For ward Paving the Path
Mount Mary welcomed incoming students during our August Investiture event.
FROM PRESIDENT
Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., Mount Mary University
Dear Mount Mary Alumni and Friends,
Welcome to our fall edition of Mount Mary Magazine!
As I reflect on my first two years as president of Mount Mary University, I am consistently amazed at the resilience and grit of our faculty, staff and students. This past year was a challenging one for higher education. Many factors contributed to this, including a downturn in the number of high school graduates going to college and a shifting societal perspective causing many students to question the long-term value of a college degree. Several late and fundamental changes to the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) process made it very difficult for many students (particularly first-generation) to apply, and for colleges to prepare their financial aid packages in a timely fashion.
These challenges are coupled with rising costs for food, housing, insurance premiums and services, and aging infrastructure in need of updates, and many new federal regulations leveled at colleges and universities. The combination of these factors led to the recent closure of 100 institutions in the past two years. Mount Mary is blessed to have been able to weather many of these issues without having to cut costs drastically or let go of talent. This is in part due to our university’s nimbleness and capacity to reinvent itself. We are constantly seeking ways to adapt to ever-changing social and economic environments, to remain relevant and to look confidently toward the future.
As we navigate the challenges ahead, we must also consider ways to best prepare our students for a workforce that is constantly in flux.
Which skills will be most needed for future careers?
In response to this question, we recently established a new academic structure to streamline preparation and encourage interdisciplinary engagement. This year we introduced new programs, including a Master of Social Work degree and undergraduate offerings in Cybersecurity, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing and Public Relations through a partnership with the RIZE consortium (see Campus News on page 19).
We have also established professional collaborations, allowing our students to work on projects with corporations such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Target.
This year we are poised to reinvent our core curriculum as the Faculty Assembly voted in a new, contemporized one. Companies want employees with “power skills” (also referred to as “soft” skills), who know how to work in teams, communicate effectively, think critically, apply empathy and ethics and use technology effectively.
ONE COMMUNITY SHAPING
Our new core will develop power and life skills (such as a new class in personal finance) while allowing each student to graduate with not only a bachelor’s degree in their major, but also with a certificate in technology or leadership. Literacy in technology and digital information — as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills — are among the top attributes stakeholders want for our students. A first-year seminar, the Mount Mary Experience, will introduce students to the rigors of intellectual pursuit and our SSND mission, while also teaching how to succeed at university life. This support will be provided through a new “one-stop shop” located in our Welcome Center,
We will continue to provide an affordable, accessible, high quality education and path to upward mobility for all students.
where students can get answers to their questions and successfully navigate the college experience.
Over the past year we have engaged our faculty, staff, board members, students and alums in discussions to inform our next strategic plan, exploring the past, present and future of our beloved institution. I would like to thank all who participated in these important deliberations, in particular co-chairs Dr. Karen Friedlen, vice president for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Marmy Clason, division chair for Communication, Business and Technology.
This effort was guided by the invaluable advice of Doug Smith and Nikki DeGuire, both of whom provided pro-bono time and expertise. I am excited to execute this vision, which centers our future around four bold themes:
• providing innovative, interdisciplinary, interprofessional and in-demand academics
• empowering diverse learners to lead and succeed
• building an interconnected community and world
• ensuring a thriving Mount Mary University
Last year we launched the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children (IAWC). The Institute is comprised of four Centers of Excellence: the Center for Women’s and Children’s Rights, the Center for Women’s Leadership, the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness and the Center for the Advancement of Women in Technology. Since its inception, the IAWC has already played a pivotal role in elevating Mount Mary’s visibility and footprint within the community.
The Center for Women’s and Children’s Rights has hosted multiple gatherings intended to provoke thought and inspire dialogue around important topics in social justice and equitable access to education. These events have included the Greater Milwaukee Commission and Milwaukee Succeeds Summit on Early Childhood Education this past spring and the HSI Summit on Latinas’ Access to Higher Education organized by Dr. Vanessa Varela this June.
Our 2024 Voices of Leadership keynote speaker was Kat Esser, Global Health leader for AWS Social Responsibility + Impact, Strategic Innovation leader, executive advisor (see story on page 10). Esser, who enthralled the audience as she discussed the
transformational power of our personal and professional choices, was instrumental in the launch of the IAWC. The event was hosted by the Center for Women’s Leadership.
The Center for the Advancement of Women in Technology will be launching new technology certificates, made possible by AWS. This educational opportunity will offer skills in cloud computing technology to our campus community at no charge. This opportunity will also provide our students with highly marketable skills which can be used across a diverse range of fields.
Last spring, we were supported by the AWS Health Equity Initiative for our idea to create “Culturabot™,” a chatbot promoting culturally informed health care (see story on page 4). Led by Dr. Kari Inda, chair of the Occupational Therapy graduate program, a team of faculty and students developed Culturabot™ to help health care providers expand care for patients across a wide range of multicultural backgrounds. Our UX Design students are creating the app’s interface, helping to craft a user-friendly experience. This groundbreaking shift in healthcare delivery is supported by the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness and is guided by Bob Schwartz, chief transformation and innovation officer.
In August, Mount Mary gained a hydroponic gardening station from Farm Forks, an organization supporting educational efforts around food sustainability (see blurb on page 19). This new technology will provide hands-on learning opportunities for our students to explore the ways in which food is grown and harvested. Just as the acquisition of our Anatomage table changed the ways in which we teach anatomy, physiology and science, this tool will support learning for our Food Science, Biology and Dietetics students.
Despite the ever-shifting landscape of higher education, we remain rooted in our commitment to the university mission, started by our School Sisters of Notre Dame 111 years ago. It is through our collaborative vision, sustained efforts and continued dedication that we will continue to provide an affordable, accessible, high-quality education and path to upward mobility for all our students. In the face of the obstacles that lie ahead, we look towards the future with optimism, hope and resilience. n
Diverse Dat a, Healthier Futures
How a Mount Mary team is using artificial intelligence to bring a human-centered approach to healthcare
For Dr. Kari Inda, it all began with a desire to create a better patient experience. As an occupational therapist working with older adults, Inda encountered what she described as a “wealth of lived experiences” that she saw rendered invisible within residential care settings.
Now the chair of Mount Mary University’s Occupational Therapy department, Inda credits this experience with helping her understand the importance of incorporating her patients’ unique personal backgrounds and cultures into creating personalized care plans designed to help them thrive. The idea has since made significant strides toward becoming reality, as a team of Mount Mary Occupational Therapy faculty and students created the Culturabot™ app. The technology helps medical care providers design customized patient care plans using artificial intelligence (AI) to gather multicultural data from scientifically reliable open sources.
This data includes culturally appropriate and plain language descriptions of care and ways to support access to healthcare services, allowing providers to gain valuable insights about their patients.
Many of our students come from communities where these disparities exist–why not use this knowledge to grow and become better informed and responsive in new ways?
Dr. Kari Inda, chair of Occupational Therapy
Expanding Inclusive Data Access
Throughout the development process, the team has effectively taught their bot to cultivate relent multiculturally appropriate data by “feeding” it with questions and prompts. Inda and her team are excited for the implications of reaching a wider cross section of people, an especially important consideration when delivering care to underserved populations such as African American, Latinx, Indigenous and LGBTQ+
communities. The team hopes this will ultimately create better, more collaborative and wider reaching healing outcomes.
“Culturally sensitive care has been shown to improve the therapeutic experience,” said Inda. “Understanding the background and needs of each patient is central to this.”
Inda described the process of working with emerging AI technology as both exciting and challenging. One of the biggest frustrations is what she described as “data limitations from a western point of view”
and search algorithms making assumptions about what the researcher would find useful. Instead of viewing these situations as obstacles, however, Inda and her students were inspired to dig deeper. They approached the process with curiosity and creative problem solving, such as connecting with researchers abroad to weigh in on aspects of their research and push past the limitations of implicit bias.
