Thrive: Creating a Flourishing Future
I AM MOUNT MARY
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(L-R) Megan Frerichs, Zuhur Hassen and Maryan Abdi during Ramadan/Lent celebration.
FROM PRESIDENT
Dear Mount Mary Alumni and Friends,
Welcome to our spring edition of Mount Mary Magazine!
As we approach the end of the spring semester, I reflect on the past, present and future vision for Mount Mary University. Since its earliest days, Mount Mary has empowered students to reach their fullest potential. Today, the university continues to stand as a leader in higher education, remaining as dedicated to the values of competence, commitment, community and compassion as the day we opened our doors 112 years ago. I am proud that we continue to lead the region in upward mobility among our graduates. This distinction affirms what we have always known: Mount Mary is a place where students are not only educated—they are transformed to become changemakers in their lives, communities and the world.
It’s hard for me to believe that I have nearly completed the third year of my presidency. The university continues to evolve, and we have seen a number of significant changes over these past several years. While celebrating the strong foundation of our mission, we recognize the need to remain nimble and adaptive to the fast-paced changes in higher education—and the world—that await our students after graduation.
Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., Mount Mary University ONE
According to the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU), approximately half of students attending private colleges hail from outside Wisconsin, and two-thirds remain after graduation. While there has been recent attention to the problem
of “brain drain” as young talent leaves the region, it is affirming to know that Mount Mary helps contribute to area “brain gain.”
An expansive vision
As we prepare our graduates to enter an evolving workforce, we recognize the importance of integrating technology into everything we do. Our focus on science, technology, reflection, engineering, arts and math (STREAM) curriculum weaves across all academic disciplines. Access to new state-of-the-art equipment—such as our health sciences skills lab, Anatomage table, hydroponic garden, birthing mannequin and virtual reality room—connects students with hands-on experience that makes them highly valuable to employers. Mount Mary’s new RIZE hybrid learning partnership now offers flexible online programs in Cybersecurity, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing and Public Relations. We also added a minor in artificial intelligence (AI), putting this essential tool in the hands of our students. Our new online MSW (Master’s of Social Work) started strong, and we look forward to celebrating the Department’s 50-year anniversary!
Embedding technological proficiency into coursework is just one of many exciting features of our updated common core curriculum. Beginning this fall, incoming students will take part in our “Mount Mary One,” designed to instill a sense of inclusivity and belonging from day one.
With the new faculty designed core curriculum and first year experience, I am confident that
Mount Mary is a place where students are not only educated—they are transformed to become changemakers in their lives, communities and the world.
these supportive experiences will help students learn to communicate effectively, think critically, problem-solve, become self-advocates and build a holistic sense of well-being and community.
We are also in the process of implementing our strategic plan, a roadmap that will guide our institution and ensure that Mount Mary continues to thrive well into the future (see page 15). This plan focuses on building innovative, interdisciplinary, interprofessional and in-demand academic programs, encouraging empowerment of all learners and instilling a sense of interconnectedness between our community and the world.
Technology plays an essential role in enhancing our communication strategy. Last year the Mount Mary admissions team began using Slate, a platform that streamlines outreach to prospective students. And our message continues to connect with new audiences as we broaden our reach, such as a featured MMU promotional video that ran on the NBC Peacock app during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Building strong alliances
Additionally, we are committed to increasing our visibility while growing our reputation and forging strong relationships with mission-aligned business and community partners. Student collaborations with companies like Target and Amazon Web Services Health Equity Initiative, as well as partnerships with organizations like Penfield Children’s Center and major area hospitals, continue to provide our students with essential professional experience for future success.
The Mount Mary Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children (IAWC) also continues the essential work of promoting health and wellness, empowering
women with technological skills, fighting for global human rights and supporting women’s leadership.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the essential role that our community members play in our continued success. None of this is possible without the dedication and engagement of each of you. Whether you are an alum, student, staff or supporter, I invite you to become even more involved in the life of our university. There are countless ways to make an impact through mentorship, philanthropy, advocacy or even just sharing the Mount Mary story with others. Together, we can create new opportunities and ensure that future generations of students receive the education and support they need to thrive.
I look forward to all that we will continue to accomplish together. n
President Cherney with students at a March 2025 “Pizza with the President” open forum.
Eco-Chic Innovation
Fashion students lead the charge to prevent plastic pollution
This spring, a collaboration between two unlikely partners is taking shape. The Mount Mary University Fashion department is working with the Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program and Marine Debris Community Action Coalition to explore ways to lower the industry’s carbon footprint.
This is an opportunity for us to lead the conversation in a meaningful way and move towards making lasting changes.
Jessica Frantal, assistant professor of Fashion
Assistant professor of Fashion Jessica Frantal is leading the charge on this innovative project, which is grant-funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In mid 2024, Frantal was approached by Wisconsin Sea Grant, a marine conservation organization working with NOAA. The group was searching for creative ways to address the growing issue of microplastics leeching into the groundwater system. Specifically, they wanted to explore how the fashion industry—considered by many to be one of the largest global contributors to landfills and groundwater pollution —could use alternative natural materials to replace synthetic fabrics like polyester.
“Many people don’t realize that each time synthetic fibers are washed, parts of them break off and end up being flushed into the water system,” said Frantal. “This results in tons of microscopic plastic particles being introduced into waterways, damaging the ecosystem and our health.”
In September 2024 the Mount Mary Fashion department received initial funding, which will provide $10k annually for two years, allowing the department to purchase natural and experimental fabrics such as plant-based “leather” made from mushrooms and pineapples. The grant will also create scholarships for the university’s Fashion Academy summer program for middle and high school students. Additionally, it will allow the university to add microplastic filters onto all campus washing machines, making the entire campus more eco-friendly.
Throughout the process, Wisconsin Sea Grant will work with the Fashion department students to create project guides and educational materials, which will be used to extend the reach to other colleges in the future.
Frantal hopes that the innovative project will inspire people to consider the broader implications of their purchasing choices beyond just their closets. She and the MMU Fashion department hope to inspire these changes, beginning on a local scale.
“The impacts of the fashion industry are often invisible to people, yet it’s an issue that touches all of our lives,” she said.
“I’m hopeful that this project will open up more possibilities in the future,” she added. “This is an opportunity for us to lead the conversation in a meaningful way and move towards making lasting changes.” n
(Right, top to bottom) on design students creating garment designs in the MMU Fashion sewing labs.
Alexus Hatcher gathers material on campus during Biology class.
Bottom (L-R) Paris Throne, Khadeja Alhmaidat, Fairynn Addison and Viviana Martinez examine soil samples in the lab.
BREAKING GROUND:
Jewel Scholars
Unear th Nature s Hidden Cures
Biology students are discovering tomorrow’s life-saving resources in their own backyard
Since 2017, the Mount Mary University Jewel Scholars program has been providing a pathway into science careers for women from underrepresented backgrounds.
Dr. Kathy Boyle, who serves as program director, is a passionate advocate for increasing access to the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math). Under her leadership, the Jewel Scholars program has opened doors for budding female scientists by promoting inclusivity, belonging and mentoring.
