62nd Commencement More than 770 students from the Class of 2011 graduated on May 14 at Gwynedd-Mercy College. psychiatric mental health care at the College’s Adult Health Center in Lansdale.
Honorary Degree Recipient and Commencement Speaker Christine McCann, RSM, MA ’75, who was elected as the first president of the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and former chair of the board of trustees of Gwynedd-Mercy College gave the commencement address. During the ceremony, Sister Christine was also presented with an honorary degree as recognition for living a life centered in Mercy and for her leadership of the Sisters of Mercy, who are the sponsors of Gwynedd-Mercy College. It was especially fitting to honor Sister Christine and have her address the 2011 graduating class during the 150th anniversary of the presence of the Sisters of Mercy in the Philadelphia area. Honors Judy Winterhalter, DNSc, PMH, CNS, BC was named Professor Emerita. Now a retired professor of the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing, Judy began her career at Gwynedd-Mercy College in 1975. She has taught at the College since 1978 and was a prominent figure in the region. Judy co-founded and continues to serve the North Penn community by providing
The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching was presented to Mary Jo Pierantozzi ’72, MS. This national award is presented biennially at commencement to a faculty member who has demonstrated extraordinary devotion to the quality and importance of classroom teaching, excelled as a master teacher and been a significant mentor and model for students. Pierantozzi, assistant professor in the School of Education, has been a full-time faculty member since 2002. She has more than 44 years of professional experience as a teacher, elementary
principal, coordinator of professional development, regional agent for the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools, and as a consultant for Sadlier-Oxford Publishing Company.
The Tender Courage Award, in memory of Sister Isabelle Keiss, RSM, PhD, third president of Gwynedd-Mercy College, recognizes an administrator or staff member who has worked tirelessly to fulfill the mission of the College, provided support, encouragement, and education for our students, and has demonstrated a concern for the larger Gwynedd-Mercy College community. This year’s recipient was Kristine Weber, MA, who has served the College for 25 years. She was originally a member of the admissions staff, and for the past 13 years, she has performed the role of associate registrar. Kristine has been a major supporter of higher education for 37 years.
Clockwise from top left: Christine McCann, RSM, MA; Judy Winterhalter, DNSc, PMH, CNS, BC; Kristine Weber and Mary Jo Pierantozzi
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