Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

Some legacies are created intentionally and others through an enduring authenticity to one’s mission. The latter is true for Margaret Cavanaugh, who is supporting University efforts to improve access to the same education that helped her find her way as a scientist, educator and lay Marianist.

“I found those years at the University really formative,” Cavanaugh said. “There were some amazing people who probed what you wanted to do and how you were going to grow as a person in faith and in community.”

Cavanaugh grew up in the Dayton area and attended the University of Dayton to study chemistry in the early 1960’s. Though she left UD after three years and finished her schooling elsewhere, UD never left her. She's remained rooted to the University, growing her legacy through service and helping others.

At UD, Cavanaugh became a lay Marianist, which led to her becoming one of the original members of the Marianist Lay Community of North America in the 1980’s. It’s also where her love of chemistry grew, ultimately leading her to earn her doctorate, teach at Saint Mary’s College and work at the National Science Foundation. Through it all, her deep connection to UD endures and Cavanaugh still stays in touch with lifelong friends she made at UD more than 50 years ago.

This year, she’s completing her final term on the University’s board of trustees as a community leader, which will total 27 years of service. “It always feels like a homecoming to come to a board meeting,” she said.

Her dedication to UD’s mission extends beyond volunteerism. Cavanaugh’s gifts to the University have supported the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception renovation and helped students access the holistic UD education through scholarships.

Cavanaugh was one of the first donors to the Flyer Promise Scholars program. “I love the idea that students who otherwise couldn’t afford to come to UD and have that experience can get the help to do it,” she said. “I was impressed with the way they went about organizing the program, which is a UD way — not just giving money but figuring out ways to support the students and bring them into the community.”

In 2020, inspired by the impact UD had on her life, she established the Cana Endowed Scholarship in support of Mary’s mission to advance social justice, integrity and reveal the merciful face of God.

Cavanaugh said she never anticipated being in a financial position to create a scholarship, but because of the multi-year structuring of endowed scholarships, she was able to build a scholarship and offer it to a student majoring in religious studies or human rights.

With concern for liberal arts education, Cavanaugh seeks to keep higher education accessible and to pass on the values of community and service with the scholarship.

“What will happen to religious studies? I’m not sure how many people will contribute to religious studies, so I think I will,” she said. “You can just do what you can do.”

The first recipient of the Cana Endowed Scholarship, selected in 2022, is set to graduate this year.