Boyle believes that the key to success lies in creating a supportive environment for her students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. As a first-generation graduate herself, she understands the importance of fostering an encouraging learning environment in order to ensure long-term career success.
“This program is a powerful way to help women become confident to pursue science careers,” said Boyle. “It’s hard for them to understand the possibilities if they don’t see anyone in their field who represents them. We’re helping to change that.”
This passion for creating a supportive atmosphere is evident in the campus biology lab, where the Jewel Scholars are hard at work uncovering new breakthroughs in antibiotics. The class works in partnership with the Tiny Earth Project, a Madison, Wis. based initiative connecting researchers from all over the world as they discover new strains of naturally occurring antibiotic bacteria.
Student Viviana Martinez peered through a microscope, watching the microbes she found in the soil around campus as they battled E.coli bacteria. “I never learned about research in high school, and this [program] made me realize I’m capable,” she said.
Listen to an interview with Dr. Kathy Boyle about the Jewel Scholars program on the "I Am Mount Mary" podcast.
This program is a powerful way to help women become confident to pursue science careers.
Dr.
Kathleen Boyle, director of Jewel Scholars program
Classmate Alexus Hacher echoed Martinez’s sentiment. “It’s so exciting—I’d never considered that I could find antibiotics in dirt,” she said. “I’m always learning something new here.”
The process of analyzing soil for antibiotic bacteria is time intensive, a potentially years-long search that Boyle describes as a “needle in a haystack.” But she adds that this project is more about the process itself rather than the result. The value lies not only in new discoveries but in teaching scientific thinking, persistence and confidence.
The Jewel Scholars are gaining outside recognition as well. In 2024, the group was awarded the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Academia magazine.
“The Jewel Scholars program creates pathways and opportunities for the next generation of researchers and scientists,” Boyle said. “I am so proud of the great work these students are doing.” n
For more information about the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award and Insight Into Academia magazine, visit insightintoacademia.com.
Flowing forward:
For most of us, clean water is a given. But what would it be like if we didn’t have this critical resource available at the turn of a faucet?
By helping to connect people with basic needs, their whole existence is empowered.
Dr. Andrea Stapleton, vice president of Mission and Justice
The Catholic non-profit group Global Partners: Running Waters (GPRW) helps to provide families in rural Guatemala with clean water access, while also raising awareness of conservation efforts in the United States. The Milwaukee-based organization was founded in 2003 by S. Jan Gregorcich and Dianne Henke, SSND associate. While working in the country’s rural regions, Gregorcich watched families spend hours each day traveling back and forth across mountains to bring potable water for their families to use. People living in the area often get up in the early hours of the morning, making multiple trips up and down nearby mountains and repeating the process again in the evening. Recognizing the dire need for easier water access, the SSND began a network of local project managers and engineers to design and build time-saving delivery systems.
Dr. Andrea Stapleton, Mount Mary University vice president of Mission and Justice, had the chance to visit one of the group’s recently completed sites in August 2024. Stapleton currently
(Bottom, left) Sister Jan Gregorcich in Guatemala; (bottom, right) women in rural community served by GPRW.
How a community Water project is connecting cultures
serves as president for the GPRW board of directors. She described the trip as a profoundly moving experience.
“This is not only a cross-cultural partnership, but a way to educate about the bigger systemic issues of resource access as a social justice issue,” she said.
Stapleton shared that this extends to much broader issues of public health and generational poverty, both of which most heavily impact women and children. Among its many life-sustaining benefits, clean water access helps to improve maternal health outcomes. It also allows parents more time to pursue education and work outside the home, providing income to create better lives for their families in the long term.
The funds raised for these infrastructure projects go directly to the communities. GPRW works with local laborers on design and construction. Stapleton shared that this promotes the Catholic social principle of “subsidiarity”— assisting people without creating dependence on foreign oversight. These partnerships help residents of the rural Guatemalan villages gain autonomy over their lives and futures.
“A lot of the work [of the organization] is about sustaining whole communities,” said Stapleton. “By helping to connect people with basic needs, their whole existence is empowered.”
“Our survival is dependent on the resources of this planet,” she added. “This important mission helps share the bigger implications of how sustainable water use impacts all of our lives.” n
Scan this QR code to learn more about Global Partners Running Waters.
(Bottom, left) family gathering water; (bottom, right) village girl carrying old water bottles.
Kennedi Lulloff HUMAN BIOLOGY A Recipe for Success: Turning Food Waste into Culinary Wonders
Kennedi Lulloff is passionate about delicious food and sustainable practices. She believes that food access is a human right, and wants to ensure healthy, delicious meals for all.
In 2024, a study abroad experience in Italy broadened Kennedi Luloff ’s horizons and fueled inspiration for addressing the problem of food waste. While learning about the culinary traditions of the Tuscan region, Luloff stumbled upon “La Cocina Povera” (“the poor food”) of the Tuscan working classes. The cuisine is based on simple recipes made from locally sourced ingredients such as garlic, tomatoes and rosemary, dating back to a time when people of the region obtained ingredients solely from nearby f ields and farms. Dishes such as “Minestra di Pane” and “Pappa al Pomodoro” (variations of bread and vegetable-based stews) were born from creativity inspired by limited options. This traditional food provided the nutrition and energy required to sustain workers during long, physically demanding days. It has since gained prominence in Italian culture, with entire cookbooks dedicated to the cuisine.
Learning about the issues of class systems and food waste inspired Lulloff to examine the relationship to food within the American culture and in her own life. Through this experience, she began to better understand food distribution and access as more complex societal issues. Lulloff
returned to the United States with a new realization about food waste.
“My professors challenged the class to consider how much food we were throwing away on a regular basis,” she said. “It made me consider how much I could be saving and using instead.”
Lulloff was inspired to use leftover kitchen scrap such as parts of fruits and vegetables typically discarded during meal preparation in creative and delicious ways. She has since incorporated these practices into class projects, and hopes to inspire others to embrace sustainable food practices.
The Human Biology major credits her experience at Mount Mary with expanding her views on social issues related to the food system and building community.
“Being a student here has opened up so many doors for me and has brought some of the best friends I’ll ever meet,” Lulloff said. “It’s so empowering to be surrounded by a community of people who are just as passionate about making a difference in the world as I am.” n
Mahdia Bita BIOLOGY
Eco Awakening: Biodiversity
Blooms During Study Abroad
For Mahdia Bita, a study abroad experience in Costa Rica sparked a burgeoning interest in biodiversity.
Mahdia Bita traveled with a group of Mount Mary faculty and students to the Central American country during the January 2025 J-term. This was a unique opportunity to study native plants and animals in one of the richest and most varied landscapes on earth. Along the way, the class also learned about the impacts of eco-tourism on the country’s culture and environment.
During the eighteen-day trip, students explored rainforest and cloud forest (higher elevation woodland areas known for frequent dense fog) terrain, as well as the country’s coastal landscape. Along the way, the group stayed in different locations for several days at a time, examining the variety of fauna and f lora unique to each distinct region. Bita and her fellow students learned about the Costa Rican government’s successful efforts to rescue the quetzal bird species from near extinction and visited with indigenous people, who shared some of their traditions and culinary fare.