To the Occupational Therapy chair, Mount Mary is well positioned to tackle this challenge. “We have a diverse wealth of knowledge here,” Inda said. “Many of our students come from communities where these disparities exist — why not use this knowledge to grow and become better informed and responsive in new ways?”
Envisioning a Bright Future
Now in its testing phase, the Culturabot™ app is anticipated to be ready for release in 2025. Mount Mary Occupational Therapy students are currently using the platform with their patients during onsite clinical rotations to learn about its evolving capabilities. Additionally, a Mount Mary UX Design team led by assistant professor Mary Burton is working to improve the app’s interface, ensuring an easy-to-use final product.
Support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides the opportunity to scale the final product with the goal of making it available to a wider community of healthcare providers. The Mount Mary team is currently working with and seeking potential corporate, venture and non-profit partners to determine and develop future commercial possibilities for the app.
Inda and her team already envision wider implications for their product, with plans to expand to other healthcare fields beyond occupational therapy.
“There’s such a need for delivering accessible services to the patient,” reflected Inda, who shared her excitement for this unique opportunity. “I’m thinking bigger already.” n
The project is connected to Mount Mary’s new Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children, announced by Dr. Isabelle Cherney in 2023. The Institute includes four centers for championing women’s health and wellness, women’s access and advancement in technology, children’s rights and women’s leadership. It seeks, among other goals, to improve quality of life indicators among historically marginalized and vulnerable populations.
(L-R) Student Jessica Meissner, Dr. Kari Inda, student Johanna Zielinski and faculty member Rita Burlingame–Toppen explore prompts. Dr. Kari Inda discusses therapeutic interventions with Dan Steffes, member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.
Paying it FORWARD:
Grace Scholars and Caroline Scholars foster community and connection
Mount Mary’s Caroline Scholars and Grace Scholars are two of the university’s longest running— and most impactful — scholarship programs. Support from the Burke Foundation creates college accessibility while building connections. In different ways, each has left a long-lasting and impactful legacy. Even as they serve different student populations, the programs share commonalities.
S ervice learning in the classroom and community
Now in its second decade, the Caroline Scholars Program provides six students annually with fully funded tuition and housing for all four years of their undergraduate education. In exchange, students volunteer 300 hours each year (around 10 hours per week) for a local nonprofit. The scholarship is highly competitive, attracting applicants with an interest in — and commitment to — service. According to program director Vanessa Vasquez, many of these young women have already been active volunteers since high school, and frequently become leaders on campus.
“This program is unlike anything found at most academic institutions,” she shared. “Most colleges only offer one single, fully funded scholarship each year. We offer six.”
The Caroline Scholars program was named in honor of university founder Mother Caroline Friess, SSND, whose legacy of service continues today.
Participants select the site where they will serve in the Milwaukee community. The students are encouraged to pick a cause close to their heart, and to stay with their chosen organization throughout all four years. Vasquez believes this helps them become an integral part of the non-profits they serve. She has seen strong bonds arise from these networks over the years, with some students even continuing long-term employment after graduation.
“Community service is so important, especially after the pandemic when so many places have seen a drop off in volunteering,” said Vasquez. “This program keeps the spirit of her [Friess’] legacy alive.”
Students have served in diverse roles throughout the years, ranging from food banks and thrift stores to classrooms and health care settings. The group has worked with student parents and the School Sisters of Notre Dame living at Trinity Woods to develop programming and foster intergenerational communication. Scholars have volunteered for meal preparation and delivery for food insecure individuals, created art programs for underfunded schools and offered respite services to families of children recovering from illness in the hospital.
Vasquez emphasized the importance of connection to real world issues and causes among her students.
“We welcome any creative ideas that are focused on social justice,” she shared.
“We have seen some truly creative and impactful opportunities that students have developed. And they get to see the very real difference they are making.”
Listen to an interview about the programs on the "I Am Mount Mary" podcast.
This program is unlike anything found at most academic institutions. Most colleges only offer one single, fully funded scholarship each year. We offer six.
˜ Vanessa Vasquez, Caroline Scholars and Grace Scholars Program Director
Celebrating 20 years of making college possible
Launched in 2004 (and originally known as the Midtown Scholars), the Grace Scholars Program provides fouryear scholarships starting at 85% coverage of tuition the first year and gradually increasing to 95% as students continue. The program focuses on creating accessible pathways to higher education for young women from underrepresented backgrounds living in Milwaukee. The Grace Scholars program fosters a sense of belonging from the start, with a cohort model that creates a built-in support network. Incoming students participate in a six-week summer bridge program, which Vasquez described as “college 101.” During the summer session students learn how to study effectively, take notes,
navigate classes and connect with professors. This builds a crucial foundation for the group, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college.
During the summer bridge session students become familiar with campus resources like the Counseling and Wellness Center and the Office of Student Success. There are also many fun activities thrown into the mix, such as visits to the zoo and local ice cream shops.
The experience creates a sense of community among participants that Vasquez believes is crucial to their success — both in college and beyond.
“We want to create a sense of sisterhood that lasts a lifetime,” she said. Vasquez has seen friendships evolve between members of the Caroline and Grace programs. She sees a natural partnership forming, with opportunities for mentorship and friendship to grow between members of the two groups.
Both programs are funded by the generosity of the Burke Foundation (see below), whose support has made numerous success stories possible.
“Everywhere I go I meet alums from these [Grace and Caroline Scholars] programs who are out there doing great things,” said Vasquez. She expressed her gratitude for the Burke Foundation’s continued philanthropic support, helping to ensure that these scholarships flourish well into the future.
The Burke Foundation Legacy: An Investment in Education
Dick Burke believed in the city of Milwaukee. The founder of Trek bicycles created the Burke Foundation to invest in the community through education, something he believed in wholeheartedly.
The foundation is now overseen by Burke’s daughters Kathleen and Mary Burke and Michele Deubel, who work to continue their father’s philanthropic legacy. Executive director Chris Due shared that the foundation is proud to help create the next generation of change agents.
Due, who was a Trinity fellow at Marquette University (a program also funded by the Burke Foundation) knows the value of investing in education firsthand.
Continued on page 32
Empowering Students to Transform Communities
Since its earliest days, social justice has been at the heart of Mount Mary University’s mission. This is especially evident in the Department of Social Work, which centers around uplifting vulnerable populations and providing critical support systems for mental health, addiction recovery and domestic violence prevention.
The modern-day Social Work program at Mount Mary has gone by several different monikers throughout its history. The department began as Social Science, transitioning to Sociology by the 1950s and finally evolving to become Social Work in the 1970s. This reflected a shift in focus from behavioral science to addressing the root causes of complex social issues like poverty and racism. The change also reflected an evolution within the discipline itself, just as the field of modern social work was beginning to take root as an independent profession.
Social work answers the call for what people need.
In April 1975, the program was granted accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), making it the longest standing accredited social work degree at a private university in Wisconsin.
A critical lifeline for communities in need
Department chair Melinda Kiltz is passionate about the role that she and her students take on as advocates for the marginalized and vulnerable. Kiltz’s professional work has ranged from providing inpatient mental health and supporting clients with disabilities to shaping public policy and facilitating mobile crisis and post-disaster response efforts. This wealth of experience has provided her with an intimate knowledge of the critical role that social workers play in our society.
According to Kiltz, social workers often serve in roles which would otherwise remain unfilled. Graduating students can provide a diverse range of services, such as helping families navigate hospital and legal systems, providing resources for individuals leaving abusive partners and providing psychiatric rehabilitation and substance abuse recovery for formerly incarcerated people as they transition back into life outside of prison. It is exactly this variety that excites Kiltz about the possibilities for her students.
“There is a need for this work in a diverse range of organizations,” said Kiltz. “Hospitals, schools, free medical clinics, child and family services, disability advocacy public policy specialists, case managers, mental health advocates — there is such a wide spectrum of opportunities available to graduates.”
