12 minute read
Living our Catholic Identity
Stations of the Cross restored to original splendor
When the Stations of the Cross painted by Mary Leo Hargarten, SSND, first graced Our Lady Chapel in the 1940s, the glow of the brass frames certainly caught the eye of worshippers and drew them to her skillful paintings, inspiring contemplation of Christ’s crucifixion. Her works “have a bright beauty which raised the mind to heaven,” says her 1959 obituary.
Hargarten studied art in Munich, then taught and created art at Mount Mary from 1934 to 1955. Her paintings suggest “they are the result of a close union with God quite as much as of artistic talent and training,” her obituary says. “But it is in her Stations of the Cross that the greatness of her soul is best revealed.”
In recent years, the frames have blackened with tarnish and her paintings seemed to fade from view. But as Our Lady Chapel’s walls recently brightened with fresh paint and touches of gold leaf, its wooden pews and alter step varnished to a rich brown shine, Facilities Manager Lory Bruder decided the chapel’s restoration would not be complete without polishing the Stations’ brass frames to their original splendor.
Last April, Bruder took down and carefully dismantled one Station, loosening screws attaching the frame to a brass plate where Sister Mary Leo had lovingly painted a scene from events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. Separating the medallion and small wooden cross that crowned the frame, she laid out the pieces and each brass screw, then began rubbing each one with a soft cloth dabbed with brass cleaner. After hours of cleaning between fielding maintenance orders, layers of black and brown dissolved to reveal the brass’s golden tone.
“That’s when she called me and asked if I’d like to see it,” said Vice President for Mission and Identity Joan Penzenstadler, SSND. “‘Look at the difference,’ she said, and it was magnificent!”
Steve Pharr, husband of President Christine Pharr, Ph.D., heard about Bruder’s work on the Stations. “There are 14. Lory and her staff couldn’t spare that much time with all they had to do, so I volunteered to help,” the retired professor said. Pharr picked them up and took them home.
Six volunteers from Mount Mary offered to help him polish. He set up workstations in their garage, sawhorses with planks. The cleaning supplies had been delivered. “We ended up having a cleaning party in August where we got off the first big layer,” Pharr said.
Over the next two weeks, Pharr continued cleaning and polishing, even using tiny plastic brushes to shine every corner and crevice.
The Stations of the Cross inspire prayerful meditation, especially during Lent but also on Fridays throughout the year.
“It is fitting that, as part of our tradition of prayer, they be restored to the dignity they are meant to have,” said Penzenstadler. “The difference is stunning.” n
Reflections upon the accomplishments of retiring President Christine Pharr, Ph.D.
Whether interacting with students, pitching in on campus cleanup days or welcoming alumnae back to campus, Christine Pharr, Ph.D., engaged in her work with legendary enthusiasm.
Groundbreaking for Trinity Woods took place in September 2020 and construction persevered through COVID and construction supply challenges. Pharr (right) is pictured here with Provincial Leader of the School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province Debra M. Sciano, SSND, and Milwaukee Catholic Home CEO David Fulcher. It has been a pleasure for me to collaborate with Dr. Pharr, particularly as partners with Milwaukee Catholic Home in the creation of Trinity Woods on the Mount Mary campus. “Her enthusiastic approach to building up the University and creating a sense of unity, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been remarkable and appreciated by all who have interacted with her. All of the SSND community hold her in prayer and wish her many blessings as she enters into the next phase of her life’s journey.”
– Debra M. Sciano, SSND
Provincial Leader,
School Sisters of Notre Dame
Central Pacific Province
This fall alone, the university experienced recordbreaking new student enrollment, and Trinity Woods,
Mount Mary’s three-way partnership with the School
Sisters of Notre Dame and Milwaukee Catholic Home, opened in late 2021 (see page 13).
Mount Mary has experienced significant programmatic growth, such as the Compass Year program for undecided students. This first-year program designed to help students explore career paths and identify a major has grown over 300 percent since it began three years ago. The 2022 U.S. News and Mount Mary educates committed change-makers and barrier-breakers, and Dr. Pharr has truly been a champion of change and growth. Mount Mary’s strategic plan, strong internal leadership and capable faculty and staff World Report ranked Mount Mary #1 among all regional universities in the Midwest for social mobility, which measures the success rate of graduating low- income students based upon six-year graduation will continue to move rates. Mount Mary purposefully Under Pharr’s and confidently into the stewardship, Mount future.” Mary moved up – Stephanie Russell more than 20 spots
Chair, Board of Trustees to 51st in the best-of rankings of regional universities, and was recognized for having the greatest economic and ethnic diversity in the Midwest. In 2020, Mount Mary became one of only two Hispanic Serving Institutions in Wisconsin. Mount Mary’s four-year, fully on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing program opened in 2021 after an extensive, $2.5 million renovation of the swimming pool and locker room into a Health Sciences Center. Expanded graduate offerings include a Ph.D. in counseling and a doctorate in occupational therapy, and extensive revisions to existing programs in dietetics and business (MBA). A new undergraduate program in exercise science opens in fall (see page 7). “We have instituted a multitude of new programs and initiatives, which led to a record number of new students this fall,” Pharr said. “I am confident that I will leave Mount Mary in an excellent position with a bright future.”
Reviewing construction plans became second nature to Pharr, from the re-envisioned food lab (above) to the construction of the Health Sciences Center, Nursing Skills Lab and other campus improvements.
