Mount Mary Magazine Fall 2019

VOLUME XXVIIII NUMBER 2 | Fall 2019

MOUNT MARY MAGAZINE

SPECIAL ISSUE

THRIVE OUR P LA N FO R THE FUTURE

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

S. Joan Penzenstadler, SSND

A B O U T T H I S P H O T O : Our latest street banners and advertising campaigns are visible signs of Mount Mary’s presence, just as our alums serve as beacons to the mission of transformative education.

If you have a prospective Mount Mary student in your life, email mmu-admissop@mtmary.edu to request admissions materials to share.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE 4 6 9

CONTENTS

Faculty Essay Footsteps through time

Notre Dame Hall redesign View campus improvements Strategic Plan 10 | Message from the President 12 | Strategic Plan

at a glance 14 | SSNDs move to Mount Mary 16 | SSND history in Elm Grove

2 3 18 19 20 21 22 24 26 25 28

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This fall, Mount Mary students have enjoyed visiting new mural art throughout Wauwatosa.

mtmary.edu

Calendar of Events From the President Leading Lady

Online

mtmary.edu/magazine

READ: Stay up-to-date with the progress of Mount Mary’s new construction and strategic plan at mtmary.edu/future.

VIEW:

Student Spotlight Women’s Leadership Then & Now University Development Alumnae Spotlight Campus News Achievements & Accolades

Take a student-led walk through the newly renovated first floor of Notre Dame Hall at magazine.mtmary.edu.

ON THE COVER: The new contemporary mural by Milwaukee artist Tia Richardson, located outside of the Alumnae Dining Room, is a visible sign of the living spirit of Mount Mary and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

To view a slideshow of the mural in progress, visit magazine.mtmary.edu.

Class Notes In Memoriam Reflection

©2019 Mount Mary University Compiled by Mount Mary Office of University Marketing and Communications, Kathy Van Zeeland, Editor Contributors: Joan Hartin, S. Joan Penzenstadler SSND, President Christine Pharr, Ph.D., Kou Vang, Kayla White, Office of Alumnae and Donor Relations, Women’s Leadership Institute.

Mount Mary University is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

FALL 2019 | 1

DECEMBER 2019

Christmas Luncheon – Milwaukee

NILOFER MERCHANT April 2, 2020 Idea Activator and Author of “The Power of Onlyness”

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Woman’s Club of Wisconsin mtmary.edu/luncheon

Christmas Luncheon – Chicago The Drake Oak Brook mtmary.edu/luncheon

Winter Commencement mtmary.edu/commencement

JANUARY 2020

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Alumnae Association and General Assembly Meeting

FEBRUARY 2020

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1920 – 2020 CELEBRATING WOMEN’S VOTE CENTENNIAL

Onlyness: Find your purpose, your people, your power

Nilofer Merchant believes “onlyness” describes one’s source of power, that unique spot in the world in which only you stand.

Be inspired by Merchant’s story of how she went from community college to launching more than 100 products, netting $18 billion in sales. Thinkers50 has ranked Merchant one of the world’s leading thinkers.

Learn how early suffragists exhibited “onlyness” to affect change and learn how we can tap our own unique energy to generate powerful ideas, lead passionate lives, and create scalable impact mighty enough to dent the world.

mtmary.edu/vol

3rd Annual Giving Day mtmary.edu/givingday Founders Day

MARCH 2020

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Madonna & Tower Award Nominations Due mtmary.edu/awardsnight

APRIL 2020

2

Voices of Leadership, Nilofer Merchant mtmary.edu/vol

MAY 2020

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CREO mtmary.edu/creo May Commencement

mtmary.edu/commencement

CREO 5/8/20

mtmary.edu/creo

For all of Mount Mary’s upcoming events, visit mtmary.edu.

Change her name to Therese Lehner Campos Mass in Our Lady Chapel ‘66 Alumnae are always welcome to attend weekly Masses, held Wednesdays at noon during the academic year.

For a schedule, visit mtmary.edu.

Weekly Masses are generously sponsored by Therese Lehner Campos ’66.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

FROM PRESIDENT Christine Pharr, Ph.D., President, Mount Mary University Dear Mount Mary Alumnae and Friends, This issue of the magazine may well represent the high point of my career at Mount Mary thus far, as we unveil the final results of strategic planning over the past year.

The forward-thinking, strategic vision for the University over the next six years is comprised of the hopes, dreams and visions of many who are, or have learned, lived or worked here (see page 9). It embeds the high-level ideals of the School Sisters of Notre Dame into ground-level bricks and mortar, campus culture and educational realities.

Perhaps most exciting of all of these plans is the reality of the School Sisters of Notre Dame building on the Mount Mary campus and the subsequent opportunities for intergenerational learning that this will create (see page 14). The plan also includes developing a student union space in Caroline Hall, renovating our residence halls, addressing our increasing diversity and campus culture, and promoting wellness on all levels (physical, mental, financial and spiritual).

The new strategic plan sets in motion a financial vitality plan related to student affordability and campus stability. It aims to increase enrollment to 1,600 students, a very ambitious plan in these times of decreasing high school graduates. Finally, it envisions new academic offerings in a variety of modalities that will meet the needs of students of all ages and

backgrounds. What a rich learning environment Mount Mary can provide as we bring together high school graduates, working women and seniors at the undergraduate level and women and men of all demographics in our graduate offerings.

Over 90 years ago, the School Sisters of Notre Dame bought the Swan Farm by mortgaging every property they owned. They built Notre Dame Hall with its majestic tower as a symbol to the city that the education of women was important. They believed, as we know today, that educated women transform not only their own lives, but the lives of their families and communities.

Today we continue their tremendous vision as our alumnae live out the ideals that created this great institution. As we move forward with this plan over the next six years, I ask each of you to bring forth your prayers, efforts and resources to help us continue to live out the vision of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

These are not easy times for higher education, but with God’s grace we will be successful in continuing the SSND vision at Mount Mary University.

Blessings,

FALL 2019 | 3

REDESIGN

take a walk through time

BY GIGI SZEKLINSKI, M.ARCH, ‘00

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GIGI SZEKLINSKI, M.ARCH, ‘00, IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF MOUNT MARY’S INTERIOR DESIGN DEPARTMENT.

FACULTY ESSAY

EVERY BUILDING HAS A STORY. SEE HOW A REFRESHED NOTRE DAME HALL COMMUNICATES OUR COMMUNITY’S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. Our iconic arches, in highly stylized and abstract forms, are a motif echoed throughout the hall, through the glass doors and painted arches over doors to make the public spaces more welcoming. Two accent panels with soaring arch designs anchor each end of the hall, cohesively connecting the two hallway spaces.

One of these end-of-hallway panels on the south side of the hallway displays what we call our “Celebration Wall,” showcasing portraits of community members who have been recognized for service and excellence. The panel on the north wall commemorates our campus history and SSND heritage, our tribute to “Spirit in Stone.”

As you walk down the hallway, there is no mistaking our shared values, known as the 4 C’s: Community, Commitment, Compassion and Competence.

After a busy summer of construction, a renovation that lies at the very heart of our campus is complete.

As the project manager and designer, it was my job to lead the effort to modernize and visually strengthen the first floor hallway of Notre Dame Hall to reflect the Mount Mary story. I worked carefully with Mount Mary’s leadership and community to identify key objectives in order to develop a design that would withstand significant changes through time. Our challenge was this: How can this beloved space transform into a vibrant and timeless place for us to express who we are and what we do?

As we began the design process, we knew this reenvisioned space would need to honor the history and respect the functionality in equal measure. Notre Dame Hall is both a historic place and an active nexus of day-to-day activity. As the front door to our campus, it greets prospective students to the Welcome Center and welcomes back alumnae and friends to the Alumnae and Donor Relations office just down the hall.

The design choices highlight these intentions in a purposeful way. For example, visitors don’t always realize that our iconic tower is located directly above the main lobby. To reinforce the significance of this space, we used darker hues on the walls to make the space feel more grounded and provide more visual weight. We refreshed the ornamentation on the ceiling, adding vibrant shades of blue, green, burgundy and gold leaf embellishments to the design. This important area now has the distinctive detailing it deserves.

There are modern touches throughout the hallway, serving as constant reminders of our quest to innovate and inspire. Digital displays with touch technology provide dynamic and on-demand messaging for those traversing from place to place.

At the same time these hallway renovations were taking place, we were carving out another special area adjacent to the lobby, by renovating an office space into a museum-quality gallery space that includes a large-screen video monitor and architectural elements that blend with existing adjacent materials and introduce modern touches. The Academic Showcase is a multidisciplinary space that currently features a display from the Fashion Archives.

Over the summer, this project kept me very busy; I typically use the summer break every year to work on a design project or two as a way of staying up-to-date with current design industry developments, products and technology.

This project has been an interesting mix of personal and professional experiences for me. When I was a student here 20 years ago, I took my environment and the Mount Mary story for granted. Through the design of this project, I became a student again, learning a little more at each meeting about what makes Mount Mary University so unique and special.

