Mary Fondren-Beakas
Main Office Staff


How long have you been a part of the SUA community?
43 years

What is your position at/affiliation to SUA?
I am a proud 1982 graduate, a mom of two grads (2018), and the Main Office receptionist since August 2013. It is great to be back!

What are you most proud of being affiliated with SUA?
The sisterhood, unity, and traditions make me most proud. My best friends from high school are still my best friends today! We sing the Alma Mater every time we get together or drive past our beloved SUA!

What SUA core value is most meaningful to you, and why?
The Core Value of Community is most important to me. We believe a trusting and nurturing community, dedicated to living the common mission, leads to individuals who can encourage and learn from one another. We believe in celebrating traditions with our past, present, and future community members in the spirit of St. Angela Merici’s enduring vision of togetherness. The SUA traditions and mission are the backbone of our community.

How she impacts students...
We are not teachers, but I do think the Main Office staff (including Boo Anderson Hensien ’73) impacts the students. We think of our office as the “happy” place where the girls are greeted with a smile and feel comfortable coming to us with a question, turning in paperwork, asking for a snack or sweet treat, or simply saying hello and telling us about their day!

"Mrs. Beakas is one of the kindest and most caring people I know. When I forgot my vest for Mass once, she let me borrow one of her extras. She goes beyond what is expected to make anyone's day. I love just coming into her office to have a conversation or grab a piece of candy." – Mia Cheatwood ’22