Student Spotlight

“PEOPLE ARE RECEPTIVE TO MY PERSPECTIVE” EVITA EVERS PUTS WORDS INTO ACTION

From her time as a freshman in 2016 through her senior year in 2020, presidential elections have bookended Evita Evers’ college experiences. While she recalls being “highly and emotionally involved in 2016,” she became a driving force in 2020, spearheading multiple campus initiatives to engage students, designing and installing a large banner in

“WHAT BETTER WAY TO EMPOWER OTHERS THAN TO GIVE THEM A VOICE.”

EVITA EVERS

Notre Dame Hall, and orchestrating a pledge drive.

“I’ve always been vocal and informed in a way that my peers look to me for background,” she said.

Evers came to Mount Mary from her hometown of Seattle through the recommendation of aunts and cousins who came here. “A small, all-women’s Catholic school was everything I didn’t know I wanted,” she said. “It is a place where we build each other up.” Earlier this year, the creative agency, Mueller Communications, recognized Evers’ passion, awarding her their competitive Ben Barkin Scholarship for a summer long internship. The work was virtual, and Evers was able to participate in meetings with clients who were Evers designed this managing their large banner to accompany marketing strategies around a voting drive she helped the pandemic in real time. organize. It was displayed in the corridor of Notre “Everything had to change this Dame Hall. year,” she said. “The creativity I saw was inspiring.”

Evers plans to attend law school after graduation, a fitting step in her pursuit of moving ideas into action.

All of Evers’ experiences at Mount Mary seem to have led her to this moment. She is an honors student, studying communication and justice with a minor in history and a certificate in peace building. She serves as president of what used to be called the communications club, which she helped rebrand last year with a new name and mission,

Empowering Voices.

“What better way to empower others than to give them a voice,” she said.

A COMMUNITY TAKES SHAPE

Progress continues at a rapid pace at Trinity Woods, the intergenerational The back of Fidelis and housing community and innovative three-way partnership between the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mount Mary University and Milwaukee Catholic Home. Kostka Halls are visible from the Trinity Woods construction site, located on the north side The housing community will be comprised of 90 market-rate, independent of campus along Burleigh living apartments for individuals over the age of 62, 24 dormitory units for Street. single mothers enrolled as students at Mount Mary University and their young children under the age of 12, and 52 private residences for the School Sisters of Notre Dame. All buildings will be fully interconnected by a Town Center that incorporates numerous spaces to bring people together. “We celebrate this vision becoming a reality for the many benefits it bring to the campus and the broader regional community,” said Mount Mary President Christine Pharr, Ph.D., at the groundbreaking celebration held in early September. The name Trinity Woods has a special significance and was chosen with thoughtful consideration. “Trinity” simultaneously reflects the Catholic/Christian faith and the three entities that are sponsoring this community. “Woods” reflects growth, wisdom and the beautiful, wooded grounds of the Mount Mary campus. It’s exciting to see the foundation walls begin to rise above ground level. To watch “Trinity Woods will be a vibrant living community where Sisters, seniors, students and a live feed of the construction their children can live in a mutually supportive, first-of-its-kind venture in the city of Milwaukee,” Pharr said. “Our intention progress in real time, visit trinitywoods.com. has been to incorporate numerous spaces to bring people together in friendly conversation, dining, prayer, learning and socialization.” The complex is set to open in fall 2021 for School Sisters of Notre Dame and seniors. A housing representative from Trinity Woods has an office in Gerhardinger Center at Mount Mary

and is available to meet with prospective seniors residents by appointment. Housing for single mothers and their children will be available as units become available in fall 2021, and for the start of the spring 2022 semester. The complex will also include a 6,750 square-foot child care center that can accommodate up to 100 children. It is open to the Mount Mary community and members of the public and will be managed by Wauwatosa Day Care. To watch a live feed of the construction progress in real time, visit trinitywoods.com, or follow Trinity Woods on Facebook @TrinityWoodsCommunity.

The central hub of the complex (top right) is beginning to take shape. This area will connect the various housing units and house the Town Center gathering spaces.

Deep foundation work will accommodate underground parking.

COME BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!

Coming Fall 2021 | Now Reserving Senior Apartments!

Introducing Trinity Woods, an intergenerational living community where comfort, convenience and connectedness are right outside your door! Enjoy a lifestyle enhanced by unique intergenerational engagement, enriching MMU learning opportunities, dining experiences offering organic produce, and more—all on our beloved and expansive wooded campus.