The opportunity designers have to turn our clients’ vision into concrete, tangible designs is not something any designer takes lightly. This project gave me the chance to tell an important story, one I knew from many perspectives, in three dimensions. I could marry my expertise, celebrate the story I now see all around me, and create a space that Mount Mary students will take along with them, in some small way, for the rest of their lives.

FALL 2019 | 5

FRESH FOR THE FUTURE Get an inside look at the new spaces on Mount Mary’s campus WHAT: NOTRE DAME HALL WHERE: NOTRE DAME HALL, FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY ABOUT: THE FIRST FLOOR OF NOTRE DAME HALL IS HOME TO THE ADMISSIONS WELCOME CENTER, ALUMNAE OFFICE AND OTHER BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC OFFICES. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTED SPACES ON CAMPUS. This summer, the space was renovated to tell a compelling visual story to community members and visitors, the important story of who we are and what we do.

The Notre Dame Hall update includes prominent displays of our shared values, known as the 4 C’s: Community, Commitment, Compassion and Competence. New portraits on the walls highlight current and past students, recognize our community members’ excellence and honor our history and SSND heritage.

Read more about the newly renovated hallway on page 4.

O U R H E R I TAG E

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WHAT: ACADEMIC SHOWCASE WHERE: NEAR THE NOTRE DAME HALL MAIN LOBBY AND ADMISSIONS WELCOME CENTER ABOUT: THE ACADEMIC SHOWCASE WILL EXHIBIT VARIOUS ACADEMIC DISPLAYS. NOW SHOWING: A HISTORIC COLLECTION OF CLOTHING FROM BROADWAY THEATER LEGEND LYNNE FONTANNE.

The renovations to the first floor of Notre Dame Hall, including the construction of the Academic Showcase, have been made possible through contributions from: Virginia (Ginny) Cornyn ‘62 Enterforce (owned by Marie O’Brien ’08 & member of the Board of Trustees) Friends of Fashion Carolyn Megal ’61, ’99 and former member of the Board of Trustees Linda Revane ‘93 and Mike Revane Richard & Sandra Schmidt ‘63 Class of 1969 School Sisters of Notre Dame Mary Staudenmeier ’60, former member of the Board of Trustees

WHAT: HALLS OF FASHION WHERE: FIDELIS HALL, THIRD FLOOR AND LOWER LEVEL ABOUT: UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM OF DEPARTMENT CHAIR ASHLEY BROOKS AND EXECUTIVE FELLOW DONNA RICCO ‘81, THE FASHION DEPARTMENT IS UNDERGOING SEVERAL RENOVATIONS TO CREATE A MODERN AND INSPIRING SPACE FOR FUTURE FASHION DESIGNERS AND MERCHANDISERS TO LEARN AND EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVITY. Illustrations by notable fashion illustrator and educator, Steven Stipelman were installed as a part of the refresh.

Corridors now have fresh paint, signature accent colors and new room numbering. Tack board surfaces create generous display spaces to celebrate student work.

FA SH I O N FO RWAR D

The Fashion Student Lounge, located in the lower level, will be renamed to honor Aileen Ryan, pioneering fashion editor at The Milwaukee Journal and longtime Mount Mary fashion supporter.

FALL 2019 | 7

NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

It has been made possible with funding from the following donors: The Retirement Research Foundation/Marilyn Hennessy ‘54 and Cynthia LaConte ‘84.

WHAT: VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) CLASSROOM WHERE: LOWER LEVEL OF NOTRE DAME HALL, ROOM 037 ABOUT: THIS VIRTUAL REALITY CLASSROOM ALLOWS ONLINE AND ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS TO LEARN USING SIMULATIONS THAT MIMIC REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES. FACULTY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO INTEGRATE VR INTO THEIR CONTENT. FOR EXAMPLE, A NURSING STUDENT CAN PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO A SIMULATED PATIENT. A BIOLOGY MAJOR CAN STUDY THE OCEAN. AN INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT CAN PLAN, DESIGN AND EXPLORE A SPACE, ALL WITHOUT LEAVING THE CLASSROOM.

WHAT: NEW MUSIC, MOVEMENT AND DANCE ROOMS WHERE: LOWER LEVEL OF HAGGERTY LIBRARY ABOUT: PREVIOUSLY LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF NOTRE DAME HALL, THE ONE-ROOM MUSIC, MOVEMENT AND DANCE ROOM HAD LIMITED SPACE, FEATURES AND INSTRUMENTS.

The new space is divided into two rooms, a large multipurpose room and a piano lab. The multi-purpose room now includes a new projection screen and expanded space for dance and movement. The separate piano lab has enhanced functionality, allowing the instructor quick and easy access to each student and keyboard.

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SPECIAL ISSUE

THRIVE 2025

OUR PLAN FO R THE FUTURE

g n i v i r h T munitINyG K R O m W co RNING AND A E L , G LIVIN ING COMMUNITY V I R H T A IN

10 | Message from the President 12 | About the plan 14 | SSNDs return to campus 16 | SSND history in Elm Grove FALL 2019 | 9

VI

BY CHRISTINE PHARR, PH.D. MOUNT MARY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

SI

ON

For a plan to be truly strategic, it must take us from the status quo to a new and different state. The Strategic Plan delivers, and will sustain our vision through 2025.

E

nvision with me, if you will, a diverse, thriving campus community of 1,600 students, employees who are happy, healthy and well compensated, where School Sisters of Notre Dame, alumnae and other seniors live on campus and actively engage with students …

Imagine a blueprint that will not only envision a future, but one that outlines the steps that will help us reach this new place. After one year of ideation, consultation, writing and revisions, I am pleased to unveil the plan that will sustain our vision through 2025: “Living, Learning and Working in a Thriving Community.” This multifaceted plan identifies the building blocks for the future (see page 12), while allowing us the ability to paint our future in bold strokes.

Imagine a renovated theater that becomes the most-sought-after fashion show venue in the greater Milwaukee area, where CREO is staged each year. In addition, this unique, intimate venue will serve well for campus and community performances and gatherings, with a stage that extends into the audience, bringing the speaker closer to the audience for a more intimate experience.

JEC B T O

IV

Now picture the first floor of Caroline Hall as a student union, with a café/pizzeria open into the evening and niche study and recreation areas spread throughout it. While we’re envisioning improvements, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have restrooms easily accessible on the first floor of Bergstrom Hall and an elevator in the entrance off the parking lot? These accommodations will make alumnae gatherings, campus events and all the amazing offerings of the Women’s Leadership Institute more accessible to people from all walks of life.

ES

These are just a few of the many facility changes that will create an environment competitive in attracting students.

But what of new programs and culture on the campus? This plan calls for examination of existing academic programs to create differentiation and modifications that will set Mount

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This new mural by Milwaukee artist Tia Richardson is on display outside the Alumnae Dining Room.

Mary apart. It calls for new programs in areas where there is student interest, employer demand and a lack of sufficient regional offerings.

We intend to pay careful attention to the programs in which we have a competitive advantage. The formula for success is promoting and growing niche programs such as interior design, art therapy, fashion and others where Mount Mary has less competition and a strong reputation.

As an example, our occupational therapy program continues to be highly subscribed, and our Nursing 1-2-1 program has taken off very well, with 75 students currently enrolled in only its second year in existence. Our offerings in mental health (counseling, art therapy, social work and psychology) are also quite successful.

Health care is clearly an area where Mount Mary can thrive and grow.

Mount Mary will develop classrooms with state-of-the-art technology so we can serve students near and far, using methods that will create online classes that feel as if they are delivered in-person, and in classrooms using simulations and virtual reality that feel very lifelike. Imagine interior design students creating virtual sample homes that occupational

therapy and nursing students use to teach handicapped patients how to operate effectively when they return home from the hospital. Or, can you envision an empathy simulation of an end-of-life conversation for a nursing student with a patient and their family? Students can take the role of patient, family or health care provider to develop a better understanding of the impact of this conversation.

The opportunities to make education relevant to real life and work will be abundant in the future and our imaginations and creativity will be the only limits to what we can deliver.

the cafeteria and children growing up in an environment that supports education. As a side note, in case you are not aware, single mothers and their children are the largest demographic in the Milwaukee area to live in poverty, so providing housing and education for them could have an amazing impact. If determined feasible, the plan may also involve creating a health care clinic on campus, and all of these can result in programming and clinical/fieldwork placements for our students in education, health care, mental health and many more disciplines.

With all these new places and programs, there is the important aspect of strengthening the campus community. The initiative around culture and wellness is probably the biggest portion of the Strategic Plan. It encompasses themes of building the Mount Mary community to make it family-friendly, while addressing diversity, inclusion and wellness. What you can envision here is housing for single mothers and their children in the same residence with the SSND and an early childhood education center for children of students, faculty and staff as well as the outside community (see page 14). Imagine high chairs in

Perhaps most importantly Mount Mary will continue to address the needs of our students of color. We will strive to make our employees and board members more representative of our student population. We will create policies and procedures that embed inclusion into our practices for the long haul. The University will become known as a model of an inclusive environment that welcomes people of all ages and ethnicities, so that we can set an example for the city of Milwaukee of what true integration looks like.

