Worlds come together

During the week preceding the inauguration of Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., the Mount Mary campus was filled with the sights and sounds of celebration.

The bell rang from the high tower and an Alpine horn sounded deep and resounding notes. A bagpiper accompanied a procession of academic leaders. Campus celebrated with an international flourish, paying tribute to Cherney’s Swiss heritage.

Cherney, the 13th president of Mount Mary University, assumed her duties in July 2022, upon the retirement of former president Christine Pharr, Ph.D. The formal inauguration took place on March 31, 2023, with a Mass at Christ King Parish, followed by the ceremony and reception on campus.

The event was livestreamed to allow family and friends across the globe to witness the event. At the same time, the event was a homecoming of sorts, as Cherney’s family connection to Mount Mary and the neighborhood is deep. Her husband, Mike, is a Milwaukee native who grew up only one block away from campus. He and many of their nieces and nephews have been educated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Her sister-in-law graduated from Mount Mary with her undergraduate degree and one of her nieces earned a master’s degree from MMU.

In her speech, she detailed some of her accomplishments to date, such as initiatives to make summer school more attractive (see page 24) and a drastic reduction in part-time tuition. She announced her vision for an institute for women and children (see page 3) and upheld her commitment to social mobility and investing in STREAM (science, technology, reflection, engineering, art and math) programming.

For various portions of the festivities, Cherney wore garments created by two recent alumnae, a visible reminder of her support for learning and creativity (see page 14-15). During her speech she connected Mount Mary’s past with her commitment to the future.

“If we want to follow in the footsteps of our foundresses, Blessed Teresa and Mother Caroline, and the SSNDs with faith, with an unwavering commitment to our mission to serve and educate the marginalized, and with courage and grace, then we will be the stewards of the next 110 great years of this university and we will ensure that Mount Mary’s best days are ahead,” she said.

Read more about Cherney and her inauguration week at magazine.mtmary.edu.

DREAM BIG!

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(1) Accompanied by her husband, Mike, President Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., enters Christ King church for the pre-inauguration Mass. She is wearing a dress designed by Gigi Wagener '22. His matching tie was a gift from the fashion faculty.

(2) School Sisters of Notre Dame Provincial Leader Debra M. Sciano welcomes Cherney to the Mount Mary during the inauguration.

(3) Former presidents Christine Pharr, Ph.D. (left) and Eileen Schwalbach, Ph.D. (right) participate in a blessing at Mass.

(4) Students congratulate Cherney at the evening reception.

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(5 & 6) In informal conversations and during her inaugural address, Cherney reiterates her support for STREAM (science, technology, reflection, engineering, art and math) programming.

(7) Cherney poses with her granddaughter, Eloise. Cherney's evening gown was designed for the reception by Shoua Xiong, '20.

(8) On the afternoon of Cherney's inauguration, a bagpiper played in the arches and the bell rang in the Notre Dame tower.

1987–1995 Ruth Hollenbach, SSND, Ph.D. Simplifies governance of the college to a two-tiered structure of Corporate members and Board of Trustees Initiates the annual Teaching Excellence Award

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1979–1987 Ellen Lorenz, SSND, Ed.D.

• Accomplishes major curriculum changes

1969–1979 Mary Nora Barber, SSND, Ph.D.

• Initiates all-college symposiums hosting speakers of national and international reputations

• Put the college on solid financial base and tripled endowment funds

• Raises endowment and initiated strategic planning

• Initiates Campus P.M. which permitted students to earn degrees by attending evening classes only

• New programs and initiatives lead to a record number of students for fall

• Enters into cooperative agreement to construct Trinity Woods on

1954

SSND, Ph.D.

1929–1954 Edward A. Fitzpatrick Ph.D., Litt.D., LL.D.

• Member of Mount Mary’s first freshman class in 1929

• Strengthens curriculum, raises scholastic standards and receives increased academic accreditation

• Installed as the nation’s first lay president for a private women’s college

• Builds strong academic base and brought the college national recognition

1997–2006 Patricia Drogos O’Donoghue, Ph.D.

1995–1997 Sally Mahoney, M.S., Interim President

• Leads major campaign to build Gerhardinger Center and Bloechl Recreation Center

• Provides the transition to lay leadership after 40 years of SSND presidents

• Promote stronger ties with alumnae and the business community