Bequest from Joan Cain ’51 Opens New Doors for Dominican Students

Morganne Schmidt, a native of West Dundee, Illinois, reflects that she “had never been out of the country, never experienced a different culture, never even seen the ocean” before coming to Dominican. Today she can say she has broadened her horizons as part of her undergraduate experience—thanks to the generous bequest of Rosary College alumna Joan Cain ’51.

After graduating from Rosary, Ms. Cain made a career as a college professor in Louisiana. When she passed away in 2013, her bequest established a new initiative at Dominican—the Excellence in Experiential Learning (ExcEL) Scholar Award program. ExcEL enables Dominican students to incorporate hands-on experiences, beyond the classroom, into their Dominican education. For Morganne Schmidt, ExcEL funds enabled her to travel to Italy and study in Rome.

Ms. Cain’s bequest provides awards of up to $2,000 for students who wish to pursue an internship, community-based learning class, independent research, study abroad, or an entrepreneurial project.

“These experiences can be difficult for many students to afford because of the financial contingencies in their lives,” says Paul Simpson, executive director of Dominican’s Academic Enrichment Center. “Ms. Cain’s generous bequest allows us to make their hopes become real experiences.”

Morganne is now a senior, preparing to graduate with a double major in chemistry and food applications. During her time in Rome, however, she studied Baroque and Renaissance art and architecture.

“As a science major, I really wanted to go and learn about something completely outside of chemistry and food science,” she says. “Going to Rome allowed me to appreciate creativity and passion, and it inspired me to bring those qualities to my future career.”