Celina M. Peterson Gerling, C'91
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Why did you choose to attend the University of Saint Mary, and what made it stand
out from other colleges you considered?
I chose Saint Mary because I loved the campus. As I child we spent many Saturdays wandering the lawns and admiring the buildings as my mom reminisced about her days as a college student here while her mother shopped at the commissary on Fort Leavenworth. I did not consider any other colleges; Saint Mary was the only choice for me!
What have you been up to since graduating from Saint Mary?
Since graduating from Saint Mary, I got married to Craig and we have 4 amazing children. Cortney, Cristin and her husband Kaleb Ketchum, Cara, and Kyle. We remained in our hometown of Olathe.
What is your current job or role, and what do you enjoy most about it?
My current job is Office Coordinator/Project Manager at Lumineo Signs in Olathe, KS. I enjoy the job due to the variety of projects I do daily.
How did your time at Saint Mary prepare you for your career?
My time at Saint Mary helped to prepare me for my career by teaching me the valuable lesson of time management and diligence.
What is a memorable experience you had during your time at Saint Mary?
One of my early memories from my time on campus at Saint Mary was walking around campus at dusk. As we walked around the back of Berchmans (dorms at the time) walking under the trees lining the drive. Suddenly we heard squawking and flapping of bird wings. My friend and I were terrified until we realized what was happening and then we started laughing hysterically. There were many other fun times, but this is something that has always stuck with me.
Have you stayed in touch with any of your professors or classmates?
I have stayed in touch with 2 of my classmates regularly. Once all of our children graduated high school, K.C. (Stockton) McMillin and Laura (Guilfoyle) Krom have tried to go on a yearly girls trip.
What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates?
My advice would be to take a deep breath and keep pushing through the tough times.
Are there any achievements or milestones you would like to share with the Saint Mary community?
Craig and I have been married for 35 years
How do you stay connected with the Saint Mary alumni network?
I stay connected by currently serving on the board and attending alumni events as I can.
What hobbies or interests are you currently pursuing?
I like to read and spend time with my family.
Do you have any favorite Saint Mary traditions that you still cherish?
I have always enjoyed Vespers concert at Christmas time. It has always been a beautiful kick off to the Holiday Season.