The O'Keefe Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award

Sister Judy Jewison, OP '76, Ph.D. was lucky enough to be born into a large, rural family where love of God and love of neighbor were nurtured by word and example.  There was always “room for one more” in our home.  This strong, invisible thread, given to her by her parents, has guided her life journey.  

In 1972, Sr, Judy entered the Sinsinawa Dominican Community and studied theology at Aquinas Institute in Dubuque.  Following her first vows in 1974, the Prioress, Sister Marie Amanda assigned her to Rosary College to complete by undergraduate degree.  Sr. Judy joined the Rosary Dominican Community of about 90 Sisters!!  Besides having fabulous professors, she had the opportunity to participate in the Semester in London Program, along with falling in love with all that Chicago has to offer. 

After graduation, Sr. Judy was assigned to Queen of Peace High School, Burbank, IL, and taught Economics and Theology.  During that time, she studied and received a master's degree in Pastoral Studies at Loyola University -Chicago.  In 1980, she was selected by a Rosary College Search Committee to serve as Rosary’s Dean of Students for the next five years.  

In 1986, Sr, Judy began a doctoral program at the Graduate School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and completed a Ph.D. in Management and Human Resources.  Concurrently, she taught MBA Classes to Edgewood College graduate students.   

In 1990, the Prioress Kaye Ashe and her council asked Sr Judy to organize and direct the Motherhouse, The Sinsinawa Mound renovation project.  This work included the transformation of the Stone (1847), the Convent, and the 1964 Buildings, excluding the Chapel.  The project was in two phases, completed in three years.  On the weekends, she drove to Madison and taught Edgewood MBA students.  

The Presentation Sisters (PBVM) have a Motherhouse in Dubuque, seven miles from the Mound.  Their motherhouse needed similar renovation – that is, a building designed for younger members, now needing to be renovated to serve their elders in the future.  The PBVM leadership invited her to help them understand what was feasible for their unique circumstances.  Once a realistic, affordable plan emerged, they organized a team to implement it.  Word spread and work increased! Sr. Judy had the opportunity to strategize, analyze, design, construct, deconstruct, sell, and repurpose over 70 monasteries and convents throughout the U.S.  Collaborating with so many orders and leaders on dynamic challenges kept her on a “constant learning curve”. They all became changemakers who sought to increase the vitality and sustainability of God’s mission through the lens of each location and unique charism.   

Currently, she has the honor of serving on Dominican University’s Board of Trustees.  “Back in the day” Donna Carroll invited me to serve.  I took a break and am lucky enough to serve again.  I can attest to the fact that the students are saturated with excellent 21st century education supported by Gospel threads that animate a vital Spirit of “Caritas & Veritas” throughout the University!   The whole University offers their very best to nurture each unique student, so that they can ‘become who they are meant to be, and to set the world on fire’ (Saint Catherine of Siena).”