Senior Anna Fry was named the winner of the 2016 Tommie Award on Friday, marking the second time two women have won the award in back-to-back years, with Mariann Kukielka winning in 2015. The first time was in 1994 and 1995.
Students, faculty and staff chose between Fry and two other finalists, seniors Louis Missurelli and David Simmet, during a three-day online voting process last week. Director of Communication and Training for Student Affairs Vern Klobassa said more than 1,500 people voted in the election.
Fry said she feels proud to be the 10th woman to win the Tommie Award.
“That’s probably what I’m most proud of. It’s really cool, and it makes me proud to be a woman,” Fry said.
Fry was happy to get to know the other nominees during the process and said she was surprised when she heard the good news.
“I felt like all of the nominees were so rich in experience, and it was such a wide display of all the different stories and successes on campus, so it was just cool to be a part of it with everyone,” Fry said. “When I did get the news, it was like, ‘Why me? Why did I win when there’s so many other qualified people?’”
The Bettendorf, Iowa, native has held several leadership positions on campus, including president of Catholic Women’s Leadership, freshman orientation leader and member of the Catholic Studies Leadership Interns.
As a Catholic Studies and psychology major, Fry hopes she won the Tommie Award because she strives to live a life according to Catholic values.
“That would be my hope, that people see from this that the Catholic faith teaches us to be just, loving, compassionate and merciful,” Fry said. “Hopefully during my time here, I have been able to share that with others and share my Catholic faith with the community at St. Thomas.”
Fry said the win has made her feel grateful for her community and has given her time to reflect on all the people she has interacted with during the last four years. She added that it is a good way to end her college career.
“Senior year is so bittersweet, and this has just given me a chance to reflect and be grateful for everything that I’ve experienced here and the people who have helped form me,” Fry said. “All of the communities I am a part of have been so supportive. It’s really affirming, and it makes me feel so thankful that I came to St. Thomas.”
To Fry, the Tommie Award symbolizes more than something to strive for. She hopes that it can inspire students to live out the St. Thomas mission.
“The Tommie Award isn’t the end, it’s a side effect of reaching for something greater,” Fry said. “Getting any bit of encouragement or affirmation is really helpful to help you persevere in life and in college. I hope that the Tommie Award can be encouragement to the students and our community to continue to strive for their goals and our mission at St. Thomas.”
Claire Noack can be reached at noac8702@stthomas.edu.