| www.csm.edu Omaha, NE May 17, 2009 |
K. Bridget Brosnihan, PhD (College of Saint Mary '65), Professor of Surgical Sciences, Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, and co-director of Molecular Medicine Programs, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center |
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| Changing Student Demographics | |
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Today more women are attending college than men; many older, nontraditional students are earning degrees while raising families; and financial aid, scholarships, federal loan programs, and changed policies have opened collegiate doors for students of all income levels and cultural backgrounds. |
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"'Do
what you love.' My love of research became the driving force in my life.
The mission statement of the College of Saint Mary – to strive for
academic excellence, scholarship and lifelong learning – empowered
me as I strove to survive in a highly competitive academic environment.
One of the benefits of the women’s college environment is the development
of higher levels of self-esteem and the ability to succeed in male-dominated
fields such as medicine, engineering, and law. In graduate school and
throughout my whole career, although I was one of a few women, I was able
to meet the challenges and to advance through the academic ladder and
national competition for limited grant support. It was the strength of
my convincing and thorough science, and self esteem nurtured here that
resulted in my professional advancement and the awards that have spanned
these 50 years."