Continued on page 32
(Left) Melinda Kiltz (standing, center) with first year Social Work students.
(Above and right) Historical photos of Mount Mary Social Work students throughout the decades of the program.
The Magnitude of Choice
Mount Mary University’s Center for Women’s Leadership hosted the 2024 Voices of Leadership event on November 14. The event featured keynote speaker Kat Esser, principal, Amazon Web Services Global Social Responsibility + Impact and a renowned leader in social responsibility and innovation. Esser delivered a thought-provoking address on “The Magnitude of Choice.”
Following the keynote, CBS 58 anchor Amanda Porterfield moderated a dynamic Q&A session with Esser and the audience.
Porterfield has been named one of Wisconsin’s most influential Black leaders by Madison 365.
Beyond the Keynote: Student Projects
This annual event goes beyond simply hearing from a distinguished speaker. It provides faculty with the opportunity to integrate the event’s theme into their coursework, inspiring students to create innovative projects, demonstrate creativity and use critical thinking skills. Student projects showcased in the North Dining Hall highlighted the diverse ways in which “The Magnitude of Choice” can be explored. n Scan this QR code to listen to an interview with Kat Esser on the "I Am Mount Mary" podcast.
PAINTING
Students created individual and serialized paintings based on the notion of “omnipresent choice.” The artwork invited viewers to make decisions that could influence them to move towards their individual purpose.
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Students created a special project designing a space for MMU conceptualizing the second floor of Haggerty Library as a Student Union. The plans included a central hub for campus activities, event spaces, conference rooms and dining options.
INTEGR ATED MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DIETETICS
Students in the Supervised Experiential Learning Management internship course created a business plan for an a la carte food business called “ The Pocket Pop Up,” featuring a variety of homemade breakfast and lunch pockets.
COLLEGE RESEARCH WRITING
Students produced a digital story collection exploring the intersection of information and identity titled, “For Your Information.”
FASHION DESIGN 1
Students created original looks using a variety of decision-making methods to determine key inputs toward each unique design concept. These designs will become garments in their Junior Design Studio course and will walk the runway at CREO 2025.
LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Students researched and presented on influential peacemakers, highlighting the role of choice in their lives and on their path to promoting nonviolence.
ARCHES STUDENT MAGAZINE
Students participating in this award-winning student publication interviewed MMU alumni about choices they made which have led to turning points in their lives.
MY FUTURE FUNDED
This collaborative independent student project identified external grants and scholarships and created a database, made available to students online.
OCTOBER 2-5
, 2024
This year’s Homecoming celebration featured fun throughout the week, sharing fond memories and watching new ones unfold. On Wednesday we held a campuswide “Blue Out,” showing off our Blue Angels pride across social media. We also hosted “Mount Mary Then and No w,” a virtual presentation by Joan Penzenstadler, SSND and Dr. Andrea Stapleton, vice president of Mission and Justice, who shared the enduring mission of Mount Mary across the generations.
On Thursday we threw a campus carni val, complete with balloon art, facepainting, games, karaoke and free food for the MMU community. On Friday we observed the Feast D ay of St. Francis of Assisi with our annual pet blessing and led campus tours throughout the afternoon for our returning alums. On Friday afternoon, the Blue Angels Volleyball team hosted an exciting home game in the Bloechl Center. Friday evening marked our Alumni awards Ceremony dinner, as we recognized this year’s outstanding group of women for their personal and professional accomplishments. And on Saturday we hosted a brunch and pinning ceremony for our 50th anniversary class of 1974 as they became members of the Marian Club.
It was an incredible experience to once again see the spirit of Mount Mary alive and energized across the generations. We’re looking forward to next year’s celebration already!
(1) Staff members Brian Dielehner and Megan Verley show off their school spirit during the October 2 campus wide "Blue Out." (2) Class of 1974 Marian Club inductees outside Notre Dame Hall. (3) MMU students wear spirit gear during "Blue Out" day. (4) Student Kiaraliss Perez enjoying the festivities at the October 3 Homecoming Carnival. (5) Students Findley Laskowski (l) and Melody Lebron (r) at the annual Pet Blessing event. (6) Alum Award winner Kathryn Maegli Davis with Dr. Isabelle Cherney at the October 4 Award Celebration Ceremony. (7) Paulette Auclair '74 (l) and Isabel Piana '74 (r) reminisce over fond MMU memories. (8) Student Shemaryah Norton wears a balloon crown during the October 3 Homecoming Carnival festivities. (9) S. Joan Penzenstadler (l) and Dr. Andrea Stapleton (r) presented about the Mount Mary mission across the decades. (10) Students limbo in the Alumnae Dining Room during the October 3 Homecoming Carnival. (11) Alums Jo Jacobi '74 (l) and Christy Moder '74 (r) sing the MMU spirit song at the October 5 Marian Club Brunch. (12) Alum Award winner Dr. Natasha Smet '11 celebrates with her family at the October 4 Alumni Awards Ceremony.
Alumni Awards
The 2024 Alumni Awards Celebration was an incredible event. On October 4, we recognized the six outstanding recipients who we are proud to call alumni.
TOWER AWARD
Dr. Natasha Smet ’11 is the recipient of this year’s Tower Award. Smet has demonstrated outstanding competence during her decade in the occupational therapy community. As a leader in her field, Smet has developed nationally acknowledged programs to assist mentor trainees, and has provided support to individuals with minoritized identities.
Smet is a dedicated volunteer for the American Occupational Therapy Foundation and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Through this work, she has received numerous awards for her continued commitment and her compassion.
Throughout her achievements Smet continues to uplift others. By helping give a voice to under-represented communities, she demonstrates that working as an occupational therapist is not just a career — it is a passion.
MADONNA MEDAL FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
Ellen Della-Heitman ’92
This year we awarded Ellen Della-Heitman ’92 with the Madonna Medal of Community Service. DellaHeitman earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Behavioral Sciences from Mount Mary. After graduation she earned a Master’s in Theology from Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis.
Della-Heitman’s career began as Director of Christian faith formation, where she taught Catholic social principles to children. Della-Heitman has also demonstrated a special gift for interacting with those dealing with loss. Her ability to provide empathy and warmth to grieving families is inspiring. We celebrate her leadership and devotion to her community.
MADONNA MEDAL FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Tiffany Wynn ’01
Dedication to reaching a diverse audience is at the heart of the personal and professional values of Tiffany Wynn ’01. Since graduating from Mount Mary, Wynn has been a trailblazer in her field. This commitment is demonstrated by her time as a member of the Mount Mary University Communication Department’s Advisory Board and an instructor of Integrated Marketing Communications courses at Mount Mary.
Wynn’s career in public relations and marketing is dedicated to promoting education, empowerment, health and professional development for others. She continues to focus her efforts on helping nonprofit organizations succeed and volunteers her time to create a more equitable world. Whether crafting campaign messages or spending her time helping others, Wynn exudes compassion, professionalism and leadership.
Natasha Smet ’11
Celebration
See
MADONNA MEDAL FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Anne Marie Witchger Hansen ’74
Anne Marie Witchger Hansen ’74 has had an extensive career within the occupational therapy field. After graduating from Mount Mary, she earned a Master’s degree in Administrative Leadership and Adult Education, followed by an Interdisciplinary Doctorate in Professional Educational Leadership. She founded the Occupational Therapy department at St. Mary’s Hospital in her hometown of Saginaw, Mich. and served as the organization’s director. Witchger Hansen and her family later traveled to Tanzania to work with the Spiritan Fathers ministry. Even after her family’s return to the United States in 1985, her devotion to this mission has endured.
From educating others to providing a safe space for those in need of hope, Anne Marie Witchger Hansen has been a source of inspiration to everyone whose life she has touched.
MADONNA MEDAL FOR SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Joan Penzenstadler, SSND ’67
Joan Penzenstadler, SSND ’67 has been an integral part of Mount Mary for many years.