Our final two initiatives are integrally intertwined. Enrollment growth and CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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THRIVE 2025

OUR P L A N FOR THE FUTURE

LIVING, LEARNING AND WORKING IN A THRIVING COMMUNITY

ACADEMICS

Mount Mary’s Strategic Plan will guide the efforts of the institution through 2025. While the strategies shall remain fluid and responsive, they will be guided by the overarching principles of financial stewardship; a respect to Mount Mary’s liberal arts core; consistency with the SSND mission; commitment to a diverse student population; and the development of the whole person.

Invest in existing programs that excel and meet market needs Develop new market-responsive programs Explore areas under-represented by women Diversify teaching modalities and delivery options Adopt new technology that supports new programs and modalities and aligns with employer expectations Identify academic partnerships with two- and four-year institutions

WELLNESS

& CULTURE

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Better address the needs of parenting students and staff members Support commitment to diversity and inclusive sense of community Establish a holistic wellness model on campus Expand student activity offerings to support engagement, retention and persistence and to reduce completion times

Develop new on-campus housing for SSNDs, single parents and senior adults Improve soccer fields and add softball field Create organic garden to enhance academic programs such as food science and dietetics

FACILITIES

Revitalize underutilized spaces

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Utilize Complete College America and other strategies to improve retention and persistence

Improve recruiting at two-year campuses

Expand recruiting efforts for niche programs such as fashion and art therapy Expand high school and business partnerships Improve website and digital marketing Create new loan options to ease debt burden

Increase on-campus and business partnership employment opportunities for students

ENROLLMENT

Extend marketing to other regional markets

Promote plan to fund strategic priorities Increase FY20-25 contributions to $40 million Consider making school more affordable through tuition reset or restructuring Utilize existing assets to generate revenue streams, including real estate and The Fashion Archive Grow endowment Explore cost efficiencies through central supply ordering, green standards, new NDH windows

FINANCIAL VITALITY

financial vitality go hand in hand, in that Mount Mary is tuition-dependent for our financial well-being. Thus, strategies to promote the University depend upon not only the enrollment staff but also upon those many advocates we have in the community – which includes all of you!

Partnerships are a large component of this work, as is effective marketing. We are collaborating with a company called Collegis, which will help us move our enrollment and marketing to the next level. We are very optimistic that, given their track record, they can provide solid guidance and expertise.

In the end, our financial well-being is dependent upon a large number of factors. Donations are critical not only for student scholarships, but also because without them we will not be able to do all of the items described above. Mount Mary is a majestic campus, but it is aging.

Creating the changes described here will likely lead to larger enrollments, greater revenue and hence a stronger bottom-line for the University.

So is this plan a stretch? Yes! Is it achievable? I believe it is! As I said in my earlier message, we need your prayers, your interest and your financial assistance. As the leader of this fine institution, I see daily the lives we transform, some almost unbelievably.

This plan, if orchestrated as we hope, will take Mount Mary from being a good place to learn, live and work to being a great place. We believe this is truly strategic!

FALL 2019 | 13

A PLACE TO CALL HOME SSNDS TO MOVE INTO AN INTERGENERATIONAL HOUSING COMPLEX AT MOUNT MARY

The School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose presence and leadership have powered the spirit of Mount Mary, are returning to campus for good.

After receiving affirmation from the Sisters of the Central Pacific Province at an Assembly of the Whole in the summer of 2018, the Provincial Council has now formally agreed to move their residence from Notre Dame of Elm Grove to a residence that will serve the needs of the sisters – as well as Mount Mary – well into the future.

The new housing complex, which has yet to be named, will accommodate the spectrum of care needs for the sisters. It will also offer independent senior housing units to the public, and dormitory units for single mothers who are studying at Mount Mary and their children. There are plans for an early childhood education center on the premises as well.

While many details have yet to be determined, a key design theme is to create spaces that inspire what Mount Mary President Christine Pharr, Ph.D., calls “intentional and serendipitous interactions” between these different groups in this living space. ”An intergenerational home that will include Sisters and students is a wonderful fit for the campus,” said Pharr. “There are so many synergies with academic

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programs, including nursing, dietetics and occupational therapy. It provides many ways to bring us together.”

The $40 million project is expected to break ground in mid-2020 following and contingent upon city of Milwaukee review and approval as a three-way venture between the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mount Mary University and the Milwaukee Catholic Home, which currently manages the care provided to the sisters in Elm Grove.

The project will be financed through a three-way partnership between the Schools Sisters of Notre Dame, Mount Mary University and Milwaukee Catholic Home, as well as fundraising and tax-exempt bonds.

One hundred Sisters currently live at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, with another one hundred living throughout the Milwaukee community. All of them will have the opportunity to move to the new facility.

“This new endeavor gives us an opportunity to belong to something bigger than ourselves, to create a place to call home and build

An intergenerational home that will include sisters and students is a wonderful fit for the campus.

PRESIDENT CHRISTINE PHARR, PH.D.

community with others,” said S. Debra Sciano, provincial leader for the Central Pacific Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Plans call for 52 assisted living units for sisters who require care, 90 twobedroom apartments for SSNDs and other seniors, and 16-24 family units for undergraduate single mothers and their children. The assisted living units, family housing and the larger, 90-unit independent senior living structure would connect to a common area, called a “town center,” that will provide services accessible to seniors and students living in the facilities.

The 52 assisted living units are designed to accommodate current needs of the Sisters and to convert into student housing at an unspecified future date.

While it is relatively uncommon, a handful of other institutions currently offer housing for single mothers. One of them is the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, where Pharr served in multiple leadership roles, including vice president for academic affairs.

“I have participated in a program to provide housing to single mothers and their children and it is one of the most life-changing experiences I have ever witnessed,” she said. “Educating single mothers who often live in poverty breaks that cycle and provides their children with a firsthand experience of the value of education.”

The move to bring religious orders back to their home campuses is happening in other communities as well. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have recently built a retirement community next to St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“We look forward to partnering with our sponsored ministry, Mount Mary University, and the Milwaukee Catholic Home to provide a unique space that offers us the ability to live out our SSND mission and charism, with a focus on education, spirituality and interculturality,”said Sciano.

Mount Mary leaders Pharr and Vice President for Finance and Administration Bob O’Keefe, have represented Mount Mary in the initial planning phase, along with S. Debra Sciano, SSND, Provincial Leader, and Dana Russart, chief financial officer for the Central Pacific Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and Dave Fulcher, chief executive officer of the Milwaukee Catholic Home. The group has toured other senior housing facilities in Milwaukee and other parts of the Midwest to gain insight into current trends in senior housing.

The partners are making significant progress with the project and have already engaged an architectural firm, PRA (Plunkett Raysich Architects) of Milwaukee, and an owner’s representative, Senior Housing Partners of Minneapolis.

This group is actively engaged in numerous Milwaukee senior housing projects, including Dickson Hollow in Menomonee Falls and Fairway Knoll in Germantown.

In early fall, Pharr, Fulcher and Sciano held a series of meetings to unveil the plans to the Mount Mary community, and Sisters at Notre Dame of Elm Grove.

At Elm Grove, they detailed some of the features such as a wellness center and the possibility of an organic garden modeled after Clare Gardens, a partnership between the Assumption BVM Franciscan Province and the Milwaukee Catholic Home, to provide organic produce for its residents.

“This more formal partnership at Mount Mary University will expand and honor the legacy and charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame through expanded ministry in intergenerational programming, educational experiences, land use stewardship and service to the retired Sisters of the Central Pacific Province,” Fulcher said.

“We are honored to be part of a process that truly leverages our collective ministries to enhance the experiences of retired Sisters, elders and young women and their children being served by this new intergenerational community.”

While the prospect of a new home is exciting, it comes with some sadness about leaving what has, for so many years, been home for the Sisters.

The SSNDs have set up a transition team to help Sisters work through the complex emotions that come with such a move.

A curator has already been carefully logging all of the artifacts as they begin the process of packing up, and another group is busy taking photos that will visually document all of the spaces of Elm Grove.

At the SSND meeting, one of the sisters, S. Carol Lesch, commented that she not only looks forward to the move, but she also eagerly anticipates being part of a community where there are students and children.

“We are teachers, after all,” she said.

FALL 2019 | 15

A robust grape arbor is reminiscent of the fully functional farm once located here.

Mother Caroline, who came to the new world in 1850 to fulfill the need to teach immigrant children, died in 1892 and is buried at the SSND cemetery in Elm Grove along with almost 4,000 other Sisters.

The original chapel now serves as a heritage room displaying artifacts from the SSND’s 186-year history. Many of the provinces’s business and mission offices are also located at this Elm Grove campus.

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FOUNDING MOTHERS Reflecting upon the SSND legacy in Elm Grove

The year was 1855 and Mother Caroline Freiss, who had come to Milwaukee five years earlier, was searching the countryside for additional land to support the order’s growing mission.