Bita noted that while many aspects of the trip left a lasting impression, informational sessions exploring the complicated aspects of the country’s main exports left the strongest impact. She describes her experience learning about political and environmental issues surrounding two of Costa Rica’s main export s coffee and pineapples.
“We learned about the ‘dark truths’ behind coffee production, especially industry exploitation of people f leeing instability in Nicaragua,” she said, referring to workers who often do the backbreaking work of picking coffee beans for less than market rates. The group also discovered that area pineapple growers use pesticides that leak toxins into the groundwater, requiring signif icant investment in critical infrastructure to transport clean water across long distances.
The students returned from their study abroad experience with a wealth of new knowledge. Bita shared her fascination with species such as the “Walking Palm,” a tree perched on tall roots that gradually moves in search of the sunlight, and the Ficus, nicknamed “the hostage tree,” as it grows and engulfs nearby plants.
“I learned so much,” she said. “Not only about biodiversity, but the broader culture.”
Bita added that the experience left her eager to return to Costa Rica for further exploration.
“I didn’t expect to have this much fun on a school trip,” she added. “And there is still so much still to learn!” n
Celebrating Academic and Research Excellence at Mount Mary
Mount Mary hosted its second annual Scholars' Day on May 7, 2025. The all-day, campuswide event featured research posters, projects and presentations by students and faculty, and covered a diverse range of topics including psychology, dietetics, nursing, fashion and gamification of learning. The day offered the unique opportunity to learn about a wide range of research and expertise across different majors and disciplines. It included 253 student posters, six student sessions, two faculty sessions and award ceremonies. It also attracted campus visitors, including internship supervisors, career mentors and scholarship donors.
(1) Dr. Kristen Carioti discussed the writing process with an audience in Gerhardinger Center. (2) (left-right) Associate professor of English Jennifer Kontny, Heaven Piñiero, Ana Hope Davis, Rion Harmon and Eva Billeb at the writing awards ceremony in Gerhardinger Center. (3) Occupational Therapy doctoral candidate Amber Ulickey in front of her research poster. (4) Fashion department chair Ashley Brooks shared colorful pattern designs inspired by artist Mary Nohl. (5) Ashley Trabert (left) and Yee Yang (center) view student posters in Stiemke Hall. (6) Chido Usai (left) presented her research poster as Kiaraless Perez (right) looked on. (7) Zella Lawrence-Moore shared her research poster in Stiemke Hall. (8) Interior Architecture and Design student Beverly Quiles Martinez took the audience on a virtual reality tour through a student building design. (9) Samantha Swift (left) and Ro Storrs (right) examined a digitally printed pattern on display in the new Caroline Hall Fashion Showcase. (10) Esther Rahlan (center) pictured with assistant professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Cynthia Steinert (left) and Dr. Isabelle Cherney (back center). (11) Sr. Thi Bich Sen Ngo (center) received her cord as she and other Psychology students were inducted into the Psi Chi Honor Society. (12) Art Therapy students Grace McCray (left) and Jodi Cunningham (right) invited viewers to create a collaborative community art project in the Caroline Hall Lounge.
From experience to EMPOWERMENT
Since its inception in 2013, the Mount Mary University Voices of Leadership event has become a cornerstone of the campus community, inviting a diverse array of inspirational women leaders to share their journeys. These leaders, hailing from various industries such as technology, healthcare and business, delve into their personal and professional experiences, offering candid stories of challenges overcome and triumphs achieved. They provide invaluable best practices on topics ranging from strategic leadership and effective communication to work-life balance and personal growth. The event fosters engaging conversations through interactive Q&A sessions and networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with the speakers and each other.
By providing a platform for women to share their wisdom and inspire future generations, the Mount Mary University Voices of Leadership event plays a vital role in advancing women’s leadership in the Milwaukee community and beyond. Each year, approximately 300 local business and community leaders, alumni, faculty, staff and students converge for this signif icant event.
Voices of Leadership is quickly becoming one of our most popular alumni events for the young-mid career professionals. This event continues our mission to provide them with support.
Mount Mary is excited to announce Dr. Krishna DasGupta, M.D. and Dr. Xochitl Yadira Gonzalez, Ph.D. as our 2025 Voices of Leadership speakers. In their discussion, “Conquering the Epidemic of Loneliness: Psychological and Spiritual Answers,” Dr. DasGupta and Dr. Gonzalez will explore how we can protect people from loneliness
while increasing social connectivity. This presentation will offer psychological and spiritual strategies as well as effective recommendations for reducing the distressing experience of loneliness in society.
DR. KRISHNA DASGUPTA
Dr. DasGupta, a dedicated Milwaukeearea psychiatrist, earned her B.A. and M.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following a residency at Northwestern University, DasGupta served as faculty at UWMadison’s department of Psychiatry. She practiced psychiatry for 30 years before retiring in 2023. She currently volunteers her expertise at Lake Area Free Clinic in Oconomowoc, Wis.
DR. XOCHITL YADIRA GONZALEZ
Dr. Xochitl Yadira Gonzalez is a visionary leader, global keynote speaker and transformation catalyst with over 15 years of experience. Gonzalez is currently the senior director of business operations, strategy and planning for Northwestern Mutual. She is also founder and host of “Trascendencia en Acción,” a bilingual podcast exploring the transcendence of personal, social and professional limitations. n
Join us Thursday, November 6 for the 2025 Voices of Leadership event. Scan QR code to find up to date details and learn more.
The Strategic Plan for Mount Mary University
Our Values
A Mount Mary University education reflects our core values and is distinguished by the following characteristics:
We are committed to excellence in the classroom experience and in the resulting knowledge base and skill set demonstrated by graduates.
We work in the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame by creating a better world through education.
We purposefully act in ways that foster human development and unity.
We are deliberate in our approaches to advancing the universality of human dignity by encouraging leadership in the areas of personal development and global change.
Our Priorities
Key areas of focus to sustain our Mission:
A THRIVING MOUNT MARY
We are an institution with a rich history and bright future; a representative faculty and staff who are committed to the mission, lifelong learning, empowering students and each other; a healthy culture that attracts, develops and retains talent; a healthy financial picture with diverse and growing revenue, efficient expense and resource management, and stable and growing enrollment.
1. Ensure financial stability and growth through disciplined resource management.
2. Diversify revenue and increase efficiencies.
3. Attract and retain exceptional and representative faculty and staff.
4. Invest in campus facilities, resources and land.
INNOVATIVE, INTERDISCIPLINARY, INTERPROFESSIONAL AND IN-DEMAND ACADEMICS
The world is changing, and the entire Mount Mary community will respond. With graduates likely having many different jobs across their careers, students need technical and professional skills that they expand and adapt. They also need essential foundational skills like effective communication, teamwork and critical thinking. Mount Mary University will ensure that students know how higher education benefits their lives and that flexible formats and schedules, affordability, reduced barriers and support lead to graduation.