Penzenstadler began her educational journey at Mount Mary College, earning a bachelor’s degree in French. She went on to earn a Master’s in Theology in 1978 and a Doctorate of Religious Education in 1988.
Penzenstadler began her ministry as a high school teacher, serving 11 years in the Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee, Marinette and Chippewa Falls. Throughout her continued years of service, she has helped preserve the Mount Mary spirit and mission.
Penzenstadler’s impact on those around her is immeasurable. Her dedication to the SSNDs, infectious enthusiasm to help and unwavering compassion know no bounds.
PRESIDENT’S AWARD OF DISTINCTION
Kathryn Maegli Davis ’71
Kathryn Maegli Davis ’71 is the 2024 recipient of the President’s Award of Distinction. When starting her Mount Mary journey, Maegli Davis had already amassed a wealth of life experiences. Her diverse career path has led her to roles in the fashion industry, teaching home economics to high school students and authoring several books.
Maegli Davis has provided tremendous support to Mount Mary, through both her financial donations and volunteer efforts. She has served on the Mount Mary Board of Trustees (currently a Trustee Emeritus) and on the Alumnae Association’s scholarship review committee.
Kathryn Maegli Davis Endowed Scholarship Helps Single Mothers Succeed A Legacy of Love
Perseverance, selflessness and a deep commitment to helping others have laid the framework for Kathryn Maegli Davis’ life.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Davis faced unimaginable loss at a young age. In her 20s she married a naval officer, and just one month after giving birth to their son, her husband was tragically killed in a plane accident. Widowed with a newborn, she returned to Wisconsin, unsure of what her future would hold.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Davis recalls. Although she had no college education, she considered becoming a teacher. That decision led her to Mount Mary and became a turning point in her life. But there were still roadblocks to overcome.
In 2007, after a fulfilling teaching career, Davis and her second husband established the Kathryn Maegli Davis Endowed Scholarship at Mount Mary. The fund provides financial support to single mothers pursuing an MMU degree. To date, it has helped more than 40 women achieve their dreams.
“Not a single one of them [scholarship recipients] has dropped out of school,” Davis said. “I’m very proud of those women and I call them my heroes.”
When I walked across the stage to get my diploma, I said to myself: Mount Mary, I’m going to pay you back someday.
“I was an adult woman and at that point in 1965, Mount Mary had not accepted any women who had been married. But the registrar said, ‘you can take one class, and if you can pass that class then you will be entered as a student,” Davis recalls.
She aced the class and became a full-time student, balancing her studies with part-time work and raising her son. It took six years, but Davis eventually received her Mount Mary degree.
“When I walked across the stage to get my diploma, I said to myself: Mount Mary, I’m going to pay you back someday,” Davis said.
That promise would later transform into a life-changing gift for other women facing similar challenges.
Davis has led a vibrant life filled with adventure and service. She is a published author of several books, including a memoir of her travel adventures and a Civil War story based on the life of a relative who marched with General Sherman’s army. In addition to her writing, she has been an avid volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House for 25 years and a Mount Mary Board of Trustees member.
But it’s her pivotal years at Mount Mary, she says, that made all the difference.
“During my six years at Mount Mary, I could have never received a better education. The professors and the Sisters were always there for every single student. They gave love, counseling and encouragement,” Davis said. “Going back to Mount Mary to get my education was the smartest thing I ever did.”
Today, Davis continues to meet with her scholarship recipients, sharing stories and tears, and watching as her legacy of education and resilience lives on. n
Summer Workshops Saw Record Enrollment
Mount Mary welcomed back two of its long-running and popular summer programs this June. Both the Fashion Academy and Summer Leadership Academy serve as important brand building and recruiting tools for the university. We look forward to the continued growth and future success of these programs!
The Fashion Academy ran an extended session from June 16-22, teaching 48 participants the basics of fashion design, business and industry trends. The students took part in an end of week fashion show that marked the event’s largest turnout to date, displaying their creations to a room packed with proud families and friends.
SAVE THE DATE: June 15-21, 2025
The Summer Leadership Academy also saw an increase in its participants — at over 90 students, 2024 was the biggest year ever for the program. The workshop ran from June 23-27, and featured programming in creative arts, design, humanities, business and STEM, as well as topics such as multicultural awareness and building confidence and friendships. SAVE THE DATE: June 22-26, 2025
CAMPUS NEWS
MMU Continues to Lead in Social Mobility
Mount Mary was once again named the top regional school in the Midwest for social mobility among its graduates, and the second highest ranked all women’s university at the undergraduate level in this category, according to U.S. News and World Report. Mount Mary was ranked among the best value colleges in the Midwest, beating out four University of Wisconsin schools. The ratings also reflect MMU leadership in graduation rates among Pell grant students, reflecting our commitment to providing a path to better quality of life for graduates through an affordable, high-quality education.
Inspiring Programs in STEM
Mount Mary University was awarded the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine for its Jewel Scholars Program. Launched in 2017, the Jewel Scholars program provides pathways into science for women from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Insight Into Diversity is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Award winners were selected by the magazine based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research and successful programs and initiatives.
Focus on Latinas in Higher Education
Mount Mary hosted the Latinas' Access to Higher Education Summit on June 11. The event was part of Proyecto Descubrir and was funded by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Award, featuring accomplished women leading transformative changes within Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and STEM. Speakers included Dr. Maria Elena Zavala, professor and principal investigator at California State University Northridge; Dr. Marla Franco, vice president of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives at the University of Arizona; Jymece Seward, HSI division education programs specialist for the U.S. Department of Education and Dr. Isabelle Cherney, president of Mount Mary University.
BLAZING TRAILS IN TECH
Women leaders from Amazon Web Services (AWS) visited campus to share their stories as women working in the tech industry. Kat Esser, Karla Rowe and Danielle Bolen from AWS led a panel discussion with the campus community. The group shared their success as women in the tech industry, including tips for learning from adversity, connecting with mentors and leading with authenticity.
NEW HYBRID MAJORS OFFER FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Mount Mary is now offering four new majors to provide students with expertise in high-growth, high-demand fields. Offerings for fall 2024 include Cybersecurity, Business Analytics, Public Relations and Digital Marketing The programs are hybrid models that combine online and in-person classes, making them especially attractive to returning adult learners. These new programs are now available through a partnership with the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC) and Rize Education. The LCMC is a strategic partnership of private colleges and universities across the country collaborating with Rize Education to provide access to a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students for successful careers.
National Grant Will Promote Sustainable Fashion
Mount Mary Fashion received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Sea Grant College Program Marine Debris Community Action Coalition. The project funding will allow students to explore sustainable fabrics and alternatives to synthetic materials, which contribute significant pollution into ground water each year.
The funding will be a collaborative effort led by Wisconsin Sea Grant (WSG). Assistant professor of Fashion Jessica Frantal was instrumental in pursuing this grant and will work with WSG to develop educational materials depicting impacts of microfibers on water quality, working with fabrics as an alternative to polyester and providing scholarships for Fashion Academy students in summer. The department hopes to include student projects produced through this collaboration in the 2025 CREO student fashion show.
Future Green: Harnessing Hydroponics
Gerhardinger Center is home to a new hydroponic growing garden. The project was funded by a grant through STEM by Design (funded by the National Science Foundation) and delivered to campus in July. Dietetics and Food Science faculty were hard at work planting their first crops shortly after arrival.
Dr. Anne Vravick, graduate program director of Food Science said that faculty plan to incorporate this technology as a learning and research tool.“It will evolve over time, but we hope to get a lot of use out of it,” she said.
Dietetics faculty Pat Kempen (left) and Megan Maritato.
Partnership with Notre Dame of Maryland University Unfolds
Mount Mary will soon be partnering with Notre Dame of Maryland University to offer a reciprocity agreement that allows students to pursue graduate degrees across the two schools, expanding offerings for the communities of both institutions.
