Bruemmer has been an active part of the SLU community since attending SLU herself and graduating in 1942 with an Arts & Sciences degree. Since then, she has worked with the university in various measures, and has given back to the community in numerous ways. Bruemmer welcomed female students to campus as the director of Marguerite Hall.

In 1956, Marguerite Hall became the first residence hall for women studying at SLU. In 1967, she was named the Dean of Women, once a standard position existing at Jesuit schools around the country. She was the second person to hold that title at SLU. When higher education administration outgrew the post of Dean of Women, the position was eradicated, and Bruemmer took over as the Dean of Student Affairs in 1972.

Just one year later, Bruemmer founded the Women’s Commission. Mary established the Women’s Commission with the goal of making affirmative action and equal opportunity a reality. Over the years, the function of the Women’s Commission has progressed.

Today, it “represents the women at the University, sponsors programs, provides a forum for women’s concerns, and serves as a vehicle for communication about issues and opportunities for women in higher education,” according to the commission’s website. Mary continues to work with the Women’s Commission as an ex-officio member.

“I look to Ms. Bruemmer for history and perspective. She embodies the Commission’s pillars, ‘Education, Enrichment, and Empowerment,’” Current President, Donna Bess Myers, said. “She is the one who always wears a fleur-de-lis and a smile. Undoubtedly, she is a SLU treasure.”

Myers said that Bruemmer’s love for SLU students is unrivaled. This is evidenced in Bruemmer’s close relationships with several current students.

“Mary has served as a close mentor and dear friend throughout the year,” SGA President Matt Ryan said. “When I think how to model my life and strive to be an agent of change, I often find myself modeling Mary.”

Kripa Sreepada, SGA Vice-President of Diversity and Social Justice, feels similarly about Bruemmer. Sreepada recalled a recent lunch outing with Mary at the History museum on day of particularly poor weather.

“I mentioned that it is too bad that it may rain because I had misplaced my umbrella,” Sreepada said. “She [Bruemmer] obviously made a mental note of it, because the next time I saw her just a few days later, she had a brown umbrella ready just for me and stuffed it in my purse without any question.”

Sreepada says this is just one of countless examples of Mary’s selflessness.

Myers cites Bruemmer’s remarkable gift of memory. Bruemmer can speak about past SLU presidents whose names decorate our campus, and have become everyday terms, such as Father Reinert and Father Marchetti. “She brings them to life and recalls every detail about a particular discussion she had with them.”

Deservedly, Bruemmer’s contributions to SLU have been recognized over the years. She was the recipient of the first Woman of the Year award, presented by the Women’s Resources Coordinating Council, in 1977. Later, in 1990, Bruemmer received the Fleur de Lis Award upon her retirement as Assistant to the Vice President for Development. She also served as the adviser to Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honors Society.

At age 92, Bruemmer maintains her wide-ranging involvement at SLU. For the past 20 years, she has volunteered with University development.

Bruemmer’s service to SLU goes beyond what could ever be asked of her.

“She is the embodiment of the Jesuit vision, and she shares all that she has with everyone around her, and that’s without them asking,” Sreepada says. “I admire that quality of Mary’s and really hope I can be as giving, loving, and as sweet as she is one day.”