Miami University student to graduate 100 years after great-grandmother
Lauren Skelly calls it ‘truly special’ to follow in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, who went to Western College for Women, now part of Miami’s Western campus
Miami University student to graduate 100 years after great-grandmother
When Lauren Skelly earns her degree from Miami University on Friday, she will be following in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, who graduated from Western College for Women 100 years ago.
Western campus is now part of Miami, which acquired the college in 1974.
Skelly is majoring in Sport Coaching with a Sport Analytics minor in the Department of Sport Leadership and Management (SLAM).
Her great-grandmother, Mary Steele Wylie Wilson, majored in English Literature and had a minor in Education. After she graduated from Western in 1925, she worked as a librarian for the Wilkinsburg School District in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.
“It is so cool that my great-grandmother was able to get a college degree in the 1920s,” Skelly said. “And to follow in her footsteps and graduate exactly 100 years after her is truly special.”
Skelly of Morrow, Ohio, learned in 2016 that her great-grandmother graduated from Western when they were going through family archives at her grandparents' house. At that time, her older sister, Katherine (Skelly) Reese ’22 was thinking about attending Miami, which sparked conversations about their family’s connection to Miami through Western.
“While I did not have any classes on Western campus, I enjoyed going on walks on that part of campus between classes or if I ever needed a break from homework,” Skelly said, pointing out that her sister lived in Hillcrest Hall on Western campus her sophomore year.
Skelly aims to combine passions
Skelly said she is passionate about sports, data, helping people grow, and Excel.
“My dream is to one day combine all of these passions into one career,” she said. “Through the projects I have done at Miami, I’ve seen how understanding data and advanced analytics can unlock hidden potential for a business. Likewise, as a coach, it is amazing to see the change in an athlete when data helps them unlock potential.”
Skelly said earning a bachelor’s degree in Sport Coaching and a minor in Sport Analytics is the first step in that direction. Next fall, she will pursue a master’s degree in Analytics. In the meantime, she plans to continue coaching youth soccer and intern at in in the analytics division of an area company.
"My dream is to use analytics to revolutionize performance in a professional sports organization," she said.
Skelly said she has grown so much during her time at Miami, both in academics and as an individual. “The faculty here has supported my learning and grown my love for sport coaching.”
A highlight was studying abroad at Miami University’s John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) in Luxembourg in spring 2024.
“During my time there, I not only learned about sport from a European context through the SLAM cohort, but also about myself and how to interact with others from different backgrounds,” she said, noting that some MUDEC faculty members connected her with women's soccer in the area.
“I had the honor of playing football (soccer) for FC Differdange, the professional women's team where I lived,” Skelly said. “Playing for FC Differdange was a great experience that immersed me in Luxembourgish culture, and I met neat people. I am so grateful for the education and opportunities Miami University has given me.”
Her great-grandmother’s life
During her time at Western, she was involved in many activities, including French and history clubs. She also served as the business manager for Junior Play, Skelly said.
She began attending Western in the 1921-22 school year but then had to take a year off in 1923. She returned to complete her studies.
Like her great-granddaughter, she was passionate about sports. She played basketball at Wilkinsburg High School and was part of the championship team during the 1919-1920 season.
“It was while playing basketball that she met her husband, Albert James Wilson, whom she married in 1928,” Skelly said, adding that she had two daughters born in the 1930s.
“She was very active in her community and often organized charitable events.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Department of Sport Leadership and Management? Visit the website for more information.
