Alumni Spotlight: Sue Dolter ’73, ’87MAE and Faith (Britt) Walker ’15

Clarke: Can you tell us a little bit about where life has taken you since your time as students?

Sue: I was an educator in one way or another for 44 years, including serving as the Director of Clarke’s Writing Center and an adjunct faculty member. While I retired from full-time work in 2017, I continue to provide writing assistance to students in Clarke’s graduate programs. I am also a proud mother and grandmother, and very involved in my church.  

Faith: After graduating from Clarke, I opened my own freelance design business, Design by Faith. I also run Little Blessings Daycare near Monticello, Iowa, which allows me to stay home with my daughters. 

Clarke: This is the first “double feature” alumni spotlight and for good reason. In your own words, can you tell us a little about the project that brought you together?

Sue: One day in a drugstore, I spied this sweet teddy bear. I bought him and sent him to my granddaughter for Valentine’s Day. When a twin took his place a short time later, I felt it was a sign. A story took shape in my mind. Soon, the bear was joined by a bunny named Doe, and I began my first endeavor in “kiddie lit.” Over the next two years, I revised and fine-tuned the text, with my guest readers and friends offering their responses to the story.  

To move Wuzzy & Doe to a full-fledged book, I needed an illustrator who could capture the charm of the story. Happily, I had a former student and Writing Center tutor I could turn to!” 

Faith: “When Sue contacted me to illustrate Wuzzy and Doe, I was thrilled at the opportunity. As a graphic designer, I am enthralled with illustration. I enjoy working with a variety of media to create my artwork, and I’m always looking to explore new methods while further refining my skills.  

To me, the story of Wuzzy and Doe is one of self-acceptance and love of neighbor, reflecting Genesis, 1:26: “God created mankind in his image. Through Wuzzy and Doe’s story, we are taught to recognize and embrace the God-given traits in all of Creation. When we hold the Catholic belief that we were all created equally and with so much Love by God the Father, it is hard not to treat everyone with dignity and respect, despite the “flaws” they may see in themselves.”  

Clarke: You recently had the opportunity to share Wuzzy & Doe with the Clarke community through a live reading. What did you enjoy most about that event?

Sue: For me, the highlight of the event was seeing the emotions on people’s faces as Faith and I read. The stories of the coconut bear big brother, and the awfully small bunny little sister enter hearts and take up residence there. People identify with Wuzzy and Doe. We all know hurt; we all know self-doubt; we all know darkness. Then something magical happens. Someone takes us gently from the shelf and says, “You’re perfect!” That someone is often another person: a parent or other caregiver, a friend, a teacher, a mentor, a colleague. It might be the stranger who opens the door for you at the convenience store. It might be the doctor who tells you, “You’re going to be just fine!” It might be the neighbor who shovels your driveway and tells you that’s what neighbors are for. 

What many of us may not realize is that another Someone is eternally taking us from the shelf, hugging us, and telling us, “You are perfect! I take delight in you, so much so that I have given you a spark of Myself to carry with you wherever you go and whatever you do.” That Someone, of course, is God. 

And giving Sister Catherine her very own Wuzzy and watching her cuddle him was pretty special, too! 

Faith: Being surrounded by some of my closest family and friends while sharing the story of Wuzzy and Doe was one of the most special evenings I can remember. Sue and I are very proud of this work and the message behind it, and it was so meaningful to share the story with a live audience of community members. I loved having my daughters there to share in the excitement, too, as they have come to love the story as much as I do. Sue did a phenomenal job of telling the backstory behind Wuzzy and Doe, and it was heartwarming to see the audience’s reactions as the story unfolded. Thank you to everyone at Clarke who took part in making this event happen! 

Thank you for sharing your stories with us, Faith and Sue! Do you know a member of the Clarke alumni community we should highlight? Submit your nominations for a future Alumni Spotlight by emailing alumnirelations@clarke.edu.             

Interview edited for length and clarity.