Dr. Mary Hayes Pays It Forward for Future Generations of Dominican Students

Dr. Mary Hayes ’70 received many academic credentials on her way to founding her own pediatric dental practice in Chicago, but she credits her first degree—from Rosary College/Dominican University—as the one that was instrumental in creating the person she is today. Deeply inspired by the Dominican Sisters, their commitment to educating their students to become citizens of the world, and their motto—Caritas et Veritas—Mary graduated with degrees in chemistry and French and received a library science degree from the University of Chicago, and then a DDS, followed by an MS in her pediatric dentistry specialty from the University of Illinois.

Hailing from Rochester, New York, Mary chose Rosary College because of its strong science programs, its liberal arts foundation, and its proximity to Chicago. Studying with Sister Mary Woods opened the door to a research internship at Argonne Laboratories, a rare opportunity for an undergraduate student.

The pandemic struck 50 years after she graduated from Rosary, so Mary’s class was unable to gather for its class reunion. Nonetheless, Mary joined the Reunion Planning Committee and volunteered to work on the class gift fundraising effort. With Dominican already named in her will, she decided to use a portion of her bequest to provide the lead gift in a $110,000 fundraising initiative.

“I realize my success in life was grounded by the experiences and education I received at Dominican as a young woman,” Mary said.

Recognizing the multiple benefits of giving appreciated stock, Mary avoided capital-gain taxes and reduced her taxable income.

“I am enjoying the pleasure of seeing the impact of my gift while I am alive. I hope that it will motivate my classmates to make a gift to our fundraising initiative. I am delighted to ‘pay it forward’ for future generations of Dominican students.”