Carmen Leslie-Rourke ’82, P’21
In tight-knit families with strong values, adherence to those values can become a source of generational pride. Carmen Leslie-Rourke ’82, P’21 had parents who prioritized education and volunteerism. Her mother was active in their church, school, and community. She always found ways to make a difference in the lives of others.
“She was an excellent role model because I saw her being so giving of her time,” says Leslie-Rourke. “She cared very deeply about people and was always willing to give them a helping hand.”
Growing up, Leslie-Rourke thrived in the studious environment her parents created at home. She did well in high school, earning induction to the National Honor Society, and says that Trinity College was her top choice the moment she set foot on campus. “When I visited Trinity, it felt like home,” she says. “I knew immediately that this was the college for me.”
Once she enrolled, her academic experience confirmed this. “A unique attribute of a Trinity education is being taught by professors who are passionate about their area of study and also care about you personally,” says Leslie-Rourke. As an economics major, she remembers the Trinity classroom as a space where students were encouraged to speak openly and to think critically. “I acquired transferable life skills,” says Leslie-Rourke.
After graduating, she pursued a career in asset management and maintained close ties to her fellow Bantams. “The relationships that I made at Trinity have lasted over the years beyond graduation,” says Leslie-Rourke. One of the most important people she met was Mark Rourke Sr., CPA, ’83, P’21. They have been married for almost 34 years and have two children, Mark Jr. and Pearl ’21. The couple lives in Avon, Connecticut, where the proximity to Hartford has allowed Leslie-Rourke to volunteer on behalf of Trinity in numerous capacities.
Since 2015, she has served on the Executive Committee of the Trinity Club of Hartford (TCOH) as ambassador, vice president, and president. The TCOH plays an important role in keeping alumni connected to the College and to one another. During her recently completed two-year term as president, Leslie-Rourke led the club’s monthly meetings and oversaw its major events, including its annual meeting, Person of the Year Award, and the yearly Bantam Summer Reception. The latter, which gives alumni and first-year students a chance to mingle on campus, always has been one of Leslie-Rourke’s favorite events. “It is a wonderful opportunity to meet and speak with new students from the incoming class,” she says.
In addition to serving as a class agent and a member of the Bicentennial Committee, Leslie-Rourke volunteers with the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC). As part of the WLC’s mission to build and sustain a network of support for all women-identifying alumni and students, Leslie-Rourke mentors young women through the Elizabeth Elting Foundation Venture Conference, an orientation program for incoming students. “It is a chance to get together with women who really care about the College and are interested in promoting it forward and assisting each other,” she says.
Over the last few years, Pearl has followed in Leslie-Rourke’s footsteps by serving on the TCOH Executive Committee and volunteering with the WLC and Venture. “I am very proud as I see her giving back and being a mentor,” says Leslie-Rourke. “I am delighted to see her love the College as much as I do.”
In the same way that Leslie-Rourke was influenced by her own mother to volunteer and value education, Pearl has drawn inspiration from hers. “My mom, with whom I have a strong bond, always encourages people to speak up and become volunteers,” says Pearl, who attends the University of Connecticut School of Law. “She truly loves Trinity and always wants to promote it. I believe that Trinity has received a benefit by having a very dedicated alumna and volunteer who is always willing to do anything the College asks.”
Leslie-Rourke never turns down new opportunities to help the College. “I love Trinity,” she says. “Anything that is for Trinity, I will always say yes.”
—Eliott Grover
