Honoring History and Continuing the Legacy: UIW Celebrates Heritage Day 2025

In 1869, Bishop Claude M. Dubuis directed three founding Sisters (Sister Madeleine Chollet, Sister Pierre Cinquin and Sister Agnes Buisson) to San Antonio, TX to aid those impacted by a cholera outbreak. As uncertain as their future may have been, their unwavering faith, dedication and perseverance was the catalyst that sparked the beginning of the University of the Incarnate Word's (UIW) legacy. From the establishment of a hospital, orphanage, school, college and now beloved University, UIW's story continues to unfold in new and innovative ways.

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, UIW celebrated Heritage Day, an annual celebration that honors the institution's history, Mission and the years of service dedicated by its faculty, staff and administrators. The day was full of celebration, starting with a Heritage Day Mass in Our Lady's Chapel, allowing attendees to express gratitude towards UIW's founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) and recommit themselves to UIW's Mission and values.

The festivities continued in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word for the 32nd Annual Heritage Day ceremony, which recognized and awarded all full-time employees who celebrated five or more years of incremental service; all the way up to 40 years. This year, the ceremony honored 115 employees who collectively brought 1,425 years of service to UIW.

"Your (employee) contributions have upheld the legacy that began with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word over 150 years ago, and you continue to build on that foundation every day," opened Shannon Root, associate vice president for Human Resources. "As we reflect on your milestones, we celebrate not only your years of service, but the impact you've made on our students, our community and one another."

Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, who celebrated 40 years of service at UIW, led the ceremony's invocation as attendees bowed their heads surrounded by the community they serve. One-by-one, each honoree walked to the front of the chapel to be greeted by UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans and Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Goudge as they were recognized. Whether serving five or 40 years, all recognized employees expressed their gratitude for their time spent at the University.

40 Years of Service

Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI

Vice President for Mission and Ministry

"As part of my journey as a member of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio (CCVI), I have been honored to take on the mantle of the many sisters who came before me and who poured out blood, sweat and tears to build, administer and grow the University of the Incarnate Word up to its present state.

Because of this awesome heritage, I am convicted to stay true to our founding ideals and values, expressly, to serve all and especially the poor; to remain faithful to our call to create safe and inclusive spaces, especially for foreigners and members of minoritized groups; and to never lose sight of the essential needs of our students and staff (i.e., food, shelter, safety, true formation) especially as we continue to grow and expand our physical footprint.

In summary, the University has grown and achieved a stature beyond what the Sisters originally envisioned. Of this, I am proud. However, the challenge remains. How do we remain faithful to the true founding spirit of our Congregation, namely, to be a servant institution for all, and especially for those most in need, as we continue to grow and expand?

It is up to those who have been entrusted by my Sisters and I to steward the University into the future to answer this question. Their answer will decide if we still have a place in the future of education in San Antonio and Mexico. My prayer then is that they answer this question in line with the founding spirit of our Congregation."

40 Years of Service

Adela Gott

Software Innovation & Application Specialist

"I started out as the evening gatekeeper in the Media Center, which doesn't even exist anymore. Over the years I was blessed with a series of very generous and caring supervisors. With their guidance, my job grew into a career in education that includes a master's degree that I completed here at UIW. I don't see any of that happening anywhere else.

Another foundational experience for me was that just a few months after I had relocated to San Antonio from El Paso, my mother passed away at only 55. Everyone, especially the Sisters made themselves available to me even though I was very new. My supervisor at the time, Mendell Morgan, was able to recognize that I was not coping at all. He made an appointment for me with the campus counselor, Keith Tucker. Keith became my therapist for 15 years and led me through a long dark period of my life. Once again, I don't think that happens everywhere.

What I am saying is that Incarnate Word has consistently hired leaders that care for everyone they come across on campus, students especially, but also the rest of us that work at their side."

20 Years of Service

Dr. David Maize

Dean of the Feik School of Pharmacy

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work at UIW for the past 20 years, half of which as the Dean of the Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP). It has been a pleasure working with the 'Pharmily', which is our group of faculty, staff and students here at the FSOP. I wake up energized each day to expand our Mission and to follow our core tenets of education, truth, faith, service and innovation. I have been very proud of our increasing licensure exam pass rates and the great reputation that our students and alumni have in the public for being caring and professional pharmacists and health care providers."

5 Years of Service

Teofilo Reyes, Jr.

Assistant Director of Leadership and Global Engagement at the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability

"In my five years at UIW, I've experienced growth that's both deeply personal and professional. The community here has been a refuge during life's significant and challenging moments, teaching me that compassion is as central to our Mission as education itself. Professionally, the Ettling Center has become a classroom for humanity-where every conversation and act of service deepens my understanding of what it truly means to listen and serve. In all honesty, UIW has given me far more than degrees; it has given me opportunities and a mission I carry with me every day."

The ceremony concluded with a message from Dr. Evans, as he expressed his appreciation to employees for fostering an environment that deeply impacts its students presently and in the future. A reception was hosted in the Jeoris Ballroom in the Student Engagement Center, where the Incarnate Word family gathered to talk, laugh and share memories together as One Word.

Praise be the Incarnate Word forever.