She was traveling west on Watertown Plank Road by carriage when the horse refused to move from a bend in the road.

Considering this to be a divine sign, Mother Caroline decided that this was the location where she was meant to build. The following year, she purchased 40 acres of land and established an orphanage and home for elderly and ill Sisters.

In the 163 years that have passed, the community of Elm Grove has developed around the complex.

The castle-like structure resides on the current campus, and the historical landmark serves as a testament to the Bavarian heritage of the founding sisters.

The orphanage closed in 1940, but the convent and community of Sisters have remained.

Housing approximately 100 sisters at present, the residential facilities include a chapel, a large entertainment and meeting room, a hair-care room, exercise room, dining room and a gift shop for the Sisters’ homemade crafts.

In 2021, the SSNDs will be moving to Mount Mary (see page 14 for details).

At its peak, the Elm Grove convent complex spanned 280 acres and once featured a fully functional farm with crops, gardens, dairy cows, pigs, chickens, an apple orchard and beehives. The produce from the farm was enough to sustain the residents of the Elm Grove convent, orphanage and the SSND Motherhouse, which took up a full city block bordered

by Milwaukee, Knapp, Ogden and Jefferson Streets in downtown Milwaukee.

“The School Sisters gave the community its original culture,” said Elm Grove historian Stephen Hauser.

Mother Caroline, who came to the new world in 1850 to fulfill the need to teach immigrant children, died in 1892 and is buried at the SSND cemetery in Elm Grove.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame have served thousands of people through their convents, schools and orphanages across Wisconsin and the world at large. For over 185 years, the Sisters have been a beacon of hope for many through education, employment and other means of social welfare.

While there will soon be changes for the Sisters themselves, they remain rooted, not to location, but to mission.

“What continues to amaze me is how education and community life have changed, and yet how the essence, the soul of what we are about has continued,” said S. Joan Penzenstadler SSND, vice president for mission and identity at Mount Mary.

FALL 2019 | 17

LEADING LADY

WOMAN OF DESIGN

BARBARA ARMSTRONG BALANCES ART AND BUSINESS As a business owner, architecture project manager and contributing writer on the leadership forum of Forbes.com, Barbara Armstrong, M.S., was an established thought leader before she left her field to join Mount Mary.

In 2014, Armstrong joined Mount Mary to become one of the institution’s first school deans, just as Mount Mary was transitioning its academic structure from a college to a university. Today she serves as dean for both the School of Arts & Design and the School of Business.

Every day, Armstrong says she taps into the project management abilities she honed as a project manager on architecture and interior design projects.

“I love asking the right question and defining the issue, because that’s how you start to put the wheels in motion that create solutions. I’m glad I can bring that to the table.”

For the past five years, Armstrong has been the behind-the-scenes force guiding CREO, the annual celebration of the School of Arts and Design that includes student designer fashion shows and senior exhibitions.

Through her guidance, faculty and students coordinate logistics with other departments responsible for marketing, sponsorship, facilities and production.

Although the show does not take place until May, planning meetings begin early in the year, before the start of the semester in January.

“Having entered academia later in life, I am in awe of the complexities of academic work,” she said. “I am overwhelmed by people’s dedication to the mission and to sharing their expertise.”

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A significant area of focus last year was the successful launch of a unique leadership dynamic in the fashion

department, as Department Chair Ashley Brooks and Executive Fellow Donna Ricco ’81 worked together to expand the department’s industry and community connections and enhance curriculum.

This year, she is focusing on behalf of the School of Business to build even deeper ways to connect and apply the university’s commitment to social justice within the framework of a corporate environment.

“Barbara brought many strengths from her professional roles to her position as academic dean, and constantly explores ways to integrate her experience with academic structures,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Karen Friedlen, Ph.D. “Her boundless curiosity leads to building connections between education of the whole person and complex systems students encounter while meeting their vocational goals.”

A native of the East Coast, Armstrong calls herself a Jersey kid who grew up in a “big, exuberant, loud Italian family.” She came to Milwaukee in 1979 to earn her master’s degree in architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Over the past two decades, she and her husband, Tim, have visited all of her ancestral villages in Italy. They love to explore tucked-away corners of Europe, and are busy planning their next adventure in Burgundy and the Loire Valley in France.

Armstrong never stops thinking like a designer, whether she is bridging cultural divides on her travels or integrating form and function in her work with two distinctly different schools.

“You have to be strategic about things, and I’m glad to bring that to the table,” she said. “It is my goal at Mount Mary to inspire others.”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT BELIEVES “FAILURE ISN’T AN OPTION” Ever since she was young, a middle child with six siblings, Antoneisha Jones has displayed an extraordinary sense of independence.

When she set her goal to be the first member of her family to graduate from college, she knew it would take effort – 60 hour workweeks are typical – and massive determination.

“I’ve just got to get it done; I can’t imagine not getting it done.”

Jones, who lives on campus, rises before dark, getting ready for her early shift at Starbucks that starts at 4:30 a.m.

She comes back to campus for afternoon classes, and works as a waitress on the weekends. She attends church Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, leaving her little time for herself, other than an occasional 10-minute nap.

This fall, the beginning of her junior year, she decided upon a major in communication and a minor in psychology. She also started an internship at Northwestern Mutual as a financial advisor.

For the past two years Jones has also been the recipient of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation 4 for 4 Scholarship, founded by baseball legend Hank Aaron (left) and his wife, Billye.

Their foundation supports promising students who are facing financial challenges in pursuing their dreams of a college education. As part of her selection, Jones traveled to Atlanta two times to meet the Aarons couple and attend a ball game at SunTrust Park with other Chasing the Dream scholarship recipients from other colleges and universities. This year, she also attended a backyard barbecue at the Aarons’ home.

“Getting this scholarship makes me feel like I have support,” Jones said. “I just can’t let my grades drop; I would be disappointing (the Aarons).

“Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen, but people like that I get things done,” she said. “People are attracted by my ability to persevere.”

To learn more about supporting scholarships, contact the Mount Mary Office of Alumnae and Donor Relations at (414) 930-3399 or mmu-dev@mtmary.edu.

FALL 2019 | 19

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

In school and out of prison:

FANIA DAVIS SHARES STRATEGIES FOR

restorative justice

Social activist and civil rights attorney Fania Davis visited campus Oct. 7-10 to share her practical knowledge of restorative justice with students, faculty and the community.

She held workshops and other presentations, and met informally with students such as Mount Mary’s Caroline Scholars, who share her passion for social justice.

Students, from Caroline Scholars to counseling and social work students, had numerous opportunities to learn and discuss their own perspectives, gained in Mount Mary’s signature course, Leadership for Social Justice.

In her keynote session, Davis explained how restorative justice practices such as community building, conflict resolution and reentry circles are utilized as a means to keep students in school, citing the fact that 75% of prison inmates never complete high school, and that students who are suspended by ninth grade are three times more likely to be incarcerated. Among the attendees

interested in restorative justice practices to improve outcomes were Milwaukee Public Schools Board President Larry Miller, Walnut Way Co-Founder Sharon Adams, Mayor Kathleen Ehley of Wauwatosa, and MPS Restorative Justice Supervisor Chauna Perry Finch.

“Restorative justice comes up with more creative responses to harm versus causing more harm,” Davis said.

Davis co-founded the Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) in Oakland, Calif., and received many humanitarian awards. The Los Angeles Times named Davis a new civil rights leader of the 21st century.

Her engagement on campus was arranged through the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program and funded by the Women’s Leadership Institute through endowments established by Virginia Cornyn ’62 and Nancy Cheski ’65.

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL YOUNG WOMEN: Registration for the

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Nothing starts huge. Even the most massive trees start as seeds. All we can do is plant seeds.

FANIA DAVIS

2020 SUMMER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY opens in January. Help us spread the word! mtmary.edu/sla

THEN & NOW THIS MOUNT MARY TRADITION CELEBRATES A RICH HISTORY AND A GROWING FUTURE Two traditions have bookended students’ academic journeys at Mount Mary for over 85 years, the Investiture and precommencement ceremonies. Each ceremony shares a connection, a lantern that contains a candle symbolizing the light of learning.

First-year students receive candles at Investiture, the formal welcoming of new students into the Mount Mary community that is held annually before the start of the fall semester.

Investiture is defined as a “ceremony at which honors or rank are formally conferred on a particular person,” and back in 1929, first-year students were given their graduation cap and gown at this time. They were expected to wear this attire to assemblies, formal scholastic functions and at Sunday mass until the 1960s.

While this tradition has faded, a bit of it remains. First-year students still recite the Cap and Gown Pledge, written by Dr. Edward A. Fitzpatrick, Mount Mary president

from 1920 to 1954. With this pledge, the group becomes part of the community of scholars at Mount Mary.

On the night before commencement, graduates are invited to pass their lanterns on to someone who has encouraged them throughout their studies. This tradition began in 1926 in Prairie du Chien, the original location of Mount Mary.

