Student Spotlight

1973, Huff was awarded the Madonna Medal for her service to Mount Mary. “After you graduate from Mount Mary, you are off to someplace else and you’d like to keep in touch but you get busy,” Huff said. “People come and go from your life. But reunions were always a time to reconnect.”

Sharing a milestone

The years passed, and both these members of the “greatest generation” would say that time has been kind. Huff said her granddaughter has kept her young at heart, and Luchini is grateful for good health. “It doesn’t feel any different to be 101, but I am slowing up a little bit,” said Luchini, who lives independently in a senior community. “I don’t need a walker or a cane. I have perfect eyesight and I can drive. “I do my own cooking, but I don’t bake much, though.” This past year presented challenges in seeing family and friends; Luchini’s family had to cancel her 100th birthday party last March, and COVID made it difficult for Huff to see her family until a month ago. As they reflect upon their lives, they recognize the value of their time at Mount Mary and relish the joy of reconnecting. “It’s nice to see how we look at our ages,” said Luchini. “I’m grateful for my time at Mount Mary,” said Huff. “The nuns encouraged us to learn, try new jobs and be leaders, that’s how I got interested in so many new things.” At the age of 100, Huff shares some timeless advice: “Don’t be afraid to try something new, to get out there and do work. Don’t just sit on your rocker.” And never, ever be afraid to reach out to an old friend.

Margaret

leads the way

Nice to meet you

Dishaw’s profile on the social media app ZeeMee helps new students get to know her. Fun fact: She’s a Grey’s Anatomy fanatic!

The student perspective

This spring Dishaw hosted a live Q&A event on ZeeMee, which was an opportunity for new students to ask questions about what it’s really like to attend Mount Mary.

Tourguide uses many platforms to engage with new students

Margaret Dishaw is virtually everywhere, making new students feel welcome, whether they’re on a campus tour or building a network of friends online. Dishaw is one of the friendly faces in the campus Welcome Center, and on virtual tours, videos, webinars and ZeeMee, a new social networking platform for incoming students to get to know others before coming to campus. As a student ambassador and tour guide for all four years of college, Dishaw is quite experienced at helping prospective students feel at home from the moment they step on campus; “I’ve probably done hundreds of walking tours of campus so far,” she said. While the pandemic closed campus last spring and created some challenges in conveying Mount Mary’s friendly and close-knit environment firsthand, Dishaw’s new roles reflect the creative thinking and resourcefulness the admissions team has put forth in building connections. Even though Mount Mary has been able to safely re-open for on-campus visits, many new virtual options give students who live far away or those who aren’t yet ready to visit campus several more opportunities to explore the university. Dishaw has helped coordinate over 60 informational webinars this school year alone, so prospective students can learn about specific academic programs, financial aid and affordability and student life, all from the comfort of home. Dishaw also helped pilot a new live virtual tour option last November, so that students can check out campus in real time from wherever they are located. She conducts live virtual tours throughout the week, allowing participants to join her online to check out campus and ask questions. Once her work in the Welcome Center is done for the day, Dishaw heads back to the dorm, where she works as a senior resident assistant (RA), helping other RAs with scheduling and creating fun and engaging programming. It’s not unusual for these residents to have first met Dishaw on their first campus tour. As a food science major, Dishaw spends much of her school time in science labs, and some of her programming for residents reflects her love of science – weekly viewing parties for Grey’s Anatomy, and a DIY event where participants learned to make their own Dippin’ Dots. “I had to ask food service to provide me with ice cream that was already melted,” she said. “They thought that was a really odd request!” Her work in the admissions department has opened her eyes to another career, in higher education administration. “I’ve worked in higher education for 40 years, and Margaret is one of the best students I have ever worked with,” said Undergraduate Admissions Director Jim Wiseman. “Her ability to connect with prospective students and their families is fantastic.” “My roles on campus have made me realize how much I enjoy working with students and this specific age group,” said Dishaw. “I love being a resource and mentor.” During a year that has brought stress and turmoil to many, Dishaw finds ways to bring the Mount Mary spirit to others. For her social posts on ZeeMee, she’s led dance breaks in the Welcome Center and mini workouts, too. “I love being part of each student’s journey as they explore schools. The best part is seeing their excitement when you tell them something about Mount Mary that piques their interest.”