When Pharr came to campus in 2017, it didn’t take her long to get involved, and her reputation as an advocate for others became recognized both on- and off-campus. In summer 2021, she led the university in establishing the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and In 2017, the 12th president named Julie Landry as of Mount Mary received a playful gift during her introduction to campus, a Green Bay Packers the university’s first vice president for DEI. jersey with her name and the distinctive number she shares with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. A tireless fundraiser deeply sensitive to the needs of Mount Mary students, Pharr and the Alumnae and Donor Relations department raised $2 million for Trinity Woods. She has also established a $100,000 endowment for food resources and increased the President’s Emergency Fund as a significant support to students during COVID. She is now raising money for the Madonna Fund to sustain single mothers’ resources long into the future.
Christine Pharr is a joiner. From the first time I met her, right down to today, she has proven herself as one who would not just stand by and let things happen, but who steps up and is making a difference throughout the community and country. She gets things done, and we will miss her.”
– Rolf Wegenke
President of the Wisconsin Association of Independent
Colleges and Universities (WAICU)
Dr. Christine Pharr has faced monumental challenges as Mount Mary's 12th president. We have seen her empathy and support for our community after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, her appreciation of the Latina Taskforce's role in becoming recognized as Hispanic Serving Institution, her concern for our health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her successful role in opening the Trinity Woods intergenerational housing community. Dr. Pharr's work has positioned the Mount Mary faculty and larger community to explore collaborative opportunities that will refresh our commitment to the mission and vision and invite us to continue to live out our core values.”
– Jason Meyler
Chair, Faculty Assembly
Pharr has assumed multiple leadership positions within the local and state higher education communities. She co-chaired goal two for the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA), and serves as vice chair of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU). She is also a member of During her time at Mount Mary, the Milwaukee downtown Rotary, TEMPO and Pharr put her piano-playing skills to good use at Christmas parties, alumnae gatherings and liturgies. Milwaukee Women, Inc. In August, she was recognized by the Biz Times as a Notable Woman in Education for 2021.
Employees celebrated Pharr’s arrival in 2017 with an ice cream social featuring Purple Door ice cream in vanilla and our signature flavor, Mount Mary berry.
True to her spirit, Pharr exhibited faith in action through her deeds great and small.
Acting upon this forward-facing faith, she led the construction of the Place of Peace, an interfaith space for all students, and helped create a Muslim prayer room where students could gather, prepare and pray their daily prayers. This same spirit helped guide Mount Mary through an extensive strategic planning process, leading to “Living, Learning and Working in a Thriving Community,” a multifaceted plan that identified visionary goals in five planning areas through 2025.
It is with tremendous gratitude that Mount Mary thanks a leader who broke ground, made connections and acted upon faith, all for the good of this community.
Pharr’s faith in action kept her involved, no matter the need (upper left). She engaged in her Catholic faith, as seen here during her inauguration Mass with Archbishop Jerome Listecki (center). She also shared her respect of other faith traditions through the construction of Mount Mary’s Place of Peace interfaith space (lower left) and the adjacent Muslim prayer room.
Dr. Pharr has a deep love for the Mount Mary community, as was evident in everything that she did for it. We know that every decision she made during her presidency she made with love and concern for the whole Mount Mary community and she has made such a positive impact on the university that she will be remembered for years to come. We would especially like to thank Dr. Pharr for her commitment to listening to student voices.”
– Mount Mary University 2021-2022 Student
Government Association
Board
Trinity Woods community a national model for support and innovation
It is more than a place to call home for sisters and seniors, mothers and children. From the moment the concept was introduced, Trinity Woods has garnered national attention as a landmark example of care and community. “Intergenerational living is about being open to what you can learn from others, and acknowledging the importance of human connection and interaction in every possible way,” said Mount Mary President Christine Pharr, Ph.D., who was greatly involved in the development of this living community. Trinity Woods provides an educational and supportive housing option for single mothers who are students at Mount Mary University and a vibrant, intergenerational living environment for School Sisters of Notre Dame and seniors. All buildings are fully interconnected by a Town Center that incorporates numerous spaces to bring people together in friendly conversation, dining, prayer, learning and socialization. This one-of-a-kind intergenerational housing community opened its doors in late 2021, and also includes an early childhood education center for up to 100 children managed by Wauwatosa
The many stages of life and resurrection are depicted in this stained glass phoenix. These tall, sweeping windows were brought to Trinity Woods from Notre Dame of Elm Grove.
Daycare. The facility also provides myriad opportunities for internships, clinicals, practicums and relationship building for all Mount Mary students as a place for educational immersion and professional practice. The addition of Trinity Woods to the Mount Mary campus has been an identity shifter for the university, welcoming the Sisters and seniors into the Mount Mary community. There are ample opportunities for students and their children to interact with the SSNDs and senior residents at Trinity Woods. The community lounges on each student floor feature reading nooks for children and play areas. Many of the SSNDs enjoy eating meals and interacting with the children whenever possible.
At Trinity Woods a landmark revolutionary program was created. The trajectory and future success that Mount Mary has had in creating Trinity Woods will and should be a model for other Catholic higher education institutions with a need to increase the quality of lives in the campus community.”
– Geneva B. Johnson
Mount Mary University
Trustee Emeritus
Read more about Dr. Pharr’s commitment to the Madonna Fund, established to address the challenges that student mothers and their children face, including those who live at Trinity Woods. The Madonna Fund will consist of two separate funds, one to address immediate needs of our growing number of student mothers now and one to provide long-term sustainability into the future. See page 21 for details.
Choice Senior Apartments Still Available
-Colossians 2:7
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