and Edgewood is the best. What I learned my Freshman year at Edgewood in Theology, was graduate level at the other colleges.
Peak experience: Going to Edgewood College. Making friends with the Nuns that influenced me the most, as well as other life long friends from Edgewood. Meeting and marrying my husband. Having my 2 sons.
Favorite vacation spot: Madison, Wisconsin
Person who has had the greatest influence on me: Sr. Catherine Cordon (deceased), Sr. Marie Catherine Norton , Sr. Loretta Dornisch, Father Benjamin Russell, Sr. Elizabeth Devine. All of the Edgewood Nuns living and deceased were like family to me and are still very very dear to my heart because they treated me and still treat me as family. I appreciate and love that!
I wish I knew how to: Operate computers, digital cameras, Ipods, and other technology better without being afraid of breaking it, or not knowing how to use it, when I want to or need to for my job or family enjoyment. I am at the moment technologically challenged but will take some courses to learn what I need to.
Personal motto or favorite quote: The Bible verse: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all else will be given to you." I choose to study Theology. This motto is what sustained me while at Edgewood and what made me enroll at Edgewood. I was an Orphan with no money and no job but had faith in God and really believed in that Bible verse motto. I was given several scholarships from Edgewood which made it possible for me to study at Edgewood.
Advice to Edgewood freshmen: Study, don't waste a moment of your time. Make friends with your professors and make wise choices in making college friends. Use prudent judgment. Be serious and graduate. Graduate with a double or triple major with one of the Majors being Religious Studies, because the Dominican Nuns are excellent at teaching the Catholic faith. After you are an Alumni, donate (it's tax deductible) money to Edgewood for Scholarships that enable other students to study and for new courses/ programs and building renovations at Edgewood and for Edgewood to create an Undergraduate and Graduate distance learning program. You can stay in touch with Edgewood in a very special way and feel good about doing something meaningful to spread the Dominican Spirituality...