Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

Matthew Himes came to the University of Dayton to study business, and after two years he found himself at the intersection of his academic and spiritual calling. He’s thankful he chose UD. 

Himes, the youngest of four siblings, initially considered all the colleges his siblings attended. Since his older sister attended UD, he also applied to the University of Dayton. When it was time to tour campuses, UD was the first and only college he ended up visiting. Scholarships ensured that he was able to go to the college that instantly felt like the right fit.

“I knew I wanted to go here as soon as I visited. Coming from a smaller Catholic school, the size of the campus and everyone here who met me made it feel like the right fit. Another important factor was the within-reach opportunities for students to get involved in their community,” shared Himes.

Of all the opportunities Himes has accessed so far, the chance to interact with the UD community has been one of his highlights. He has formed lifelong friendships and received mentorship from professors and upperclassmen. The other, and more important highlight, is his reconnection with and strengthening of his faith through the opportunities enabled by Campus Ministry.

“I went to Catholic schools my whole life, but it wasn’t until UD that I really started to feel an ownership of my faith as an adult,” Himes reflected. My faith has evolved completely out of my independence to explore it through my interactions at UD.”

Himes works for Campus Ministry as a Mass coordinator and sacristan and is a peer minister at Catholic Life, a student organization focused on bringing a vibrant Catholic community of college students together to grow in faith. Himes also leads the formation of a new peer accompaniment program in partnership with Campus Ministry.

From his jobs throughout high school, Himes knew that he liked managing teams and balancing different things. “I like challenges and I feel blessed that I had the chance to interact with and manage diverse groups of people before I went to college,” said Himes. Having felt a strong calling to his faith at UD, he figured out a creative integration of his managerial skills and his commitment to his faith. Himes is set to pursue a master’s in theology after graduating and hopes to eventually be a minister at a high school or a college campus.

“The idea that my current study in business management very much aligns with what I want to do after college has brought me a sense of comfort and reassurance. The leadership I’m learning in my current program will be complimentary to my plans for my future career,” said Himes.

He believes that this discernment of his vocation began with coming to UD, which would not have been possible without the financial support from the scholarships he received.

“Having three other siblings who have attended college, scholarships were crucial to my being able to come to UD. Since coming here, I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities that I know I would not have gotten elsewhere. The holistic approach to education that UD emphasizes has helped me grow personally and professionally, and for this, I will be ever grateful.”