1. Offer a STREAM curriculum and in-demand programs in Healthcare, Design and Technology.
2. Launch a core curriculum that focuses on interdisciplinary, applied, transferable workforce-readiness skills.
3. Offer flexible formats and schedules and develop new interventions and models to support completion.
4. Equip faculty and staff with additional expertise and experience to prepare students for the workplace.
EMPOWER ALL LEARNERS TO SUCCEED AND LEAD
MMU’s multiculturalism is one of its biggest strengths. We are a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and a women’s university with co-educational graduate students. Our community is comprised of different faiths, races, ethnicities, languages and many different socioeconomic and personal circumstances. Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college. MMU ensures that our graduates have the complex skills to lead and thrive in a diverse and changing world. We work with our students to build community, form teams, listen and learn, be self-advocates, tend to their own holistic wellness, challenge thinking, feel uplifted and become leaders.
1. Increase retention and completion rates.
2. Increase affordability, value and economic mobility.
3. Lead women’s empowerment through the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children.
4. Implement campus-wide services for all students.
INTERCONNECTEDNESS WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND WORLD
We advance MMU’s values, mission and tradition by engaging with the world. We share and gain knowledge, contribute to innovation and the public good, and provide value and care to the community. We partner with others to uplift and transform the world. We ensure that the community sees MMU as the indispensable asset it is.
1. Increase our visibility, grow our reputation and tell our story.
2. Forge strong relationships with mission-aligned business and community partners.
3. Advance alumni relations and engagement.
MOUNT MARY ALUM
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When you give to Mount Mary University, you make it possible for students to receive an education that develops the whole person.
• Make your first gift
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Do you know any alumni who embody the Mount Mary commitment to service, justice, and compassion? If so, consider nominating them for a Tower or Madonna Medal award!
Host an Alumni Gathering
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Consider hosting an upcoming alumni networking event.
Become a Mentor
Make a difference in the life of a current Mount Mary student.
Become a mentor for a first-year student as they embark on the Mount Mary Experience Cohort Program. It provides wrap-around support, individualized coaching, financial scholarships, robust community building and real-time information to help students navigate the college experience.
Isabel Piana ‘69
Alumna helps ensure that the light of learning burns brightly for future generations.
When Isabel Maria Piana stepped onto the Mount Mary campus in 1965, she was embarking on a journey that no one in her family had ever taken.
“Going to college was something that I didn’t think I would be able to do,” she recalled. “Neither one of my parents were able to complete grade school or high school. I was the first in our family to have this opportunity.”
As a Filipino-American growing up in Milwaukee in the 1950s, Piana often felt like an outsider. With only a small Filipino community in the area, cultural connection was limited. But that changed when she arrived at Mount Mary.
“My first year, we had a freshman show and one of the young ladies asked if I knew how to dance Tinikling (a traditional Filipino folk dance),” Piana says. “I said no, but I would like to learn. We got eight people from our class to learn the dance, and that was my first real experience connecting with my heritage in a meaningful way.”
This experience sparked a lifelong passion for traditional dance, leading Piana to join a Filipino dance troupe in Milwaukee—a group that continues to perform at major cultural events across Wisconsin.
Her commitment to the university hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2009 Piana was awarded the Madonna Medal for Service to the University and in 2018 she was honored with the Mount Mary Heritage Award for her dedication to the university’s mission.
“Mount Mary is my second family,” said Piana. “Ever since I stepped onto campus, I was made to feel special —no matter what the family circumstances were. And I just wanted to be able to do the same for others.”
Today, Piana continues to give back—both with time and financial generosity. She can often be found attending events, helping in offices and even greeting students on their first day of class. Her philosophy on giving is simple but profound.
Ever since I stepped onto campus, I was made to feel special— no matter what the family circumstances were. And I just wanted to be able to do the same for others.
During her time at Mount Mary, Piana worked in the university library to help pay for her education. She graduated in 1969 with a degree in education and went on to dedicate 34 years to teaching in Milwaukee Public Schools. But her connection to Mount Mary never faded. Piana returned to Mount Mary to earn an M.A. in education in 1993. After graduation she worked with the university’s education department for 16 years, mentoring and shaping the next generation of teachers. In addition, Piana remained an active member of the Alumni Association, eventually serving as president of the organization.
“When you first graduate, you don’t have much money, and sometimes you think, ‘What’s my $5 or $10 going to do?’,” she said. “But I think back to my dad sitting at the kitchen table each week, writing a small check to church or to Mount Mary. That $5 added to another person’s $5, and another’s, and it all continues to build.”
For Piana, giving is not just about money—it’s about time, community and legacy. And through her unwavering dedication, she ensures that Mount Mary University remains a place where every student can feel special, just as she did all those years ago. n
Scan this QR code to watch a video with Isabel
Maria Piana.
REFLECTING ON FAITH
By Vice President for Mission and Justice Andrea Stapleton, Ph.D.
A season of reflection and renewal
As new life “springs” all around us, it is joyful to contemplate the wonders of creation and our relationship with the natural world.
The transition from winter to spring reflects the ongoing cycle of death and rebirth, of which we are all part. Spring reminds us that we are intrinsically intertwined with all of nature rather than simply outside observers. Each year, the beginning of spring also marks the period from Lent to Easter, signifying the continuum of suffering, death and rebirth. The Christian tradition invites us to mindfully restore relationships through the spiritual practices of reconciliation, atonement and forgiveness. This spirit of reflection and renewal is reiterated in the late Pope Francis’ call to action, Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home.
The first chapter of the Laudato Si’ encyclical issues an “urgent plea” to all who inhabit the Earth. Pope Francis’ words remind us that we must consciously choose a path of spiritual awareness and intentionality to restore and preserve the fragile balance between ourselves, nature and God. To follow this call is to accept the responsibility of caring for the gift of life that each of us has been given.
Caring for our planet and all of its life is an act of humility, reconciliation and love.
Restoring balance to ensure a thriving future
In a similar manner, the School Sisters of Notre Dame hold Integrity of Creation as one of their core concerns. The SSND Ministries were built upon a foundation of caring for the most vulnerable among us. Their doctrine echoes Pope Francis’ sentiments, stating that the Christian mandate reminds us that “to ‘love one’s neighbor’ extends not only to other human beings but to every facet of creation.”
Just as the righting of broken relationships requires accountability and a change of heart, Pope Francis said that we must experience an “ecological conversion.”
Laudato Si’ points out that human indifference and cruelty inflicted on our planet impacts every inhabitant, particularly the poorest and most marginalized among us. We exist within a delicate state of equilibrium; at this moment we are collectively witnessing a growing imbalance as we take for granted the lifegiving resources with which we have been endowed. As we continue to experience the impact of climate change displacing communities around the globe and threatening our very survival, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the threat that looms if we fail to heed this call.
Restoring right relationship with the Earth is an opportunity to shed our destructive habits to make room for life-affirming ones. Caring for our planet and all its life is an act of humility, reconciliation and love. And it requires each of us to play a role in preserving this delicate and precious resources for generations to come. n
CLASS NOTES
1980-1999
1982 Dr. Linda Taylor received her doctoral degree in Education in May 2024.
1983 Diana Barkow was named “Teacher of the Year” by the Catholic Herald. In March, Barkow was profiled in an article by the publication, and discussed a later life career change led her to find purpose and passion in her work.