In late summer Dr. Cherney met with S. Charmaine Krohe, provincial head of SSND North Atlantic Midwest region and Dr. Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University as the leaders visited the Mount Mary campus to explore opportunities for this partnership. The team envisions this initiative supporting Mount Mary students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in Education at Notre Dame of Maryland, with support for the partner school’s students who wish to enroll in the Master of Social Work degree at MMU.
App Puts Arthritis Relief Within Reach
Mount Mary User Experience (UX) Design majors collaborated with Alivio Technologies to help make the company’s 4alivio healthcare app more user-friendly. Recent MMU grads Ann Tran '24 and Winla Vang '24 joined UX Design assistant professor Mary Burton and Alivio Technologies founder and president Caitlin West on an episode of the “I Am Mount Mary” podcast to talk about the challenges and excitement of working on this project.
GE Campers Explored Careers in STEM
In August, Mount Mary welcomed daughters of GE Healthcare employees for a week-long science and technology exploration camp. Participants experimented with virtual cadavers on the Anatomage table, learned about ecology and sustainability and explored water soluble properties of materials in the campus food lab.
Listen to the interview at mtmary.edu/podcast.
Inclusivity in the Kitchen –
and Beyond
Mount Mary Dietetics graduate students partnered with Blossom IDD, a non-profit for adults with intellectual and development disabilities, to host a series of cooking classes and meal events.
Their first event was a five course Mexican-inspired dinner, which featured homemade salsa and baked chips grilled chicken street tacos, kale and corn salad, roasted cauliflower and strawberry tres leches cake. Dietetics faculty and students hope to explore future collaborations with the non-profit.
AWS Educate: Cloud Computing MadeSimple
Mount Mary is working with Amazon Web Services to offer access to AWS Educate, a free, online learning program designed to teach about cloud computing. This is a free educational resource that will teach the basics of cloud computing concepts. The program is designed particularly for those with little or no previous experience.
Participants will learn basic computer concepts, including networking fundamentals, operating systems and cloud computing concepts, and can work towards earning certification.
Access is free and the learning model is self-paced and 100% online students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up using the QR code.
First Cohort Graduated from School of Nursing
Mount Mary celebrated its first graduating cohort from the new School of Nursing at the spring commencement ceremony in May. The school was officially launched in 2023 during the university’s academic restructuring. Mount Mary’s diverse student body and focus on holistic practice make graduates uniquely equipped to step into their new roles as healthcare leaders.
Scholars Day Event Celebrated Academic Accomplishments
Mount Mary held its inaugural Scholars Day event in May. The daylong event featured research by students and faculty across every major and academic discipline. Highlights included poster sessions, art gallery talks, presentations, and a keynote speech by Dietetics faculty member Dr. Yvonne Greer, who shared her journey as a scholar. Mark your calendar for our next Scholars Day on May 7, 2025.
Mount Mary Hosted Fashion Week Kick Off
Mount Mary Fashion Department hosted a panel discussion about the intersection of individuality, sustainability and innovation on September 9. The event marked the official start of MKE Fashion Week and featured leaders and influencers from the city’s fashion scene. Ashley Brooks, division chair of the Art & Design department moderated the discussion, and alumna Iris Acevedo participated as one of the featured panelists.
© COURTESY OF MILWAUKEE FASHION WEEK
The MMU Art Therapy department hosted an expressive community art making event on the evening of September 14 in Stiemke Hall. The evening featured live ambient soundscapes played by local musicians. Mount Mary Department of Art Therapy faculty member Dr. Christopher Belkofer also appeared on the Shape of Rock program on WMSE 91.7 FM in August to promote the event.
Leading the Way in Higher Education
Mount Mary President Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D. (center) became part of the board of directors for Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) this summer. Cherney visited the organization’s Denver headquarters in summer to meet with organizational leadership and other leaders in higher education. (Photo courtesy of HERS).
Mount Mary University Athletics will join the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) on July 1, 2025. The university is currently a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and will maintain the NCAA Division III membership and current conference affiliations through the academic year.
Mount Mary Athletics currently offers five sports (cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball). This change will allow the university to recruit student athletes with scholarships, attract new talent and improve the student-athlete experience.
The university athletics department was also accepted into the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) in October.
Mount Mar y Awarded Grant to Help Fight Violence Against Women
The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women grant: Strengthening Culturally Specific Campus’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking (DVDVSAS) has awarded Mount Mary $498,878 for our new program: “Soaring Above: Blue Angels’ Strategies to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking (DVDVSAS) on Campus.”
The program will involve a comprehensive, culturally informed DVDVSAS prevention, awareness, education and outreach campus program, including educational and informational campaigns that focus on stigma reduction that is culturally nuanced. The program will emphasize strategies and activities tailored to meet the needs of Latinx and Black students.
The funding will also offer opportunities for enhancing campus safety and relationships with outside partners. It will take place over the course of four years and will be hosted by the Center for Women’s and Children’s Rights within the Mount Mary Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children.
ACHIEVEMENTS ACCOLADES
This section highlights recent noteworthy accomplishments and awards of Mount
Mary University faculty, staff and students.
2024 FACU LTY E XCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to our 2024 Faculty Excellence Award recipients, Lakiesha Russell, LPC (part time, Counseling) and Trish Kuehnl, M.A. (full time, Fashion Business).
Russell is the director of the Counseling and Wellness Center at Mount Mary University, as well as an author, nationally recognized mental health media ambassador and host of the “Evolving Chair” podcast. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Mount Mary University.
Kuehnl pivoted from a career in the corporate sector to education, earning her Master of Art degree at Mount Mary before transitioning to a full-time career teaching at the university. She brings her expertise in visual merchandising, store planning, product development, trend forecasting and global business into the classroom.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Jordan Acker Anderson, M.F.A., Studio Art and Josh Anderson, M.F.A., Studio Art, were selected for the TMA Contemporary, an annual juried exhibition for the Trout Museum of Art in Appleton, Wis. The exhibition featured 99 works by 82 artists. Both were asked to serve as jurors for the Discover Wauwatosa art competition Art 64. Acker Anderson was also selected to exhibit with Lauritzen Gardens at the Omaha Botanical Center, where she displayed 16 new paintings inspired by the venue’s landscape.
Ann Angel, M.F.A., English, wrote an essay in “Conversations with Lenard D. Moore” titled “Lenard D. Moore on the Music of Poetry,” published by the University Press of Mississippi in November 2024. The book celebrates Moore, an award-winning haiku and jazz and blues poet, and first African American president of the American Haiku Society.
Caitlyn Booms, Ph.D., Mathematics was accepted as a scholar in the nationally competitive Mathematical Association of America’s Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) program, which provides support, networking and resources for new faculty members. In addition, the manuscript from her doctoral thesis work was accepted for publication in the Michigan Mathematical Journal.
Kathleen Boyle, Ph.D., Biology / Math and Sciences; Christine Hoffmann, DC, Biology; Cynthia Kidd, M.S., Exercise Science and Louise Kessler, Ph.D., Biology attended the annual Anatomage Conference in July 2024. They learned best practices for using the table and networked with faculty from other institutions.
Patrick Burke, Ph.D., Justice joined the department in August 2024.
Rita Burlingame-Toppen, OTR, OTD, Occupational Therapy and Heather Martin, M.S., Occupational Therapy assisted in research article collection for the Amazon Web Services Culturabot project this summer. The faculty members also participated in the testing of the chatbot to ensure functionality based on data collection, with Kari Inda Ph.D., Occupational Therapy leading the team of faculty, staff and students.
Amanda Cacich, M.S., Fashion Archives presented “Uncovering Hidden Treasure: Charles Kleibacker.” Cacich shared stories of the designer’s relationship with the Mount Mary Fashion program and presented garments from our collection that were created and donated by Kleibacker, known as ‘The Master of the Bias’.
Marmy Clason, Ph.D., Communications & Business/Communication & Technology earned an Amazon Web Service certificate in Introduction to Generative AI.