Presidency marked by new initiatives, campus upgrades

Remembering S. Ellen Lorenz, SSND

Honoring the life and legacy of one of Mount Mary’s most influential educators

Often described as a humble master educator, outstanding mentor and excellent role model, S. Ellen Lorenz, SSND, was a source of great inspiration to colleagues and students during her five decades of service and leadership within the Mount Mary community. Lorenz passed away in December of 2020, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for years to come. “Her keen intellect, educational excellence, appreciation of community and self-giving love gave rise to an extraordinary servant leader,” said Mount Mary Vice President for Mission and Identity S. Joan Penzenstadler, SSND. “We are so very grateful for all the ways that S. Ellen Lorenz gave of herself for over 46 years at Mount Mary.” Her guiding light shaped even those students who never met Lorenz directly. In 1972, she developed the current core curriculum with its foundational course, “Search for Meaning.” It has been the basis of the university’s core curriculum for nearly five decades. Lorenz was born July 6, 1935, to Genevieve and Frank Lorenz in Berlin, Wisconsin and attended school in a oneroom schoolhouse until fifth grade. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Latin from Mount Mary College, a master’s degree in education from Loyola University in Chicago in 1966 and a Doctor of Education degree in curriculum and supervision three years later from Northern Illinois University. In 1968, Lorenz joined Mount Mary as a faculty member in the Education Department. “My greatest joys often came from seeing these students develop their values and skills

S. Ellen Lorenz, SSND, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Haggerty Library on March 25, 1980. During her eight years as president of Mount Mary, S. Ellen Lorenz, SSND and her team led many changes on campus, such as:

The establishment of the Ewens Center, to meet the needs of adult women.

Programming to enable students the possibility of earning a degree through evening classes.

Initiatives with other Catholic universities around the city to expand the city’s capacity for adult literacy and work force development.

The upgrade to graduate-level accreditation status.

The building of the Haggerty Library and the introduction of the computer age on campus.

As president and administrator, S. Ellen Lorenz, SSND, worked to make higher education accessible to all students, regardless of background. Because of her efforts, Mount Mary is now the most diverse higher education institution in Milwaukee.

and go on to inspire countless other young people through their teaching,” Lorenz said during an interview. “Certainly among my greatest joys was seeing student teachers successfully working with their students.” “I credit my desire to go into academia to her mentorship through my master’s thesis. I was fortunate enough to be assigned S. Ellen Lorenz as my advisor,” said Michelle Falter ’07, assistant professor of English education at North Carolina State University. “We kept in touch over the years, and I know she was very proud of the journey I have been on as a teacher. I feel blessed and fortunate to have had her in my life.” In 1979, Lorenz became the sixth president of Mount Mary, a position she held until 1987. After that role, she returned to the education department, spending another 25 years working with prospective teachers. “My fondest memories of S. Ellen Lorenz involve the quiet conversations we would have about books we had shared, religious life and the church, and, of course, about education. Stories about her experiences as a Mount Mary student, her early years of teaching, and her own academic studies are memories I will treasure,” said Deb Dosemagen, chair of the education department. “By her example, S. Ellen Lorenz called everyone around her to be better versions of themselves.” After her successful career as a professor and administrator for four decades, Lorenz retired in 2013. She then served as a part-time tutor in the Student Success Center until mid-2015. Lorenz’s deep commitment to education and to all that Mount Mary embodies, the words of the School Sisters of Notre Dame Constitution, “You Are Sent” ring particularly true. These words are as follows: “We educate with the conviction that the world can be changed through the transformation of persons.” So many have been transformed simply by knowing her.