1997, 2009 Alethea SumbryCetnarowski was selected by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Alliance for Black School Educators as a Teacher of the Year. She and other award recipients were recognized at the organization’s May gala.
1997 Jennifer Striepling was highlighted by the Franchise Times publication for her work as a strategist and project coordinator with Walk On Sports Bistreaux, a sports bar and restaurant franchise with locations across the southern United States.
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Alumna and Trustee Lauded as Local Change Maker
MMU alumna and trustee
Marjorie Rucker ’00 was among those recognized as community changemakers this February during Black History Month. Rucker, who serves as chair of Milwaukee’s Ethnic and Diverse Business Coalition, is a passionate advocate for minority-owned small businesses across Wisconsin. She was among four community leaders commended by Mayor Cavalier Johnson for her contributions to the city.
ALUM ADVOC A TES FOR THEArts
In January, alumna Tracy Milkowski ’03 was highlighted by the Ozaukee Press for her work as champion for the arts across Southeastern Wisconsin. Milkowski served as chairman of the board for the Port Washington-Saukville Arts Council before stepping into her current role as vice president for Institutional Advancement at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Runway ready :
Alums and Students Turned Heads at MKE Fashion Week
2000-Present
2003 Jennifer Linton Reesman, Ph.D., ABPP co-authored “Neurodevelopment in the Post-Pandemic World” with Drs. Molly Colvin and Tannahill Glen. The book was published by Oxford University Press in September.
2007 Nicole Simonson was recognized for her outstanding accomplishments in the field of nursing. Simonson is currently a nursing professional at Watertown Regional Medical Center, director of RN-to-BSN Completion Programs and clinical associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing. Her specialties include acute care in cardiac stepdown, intensive care unit and cardiac catheterization labs.
2008, 2013 Amanda Angel Edwards was awarded Vision Keeper Recognition by the Mukwonago Area School District. Edwards was lauded by the district for going above and beyond to support student success, and demonstrating unwavering commitment, collaboration, and a passion for continuous learning.
Mount Mary Fashion shines brightly in the community thanks to our talented designers. MMU Fashion alumni showed their work at Milwaukee Fashion Week last September. Maria Olsson ’22 and Cassandra Stutzman ’21 presented collections at the Saturday evening High Fashion Showcase. And Bolingo Bokuli ’24 and Gigi Wagener ’22 displayed work at the Fashion Fest MKE event alongside students May Martinez, Mileisis Romero, Ro Storrs, Kailey Stout and Leann Wolf.
Advancing Black Leadership in Wisconsin
Congratulations to MMU alumna Tiffany Wynn ’01, who was named one of Wisconsin’s most influential Black leaders for 2024 by Madison 365.
Wynn is regional senior director of marketing at Ascension in Milwaukee. She was awarded a 2024 Madonna Medal for Professional Excellence at the annual MMU Alumni Awards Celebration this past fall.
2013 Terra McKinney joined the Mount Mary University board of trustees.
2015 Heather Flores-Thomas received an action grant from the Delta Kappa Gamma Wisconsin State Organization for her proposal “Berta Saves the River Literacy & Conservation Project.” The Action Grant winners were announced at the organization’s May convention.
2016 Lea Denny was honored with the National Association of Social Workers Wisconsin Chapter’s Public Service Award in October. Denny also received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Community Engagement & Professions in December 2024.
2019 Cynthia Rivera-Garcia received the Alumna of the Year award from St. Joan Antida High School. Rivera-Garcia, who now works for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the church and her community.
2021 Shanita Rowsey began the philosophy doctoral program at Concordia University-Wisconsin.
Feeding Hope: Alumna Helps Children Thrive
2022 Maria Olsson was among five local creators whose work was featured in the 2024 “Metamorphosis Immersive Fashion Show” event at the Milwaukee Historical Society. Olsson showcased garments from her MISHKA collection, which she began as a student at Mount Mary. In an article with Milwaukee Magazine, the designer shared how her MMU education prepared her for success in the fashion world.
2023 Nohemi Chavez was selected for the gener8tor x Sherman Phoenix 2024 fall cohort. This art incubator program promotes development of local creative talent, with a focus on supporting artists who have historically faced underfunding, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, non-binary individuals, persons with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals and veterans. Awardees receive $10k in grant funding and are provided with mentorship to grow their art practice.
2024 Samantha Allen joined the ranks for the Cedarburg Police Force in January 2025.
Wendy Alexander ’24, a graduate of the Occupational Therapy doctoral program, is helping provide specialized support for families with infants and toddlers with feeding disorders. As part of her capstone project, Alexander developed a toolkit tailored to therapists working with these challenges, empowering health professionals with knowledge and expertise. Alexander helped launch a feeding division at About Kids & Adults, a home health agency based in Arapahoe County, Col. She will work to grow the agency, adding highly trained specialists to the staff and providing individualized, expert care to help children with
CAMPUS NEWS
“This grace-filled opportunity to shape the future vision of a values-based, intercultural and international education through the prism of the SSND mission, history and charism was transformative.”
– ISABELLE CHERNEY, Ph.D.
Women’s Fund Grant Supports Summer Leadership Academy
In January, the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee selected Mount Mary as a 2025 grant recipient. The organization, which focuses on enhancing the economic well-being of women in the community, is investing a total of $105k between 11 institutions over the coming year.
Mount Mary will receive $10k in funding to support the Summer Leadership Academy, the university’s annual week-long workshop that helps high school-aged girls explore educational and career pathways in STEM, business and design.
Guiding Education on a Global Scale
President Cherney attended the 2025 School Sisters of Notre Dame Global Education Commission as a representative of the SSND Central Pacific Province. The event, which ran from February 26–March 4 in Rome, was part of the Calls and Acts of the 25th General Chapter, a document that guides the congregation for the next six years. The group’s discussions shape the future vision for the SSND mission, history and charism.
MMU Fashion Named Among Best in the Nation
In March, the MMU Fashion program was ranked as one of the top 10 in the country by Academia Magazine. Launched in 1965, the program is the oldest four-year fashion degree in the country. Mount Mary remains a leader in fashion design education and continues to garner attention—locally and nationally.
Storied History:
Turns 95!
Arches student magazine is celebrating a momentous milestone this year its 95th birthday! Launched in 1930, the publication has undergone several incarnations over the years, including yearbook, newspaper, literary publication and most recently, a magazine format.
“Having been given a chance to contribute to the Arches legacy has been uplifting and empowering," said managing editor Grace MacKinnon. “I feel as though I finally have a voice.”
Editorial staff hosted a combined Arches alumni reunion and birthday reception on May 1 in partnership with MMU Alumni Engagement and the SSND North American Archives.
New Leadership for Mount Mary Nursing
This year faculty member Jennifer Nowicki stepped into a new role as chairperson of the School of Nursing. Nowicki joined Mount Mary in 2024 and is currently teaching in the didactic and clinical arenas. She brings years of nursing experience in mental health, medical/surgical, ER and supervisory experience into the classroom.
Welcome to Our Newest Board Members
Mount Mary University’s Board of Trustees includes business and community leaders who offer guidance while helping the university advance its mission and strategic plan. We welcome our newest members, who have joined the board as of 2025.
