SXU Alumna Held Mission Close to Her Heart
Saint Xavier University (SXU) alumna Patricia Sainer '89, '97 held the Saint Xavier mission close to her heart. Determined to give back to the community, she lived a full life of consistently working to make others happy, from performing as a circus clown to make children laugh to teaching underserved students who needed extra support.
At the age of 17, Patricia left home in Bridgeport to join the traveling circus as a clown and showgirl, traveling around the country and in Canada. Determined and headstrong even at such a young age, Patricia once sneaked backstage to meet Emmett Kelly, the notorious circus performer "Weary Willie." Though Kelly told her there was 'no room in Clown Alley for a girl,' Patricia wasn't discouraged – she was all the more determined to become a clown, and she did. Patricia performed for the Cristiani Bros. Circus, Adams Bros. Circus, Cody and Kipling Bros. Circus, Harold Bros. Circus and the Royal American Shows.
Her determination would follow her for the rest of her life. Going to college had always been important to Patricia, an importance instilled by her father. She'd go on to instill the importance of determination and hard work to her own son, Joshua. After earning her high school equivalency diploma, she attended Richard J. Daley College to earn an associate's degree and then Saint Xavier, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's degree in education.
While a student at Saint Xavier, Patricia was thrilled to spend time with like-minded peers. She also enjoyed learning about early childhood education and pondered the idea of opening up a daycare center, as she loved being with and teaching children.
"She was very happy during her time at Saint Xavier," said Patricia's husband, James Sainer. "She enjoyed her classes and her professors were wonderful."
She changed career routes by pursuing a career in teaching at the college level. She taught public speaking and communication at both Columbia College Chicago and Saint Xavier, which was located only a block away from her house. She also worked on other projects for herself, including a children's book titled "Tommy the Tomato Worm," which followed the life cycle of a tomato worm becoming a moth.
"Teaching at Saint Xavier was something that motivated Patricia. She wanted to contribute to the community and give back to the kids. She was always determined to serve others," said Sainer.
Patricia, who passed away in February 2022, made an unforgettable mark on the world, and her legacy of dedication to service lives on in future Saint Xavier students who are seeking to make a difference in their communities like she did.