This online museum celebrates Erma Bombeck's life.

Erma Bombeck graduated from the University of Dayton in 1949 with a degree in English and never forgot that she got her start as a writer at UD. For three decades, she celebrated the extraordinary in the ordinary and chronicled life's absurdities in a syndicated column carried by 700 newspapers prior to her death of kidney disease in 1996. She credited the University of Dayton with preparing her for life and work, for making her believe she could write.

Founded in 1850, the University of Dayton is Ohio's largest independent university and one of the nation's 10 largest Catholic universities. It has received national recognition for its quality of education, affordability and commitment to graduating students "who can make a difference."

What distinguishes the University of Dayton is its Marianist tradition, which emphasizes a focus on educating the whole person and challenging students to be servant-leaders. Students and faculty, embracing that spirit, work side by side to sand the walls of dilapidated buildings or to serve meals at homeless shelters. Every Dec. 8, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the University of Dayton has opened its doors and hearts to children in the Dayton community at its "Christmas on Campus" celebration. Today, that spirit has spread in cities across the nation where alumni give a glimpse of the University of Dayton spirit in similar celebrations.

Erma gave back to the University in numerous ways. She served on the board of trustees from 1984 to 1987; co-chaired with her husband, Bill Bombeck, the National Alumni Challenge Campaign during the University's capital campaign in the 1980s; spoke at events on campus, including a writers' workshop; and participated in advertising and direct-mail campaigns to help broaden the University's image and recruit students. In 1981, she received an honorary doctorate from UD, and she was named an honorary trustee in 1988.

Thank you, Erma, for making us laugh, for sharing our struggles and for putting words to our lives.

Visit the University of Dayton's Web site.