At Step Singing, seniors carried lanterns and sang songs at different stops on and around the campus before ascending the steps to sing to parents, faculty and the student body. Each senior handed a lantern to a junior, symbolizing the passing on of the light of learning.

When Mount Mary relocated to Milwaukee in 1929, portions of this tradition were retained. Today, graduating seniors share their lanterns with significant others in their lives as they pass their lanterns to a family member, friend or mentor in gratitude for their support and encouragement.

Students pass down keepsake lanterns (right) to family members or friends.

FALL 2019 | 21

UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT

Alumnae pass along the power of transformation

BY PA M OW E N S, V I CE PR E SI D E N T FO R A LU M N A E A N D D O N O R R E L AT I O N S

It’s been five years since I joined the MMU family. Over that time, I am most impressed with the personal transformation of our students. Finding one’s voice is so important in today’s world and the voices of women and mothers are key to making the world more just for all and hopefully a bit more kind and gentle as well.

We on the Alumnae and Donor Relations team have the pleasure to meet many alums spanning the decades from 1949 to 2019.

We see how so many have used their education and voice to transform the world around them and beyond. One thing that remains constant is the core values of compassion, commitment, competence and community that are alive and thriving in the world today. What a way to honor our founders, the School Sisters of Notre Dame!

The Alumnae Association has played a pivotal role for decades and includes unbelievably dedicated women who work tirelessly to support the university, its students and fellow alumnae through a variety of activities.

It is exciting to consider the possibilities as we hope that your education, friendships, coaches, mentors, and the values learned at Mount Mary continue with you on your life’s journey.

PAM OWENS, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ALUMNAE AND DONOR RELATIONS

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UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT

Greeting new students on move-in day; popcorn before finals; alumnae awards; reunion weekend; Christmas luncheons; robing for commencement and the Starving Artists’ Show are a few examples.

It is difficult to adequately thank these leaders, some of whom have literally volunteered for 50+ years!

I sincerely appreciate these special women and look forward to building upon the excellent foundation they have laid.

As part of the new Strategic Plan, Alumnae Relations is working with university and alumnae leadership to create a broader vision for the future. There are 13,000 alums who present an opportunity of how we can continue to be a resource, friend and important partner for all.

We are exploring ways to create a network of mentors to lend wisdom and support for career growth as well

as for personal support. Or perhaps smaller groups of like-minded alums can come together to share with one another. Maybe we can provide additional skill, leadership and personal development opportunities for all ages.

It is exciting to consider the possibilities as we hope that your education, friendships, coaches, mentors and the values learned at Mount Mary continue with you on your life’s journey.

I am therefore thrilled to introduce Keri (Coggins) Schroeder ’95 as the new Director of Alumnae Relations who will lead the efforts to support and engage more alumnae. Keri is a proud Mount Mary alumna who graduated with a studio art degree. She comes to us with experience in non-profit leadership and most recently worked at UW-Whitewater in alumni relations. Welcome home, Keri!

A note from Keri

I am so happy to have this opportunity to be back on campus working with our alumnae. As a first-generation college student who transferred to Mount Mary, I have a deep understanding of how transformative these years were in helping me become the person I am today.

In the few short weeks I have been back on campus, I am amazed by the number of alums who are actively dedicated and committed to ensuring the success of our next generation of students.

We are so proud of our alumnae and encourage you to please stay in touch and let us know how we can continue to serve you. Please share your ideas, enthusiasm and support with us, because you are our connection to the everchanging world and a valuable asset to your alma mater.

I look forward to exploring new ways of connecting with you as we embrace a broader vision for our future.

FALL 2019 | 23

ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT

ART SHOW VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATE MILESTONE YEAR LONGTIME VOLUNTEERS WERE RECOGNIZED AT A LU N C H E O N W I T H P R E S I D E N T C H R I S T I N E PHARR, PH.D., AND THE UNIVERSIT Y BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON SEPTEMBER 6.

This fall, the Starving Artists’ Show celebrated its milestone 50th show, a testament to the driving force behind the operation, the Alumnae Association and volunteers.

The Starving Artists’ Show was created by the Alumnae Association in 1968, and the first show was held in 1969.

Many of the founding alumnae haven’t missed a show since.

The show has raised thousands of dollars for student scholarships and a variety of projects around campus since its inception. About 15 years ago, the Alumnae Association decided to focus primarily on raising money for scholarships with a goal to reach $1 million corpus for the alumnae endowed scholarship fund.

This $1 million goal was achieved in June 2019, just in time for the 50th show.

Pictured from left to right (back): Nancy McConnell Sullivan ’63, Mary Ellen Luxem ’68, Isabel Maria Piana ’69 & ’93, Diane Baumgartner Davis ’64, Mary Schwister Bock ’64; (front): Mary Bauer Kallenbach ’63, Barbara Dohr Muth ’62.

AN ESTIMATED 5,900 VISITORS ATTENDED THIS YEAR’S SHOW, WHICH FEATURED OVER 200 JURIED ARTISTS AND RAISED OVER $50,000 FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS. 2019 SHOW COMMITTEE GENERAL CHAIR

Mary Schwister Bock ‘64 ARTIST RECRUITMENT

Mary Bolyard ‘92 Kathy Drew ‘77

ARTIST REGISTRATION

Mary Ellen Luxem ‘68 Barbara Dohr Muth ‘62 HOSPITALITY

INFORMATION

Therese Lehner Campos ‘66 Isabel Maria Piana ‘69 & ‘93 Celine Wong ‘66 PUBLIC RELATIONS

Emily Chapman ‘17 REFRESHMENTS – PARKWAY

Michelle Hawkins ‘16

Mary Bauer Kallenbach ’63 REFRESHMENTS – Nancy McConnell Sullivan ’63 UNIVERSITY LaDonna Borth ‘06 HOSTESS – PARKWAY

Karen Cornelius ‘87

HOSTESS – UNIVERSITY

SECURITY

Sharon Steger Chapleau ‘80 Mary Potter Hummer ‘84 VOLUNTEERS

Lauren Kenney ‘11 Morgen Petek Phillips ‘11 EVENT LOGISTICS

Emily Chapman ‘17 Keri Schroeder ‘95, Director of Alumnae Relations

REVIEW BOARD

Diane Baumgartner Davis ’64

Rachel Connet ‘92 & ‘08 Pictured from left to right: Laurie Kovacic ’83, Rachel Connet ’92 & ’08, Leslie Chisholm ’81.

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N E X T Y E A R ’ S S H O W I S S E T F O R S E P T. 13 , 2 0 2 0 .

F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N , V I S I T M T M A R Y. E D U / S A S .

ALUMNAE REUNION 2019

A L U M N A E R E U N I O NO C T. 4 - 6, 2 0 1 9 PHOTOS BY PAM FERDERBAR

FALL 2019 | 25

CAMPUS NEWS Highlights of U.S. News & World 2020 Best Colleges report are posted at www.usnews.com/colleges.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RECOGNIZES Mount Mary for diversity, social mobility in 2020 Best Colleges Report “THE RESULTS AND RANKINGS ARE

You may have already heard that Mount Mary received high rankings in the 2020 U.S. News & World Best Colleges report. Here’s a look at the facts behind the numbers:

INDICATIVE OF A PERVASIVE EFFORT ACROSS CAMPUS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ALL STUDENTS, NO MATTER THEIR INCOME, SOCIAL STATUS, RACE OR ETHNICITY.” MELODY RENSBERGER, OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

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F A C T : Mount Mary has the highest ethnic diversity index in the Midwest, alongside Robert Morris University (IL). U.S News factored in the total proportion of minority students and the overall mix of groups to identify colleges where students are most likely to encounter undergraduates from racial or ethnic groups different from their own. Most recent figures identify 58% of Mount Mary undergraduate students as having one or more ethnically diverse backgrounds.

F A C T : In the overall best colleges ranking, Mount Mary ranked in the top 10 in Wisconsin and tied for #78 in the Midwest for factors such as total score, retention and graduation rates.

F A C T : In the category of social mobility, Mount Mary was the top-rated private institution in Wisconsin and #33 among colleges in the Midwest.

Social mobility, a new ranking for U.S. News and World Report, synthesizes various metrics of success to measure how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.

CAMPUS NEWS

FOOD SCIENCE M.S. PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCIENCE GRADUATES

Southeastern Wisconsin has operational plants for some of the largest food companies in the world and Milwaukee ranks in the top 10 metropolitan areas in the U.S. for food science employment.

ANNE VRAVICK, PH.D., ASSISTANT

If you have an undergraduate degree and are interested in career opportunities in the area’s robust food and beverage industry, Mount Mary’s new Master’s program in Food Science program is designed to enhance career opportunities and local research initiatives.

PROFESSOR AND GRADUATE DIRECTOR, FOOD SCIENCE

The program began in fall and is open to working professionals and anyone with an undergraduate major, particularly in chemistry or biology.

It is open to both women and men.

Mount Mary University’s Master of Science in Food Science consists of three professional development certificates. Students can complete them individually or combine them to complete the entire M.S. in Food Science.

