posted on: Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Every two years, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville honor a woman whose life reflects the Ursuline charism that is inspired by Saint Angela Merici, the foundress of the Ursulines: “A contemplative love of God resulting in an openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others.” On Sunday, October 21, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville honored Dr. Cynthia Crabtree with the Angeline Award at a Mass in the Motherhouse Chapel, fittingly on the feast day of Saint Ursula.

Ursuline President Sister Janet M. Peterworth presented the award to Dr. Crabtree and said, “Dr. Cynthia Crabtree is Ursuline through and through—from her days at St. Clement, then high school at Angela Merici and now serving others as president of Sacred Heart Schools.”

One of five children, Dr. Crabtree grew up in the south end of Louisville, and attended St. Clement grade school, where she was taught by Ursulines. She graduated from Angela Merici High School (AM), class of 1975. After graduating with a bachelor of science in nursing from Spalding University in 1979, Dr. Crabtree worked in critical care as a nurse. After earning her master’s degree from the University of Kentucky, then receiving her doctorate in educational leadership in 1997 from Spalding, she was named dean of Spalding’s School of Nursing, a position she held until 2003.

Ursuline Sister Rosella McCormick said in her reflection during the Mass, “Servanthood is the mark of authentic leadership. Recall the Last Supper and Jesus using a towel to wash the disciples’ feet. We have gathered here in this place ‘where all are welcome,’ to recognize Dr. Cindy Crabtree, as a follower of Saint Angela Merici. Cindy is truly a servant-leader of our Ursuline Campus Schools—in the past, in the present, in our future.”

Dr. Crabtree also serves on Holy Cross High School’s board, as well as on the board at Brightside Louisville, which is dedicated to uniting people and green activities to help the planet. Dr. Crabtree and her family are longtime members of St. Albert Parish, where she is a eucharistic minister and is on the Social Concerns Committee. This committee partners with other area churches to collectively meet the needs of the poor, hurting, and vulnerable in their community.

Dr. Crabtree said, “ The Ursuline Sisters, through their contemplative love of God and their care for those in need, impacted me from a young age. Their words and actions have truly influenced me to serve those in need by focusing on how to be the face of God in their lives.”

Greg Daunhauer stated in one of the many letters of recommendation that were sent in about Dr. Crabtree, “Saint Angela said, ‘Strive to be faithful to that which God has called you.’ It is my humble opinion that God has called Cindy Crabtree to serve in her role as the leader of SHS and many young women have benefitted from her guidance and love.”