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Bellarmine’s Alumni Association is under new but familiar leadership as longtime executive director Peter Kremer moves into a fundraising role for the university.  

 

Stephanie Pieper Reilly, who has served in the Alumni Association for more than a decade, is the association’s new executive director. After 13 years leading the Alumni Association, Kremer will become Bellarmine’s assistant vice president for donor engagement, moving into a position that has been vacant since earlier this year. 

 

Bellarmine’s president, Dr. Susan M. Donovan, said she expects the transition to be a very smooth one. 

 

“Peter and Stephanie are both natural leaders, and have worked closely together as the voice of the university for our graduates for many years,” she said. “They know the university’s alumnae and alumni so well that they’ll move easily into these roles, where they will both find new ways to keep our graduates connected with their alma mater.” 

 

Bellarmine’s Alumni Association, with more than 25,000 members worldwide, encourages graduates to support current and future students by engaging, mentoring and giving.  

 

"On behalf of the Bellarmine Alumni Board of Directors, we are very excited for these new leadership opportunities for Peter and Stephanie,” said Cristalle Maraman Vivona, president of the Bellarmine Alumni Board of Directors. “With Peter's transition from alumni relations to his new role in donor engagement, our Board and Alumni Association will have greater opportunities to work with the development office and further our work to advance the mission of the university. Further, we look eagerly forward to Stephanie's direction and guidance in her new role as executive director of the Alumni Association and cannot wait to see what this new chapter brings for her, our alumni and our university. We congratulate them both!" 

 

Stephanie Pieper Reilly 

Executive Director, Bellarmine Alumni Association 

In her new role, Reilly will lead the Alumni Association in coordinating programs and special events focused on alumni engagement, in support of the university’s strategic plan and in collaboration with the Alumni Board of Directors. She leads a three-person team. 

 

“I’m thrilled to build on the strong outreach, programs and events that Peter and the alumni team have developed over the years,” said Reilly. “I have a deep passion for Bellarmine, and I’m excited for the opportunity to engage more alumni in the life of the university and strengthen their connections with their alma mater. As we begin this next chapter in the history of the Bellarmine University Alumni Association, I look forward to implementing and promoting programs that support the university's strategic plan by honoring our traditions and executing transformational initiatives that connect our alumni and students.”  

 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Bellarmine in 2006, she began serving the university as an admissions counselor. Two years later, she moved to the Alumni Association, serving in various roles until she was named director of alumni events and programs in 2016. She earned a master’s degree in Communication from Bellarmine in 2010. 

 

She is a 2016 graduate of the Leadership Louisville Center’s Focus Louisville program, and she serves her church – St. Agnes – and her neighborhood – Tyler Park – through volunteer service. 

 

In his new donor engagement capacity, Kremer will work with alumni and donors to implement Bellarmine’s strategic plan, raising funds to support the needs of the university, its students and its academic programs. This includes raising scholarship dollars to offer an affordable and accessible Bellarmine education to students from all backgrounds. 

 

“I look forward to working with alumni and donors in this new role after 13 wonderful years in the alumni relations office,” said Kremer. “I am a proud Bellarmine graduate and employee, and I truly believe Bellarmine changes lives through the power of education. People deserve to have access to a university that educates future leaders and instills the values of serving others and the intrinsic dignity of human beings. That is the education I was provided at Bellarmine, and I am now proud to work with alumni and donors to ensure future generations have access to this life-changing education.” 

 

Kremer earned undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Economics from Bellarmine in 2007, followed by an MBA from the University of Louisville. After marketing and management roles at area country clubs, he returned to Bellarmine in 2007 to lead the Alumni Association, first as executive director of alumni relations and later as assistant vice president of alumni relations.  

 

At Bellarmine, he has led seminar courses for first-year students since 2008. He completed the Leadership Louisville Center’s Focus Louisville and Leadership Louisville programs, and leads annual Bellarmine alumni service trips to Appalachia. He serves his church – Our Lady of Lourdes – in volunteer roles and is a class ambassador for Trinity High School.