Student Creates Foundation for "Guys Like Us"

Released: 9/21/07

[Other School of Education News]

Stephen Ryan, a senior at Marquette University, is taking his education seriously.  As an education major, Steve has been trained in the importance of being a role model for his students. But  he has taken his vocation to the next level.  Inspired by his own experience as well as educational research examining the effects on boys and girls who grow up without a same-gender parent, Ryan has created The Stephen Joseph Ryan Foundation: Guys Like Us, a nonprofit corporation, named in memory of his father, which focuses on the social development of boys whose fathers have passed away.  Guys Like Us opened its doors in August of 2006, and offers free mentoring services, support, and an overnight camp for boys in ages 7-12.

"Being a student at Marquette University, especially in the School of Education, has provided me with the skills necessary to go out into the community and be a 'man for others,'" says Ryan, "The curriculum developed to educate the whole person has prepared me as a future educator and provided a solid foundation to put to work my skills in the community to assist those who are in need."

Founding member and current President of the School of Education Student Council,  Stephen Ryan currently serves as a teaching assistant for ARSC 10 at Marquette, and has been active in other campus organizations, including MU Student Government, the MANRESA project, and has participated in new student orientation.  In spring of 2007, Ryan was honored with a Division of Student Affairs Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social and Arts Programming for his varied committee work. He is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, History Honor Society, and Pi Lambda Theta, International Honor Society and Professional Association for Education

For more information on Guys Like Us, please visit their Web site at www.sjrguyslikeus.org

Read more about Ryan's Foundation in the linked article, which appeared in Hindsdale Suburban Life (Il.) on September 11, 2007.