TERRA MCKINNEY, MBA, '13 Senior manager for DE&I, Armour
YOLLANDE TCHOUAPI Vice president, general manager-upper Midwest, Johnson Controls; founder of UbuntuMKE
CHRISTINE M. WISEMAN, JD President emerita, Saint Xavier University
Interior Architecture & Design Inspires with Botanical Brilliance
Mount Mary Interior Architecture and Design (IA&D) students took first place in the 2025 National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Home Improvement Show Biophilic Student Design Challenge. The show ran from February 14–16 at Wisconsin State Fair Park and featured prominent construction and design industry professionals. The IA&D team designed and built a nursery that incorporated natural elements to create a soothing space intended for parent-child bonding. Students selected cream-colored accents set against sage green walls, with details evoking lush plant life. The room design conveys a calm and comforting atmosphere infused with whimsy.
CulturaBot ® Project Featured on TMJ4 News
Mount Mary students and faculty are gaining well-deserved recognition for blazing trails in healthcare technology! The CulturaBot ® app, created by Occupational Therapy and UX Design faculty and students, was featured on a TMJ4 news segment in late 2024. The app helps improve health outcomes by helping providers deliver multiculturally sensitive care to patients. Reporter and instructor Stephanie Brown interviewed student Galilea Garnica about her involvement with the CulturaBot® interface design, and the challenges and successes of being a Latinx woman breaking into the tech industry. Occupational Therapy grad students also shared their experiences creating and f ield testing the app.
Nourishing Community and Global Impact
Dr. Andrea Stapleton (vice president for Mission and Justice), Grace Avila (SSND archivist) and student Theresa Lindberg were invited to present to the United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee this February. All three serve on the board of directors for Global Partners, Running Waters (GPRW), a non-profit dedicated to providing clean water access in Guatemala (see story on pages 8-9). The group discussed the impact of GPRW’s work in the communities they serve, and how the organization promotes solidarity across borders.
Dr. Andrea Stapleton
Grace Avila
(Top) Occupational Therapy Doctoral student Jessica Meissner with UX student Galilea Garnica. (Bottom) TMJ4 reporter Stephanie Brown.
PHOTOS FROM TMJ4
Learning While Lending a Hand
During spring break week, campus ministry led 14 students on a service-learning trip to St. Louis. The group participated in several volunteer placements, including helping prepare post-incarceration housing, removing garbage and invasive species from an ecological teaching center and food service at inner city parishes.
The students also visited residents of the Sarah Center, a collaborative effort of religious orders to house their Sisters needing more care.
“The trip gave these students the opportunity to reflect on the value of helping people in need,” said MMU campus minister Theresa Utschig. “They also had a chance to contribute to ongoing community projects, and to consider how their work and studies will create a more just society in the future.”
Health Sciences Education Thinks Outside the Box
Health Sciences Simulation Lab manager Megan Oertel presented her work at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) conference, held January 10–14 in Orlando. Oertel discussed an escape box challenge that she designed for nursing students to test their knowledge by solving a progressive series of challenges, creating a fun and memorable way to familiarize students with key concepts.
While in attendance, Oertel also connected with equipment vendor Laerdal Medical, and will participate in upcoming beta testing for the company’s mixedreality birthing simulation manikins. Mount Mary is in the process of acquiring this technology, which will arrive on campus this spring.
Blue Angels Victorious
in ANNUAL C L ASSIC
Congratulations to MMU Basketball, who won the third annual “What Made You Smile Today Kid” classic against the Alverno Inferno. The match honors the late Marc Heidorf, who served as an assistant coach at Alverno, and was the women's basketball coach and director of Athletics at Mount Mary from 2013-2019.
The Blue Angels and Inferno played an exciting and competitive game. Mount Mary emerged victorious with a 70-65 final score, securing the trophy for the first time since the classic began.
Reflecting on Life Transitions
ThroughCreativeCollaboration
This winter, MMU Ar t Therapy students connected with Trinity Wood residents to create artwork and poetry based on written ref lections about aging. The course, “Art for the Helping Professions,” was co-taught by faculty members Monique Matic and Sarah Tester Through a reinvigorated project previously established by Patty Rass, SSND, the class connected with avid writers and poets from the intergenerational living community.
Participants shared their wisdom about transition, loss, pain and death, as well as peace, gratitude and hope. Some even included a touch of humor as they embraced life changes.
The Art Therapy students made visual pieces inspired by their heartfelt responses. The project offered inspiration, wisdom and connection across generations.
MMU Marketing Earns Advertising Accolades
The MMU Marketing department received recognition from the Educational Marketing Awards competition 2025. The annual EduAd Awards recognize outstanding work in the field of educational marketing and advertising. MMU won in five categories, including Gold Awards for Mount Mary Magazine and the “I am Mount Mary” podcast, and Silver Awards for videos and recruiting promotional materials.
&Dialogue
Three members of the Mount Mary community participated 9 panel discussion exploring the intersection of fashion and interior design. Prominent alums Donna Ricco ’81 Karen Davidson ’81 (Harley Davidson) were among the panelists, while MMU faculty member and Stephanie Brown moderated the evening. The presenters shared their tips for cultivating a personalized individual style with the audience.
ACHIEVEMENTS ACCOLADES
This section highlights recent noteworthy accomplishments and awards of Mount Mary University faculty, staff and students.
LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER EDUC ATION
KERI ALIOTO, ED.D. KARI INDA, PH.D. KRISTEN CARIOTI, PH.D.
N OTAB LE LEADERS I N HIGHER EDUCAT ION
FACULTY AND STAFF
Three faculty and administrators from Mount Mary University were among those recognized as local luminaries in higher education by the 2025 Biz Times Milwaukee Notable Leaders in Higher Education list. The publication named Keri Alioto, Ed.D. (vice president of Student Affairs), Kristen Carioti, Ph.D. (professor and dean of the School of Arts & Sciences) and Kari Inda, Ph.D. (professor and department chair of Occupational Therapy) as influential in shaping the regional educational landscape.
Biz Times Milwaukee publishes the annual list to acknowledge accomplished leaders at colleges and universities throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Honorees demonstrate leadership and dedication to shaping the next generation of game changers.
Jordan Acker Anderson M.B.A., M.F.A., Studio Art and Josh Anderson, M.F.A., Studio Art displayed their work at the University of Nebraska–Omaha Juried Art Alumni Exhibition. Acker-Anderson also exhibited 16 new works for her show, “A Balm in Quiet Beat,” at the Lauritzen Gardens Botanical Center in Omaha, Neb.
Ann Angel, M.F.A., English was selected as a Scholastic Art and Writing Awards juror. This national teen competition is sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, an organization that supports the future of creativity by amplifying young voices.
Amanda Arnold, Ph.D., L.P.C., Counseling was appointed as a representative to the New Faculty Interest Network NCACES.
Chris Belkofer, Ph.D., A.T.R.–B.R., L.P.C., Art Therapy and the department hosted a community music and art-making event on campus Stiemke Hall last September. The evening featured artistic creativity inspired by live, ambient music.
