October Alumnae Spotlight, Ann Valentino Fuselier, Sioux of 1963

In what ways did your Ursuline education prepare you for the work you’re doing now? 
My Ursuline education prepared me by instilling and emphasizing spiritual formation, academics, and the commitment to Serviam, “I will serve.” Ursuline promotes the development of the whole person through faith and the Academy’s ideals – Courtesy, Loyalty and Courage.
In what ways did your Ursuline education prepare you for the work you’re doing now? 
My Ursuline education prepared me by instilling and emphasizing spiritual formation, academics, and the commitment to Serviam, “I will serve.” Ursuline promotes the development of the whole person through faith and the Academy’s ideals – Courtesy, Loyalty and Courage.

Please describe the most significant value you learned from Ursuline Academy. 
Courage was the most significant value learned because it was the leading force that helped me to pursue and achieve goals. It taught me to persevere, have faith, and most of all to believe in myself to know I could make a difference. St. Angela Merici was an inspiring leader who was deeply faithful and who had confidence in women’s capabilities by creating the Ursuline Order.

Describe Ursuline in one word. Explain.
Nurturing. Nurturing the whole person “to be the best you” is what makes Ursuline such a special place. It develops leaders of confidence, compassion, and prepares them for life.

ABOUT ANN VALENTINO FUSELIER
Ann Valentino Fuselier, 1963, has been chosen by the Ursuline Alumnae Association of New Orleans, with the approval of the Academy President and the Ursuline Sisters, to be the 2014 Ursuline Distinguished Alumna. This award is annually bestowed upon a graduate of Ursuline Academy or Ursuline College of New Orleans who demonstrates the core values and ideals of an Ursuline education in all aspects of her life. Since 1986, 46 women have received this honor, making it one of Ursuline’s most prestigious awards.
 
Ann attended Ursuline for 13 years and graduated as a Sioux of 1963. Upon graduating from Ursuline, Ann earned a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University in 1967. One year later, she married Dr. Harold A. Fuselier, Jr. Together they have four sons, Harry, Scott, Prentice and Mims, and five grandchildren. Ann is active in the Ursuline community and gives much of her time back to her Alma Mater in the spirit of Serviam. Merle Segura, classmate and friend says, “Ann Fuselier is an outstanding Ursuline alumna. She exemplifies Serviam in all aspects of her life – as a Catholic, wife, mother, daughter and community volunteer. She appreciates the significant impact her 13 years of Ursuline education made on her life and has devoted many hours in giving back to her Alma Mater.”
 
Ann’s service to Ursuline is exemplified through her role as a member of the Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees. Throughout the years, she has also assisted with capital campaigns, Serviam Annual Fund Drives as well as other events hosted by the Academy. Her service to the community also shines through many facets. She is a Junior League Sustainer, member of the Order of St. Lazarus; Board Member of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Foundation, Department of Psychiatry; Archdiocese of New Orleans Spirituality Center Board of Trustees Member; Catholic Women in Action Board Member; Member of the Advisory Board for the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center at the Old Ursuline Convent; Executive Committee Member of La Fête du Jardin; Emeritus Board Member of the Hermann-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses; and is a member of the New Orleans Opera’s Women’s Guild Board of Governors. She is also a Young Aspiration/Young Artists (YA/YA) Fundraiser Chairman and Mentor Volunteer at Good Shepherd Nativity School where she created a partnership between the two to help solidify Good Shepherd Nativity’s arts enrichment program.
 
Ann is a true leader and an inspiration to all women who are called to serve. She maintains a balance between all of her service projects and does so with happiness and grace. She is devoted to helping others and making a difference in the community. “As a strong faith-filled leader in our community, she brings joy, humility and dedicated service to every project she engages. Her giving of time and talent to such a broad spectrum of causes in our community is most impressive,” says Patricia Denechaud, lifelong friend and classmate. Ann is a beautiful example of St. Angela’s words: “You have more need to serve others, than they have to be served.”
 
Verna Landrieu, Distinguished Alumna and Class of 1950, says: “She has always been one to be trusted with responsibility to get a job done.” Ann has proven time and again to be a model of selflessness and of diligence. Gretchen Kane, former Academy President says: “That call to selfless service, represented by the Ursuline ideal, Serviam, beautifully captures who Ann is.”
 
Ann is the fourth Distinguished Alumna to follow in the footsteps of her mother in receiving this prestigious honor. Ursuline Academy is proud to honor Ann Valentino Fuselier ’63 as Distinguished Alumna
Back