TRISH KUEHNL
LAKIESHA RUSSELL
Jessica Frantal, M.F.A., Fashion will work with Wisconsin Sea Grant to develop educational materials that will highlight the impact of microfibers on water quality and emphasize largerscale issues of sustainability and waste reduction within the fashion industry.
Ethan Harrod, Ph.D., Psychological Science attended the annual conference of the Society for Affective Science, held April 2024 in New Orleans and the Anatomage Conference in Santa Clara, Calif., July 2024. Harrod also co-designed and co-taught a three-session professional development series to Mount Mary faculty and staff titled “Introduction to RStudio: An RStudio Workshop.”
Sarah Hessenauer, MSW, Social Work presented on the topic of religion and spirituality in social work at the National Association of Social Work national conference, held June 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Julie Hunley, Ph.D., Occupational Therapy recently co-authored an article titled “Current Evidence on Patient Precautions for Reducing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Manifestation and Progression Risks” in the Medical Oncology Journal.
Kari Inda, Ph.D., Occupational Therapy presented a virtual workshop at Southern California University of Health Sciences in May 2024 titled “Foundations of Exam Construction and Best Practices in Item Development.” She also hosted a virtual information session for faculty of occupational therapy programs seeking to improve their exam development skills on April 19, 2024.
R. Zac Karanovich, Ph.D., Theology was announced as a fellowship awardee by the Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts for the 2024-25 Early Career Workshop and participated in the first week of their meetings in St. Petersburg, Fla. in June 2024.
Pat Kempen, M.S., R.D., C.D., Dietetics and Meagan Maritato, M.S., RDN, Dietetics planned and hosted (in partnership with Children’s Wisconsin) the first Registered Dietitian Professions Day in June 2024, an add-on experience for the Summer Leadership Academy students. The two also led efforts to successfully apply for a new global program by Amazon Web Services (AWS), supporting organizations that are developing solutions to advance health equity, and will be awarded funding.
Alexis Outlaw, assistant professor of Business Administration and Human Resources, was chosen by the United Way as a 2024 Philanthropic 5 recipient. This annual award recognizes five community leaders who have made extraordinary commitments of leadership, volunteerism, mentoring and philanthropy to the Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha nonprofit community. Outlaw was recognized with her fellow recipients in August at the United Way Emerging Leaders Philanthropic 5 event.
Melinda Kiltz, M.S.W., M.P.A., Social Work, submitted the BSW program Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) reaffirmation self-study. In August 2024 Melinda Kiltz completed her first semester of the Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program at the University of Kentucky.
LEADING WISCONSIN For ward
Vanessa Vasquez was chosen for the Forward 48 cohort, a regional leadership development program helping to shape the future of Wisconsin. The group works to build a robust and diverse civic leadership succession strategy through experiential learning, professional development, and exclusive networking opportunities.
Trish Kuehnl, M.A., Fashion and Elena Pitts, M.F.A., Fashion co-directed Fashion Academy, the signature immersive summer camp for high school students interested in fashion careers. Forty-eight attendees were welcomed to campus, including eight return campers and two incoming first-year students attending Mount Mary this fall. The program was extended by two days to support project quality and completion and to maximize attendance at the culminating fashion show and exhibits.
Amy Lauer, Ph.D., Psychological Science presented “Market-ready Psychology Majors: Resources for Professional Development Across the Curriculum” at the 96th annual Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago in April 2024.
(L-R) Dr. Karen Friedlen, Alexis Outlaw, Dr. Marmy Clason and Dr. Kristen Carioti.
Meagan Maritato, M.S., RDN, Dietetics was elected incoming president of the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for the 2024-25 term. In April 2024 she presented “Driving Change with New Teaching Strategies for Preparing Our Future Dietitians Using Simulation, Interprofessional Education and Collaboration in the Classroom.” In May 2024 she presented the webinar “Exploring the Anti-Diet Approach: Myths & Facts About Intuitive Eating” for the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (WAND).
Heather Martin, OTD, OTR, Occupational Therapy attended the Anatomage conference in Santa Clara, Calif. in July 2024 where she was trained in the most up to date methods for integrating this technology in the classroom.
Rachel Mata, MSN, RN, Nursing completed her MSN capstone project on trauma informed care, which will help train senior Nursing program students in this subject.
Jason Meyler, Ph.D., Spanish served on the education committee planning for 2024-2025 at the Hispanic Serving Institution Network of Wisconsin (HSINOW) Summer Retreat in August 2024.
Vanessa Varela Morales, M.A., Education received the 2024 Patricia H. Weisberg Scholarship Award from the Marquette University Graduate School of Education.
Megan Oertel BSN, RN, CHSE, CHSOS, Health Sciences was accepted to present “Escape Boxes for Undergraduate Nursing Students” at the 2025 International Simulation Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Maggie Sas, Ph.D., Psychological Science joined the department faculty in August 2024.
Tammy Scheidegger, Ph.D., Counseling was appointed to and elected chair of the Wisconsin Governor’s Substance Abuse Counselor Code Advisory committee.
Empowering Women Globally
A group of Mount Mary students led by study abroad director Olivia Hickman attended the United Nations’ annual Commission on the Status of Women, held in New York this March. The theme of this year’s event was “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.”
The group attended sessions that presented different women’s issues along with ways NGOs are working to contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Topics included Afghan women journalists under the Taliban, the Kingdom of Lesotho reducing poverty through beekeeping, and making digital spaces safer for women and girls.
Participating students included Mary DeFore, Business Administration; Kayla Fuher, Nursing; Grace Kidd, Psychology; Joana Enrique Lopez, Broad Field Social Studies Education; Grace McCray, Art Therapy & Sociology; Kaitlyn Powers, Graphic Design; Lizbeth Reyes-Hernandez, History; Mary Safranski, Fashion Design.
Dana Scheunemann, R.D., C.D., Ph.D., Dietetics presented “Lessons Learned: Strategies to Support Students During the Transition to a Higherlevel Education” at the Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) Conference in April 2024.
Andrea Stapleton, Ph.D., Mission and Justice spoke at the 2024 Wisconsin HSI NOW summit, sharing how MMU is using the organization’s framework for serving. Also attending were Jason Meyler, Ph.D., Spanish and Monica Olague, Ph.D., Biology.
Genevieve Szeklinski, M. Arch., Interior Architecture and Design was appointed to the State of Wisconsin’s Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, Professional Land Surveyors and Registered Interior Designers by Governor Evers. The board covers all topics surrounding design industry practice for Wisconsin design professionals. Szeklinski participated in signing of the Wisconsin Legislation ACT 195, which modernizes the scope of interior design practice, and was also a panel expert on ASIDWisconsin’s “Owning Your Future: Rules and Regulations” presentation in August 2024.
Sc holarship thr ough a L ati n x L ens
This summer four Mount Mary students had an opportunity to participate in the Hispanic Scholars Summer Program. Offered in collaboration with the Pasos network, the Hispanic Scholars Program helps shape the next generation of Latinx theological and academic leaders through a focus on culturally responsive ministry.
Anne Vravick, Ph.D., Food Science organized and chaired the Food Education in Chemistry section at the American Society of Chemistry Annual meeting in August 2024.
Wendy Weaver, Ph.D., English and Humanities co-prepared three posters with Colleen Conway, Ph.D., Science and Cheryl Bailey, Ph.D., Graduate Health & Professional Programs for the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education at the University of Kentucky. Weaver presented “Creating Digitally Literate Graduates Through the Curriculum.”
Maricarmen Garcia (Justice), Lizbeth Reyes-Hernandez (History), Mariana Batalla
Romero (Communication) and Bryana Juarez (Spanish) received scholarships through the program, which covered tuition for a three-credit summer class, as well as a travel stipend allowing them to attend opening and closing events at Villanova University in Philadelphia and Dominican University in Chicago. This year marked the first time that this opportunity was opened to undergraduates, and the Mount Mary group was part of the pilot cohort of 15 students.