Caitlyn Booms, Ph.D., Mathematics was accepted as a Math Alliance mentor in December 2024. Math Alliance is a national higher education community helping to create expanded opportunities for students interested in earning a doctoral degree in a quantitative science.
Kathleen Boyle, Ph.D., Biology/ Math and Science Division presented a poster titled “CUREing the Antibiotic Crisis” at the American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Ashley Brooks, M.F.A., Fashion Design moderated a Milwaukee Fashion Week panel, “Today’s Fashion Ecosystem: The Intersection of Individuality, Sustainability & Innovation.” The discussion brought over 100 attendees to campus.
Patrick Burke Ph.D., Justice published a peer-reviewed journal article titled “Veto Players and Gun Violence in Drug Markets: Analysis Based on Field Observations of 80 Drug-Selling Spots on the Westside of Chicago” in the Journal of Criminal Justice.
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Congratulations to our 2025 Heritage Award Winners
Each February, Mount Mary honors our SSND heritage by recognizing our faculty, administration, staff and students who live out the legacy of the founders of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Congratulations to our 2025 winners!
✴ FACULT Y AWARD
Anne Vravick, Ph.D. Program Director, Food Science
✴ ADMINISTRATOR AWARD
Kirk Heller de Messer Director of Graduate Admissions
✴ STAFF AWARD
Brian Dielehner Facilities and Events Coordinator
Rita Burlingame-Toppen, O.T.D., O.T.R./L., CYT, Kelly Stapelman, O.T.D., O.T.R./L. and Meghan Anderson, O.T.D., O.T.R./L., Occupational Therapy presented at the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association annual conference in October. Burlingame-Toppen highlighted “Integrating Pelvic Floor Health into General Rehabilitation,” Stapelman shared “OTR and OTA Exam Updates and More: NBCOT Highlights,” and Anderson discussed “Empowering Tomorrow’s Practitioners: Excellence in OT Fieldwork Education.”
Amanda Cacich, Fashion Archive, presented a new “Uncovering Hidden Treasure from the Fashion Archive” talk about influential French designer Pauline Trigère. Guest speaker Jennifer Vulpas from Alliance Francaise, shared stories of her mother’s French immigrant experience in America after World War II.
Founders' Day Student Award Recipients:
✴ BLESSED THERESA OF JESUS GERHARDINGER AWARD
Rosa Ochoa-Yoplac '25
✴ MOTHER CAROLINE FRIESS AWARD 2025
Kennedi Lulloff '26
Kristen Carioti Ph.D., Arts and Sciences and Jennifer Kontny Ph.D., English submitted two $60k grants: “Foundations for Flourishing, Cultivating the Collective” to the National Endowment for the Humanities, and “Foundations for Flourishing” to CIC NetVUE. The grants propose funding that will support initiatives related to MMU's new core curriculum.
Sarah Bladorn Hessenauer, Ph.D., Social Work released a new book, “Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals” (Cognella Academic Publishing, March 7, 2025).
The text bridges classroom education with valuable field knowledge, sharing insight from experts, national and international organizations, peerreviewed articles and governmental resources, and providing essential foundational skills for success.
Julie Hunley, Ph.D., O.T./L., Occupational Therapy co-authored two publications in Medical Oncology —“Current Evidence on Patient Precautions for Reducing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Manifestation and Progression Risks” and “Evidence-Based Recommendations Regarding Risk Reduction Practices for People at Risk of or with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Consensus from an Expert Panel.”
Kari Inda, Ph.D., O.T.R./L., C.E.A.S., Occupational Therapy was a guest on “10 Minute HealthBizCast: Exploring Opportunities to Make Healthcare Better.” The podcast shares advancements in healthcare and related technology from around the United States. Inda discussed the CulturaBot ® project that she spearheaded in 2024 in collaboration with the AWS Health Equity Initiative, which helps create culturally relevant, personalized care plans leading to better treatment outcomes.
Mary Fletcher
Mount Mary remembers Business Administration program faculty member Mary Fletcher, who passed away on January 13, 2025. Fletcher served as an associate professor of Business for 44 years. Her dedication to students and commitment to the Mount Mary mission will be remembered by all those whose lives she touched.
REMEM
Terri L. Jashinsky, Ph.D., L.P., C.R.C., Counseling and doctoral students Lakesha Jones and Amanda Long presented “Older Adults and Substance Use: Challenges, Considerations, and Counseling Approaches” at the Wisconsin Counseling Association's annual conference in November 2024.
R. Zac Karanovich Ph.D., Theology was appointed as director of the new first-year seminar program, a component of the revised core curriculum.
Louise Kessler Ph.D., Biology presented a poster titled “Scientific Skill Sets Built with Soil” at the American Association for the Advancement of Science S-STEM Symposium held November 2024 in Chicago.
Carrie King, Ph.D., L.P.C., N.C.C. Counseling was appointed to the Wisconsin School Counselor Association’s board of directors.
Trish Kuehnl, M.F.A., Fashion Business received the 2024 Teaching Excellence Award. Kuehnl delivered a keynote speech at the December commencement ceremony, speaking about maintaining a sense of belonging and connection to campus after graduation.
Casey O’Ceallaigh, Ph.D., English co-authored a piece with three others, “Identifying a Gap in Prison Literacies: The Needs of Formerly Incarcerated Sexual Offenders,” which was published in the Community Literacy Journal.
Megan Oertel, R.N., C.H.S.E., C.H.S.O.S., Health Sciences Simulation Lab coauthored two articles that were presented at the 2024 International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) in San Diego. Oertel was also a member of the SIMVentor team that rebuilt a manikin for use in health science education.
Alexis Outlaw, M.S.M., S.H.R.M.–C.P., Business Administration was selected as a scholarship recipient of the -HYFIN Black Business Initiative. She receives $20k worth of coaching, marketing, development and promotional support.
Tammy Scheidegger, Ph.D., L.P.C., N.C.C., Counseling was appointed to, and elected chair of, the Wisconsin Governor’s Substance Abuse Counselor Code Advisory Committee.
Dana Scheunemann, Ph.D., R.D., C.D., Dietetics presented “Effective Use of AI in the Classroom” at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE), held October 2024 in Minneapolis.
Vanessa Varela, M.A., Education launched a new podcast, “En Conversacion.” The program will explore themes of education and culture through a bilingual lens.
Anne Vravick, Ph.D., Food Science was awarded a Mount Mary mini grant to develop methods to measure individual sugars in wort and other beverages. The grant project will also be part of an independent research project on new brewing technology for Food Science students.
Listeners can access the podcast directly from mtmar y.edu/ podcast . New episodes are added monthly.
STUDENTS
Genesis Encarnacion, Mathematics was accepted as a Math Alliance Scholar in December 2024. Math Alliance Scholars are underserved or underrepresented science majors interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in a quantitative field.
Anne Garvy-Shah, Counseling received the 2024-2025 Excellence in Counseling Research Grant Program award.
Shelly Gebert, Food Science/Chemistry successfully identified a natural fermented product that prevents the growth of listeria in cold salads at elevated pH. She will present her research at the International Association for Food Protection conference this summer.
