05/20/2026
✨ Generation of Saints: Tricia (Cleary) Reeves ’99 and Family 💜💛
For Tricia (Cleary) Reeves ’99, Carroll College was never just a place to go to school—it was the beginning of something much bigger.
Originally from the Portland area, Tricia first discovered Carroll through her family’s connection when her brother, Tom Cleary ’87, was recruited to play football. What started as one visit quickly turned into something lasting. Through programs like Cruzin’ to Carroll—which her parents helped bring to life—Tricia experienced firsthand the welcoming, close-knit community that would ultimately shape her future.
She chose Carroll for its strong academics, small-school atmosphere, and the sense of belonging she felt right away. As a Communications and Public Relations major and a SEARCH crew member, Tricia found meaningful ways to connect, serve, and grow during her time on campus—experiences that would stay with her long after graduation.
While her degree was not in nursing, the foundation she built at Carroll has carried into her career as a Registered Nurse, where she now works in women’s health and family practice. Alongside her husband, John Reeves ’99, she is raising four children—Jacob, Nate, Alex, and Molly—instilling in them the same values of faith, family, and connection that defined her own Carroll experience.
“Building the foundation from which to build your future starts at Carroll College,” she shares.
For Tricia, what makes Carroll truly special is how those values carry across generations.
💜 What began with one family member became generations of Saints.
The Cleary/Reeves family legacy at Carroll spans decades and continues to grow:
The Cleary/Reeves Family Legacy at Carroll:
Tom Cleary ’87 (brother)
Jill (Jursnick) Cleary ’86 (sister-in-law)
Carlene Cleary Turpen ’97 (sister)
Tricia (Cleary) Reeves ’99
John Reeves ’99 (husband)
John Mayes & Amanda (Reeves) Mayes ’01 (sister-in-law and husband)
Sean Cleary ’19 (nephew)
Kristina (Mills) Cleary ’18 (niece-in-law)
Emilie Turpen ’25 (niece)
Amelia Mayes ’28 & Sophia Mayes ’28 (nieces)
Nate Reeves ’29 & Alex Reeves ’29 (sons)
From one generation to the next, Carroll has remained a constant—a place where family members not only receive an education, but also build lifelong friendships and shared traditions.
And the next generation is already writing their own Carroll stories.
With Nate and Alex currently attending Carroll as freshmen—and Alex competing as a student-athlete—the Reeves family is experiencing Carroll in a new way: as parents watching their children step into the same community that shaped them. For Tricia, that full-circle moment is especially meaningful.
“They’ve grown up with our college friends and their families,” she shares. “I’m excited for them to find those same lifelong friendships and that special bond.”
What stands out most to Tricia is how little the heart of Carroll has changed over time. The same sense of community, the same supportive professors and staff, and the same welcoming spirit continue to define the experience.
“Not for school, but for life truly sums up Carroll College.”
Her advice to future students and families reflects that spirit:
Take the leap. Get involved in everything you can. The relationships you build and the experiences you have will shape your life far beyond your college years.
For the Cleary and Reeves families, being a Saint isn’t just a chapter—it’s a shared legacy.
💜 The tradition continues, and the next generation is already carrying it forward.
Read their full story on our website: https://www.carroll.edu/institutional-advancement/alumni/alumni-spotlights