Kristin Wood, MSN, RN, CNE, Nursing will oversee the IPEssential Program, a collaboration with health care education programs in the greater Milwaukee area and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Interprofessional Education (IPE) plays an integral role in helping health care professionals effectively communicate with various disciplines and improve client care.
STUDENTS
Serena Bartel Art Therapy was awarded a Layton Art Scholarship. Jayla Cleveland, Biology spent summer 2024 in the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Diversity Summer HealthRelated Research Education Program (DSHREP) where she gained research and networking opportunities.
Kristin Whyte, Ph.D., Education published an article, “Exploring Professionalization in Early Childhood: Reflections from a Veteran Head Start Teacher” in Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. She also contributed to a book chapter in “Understanding Research in Early Childhood Education: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods,” published by Taylor & Francis.
Spiking Success: B l ue Angels S core with Top Academic Honors
Congratulations to the MMU Volleyball team for receiving a 2024 Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The award recognizes teams whose student athletes maintain a 3.3 or higher-grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Congratulations to our Blue Angels Volleyball players for their success both on and off the court!
Ardin Daniels, Fashion Design awarded a Layton Art Scholarship.
Elise DeGraef, Interior Architecture and Design Black Scholarship for Interior Design at the Bienenstock Furniture Library. De Graef was among four students recognized for this honor at the fourth annual Future Designers Summit.
Megan Frerichs, Art Therapy and Theology Award, spring 2024. She was also awarded a Layton Art Scholarship.
Erika Grahovac, Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral program was accepted for the graduate student poster session at the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES) Conference, which took place October 17-19 in Chicago. Her poster explored women’s experiences with sexism and suicidality.
Claire Hildebrand, Art Therapy awarded a Layton Art Scholarship.
Lakesha Jones, Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral program, published a book titled “Do the Work,” in February 2024. In August she was honored with the annual International Impact Book Award for her work.
Grace Kidd, Psychological Science presented her independent research in psychology at the 96th annual Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) conference in Chicago this spring. Kidd received a travel award from Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, to support her trip to the conference.
Listeners can access the podcast directly from mtmar y.edu/ podcast . New episodes are added monthly.
Nursing Students Elected to State Board
MMU School of Nursing
Megan Zuehlke, Bailey Krimmer, AshLee Gierach and were elected to the State of Wisconsin Student Nurses’ Association Board (WSNA) this year. The organization provides educational resources and mentorship for new nurses.
was selected to participate in Network Advocates for Catholic Social Justice’s Young Advocates Leadership Lab (Y.A.L.L.) program. Based in Washington, D.C., the group promotes intergenerational political advocacy efforts in pursuit of a multiracial, pluralistic, inclusive democracy.
Debbi Mamon, Interior Architecture and Design joined Ring & DuChateau’s lighting group as an intern.
Erika Martinez, Business Administration received a $3,000 scholarship from the Woman’s Fund.
Jessica Martinez, Communication worked at Northwestern Mutual as a UX content intern in the summer. Her final project involved identifying a problem, developing a solution and presenting her work to the company’s Design Experience Synergy team.
Jessica Meissner,Occupational Therapy and Johanna Zielinski, Occupational Therapy assisted in research article collection for the Amazon Web Services Culturabot project this summer. The students also participated in the testing of the chatbot to ensure functionality.
Anastasia Paulino, Exercise Science began an internship for the fall 2024 semester with Team Rehab Physical Therapy in Milwaukee.
Lisa Purtue, Graduate Counseling program was recognized for her contributions to substance abuse counseling. Purtue currently works as a licensed clinical substance abuse counselor at ASAP Services and Pharmacotherapy in West Allis, Wis., and serves on Governor Tony Evers’ State Council for Alcohol and Other Drugs (SCAODA). She is currently in the process of publishing her first book, “Five Minutes to Count,” which shares insights from her previous role as a corrections officer at maximum security prisons.
Estela Saldivar-Quiroz, Psychological Science and Spanish was accepted into the pre-Global Health Equity dual program. In her senior year (2024-25), she will complete her Mount Mary undergraduate degree plus take four courses towards her master’s degree in Global Health Equity at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Are you an alum entrepreneur?
Sign up to be part of the online alumni-owned business directory.
CLASS NOTES
1950-1999
1951 Pat Sheridan Spoerl was recognized for her commitment to building peace and justice within the community by the Ulster Project of Greater Milwaukee. Spoerl was a 2024 recipient of the Reverend Canon Kerry Waterstone Ulster Project Peace and Justice Award, which promotes peacemaking, advocacy and reconciliation.
Creativity Blooms at Annual Art Event
Mount Mary alums represented at the annual Art in Bloom event at the Milwaukee Art Museum this spring. Alumnae Laura Bavlnka ’14, Iris Acevedo ’17, Maria Olsson ’22 and Nohemi Chavez ’23 showed their designs on the runway in the museum’s annual floral-inspired show, a highlight of the event.
1967 S. Joan Penzenstadler was awarded the 2024 Madonna Award for Service to Mount Mary University.
1971 Kathryn Maegli-Davis received the 2024 President’s Award of Distinction.
1974 Anne Maire Witchger Hansen was awarded the 2024 Madonna Award for Professional Excellence.
Be part of our creative conversations. Like and follow us
1982 Lorelei Ann Keltner was hired as principal for Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Aurora, Ill.
1983 Veronica Bethel Parker was honored as the alumna speaker during the May 2024 commencement ceremony. During her speech, Bethel Parker shared how she combined multiple disciplines into a richly multifaceted professional life spanning fashion, politics and spirituality.
1992 Ellen Della-Heitman, was awarded the 2024 Madonna Award for Community Service.
1992 Merlyn Ramos Scheetz was featured by KFYR TV in Bismarck, N.D. for her art and poetry. Scheetz has been writing since college and began making art in her 50s. She is also the owner of Merlyn’s Magic All Season Holidays in Bismarck.
2000-Present
2001 Tiffany Wynn was awarded the 2024 Madonna Award for Professional Excellence.
2003 Jennifer Reesman, Ph.D., is proud to share that her book “Neurodevelopment in the PostPandemic World,” co-authored with Drs. Molly Colvin and Tannahill Glen, was published by Oxford University Press in September. Dr. Reesman is board certified in clinical neuropsychology with subspecialty certification in pediatric neuropsychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). After a decade in practice as a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kennedy Krieger Institute, she is presently the director of training at the Chesapeake Center for ADHD, Learning & Behavioral Health in Bethesda, Md.
2003 Erika Tole Thomas visited campus to share her experience with the MMU Black Student Union during the group’s May 2024 meeting. Tole Thomas was the university’s first graduate with a Bachelor of Computer Science degree. She currently works as an executive for Hartman IT Advisors.
2005 and 2009 Sandi Johnson was accepted into Carlow University’s low residency program for MFA in poetry. Johnson’s recent publishing accomplishments include a 2023 Editor’s Pick from Brain Mill Press Poetry Cycle for her work “Daughter of Our People,” and inclusion in the 2024 Carlow MFA 20th Anthology for her piece “Dodging Bullets.”
2008 Emma Daisy Gertel took part in a panel discussion of local Asian American professionals during the April 2024 Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration on campus. The event was hosted by the MMU Asian Student Organization.
2011 Sydney Sanger was featured on WTMJ4 as a business owner for Women’s History month. Sanger is the owner of Hyde Park, a Wauwatosa, Wis. boutique offering gifts, apparel and tailoring, among other services.
2011 Natasha Smet, Ph.D. received the 2024 Tower Award from Mount Mary University.
2012 Melissa Flores became a member of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Board. Flores oversees the Chicago engagement strategy on the Global Public Policy and Government Relations team for McDonald’s corporate.
2014 Katrina Vrakas visited campus in April to share her career in the fashion industry with Fashion and Fashion Business. Vrakas discussed her creative vision for designing wearable art and her work with high profile clients.
