The Rev. Vincent J. Guinan, CSB
Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award

“We are so happy the Alumni Board of Directors selected Shelley as this year’s recipient!” Director of Alumni Relations Amy Youngblood said. “She’s a devoted alumna who has consistently served and supported her alma mater since her graduation. From the inception of the crowd-favorite alumni association fundraiser—Two Saints and a Taco Tasting—to her time of service on the UST Board of Directors, she is very generous with her time, talent and treasure. She’s a resource, friend, donor, and engager on top of her many talents in her professional life. We are proud of Shelley and so happy she is being recognized!”

Grahmann’s strong connection to her alma mater comes naturally.

​

“I came from a modest background with few professional models,” she explained. “UST was the first to connect me to a global audience, study abroad opportunities, and international students on campus. All of this is being re-invigorated today. It’s inclusive and accessible. I believe in what UST has to offer to the community, students and employers, and I want to see that reach be sustained and expanded.”

​

Leading Professionally and Personally

In addition to her demanding, high-level professional role at the global Sasol Chemicals, the dynamic, trusted leader, who earned her B.A. in Political Science at St. Thomas (summa cum laude) and her Juris Doctorate at the UH Law Center (cum laude), donates from her personal time serving as a Board Officer on UST’s Board of Directors.

​

“It has always been important for me to support the University and its mission,” Grahmann said. “Early in my career, I became a donor to UST. Then, as my career settled down and I was able to create more time and capacity, I met with Meredith Stasny McCrary ’03 from UST’s Advancement Office to learn about ways to engage more of my time and talent here.”

​

Joining the Board

Grahmann joined the Board in 2017 and has accelerated and increased her involvement since then. Motivated by a clear understanding of what differentiates UST, the lifelong Houstonian has taken an active and vital role in planning for the University’s Greater Things strategic vision for the future. 

​

From her seat on the Board, Grahmann was instrumental in the transformation to improve the University’s financial position, enhance its core curriculum, and lay the foundation for the University’s new Greater Things strategic vision and future capital campaign. Grahmann was the first alumni major gift to the campaign for new student housing. These transformation efforts, together with contributions across the UST community, were recognized nationally, with the Wall Street Journal ranking UST as the No. 4 university in Texas in 2023.

​

Grahmann added, “To other Celts I would say there is no better time to engage or re-engage with UST than today. And please recognize that no contribution of time, talent or treasure is too small. You’re part of a unique community with a strong mission-driven identity. Yet UST is a place that reflects the real world with a world of cultures and people working together. Moreover, St. Thomas does it better than many other places of learning.”

​

A Heart for Community

Grahmann is proof that when you have a heart for community, that heart keeps expanding. After UST, her top two service causes are Discover U (an organization that supports experiential learning), and Houston Food Bank.