Alumni
Breaking Molds
Minerva De La Garza (B.S. ’67) ranks among the first female undergraduate students to earn her degree from St. Mary’s University.
The anatomy of innovation
St. Mary’s University-educated men and women in the health professions have an impact felt far and wide. Examples abound, from Paul Saenz, D.O. (B.A. ’79), the San Antonio Spurs’ team physician who has kept players healthy on the way to five NBA titles, to Sylvia Villarreal, M.D. (B.A. ’72), the pediatrician-owner of a clinic in Taos, New Mexico, who treats under-served and chronically ill children.
A gift greater than gold
They didn’t talk much about it; it wasn’t something either of them brought up. Eusebio “E.J.” Tamez’s little brother, Luis, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease in 2016 and, soon after, started dialysis. Yet the brothers kept their relationship close without discussing Luis’ condition.
On the rise, together
Lynda Ellis’ first rule of leadership is to connect personally with employees and clients, to always ask what they need, and what is — or isn’t — working.
Her Own Boss
When she was a little girl, Chantel Avila (B.B.A. ’15) wanted to be a lawyer like the character Elle Woods in the movie Legally Blonde. But Avila didn’t want to be a lawyer — she just really loved the character’s extensive wardrobe. At age 9, Avila asked her mom to buy her a sketch pad that she quickly filled with drawings of clothing designs.
Engineering alumna continues to win big at H-E-B
Shortly after Jessica Johnson (B.S. ’09, M.S. ’11) came to St. Mary’s University, she set a goal for herself: win “Industrial Engineering Student of the Year” her senior year. To achieve that goal, Johnson would have to put in hard work — and lots of it.
Advocate for Education
Stefanie Ramirez (B.A. ’14) embodies one of St. Mary’s most notable core values: service to others. Ramirez is committed to ensuring every child in America has access to and receives a quality education.
Ideas and Opportunities
Paula Gold-Williams believes in being ready to take on whatever challenges life throws her way. She has guided her career with a balance of careful preparation and a willingness to take chances, and earlier this year, it really paid off.
All Wrapped in One: Tacos and Social Justice
Eddie Vega, a self-proclaimed taco aficionado, is often on the hunt for Texas’ best tacos. When he’s not doing that, Vega can be found performing poetry at open mic nights around San Antonio.
Not Alone: Stepping up for Social Justice
It was a cool February morning in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1959 when 15-year-old Louis Cousins Sr. (B.A. ’90) and his mother climbed the steps to the entrance of Maury High School.
Brews and Bros
What started as a friendship among St. Mary’s classmates — and a shared love of brewing beer — has turned into Busted Sandal Brewing Company, which opened in San Antonio in 2013.
Modern-Day Renaissance Man
Anthony Quesada (B.S. ’16) is something of a renaissance man. In his four years at St. Mary’s University, he was a tutor, dancer, singer and, according to the numbers, an outstanding medical scholar.
Read More Stories
New labs and programs offer a wellspring for innovation in St. Mary’s health care education
The new Nursing Program at St. Mary's University, along with other new and revamped degrees in Public Health, Medical Humanities, and Exercise and Sport Science, further the University's mission of teaching holistic health.
Recent J.D. graduate accepts prestigious federal clerkship
Berenis Ibarra López (J.D. ’24) accepted a 2026-2027 clerkship with the Hon. Irma Carrillo Ramirez, J.D., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. López is currently a law clerk for the Hon.
St. Mary’s student from India adds math to her career
A Mathematics major with a minor in Computer Science at St. Mary’s University, Dhwani Chandi is passionate about Applied Mathematics.