2018 Gianna (DeLoney)
Holschbach worked with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to help Browning Elementary School gain recognition as a green school. Their efforts received federal recognition, allowing them to travel to Washington D.C. and receive a Green Ribbon Schools award from the U.S. Department of Education.
Holschbach presented at the 2024 National Community School Conference in Atlanta, and appeared on a panel at the Wisconsin Community School Conference in Sun Prairie, Wis. where she shared her professional journey.
2021 Lexce Rivera started a new position as a human resources assistant at Levy Restaurants.
MMU Grad Hired by Mayo Clinic
Sarah Schaffer the School of Nursing, was recently hired by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Schaffer will work as part of the clinic’s emergency and trauma team through their new graduate residency program.
2023 Chantel Gates was accepted into five graduate art therapy programs across the nation; she selected George Washington University to continue her studies.
2023 Lauren Plantinga started a new position as pet parent relations manager at Dogtopia at the organization’s East Side Milwaukee location.
2024 Amara Aguilera obtained her first teaching position at Jackson Elementary with Milwaukee Public Schools.
2024 Maryam Aftab was accepted into the Rosalind Franklin Institute’s Doctorate of Osteopathy (DO) program and started her course work fall 2024.
2024 Maham Umar was accepted into the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) program and started her course work fall 2024.
REFLECTING ON FAITH
Navigating the Unknown
Think for a moment about a time when you have been on a path, faced with different choices and opportunities. When encountering change, you may decide to stand still rather than moving forward. In this case, you would know exactly where you are and what to expect — nothing would change.
You return to where you started, and there you would know what to expect. Or you could move forward.
Forward momentum can be both exciting and daunting. There may be unexpected twists and turns, or challenges that produce hesitancy and fear. It may be hard to adequately prepare when the landscape ahead is unfamiliar. Perhaps standing still would be better, safer. Going back would provide the certainty that eases fears of the unknown. But while inertia may seem comforting, it ultimately leads nowhere. Moreover, you may be depriving yourself of many exciting and wonderful things yet to be found.
The decision to go forward is a response to whatever is calling you. To pave the path forward is to accept uncertainty. It is an act of courage and hope — believing that there is something ahead for you, even if it is yet unknown. It is an act of commitment to stay true to your calling despite fear.
Lighting the Way: Continued Commitment to Our Mission
To pave the path forward for Mount Mary University is an act of hope and courage. It is a commitment to traversing an unpredictable landscape ahead for higher education. The Sisters began paving this path in 1833 and have carried this mission throughout times of uncertainty with hope, courage and resilience. They recognized the critical need for providing education to underserved and marginalized populations and have fought through many difficulties to live their values.
Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger bravely led her sisters, encouraging them by saying, “If we trust God and dare all for the kingdom, the world can and will be transformed.”
The SSNDs seek to build unity and transform this world through the love of God. Each person is unique and endowed with dignity; each person should be provided with a caring environment in which to fully flourish.
Continuing this mission over the past 191 years has not been an easy task, but it is an essential one. Perhaps this path can be likened to a “way.” Just as Jesus is trusted as the way, the truth and the life, we can draw upon the hope and the courage needed to move ahead.
We may rest assured by our trust that we are not alone in following our calling; that the path we are on is true and that carrying this mission forward is indeed a way of life. By remaining true to our integrity, the trepidation of uncertainty yields to strength in conviction.
Paving a path forward signifies the continuity between past and future. It binds all on the journey in past and present through the encounters of challenges unknown and opportunities undiscovered.
In this sense, the path forward is an act of communion, uniting all in mission through times and places, persevering through challenges, all with the same hope, courage and commitment.
We who pave the path forward from this time forward trust in the basic principle, held dear by the School Sisters, that love gives everything. In this, we are all stewards of hope, courage and commitment. n
By Vice President for Mission and Justice Andrea Stapleton, Ph.D.
IN MEMORIAM
1951 Kathleen Knauf Lavoie on July 3, 2024
1952 Joanne Margaret Menick on August 10, 2024
1954 Ruth Renwick Wilkinsin on June 17, 2024
1955 June McGuire Lyman on February 28, 2024
1956 Jeanne Marie Jordan on July 26, 2024
1958 Maureen Rae Davidson on June 24, 2024
1959 Bride Marie Kielty Whelan on June, 17, 2024
1960 Clarice J. Paliatka on April 25, 2024
1962 Marilyn Murphy on June 22, 2024
1963 Jo Ann O'Reilly on May 25, 2024
1964 Linda L. (Budnik) Lepplay on August 7, 2024
1964 Catherine Ann Wicky on March 27, 2024
List of deaths reported to the office as of October 1, 2024.
1966 Susan Tennes Hansony on April 24, 2024
1966 Kathleen (nee Thurston) Sheltony on June 21, 2024
1966 Mary K. Skupniewitz on May 12, 2024
1970 Julianne Daum James on August 19, 2024
1974 Rae Nelson Brown on July 1, 2024
1976 Beth L. Treffinger on August 10, 2024
1978 & 1990 Sister Francanne Rose Mary Etringer on April 30, 2024
1979 Barbara L. (Charapata) Bellart on March 29, 2024
1980 Gloria "Neng" M. Sasamoto on April 25, 2024
2019 Mary Elizabeth Buchmeier Brigham on August 1, 2024
Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (414) 930-3025 or mmu-alumni@mtmary.edu to notify us of the passing of an alum.
Continued from page 7
THE BURKE FOUNDATION LEGACY
“Education is crucial to creating better lives for individuals and their families,” he shared. “The Burke Foundation chose Mount Mary to help young women succeed. We want to see students rewarded for service and to commit to making a positive impact on the community.”
“These programs help to make Mount Mary more accessible and more representative of the city,” he added. “We’re so proud to play a part in that.”
Since the beginning, the Burke Foundation has pledged over $20 million towards the Grace Scholars and Caroline Scholars programs. In that time there have been numerous success stories, with over 300 graduates and counting from the combined programs. Mount Mary University is grateful for the generous support of the Burke Foundation, which makes these achievements possible. n
Continued from page 9
EMPOWERING STUDENTS TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
New Master of Social Work program opens doors
At the undergraduate level students are trained to become generalist practitioners, providing a range of skills that prepares them to work within a wide array of areas. Students put these skills to work before ever leaving college, participating in projects such as helping teenage mothers apply for college and offering job seeking skills for incarcerated women. Students complete 450 hours of field experience during the program.
This fall Mount Mary added a new Master of Social Work degree. Kiltz shared her excitement about the program, which she anticipates will open many new professional opportunities for those with a passion for social justice and advocacy.
“With online courses and an ability to offer advanced standing to any student who has graduated from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution, students with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work will be able to finish the program within just one year,” she shared.
The Mount Mary Social Work program has come a long way since its humble beginnings. But even as the field continues to evolve, the demand for these critical services remains strong. To Kiltz, there is no end in sight for the value that her field continues to provide.
“There are many concerns throughout the community” says Kiltz. “Social work answers the call for what people need.” n
FRID AY | Dec. 1 3, 2024
4 p.m.
Hooding Ceremony honoring the accomplishments of our graduate students
6 p.m.
Baccalaureate Mass
7 p.m.
Light of Learning Ceremony
S ATURD AY | Dec. 1 4, 2024
11 a.m. Commencement
A GIFT TO MOUNT MARY REAPS
MULTIPLE REWARDS
If you are like many individuals, your IRA has increased in value over the years, and you have more income than you may need.
If you are over 70½, you may roll over up to $105,000 from your IRA to charity without increasing your taxable income or paying any additional tax.
Tax-free charitable rollover gifts could be $100, $1,000 or any amount up to $105,000.
The gift may satisfy your required minimum distribution for this year.
Call Lisa Breitsprecker, senior development officer at (414) 930-3131 with questions or for more information, visit the new planned giving website at mtmarylegacy.org.