Certifications include: Food Processing Chemistry Food Safety and Toxicology Food Science Research Strong partnerships with 30 local food companies in the Milwaukee area prompted Mount Mary to create a program responsive to the needs of the industry. In addition to the new M.S. in Food Science, Mount Mary has an undergraduate degree in food science and using the newly designed 3+2 program, undergraduate students can earn their master’s degree in five years.

Learn more: mtmary.edu/msfoodscience

FALL 2019 | 27

CAMPUS NEWS

Nursing programs nationally accredited Mount Mary’s RN to BSN program has earned five-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), validating the quality of education, curriculum and instructors’ teaching methods.

Mount Mary’s Registered Nurse to Bachelors of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program serves any students with an associate degree in nursing and licensure as a registered nurse who wishes to complete a BSN. It also serves as a capstone (the last year) of the Nursing 1-2-1 program which Mount Mary does in collaboration with three different technical colleges, each of whom have accredited associate degrees in nursing.

Learn more at mtmary.edu/rntobsn

Students enrolled in the Nursing 1-2-1 program complete classes to obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) and then seamlessly complete a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree all within four years.

UNITED IN SONG — The award-winning all-girls choir from Notre Dame Academy of Kyoto, Japan, stayed on campus for five days in July. Highlights of their tour included concerts in Helfaer Hall and at the Milwaukee Art Museum, and a backyard picnic with members of the Mount Mary community, complete with a cookout and hula hoops. The school in Japan is also sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The group’s most recent visit to Milwaukee took place in 2014.

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The RN to BSN national accreditation translates into significant benefits to both the institution and students, according to Kara Groom, Ph.D., RN, chief nurse administrator and department chair at Mount Mary.

These benefits include assurance of a quality educational program and greater access to financial aid, including federal aid programs. In addition, nurses pursuing graduate study need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in order to apply to a master’s degree program.

“The CCNE accreditation reflects the strength of the program and the dedication of the nursing faculty and staff at Mount Mary and our partner institutions,” said Groom.

“With an emphasis on social justice and firsthand leadership experience, Mount Mary’s nursing program prepares graduates to provide compassionate, evidence-based care in diverse health care settings.”

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES

ACHIEVEMENTS

ACCOLADES

This section highlights recent noteworthy accomplishments and awards of the Mount Mary University faculty, staff and students.

Jordan Acker Anderson, M.F.A., Studio Arts, Studio Arts and Josh Anderson, M.F.A., Art and Graphic Design, co-chaired a panel at the 17th

Biennial Conference Foundations in Flux, for the professional group Foundations in Art: Theory in Education conference at the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio. Josh presented a paper entitled, “Teaching Art Abroad: Time, Place and Memory,” and Jordan presented a paper entitled, ”Social Justice and Relational Aesthetics in the Core Curriculum.”

Jordan Acker Anderson’s piece, In

Four Panes, was included in the juried 62nd Annual Beloit and Vicinity Exhibition at the Wright Museum of Art in Beloit.

The exhibit was on view June through July 2019.

Ashley Brooks, Fashion, presented a talk titled, “Does Women’s Wear Really Work?” to the Milwaukee Women In Design group. This presentation shared how women’s dress has changed over the decades and also explored how the fashion industry still fails working women today when it comes to safety, fit and functionality. Additionally she served on the jury for Milwaukee Fashion Initiative’s Spring Showcase on May 1.

Marc Belanger, Information Technology, was named CIO of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal for his leadership at Mount Mary’s Information Technology Department. He was profiled in the publication and recognized at an awards luncheon in September.

Marmy Clason, Ph.D., Communication, published an article in Women’s Studies in Communication titled “Managing Sexual Joking in Manufacturing Organizations: Humor or Harassment?”

Cindy Clough, Ph.D., Occupational Therapy, authored the “Best Practices in

Preparing Students to Practice Occupational Therapy in Schools” chapter in the Best Practices in the textbook, “School Occupational Therapy.”

Shawnee Daniels-Sykes, Ph.D., Theology, created and taught a new

course, African American Religious Thought.

Using the historical context of the African and African American experience from chattel slavery up until the Black Lives Matter movement today, students were able to use music, poetry, drama, dance, slave narratives, prayer and more to illustrate spiritual and humane ways that African Americans have been structurally oppressed.

Laurel End ’11, Ph.D., Psychology, Colleen Conway, Ph.D., Chemistry and Maureen Leonard, Ph.D., Biology, (posthumously) presented

research entitled “Improvement in Visual-Spatial Ability Resulting from a Molecular Modeling Seminar” at the 31st Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. in May. This interdepartmental research was conducted as part of a National Science Foundation grant supporting the Jewel Scholars.

Kara Groom, Ph.D., Nursing,

presented her research on interprofessional socialization in mixed discipline and nursing student-only cohorts in March at the Midwest Nursing Research Society conference in Kansas City, Mo.

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Instagram (@mountmaryuniversity)

FALL 2019 | 29

Grants in Action Grant-funded programming supports student persistence and retention.

Read how Mount Mary is currently utilizing $8.4 million

funding from federal agencies and national organizations to support programs, scholarships and thriving initiatives.

HHMI Inclusive Excellence

$1 MILLION

Aza Baylor, Ph.D., was hired as Mount Mary’s new Inclusive Excellence Curriculum Specialist. Aza will be assisting faculty in developing more inclusive pedagogy and practice. She has more than 20 years of experience in education specializing in the interrelationships between schools and society and academic achievement in urban districts. Other grant-related activities included a workshop for leadership, “Unlearning Racism: Tools in the Classroom” and service learning presentations. The Mount Mary Campus will also welcome four on-campus presentations on inclusion-related topics by Milwaukee leaders throughout the 2019-2020 school year.

TITLE III Strengthening Institutions

$3 MILLION

Mount Mary recently hired John Futterer as the Title III Instructional Designer, a position funded fully by Mount Mary’s Title III grant. John will develop and deliver training for academic technologies and collaborate with faculty on effective instructional design strategies. This grant also funded the initiation of a program to provide 50 computer laptops a year to qualified students.

S-STEM Scholarships for STEM majors that are low-income and academically talented

$650

THOUSAND

The Jewel Scholars started the 2019-2020 academic year with a retreat that allowed the Scholars to bond as a cohort, get to know the faculty and develop tools that will help them in their future careers such as resumes and effective Linkedin profiles. The retreat also included a panel of industry professionals that provided insight and advice to the Scholars. This year’s panel included representatives from Chr. Hansen, Milwaukee County Zoo, Kingchem Laboratories, Masterson Foods, Alcami, Hydrite and Medical College of Wisconsin.

SDS Scholarships for clinical mental health students

In October, Carrie King, Ph.D., counseling department chair, Tammy Scheidegger, associate professor, and two recent counseling program alums presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference in Seattle, Wash. Their presentation focused on the development and $2.6 MILLION evaluation of a counseling program paired with the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students grant.

TRIO Support for first generation and low-income students

Students in Mount Mary’s Promise Program continue to excel academically. At the end of the spring 2019 semester, the average grade point average for Promise students was 3.13. More than 70% of Promise students had a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and higher, and 98% of them were in good academic standing. The Promise Program $1.1 MILLION provides support services such as tutoring, coaching and career development to first-generation, low-income college students.

DASH Emergency funds for unforeseen expenses

$84

THOUSAND

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Mount Mary’s two-year DASH grant concluded in August 2019 after providing 111 students with a grant of up to $1,000 to cover unforeseen emergencies related to transportation, housing, utilities, child care, food and medical or dental expenses. This program allowed students to remain in school and focus on their coursework rather than their financial crisis. A similar program will continue at MMU beyond the DASH Grant, thanks to the generosity of alums and donors.

Jennifer Hockenbery Dragseth, Ph.D., Philosophy, published “Just in

Time: Moments in Teaching Philosophy,” a festschrift celebrating the teaching of James Conlon. An essay by adjunct instructor Austin Reece, Theology and Philosophy, “Defining the Terms of Surrender,” was published as part of that volume. A book release event was held on April 12, 2019.

Katie Homan, Ph.D., Philosophy,

presented “The Playspaces of Democracy” at the fifth biennial Philosophy of Play Conference in Prague, Czech Republic in June. She also published an article, “The Play of Being and Nothing: World, Earth, and Cosmos in Eugen Fink” and a cotranslation of Eugen Fink’s essay, “Nietzsche’s Metaphysics of Play,” in Philosophy Today.

Terri Jashinsky, Ph.D., Carrie King, Ph.D., and Marion Toscano, Ph.D., Counseling, published the article,

“Fostering Career Counseling Self-Efficacy in Counselor Education” in the February edition of “Career Convergence,” a publication of the National Career Development Association.

Lynn Kapitan, Ph.D. & A.T.R., Art Therapy, published “Epilogue: A letter to Art Therapists of the Future” in the publication “Art Therapy in Australia: Taking a Postcolonial, Aesthetic Turn.”

