Oral History Project - St. Mary's University Alumni

About the Oral History Project

The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Office of Law Alumni Relations want to give you an opportunity to share your unique connection to St. Mary’s University as we plan to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the University and the 100th Anniversary of the Law School in 2027! This oral history project provides alumni the chance to tell their story in their own words. After the collection is complete, these unique stories will be compiled into a book that celebrates our alma mater and our illustrious history.

This opportunity is possible thanks a partnership between St. Mary’s and Publishing Concepts, Inc., (PCI). In addition to collecting stories, PCI will be assisting the Office of Alumni Engagement with collecting updated biographic information from alumni to ensure we have the best information available to stay connected with alumni from across the nation and beyond.

Alumni will be receiving a postcard and email from PCI with more information on how to share their story. Stories will be collected via a phone call with a trained member of the PCI team and will be placed in either the St. Mary’s Oral history Book or the St. Mary’s Law Oral History Book.

If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call in your response via this telephone number: 1-866-456-1969

What to Expect

Postcard Example

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the St. Mary’s University and/or the School of Law, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your story.

Undergrad & Graduate Example

Law Example

Email Example

Below is an example of an email you will receive in your inbox. Once you receive the email, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your story. If you do not receive it, please take this opportunity to call PCI at 1-866-456-1969 and update your contact information so we can stay connected.

Undergrad/Graduate & Law Example

Frequently Asked Questions

We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law and how the school helped to shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.

I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law. Tell me more about the project.

Yes, in a few different ways:

Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni

Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school

Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school

Does St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law benefit from this at all?

PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.

How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?

If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law. Your story will be recorded, and the sound clip provided to St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law at the conclusion of the project.

If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.

If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated St. Mary’s University update line at 866-456-1939 or St. Mary’s School of Law update line at 866-456-2016.

If you are living internationally or are unable to call the update line, please email PCIservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How can I do this?

If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

How can I participate if I am Deaf/Hard of Hearing?

The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for the school/alumni association. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before 02/12/2027 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / PCIservice@publishingconcepts.com.

Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

You can call back at any time before 02/12/2027 to share your story.

I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?

The St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law Oral History Publication is available for sale only to St. Mary’s University and St. Mary’s School of Law alumni.

Can anyone purchase a book?

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in August 2026, the books will be distributed in August 2027.

When will I receive my book?

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.

I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

Contact Us

For more information about the Oral History Project, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at 210-436-3324 or alumni@stmarytx.edu.