Ava Govek, Dietetics began her new role as state student liaison on the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics board of directors.
Matt Greenwood, Food Science/ Chemistry prepared a white paper on the novel use of flow cytometry in food preparation. Greenwood and his company are also working to bring important food safety testing improvements to market.
Claire Hildebrand, Art Therapy was awarded the nationally competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which supported her participation on the faculty-led program to Rome during the January 2025 J-term.
Lakesha Jones, Counselor Education & Supervision published a book titled “Do the Work,” in February 2024, and won the 2024 International Impact Book Award for the publication.
Ashley Trabert, Food Science presented her research to PS Seasoning, a company that provides quality control of seasoning mixes. The company will use her unique flavor wheel and balloting method to ensure product consistency.
Are you an alum entrepreneur?
Celebrating the life and legacy of A loyse H essburg, SSND
The Mount Mary community and the world recently lost a fashion education pioneer and innovator.
S. Aloyse Hessburg left an indelible mark on Mount Mary. The SSND was known equally for her keen eye and kind disposition, opening doors for her students and championing their success.
Hessburg, who died on March 2, 2025, was instrumental in founding the nation’s first four-year fashion degree program at Mount Mary University in 1965. She also began the annual student fashion show (now known as CREO), which continues today. Hessburg was fundamental in growing the program throughout her tenure. She helped build essential connections with local and national designers, merchandise buyers and manufacturers, and led student visits to the studios and runways of Chicago, New York and Paris.
Hessburg also began the university’s Historic Costume Collection (now known as the Mount Mary Fashion Archive). The collection features garments by legendary fashion luminaries such as Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta and Karl Largerfeld, and continues to serve as a prominent source for research and artistic inspiration.
An accomplished designer in her own right, Hessburg’s work appeared on a New York runway during a 1966 fashion show for designers Burke-Amey. In 1967, the SSND created a mother-of-the-groom dress for the wedding of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s daughter. The garment received widespread media accolades and helped put the Mount Mary Fashion program in the national spotlight.
In 1975 Hessburg received the Gimbels Fashion Forum Award for her important contributions to business, community leadership and fashion. In 2013 she was presented with a Golden Needle award in recognition of a 50-year commitment to fashion education.
Sister Aloyse Hessburg’s incredible legacy will continue to live on—through the Mount Mary Fashion department and Fashion Archive, and in the lives of all who knew her. n
The award is available to Mount Mary Fashion Design or Fashion Business sophomores, juniors and seniors (both part and full time) with a 3.0 minimum GPA.
Mount Mary honors the legacy of Sister Aloyse Hessburg through our scholarship named in her honor.
IN MEMORIAM
1939 Leone Marion (Schott) Crowley on 3/2/2025
1949 Helen (Kleinheinz) Heller on 1/3/2025
1949 Richardine J. (nee Weidensee) Mishler on 2/12/2025
1951 Joyce (Angst) Reuter on 12/7/2024
1951 Kathleen (Kadletz) Knauf-Lavoie on 7/3/2024
1953 Jane (Ehret) Goldthwaite on 10/27/2024
1954 Ruth (Renwick) Wilkinson on 6/13/2024
1954 Barbara (Witt) Gaskell on 1/1/2025
1954 Catherine Balistreri Gates on 11/9/2024
1955 Nancy (Beine) Schule on 11/8/2024
1955 Anne (Barnard) LaViolette on 12/4/2024
1955 Mary Ellen (McHugh) Schwaller on 3/2/2025
1956 Mary Ellen McCarty on 11/18/2024
1956 Rosemary Cahill on 10/18/2025
1956 Elaine (Lukaszewski) McGinley on 10/13/2024
1957 Janice (Pfeifer) Virlee on 1/12/2025
1958 Joan (Jaskiniec) Meyer on 10/4/2024
1958 Carol (Brierton) Marklein on 12/26/2024
1959 Lois (Grinkchuck) Kiep on 7/31/2024
1959 Bride (Kielty) Whelen on 6/8/2024
1960 Margot (Moore) Schell on 9/16/2024
1960 Helen (Walker) Ellingsworth on 12/2/2024
1960 Sheila (Doyle) Stoddart on 11/5/2024
1961 S. Aloyse Hessburg on 3/2/2025
1964 Carol (Schuld) Stack on 1/4/2025
List of deaths reported to the office as of March 7, 2025.
1966 Kathleen (Thurston) Shelton on 6/21/2024
1966 Carole (Konefes) Boris on 9/5/2024
1966 Marilyn (Maradik) Smollar on 12/2/2024
1968 Agnes (Swan) Bernhardt on 2/7/2025
1971 Margaret Savino on 11/11/2024
1976 Nancy (Bernards) Radomski on 1/6/2025
1981 Joan (Frederick) Finley on 12/19/2024
1986 Judith (Guyer) Swofford on 1/6/2025
1989 Susan (Nogalski) Sobczak on 1/17/2025
1990 Alyce Eckblad-Estrem on 10/14/2024
2000 Diana (Koch) Coughlin on 11/1/2024
2002 Susan Wendt on 9/3/2024
2009 Laura Harrison on 1/4/2025
Fidelis Society Members
Maureen (Dougherty) Davidson on 6/24/2024
Dorothy (VandeWalle) Mahlock on 1/16/2025
Former Trustee
Jose' Olivieri on 6/9/2024
Former and Retired Employees
Gregory Miller on 12/22/2024
Mary Fletcher on 1/13/2025
Betty Algaieron on 10/23/2025
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.
Mount Mary: Arched in Traditions
Join us as we create a publication that contains a collection of alumni stories. We want to hear from you!
About the Alumni Story Project
Every graduate of Mount Mary has a unique story to tell and we’re eager to hear yours! That’s why we’re partnering with a company named Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) to streamline the process of capturing your stories.
Why we’re verifying your Alumni data
Have you moved, changed emails or phone numbers? As part of this project, we are taking the opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Mount Mary and confirm your contact information.
What Mount Mary story will you tell
• What made your time at Mount Mary so memorable?
• Do you have lifelong friendships thanks to Mount Mary?
• What are some words you would use to describe Mount Mary?
What should I look for
Pictured on the right is an example of the postcard you will receive in early June 2025. This is an official communication from Mount Mary University, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive yours, please follow the instructions to update your information and share your alumni story.
Congratulations!
Welcome to the Alumni Family! You are joining a network of over 12,000 Mount Mary Alumni worldwide. We hope you will stay connected to Mount Mary and we look forward to seeing you soon.
The first three things you should do are:
✽ Update us! We want to stay updated on all your successes.
✽ Follow us on social media. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
✽ Join us at upcoming events to network and build relationships.
Mount Mary alumni are passionate about giving back, no matter how small the contribution. Let's continue to plant the seed for philanthropic giving and make a positive impact in the world around us. Whether it's through volunteering, donating, or simply sharing your Mount Mary experience with someone else, every little bit counts!
We've built such a strong community during our time at Mount Mary, and it's important to keep that spirit alive as we move forward! Scan this QR code or visit mtmary.edu/give to support the next generation of Blue Angel alums!