Sue Loesl ’83, Art Therapy, co-led a

23-year collaboration with Pascal Malassigné of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), bringing together industrial design juniors to work with students with special needs in Milwaukee Public Schools to design adaptive assistive devices for the MPS students. This past summer she was on the writing team to review and revise the DPI 2019 Wisconsin state standards for art and design for K-12 students.

Paula Reiter, Ph.D., English, presented a paper, “Teaching Literature in an Online Consortium: Revisioning the Classroom,” at the College English Association’s national conference in New Orleans in March.

Her paper was voted Best in Section, and she was invited to submit her work for publication consideration in the CEA Critic.

Donald Rappé, Ph.D., Theology,

wrote a review of Naim Stifan Ateek’s book, “A Palestinian Theology of Liberation: The Bible, Justice, and the Palestine-Israel Conflict,” for the International Journal on World Peace.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES

Assessment process developed and used at Mount Mary gains national attention Jennifer Kontny, Ph.D., English, presented her research on the Tri-Benchmark method of placement for first-year writing classes at the 2019 Conference on College Composition and Communication in Louisville, Kentucky.

Kontny co-developed a new review process with an interedisciplinary team at Mount Mary that included faculty working alongside the registrar and admissions teams. This process is now used in placing admitted students in the appropriate English class. Special recognition also goes out to Yasmin Blackmon, Mary Karr, Andrea Kurtz, Sherri Serros and Antje Streckel.

Donna Ricco ’81, Fashion Executive Fellow, developed a

luncheon presentation, “From Concept to Closet,” along with Faye Wetzel of Faye’s Boutiques at the Wisconsin Woman’s Club on April 9. The event was a major success and sold out quickly. Ricco also represented Mount Mary at the Fashion Initiative’s Spring Showcase in May.

Laura Otto, M.F.A., English, was

named the College Media Adviser’s Distinguished Magazine Adviser of the Year. This is a national award presented during the 2019 ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Washington, D.C. in November.

Inspired by the grilled cheese sandwiches created by their fellow food science students, Mount Mary’s interior design students worked with the mayor of South Milwaukee and other city officials on a design proposal for a new grilled cheese restaurant in the downtown area of South Milwaukee. They recently presented their designs at a meeting for community members and city officials. The result?

Delicious.

Dr. Tuwana T. Wingfield, Ph.D. & L.C.S.W., Social Work, successfully

defended her dissertation last fall; presented her research at two international conferences, Ethnographic Qualitative Research and the International Congress on Qualitative Inquiry; and recently had a co-authored manuscript accepted for publication in a major peer-reviewed social work journal. Additionally she co-authored a peer-reviewed manuscript accepted for publication entitled, “Reflections of Two Black Early Career Social Work Educators Teaching Mostly White Students at PWIs.”

STUDENTS Midalis Delacruz won the LaGrant Foundation Scholarship in spring, a highly competitive and prestigious scholarship for students of color studying communication, marketing and public relations. As part of the scholarship, she attended a three-day professional networking and training event in Cincinnati, Ohio, with other scholarship recipients.

Sara Rubovits presented her research entitled, “Math Anxiety and Impact on Working Memory,” at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference.

This research was conducted as part of her Experimental Psychology course.

Zakia Wells raised $4,000 via facebook to fund her study abroad to Ireland. This summer, she completed a paid internship with Artists Working In Education. She is currently working on a mural on the south side of Milwaukee with the same organization.

Welcome to the Board Mount Mary University’s Board of Trustees consists of 29 business and community member who serve the university by supporting and directing the institution toward achieving its mission and strategic plan, in order to advance the university’s educational purpose and financial integrity.

Mount Mary recently welcomed three new members to its board: Marie O’Brien ‘08 President and CEO of Enterforce

Gail Bast ‘89 CEO and owner of Association Acumen

S. Janet Abbacchi, SSND

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SERVE THREE-YEAR TERMS. VISIT MTMARY.EDU FOR A FULL LIST OF MEMBERS.

FALL 2019 | 31

CLASS NOTES 1959 S. Alice Zachmann, SSND

was recognized as a 2019 Women’s History Honoree by the National Women’s History Alliance last March. She has spent her life supporting peace and human rights. Sister Alice founded and ran the Guatemala Human Rights Commission, helped establish the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Network, and regularly writes to elected officials.

1965 S. Joanne Poehlman, SSND

received the status of professor emeritus at Mount Mary. She began teaching in the fall of 1970 and finished in the spring of 2019. She continues to inspire students by working as a tutor on campus.

1972 Christine Helffrich Welter

retired from her job as an IT manager at a software development group.

She is currently working to downsize a 3,400 sq. ft. Victorian-style home that is over 131 years old in Galveston, Tex. She also volunteers for Holy Family Parish in Galveston.

1975 Debra Trakel is an Episcopal

priest who is currently working in transition ministry as a pastor within the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

1976 S. Helen Jane Jaeb, SSND

1996 Dana Hansen started as the

1977 Eloisa Gomez and her co-author

1997 Susan Ranker-Evans started as the assistant vice president of customer success for EXL in Tampa, Fla.

was installed on the new provincial council for the Central Pacific Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

senior account executive at Integrated Payroll Service, Inc.

Andrea-Teresa Arenas won the gold medal in the women’s issues category of the Independent Publisher Book Awards and first place in the social justice category for the 2019 Indie Book Awards for their book, “Somos Latinas: Voices of Wisconsin Latina Activists.”

1997 Karen Walter started as the

visual merchandising manager of custom closets at The Container Store in the Dallas area.

1999 Angela Krause-Lane, vice

president of private wealth management at Baird, spoke to junior and senior undergraduates, MBA students and faculty at The MBA Professional Developmental Speaker Series in April.

She covered various wealth management topics including retirement investing, tax, insurance and estate planning.

1977 Debra Hintz accepted the

position of program coordinator for the Collaborative Parish Leadership Project at Cardinal Stritch University.

This is a five-year study, financed by a Lilly Foundation grant, that will look at the role of parish directors in the United States. She also works as the parish director for St. Catherine of Alexandria in Milwaukee.

2000 Diane Berndt generously donated a kidney this past June.

1982 S. Mary Kay Brooks, SSND

2001 & 2003 Kate DeCleene Huber

was installed on the new provincial council for the Central Pacific Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

was appointed as the associate dean of the College of Health Sciences at University of Indianapolis in October.

1983 Vivian Portis-Escoto was

accepted to the National Urban Fellows.

honored in 2019 Since 1960, the Madonna Medal has been awarded to Mount Mary alumnae who demonstrate a longstanding commitment to their profession, volunteerism or service to the University or Alumnae Association. Established in 2012, the Tower Award recognizes alumnae who are within 15 years of their graduations, display excellence in their profession or volunteerism, and show great potential for future growth.

TOWER AWARD

Carla Marie Shaw ’08 & ’18

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MADONNA MEDAL FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE Tanya Gross ’91

MADONNA MEDAL

FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Madeleine Krebs ’66

MADONNA MEDAL

FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE Shari L. Bernard ’89

MADONNA MEDAL FOR SERVICE TO THE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

Mary Ellen Luxem ’68

CLASS NOTES

2004 Kathryn Helterbran Smale

and her husband Ben welcomed the newest addition to their family, Benjamin John Smale, Jr., on March 20, 2019.

Linda Ravine ‘93, operates a private decorating business in Phoenix, Ariz. This photo she submitted both captures the season and showcases her work.

2008 Ebony Adell owner of TSX

Design House, will be the first African American female to premiere a completely sustainable luxury collection at the Oxford Fashion Studio. In September, she hosted Urban Couture Life, a sustainable art and fashion show in Milwaukee.

Part one of her book, “SxEyecon,” was published in August 2018.

2010 Tricia Buss was promoted to

the general manager and multi-services director at Sodexo in the Seattle area. In her role, she has created and presented nutrition education sessions to the seniors living on the West Coast.

For her work, she received the Spirit of Progress Segment Award, which honors the achievements of Sodexo employees who excel in their jobs and community.

2011 Leslye Schlack Bronstad was

promoted to director of special projects and strategic initiatives at Fashion Angels in Milwaukee.

2011 Holly Patch Richmond was promoted to art director for Trusted Media Brands in Milwaukee.

2013 Michelle Winters Thomas started

as a social worker at the Tree of Life.

2013 Mandy Webster released her newest book, “DIY High,” this past July.

2013 Pazao Vang started as a senior operations specialist for visual merchandising at Target in Minneapolis.

2014 Natalie Odom started as a

dynamic workforce services IT professional for TEKsystems. She also earned her MBA from Cardinal Stritch University this past spring.

2014 Charmyse Tillman will be

working as the community programming and events manager at Gener8tor in downtown Milwaukee.

2015 Michelle Gill started work

2012 Amanda Duddles started as

as an account manager and content strategist for Brainchild Studios in Milwaukee.

2012 Kerri Lukasavitz won the 2019

2015 Lorelle Luckett started as a personal trainer for Equinox in Houston, Tex.

a project coordinator at Mood Media in Austin, Tex.

