Andee Swick ‘03
Advancement Administrative Assistant
Office of Advancement
1. Explain your role at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College? (What’s your daily routine, what’s your role in big events on campus, what is your role with students, etc.)
For almost 20 years, I have worked in the Advancement Office at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. I graduated from SMWC in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Equine Studies and a minor in Business Administration. I assist the Advancement Staff with a wide range of areas. One of the major aspects of my job is assisting the Assistant Director of Advancement Services in processing gifts daily. A lot of my job consists of providing stewardship to donors by running acknowledgment letters for gifts, sending out memorial and in honor of information, sending out student thank you letters to donors, etc. I also assist the President, Vice President for Advancement and Associate Vice President for Advancement with scheduling donor visits throughout the country.
My primary interaction with the students involves the awarding of our Endowed and Term Scholarships and Woods Giving Day. Each year, I facilitate notifying the students of the Endowed or Term Scholarships they have received. They are asked to have their photo taken when they arrive on campus, which gets enclosed with their letter to the donor(s) or representative(s). It is fun to meet the students in person and read the stories that they share with the donors.
2. What do you enjoy most about SMWC?
The larger events that we have on campus that I am involved in are Woods Giving Day, Reunion, Homecoming and the President’s Gala. Seeing people in person is always so much fun when we work virtually with so many of the alumni daily. When they return to campus, it is nice to put a face with a name. The staff gained many relationships with the alums over the years and are like an extended family to many.
As a student, I was able to see the addition of the Mari Hulman George School of Equine Studies. Now, as a staff member, the College has built two new buildings: the Jeanne Knoerle Sports & Recreation Center and Le Bois Hall, along with completing numerous other renovation projects around campus. Seeing the change and growth over the years on campus has been rewarding. So much of our work is raising money from donors and applying for grants that help bring the projects to life.
3. Tell us more about yourself? (Hobbies, family, community involvement, etc.)
In my free time, I love to read. I also enjoy music. I started playing the piano in first grade and continued throughout high school, along with being in the choir. I love attending concerts and plays on campus and in the community.
Since I was a little girl, I have always been involved with showing horses across the country. I have led the nation or been in the top five many times in points and have had Multiple World and National Champion horses. It is great to see different places and meet new people that become lifelong friends. I am also a ring steward for various horse shows and enjoy working with the judges.
4. Why should people become engaged with The Woods?
The Woods provides a beautiful campus for students to learn. The College is like a tight-knit family and is very supportive of each other and their goals. I hope people continue to support SMWC so future students can have the same experiences that those before them have had and change their lives.
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