Campus Ministry

By Mary Niebler, Coordinator of Cross-Cultural Immersions, Center for Social Concern

The Center for Social Concern is pleased to congratulate Cheryl Sims, Assistant Director, Prospect Research in Advancement, as the 2022 Miryam Award recipient. Cheryl was nominated by Emily Holterman, Director, Donor Relations.

Since 1996, Cheryl has blessed the University of Dayton with her gifts and desire to serve. According to her nomination, when the university was deciding a name for what became Marianist Hall, Cheryl brought to light the accomplishments of Jessie Hathcock, ‘30, the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Dayton. Though Hathcock’s name was not used at that time, Cheryl went on to establish a student scholarship in her honor. The scholarship focuses on supporting traditional or non-traditional students with first preference given to worthy female, African-American students majoring in education of English.

More recently, Cheryl has used her quiet and effective leadership skills to co-lead Advancements’ diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic planning process. In her nomination of Cheryl, Emily shares this about her, “She is the first to underscore how diversity, equity, and inclusion is a key pillar to our Marianist identity, making its presence in our day-to-day as organic as our Catholic faith. She advocates for this within University Advancement, as well as through the endowed scholarship she created in Hathcock’s name, allowing for scholarship, leadership, and service opportunities for students with financial need. Cheryl is always thinking of others.”

The Miryam Award seeks to honor members of our UD community who create a more welcoming, safe, and equitable climate for women.  Cheryl’s work, through her 26 years on staff, has done just that. Through naming those who have blazed a trail years ago, such as Jessie Hathcock, and through supporting those into their futures, with scholarship assistance, Cheryl’s impact has been great.  

We will honor Cheryl on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, at 3pm at Jessie Hathcock Hall in the KL Connector.  Please RSVP to cscoutreach@udayton.edu if you would like to attend.