This story appeared in the 2025 President’s Report edition of Onyx Anneau.
By Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel ’21, ’25MLD, advancement officer
Servant leaders have been products of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) for nearly two centuries. The G.O.L.D.E.N. Oak Award recognizes a Graduate of the Last Decade Engaging Now. Award recipients are acknowledged for professional achievement, continued service and outstanding personal characteristics. Mary Alvanos Deady ’19 strives to serve others and conduct herself with grace and compassion in everything she does. She grew up as an Indianapolis Colts fan her entire life, despite being from South Carolina – little did she know her connections with Indiana would grow even stronger later in life.
After years of playing travel volleyball, she met coach Katelyn Bishop of Terre Haute, Indiana. Through her connection, Mary was one of the first student-athletes to be recruited to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s first scholarship volleyball program. In sharing about her first visit to SMWC, Mary said, “Even before I met anyone, I knew it was right where I belonged.”
Deady left a significant legacy at The Woods from her work in the classroom and on the volleyball court from 2015 to 2019. She was a great asset to the team that made it to four national championships for the USCAA conference. Mary held the record for career assists in 2018 and 2019 with 2,515. She was also selected for the USCAA All-Tournament Team in 2016. Mary was involved on campus in the psychology club, served as a peer tutor and admissions ambassador. During her sophomore year, she served as a volleyball coach for the Crossroads of America, or COA, volleyball club in Terre Haute. Her community involvement inspired her to create a fundraiser to support awareness for multiple sclerosis – Yoga for MS.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Pre-Law, Deady began her graduate studies at Indiana State University. During graduate school, Mary worked as a case manager at Raintree Consulting in Terre Haute. There, she supervised visits for parents involved with the Indiana Department of Child Services and conducted behavior modification interventions with children and adolescent clients. She also served as a graduate assistant and assisted with teaching the lab portion of the Techniques in Counseling course for first-year master’s students’ program.
She earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling in 2021. Following graduation, she joined Valley Professionals Community Health Center as a behavioral health provider, where she continues to serve clients now. Throughout her career, Mary has made a conscious effort to educate the community on a variety of health topics. She has presented on suicide and depression in rural areas, supported Project Never Broken by speaking about behavioral health services. Mary also serves as a member of the American Counseling Association and the Indiana Counseling Association.
Whether in the office or out in the community, Mary conducts herself with professionalism and passion. “One thing I learned at The Woods is that service isn’t just words, it’s actions too. I’m so thankful for all I learned at SMWC, and to work for a company that encourages servant leadership,” Deady said.
Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement, shared that Deady was a strong candidate for the award. “It brings us much joy to see our alumni out in their communities serving others. Mary is such a wonderful example of the strong leaders that SMWC strives to send out into the world,” she said.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College proudly presented Mary Alvanos Deady with the 2025 G.O.L.D.E.N. Oak Award during the Reunion Banquet. “I’m beyond grateful and honored to be the 2025 recipient of the G.O.L.D.E.N. Oak Award – there really aren’t words to describe how much it means to me,” Deady shared.