Hal Prize Writing Contest in the nonfiction category, sponsored by the Peninsula Pulse/Write On, Door County. Her essay, titled “Homeland,” is about her conflicted emotions when she moves back to the house and property she grew up in. She also started as an administrative assistant at Twig and Trove in River Hills, Wis.

2012 Megan Zeman changed positions at Kohl’s and now works as an associate designer of junior knit tops.

2013 Rachel Dobrauc earned her Ph.D. in urban education with a focus on curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

2013 Paige Seiberlich Lesniewski

was selected as the downtown business improvement district director for the Menomonee Falls Business Improvement Board last April.

2015 Shannon Molter started as a

technical project manager for Walmart Labs in Bentonville, Ark.

2015 Yasmin Henderson Tucker

is opening her own business, Creative Counseling and Studio, LLC, in 2020.

She had her second son Gabriel Sean Tucker on June 21, 2019. Her oldest son Noah Jason Tucker turned 3 on March 18.

2015 Karen White started as a

digital merchandise assistant at Belk in Charlotte, NC.

2016 Fabiola Estrada works as an instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College and Waukesha County Area Technical College. This past summer, she became a licensed realtor at Realty One Group.

2016 Ericka Lewandowski started her own real estate development consulting firm, Elew Consulting, LLC. Within the past year, she purchased a house a few blocks from Mount Mary. She also has a one-year-old puppy named Eli.

2016 Brittany Mrochicnski changed

positions at Rogers Behavioral Health and now works as a behavioral specialist.

2016 Tanya Schwersinske Peters

recently started her own private practice studio and art gallery, Milwaukee Art Therapy Collective, focusing on mental health needs and community involvement through art. She is now a certified clinical trauma professional.

ALUMNAE NEWS:

COOPER ELECTED ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

What makes me m ost excited about my role is that I get the chance to volunteer and be of service to such amazing women who are leaders making (or going to make) big strides in this world.

— S IERRA COOPER

FALL 2019 | 33

CLASS NOTES

Flores to lead W.I.N.G.S. For Heather Thomas Flores ’15, volunteering with the Alumnae Association felt like a natural step after graduation. During her undergraduate years, she enjoyed the relationships she made on campus by participating in student organizations and engaging with other students, faculty and staff.

In her current role as the program chair for Women Igniting the Next Generation of Students (W.I.N.G.S.), she is able to continue building relationships with alumnae and students through recruitment opportunities, alumnae-led programs for students, and a network of support and mentorship opportunities connecting alums with each other and with students.

“I’m very excited about W.I.N.G.S and the year ahead! We had an amazing group of young women join the W.I.N.G.S committee this fall to help develop the program to its fullest potential. Along with Mount Mary’s new director of alumnae relations, Keri Schroeder, our W.I.N.G.S committee has set into motion a strategic plan to engage and mentor future and current students through continued connection with our alums. Stay tuned for more details on affinity groups and mentorship opportunities as we are poised to take flight toward this new phase.”

W.I.N.G.S. committee:

W.I.N.G.S. IN RECRUITMENT | Shamari Saleem ‘13 W.I.N.G.S. ON CAMPUS | Michelle Hawkins ‘16 W.I.N.G.S. AT WORK | Fabiola Estrada ‘16

To learn more about W.I.N.G.S., contact the Alumnae Association office at (414) 930-3025.

2017 Mary Andrus spearheaded new legislation for licensure requirements and protections for art therapists who practice in Oregon. This legislation was signed into law earlier in 2019 and goes into effect in January 2020.

2017 Nayia Brown was promoted to assistant service experience manager at Nordstrom in Northbrook, Ill.

2018 Caroline Cuevas started as

a research program associate for the Institute for Health and Equity, Epidemiology division at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa.

In her role, she conducts research in the areas of breast cancer, health disparities and environmental health.

started as a renal dietitian at Fresenius Medical Care in Milwaukee.

2018 Nicole Holstein was a finalist in the 2019 Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Her handbag was inspired by Aimee Kestenberg’s handbag, entitled “Self-Love.”

2017 Sheila Suda had her first child,

2018 Kaoly Thao started as a health

2017 Kathryn Mielke Kretschmer

Rheidan Samari Takesy.

2017 Brittany Yerges started as a designer at Two* in San Francisco.

2018 Pachan Blackmon started as an associate recruiter for Manpower Group Solutions in Milwaukee.

2018 Naima Wilder-Crawford moved to North Carolina and currently works as the assistant manager at Hollister in Charlotte. By the middle of next year, she plans to be running her own store.

She has also started her own business making centerpieces.

CALLING ALL ALUMS! SEND US YOUR UPDATES! Access our online form at:

mtmary.edu/magazine.

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unit coordinator at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

2019 Lindsey Henneberry Edquist

started as a counselor at Edgewood High School in Madison. She and her husband bought a house this past year and celebrated their first marriage anniversary.

2019 MiKayla Galloway was awarded

a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Grant. She is spending this academic year teaching in Kyrgyzstan, an independent state of central Asia.

2019 Cynthia Rivera-Garcia received

the Leadership Award at the April Commencement Mass. She has volunteered at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Casa

Romero Renewal Center. Currently, she works as the family program coordinator at Casa Romero.

2019 Laura Stout Housel started

as a mental health art therapist at Full Heart Family Therapy and Renewal Center. She also joined the staff of Healing Arts, PLLC.

2019 Jackie Loizzo moved to Yuma, Ariz., for her new job as a registered dietitian.

2019 Celcy Powers-King participated

in Rutgers University’s Summer Institute for Diversity in Philosophy, a seven-day program introducing students from diverse backgrounds to the various areas of specialization within philosophy.

She was one of 15 students from around the country. Celcy was also published in “Just in Time: Moments in Teaching Philosophy,” which was released in April.

2019 Haylee Schumacher started

as a licensed professional counselor at Shorehaven Behavioral Health.

2019 Pang Kou Xiong received the

Service Award at April Commencement Mass. She has volunteered with several organizations including LOTUS Legal Clinic and Lutheran Social Services for Refugee Resettlement.

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM 1936 1942 1946 1946 1947 1947 1947 1949 1949 1950 1950 1950 1950 1951 1951 1952 1952 1954 1954 1954 1954 1954 1955 1955 1955 1956 1956 1956 1956 1958 1958 1958

Catharine Twohig Nuss on April 28, 2019 Andree Greig Palasz on Sept. 16, 2019 Mary Jane Przybyla on Feb. 5, 2019 Priscilla Anderson Dvorak on Sept. 1, 2019 Mary Louise Suelzer Lowe on March 2, 2019 June Shafer on Feb. 26, 2016 Charlotte Vogel Peterson on Nov. 11, 2017 Rita Andrea Noel on Jan. 30, 2017 Dorothy Penn Brengosz on Sept. 9, 2019 Mary Lou Flynn Casey on April 24, 2019 Martha Cook Jacobs on Nov. 19, 2012 Mary Alice Gauerke Bartman on May 26, 2019 Phillis Bootz Knudsen on Aug. 20, 2019 S. Lucille Heidenreich, SSND on Oct. 3, 2019 Margaret Rasmussen Robertson on April 29, 2019 S. Mary Josephine Dragotta, SCS on Jan. 17, 2019 Sheila O’Connor on Aug. 22, 2019 S. Mary Ingrid Hamm, SSND on April 6, 2019 Jean Klepper McNamara on May 11, 2019 Nancy Christman Blakesley on May 15, 2019 Joanne Bartelsen Crawford on Aug. 10, 2019 Suzanne Clark Schoshinski on Feb. 16, 2019 S. M. Carol Ann Kleefisch, SSND on May 2, 2010 Mary Ann Neumeier Klumb on April 23, 2019 Barbara Taylor on Aug. 22, 2019 S. Mercita Batog, SSND on June 14, 2019 Mary Ann Shaw Brown on Nov. 21, 2018 S. Marjorie Myers, SSND on June 9, 2019 S. Mary Donald Miller, SSND on Oct. 14, 2019 Matilda Gobbie Biesinger on Sept. 8, 2019 Marcia Michalski Smith on Jan. 1, 2019 Mary Ann Dockry Harty on March 29, 2019

1958 1959 1960 1961 1961 1962 1963 1963 1964 1964 1964 1964 1965 1966 1967 1967 1970 1971 1974 1976 1978 1980 1983 1984 1984 1988 1988 1995 2001 2007

S. M. Claudette Hudalla, SSND on Oct. 3, 2019 Bette Drossart Cibula Johnson on April 27, 2019 S. John Marie Budde, SSND on Aug. 27, 2019 Catherine Ajack Narloch on May 22, 2019 Mary Ellen Erskine Rothwell on Oct. 4, 2019 Barbara Gordon Altvater on Dec. 9, 2018 Gertrude Nowotny Voss on March 2, 2019 Annette Montalbano Moffat on March 12, 2019 Ursula Clemens Windey on March 11, 2019 Carol Dewane Bundy on March 20, 2019 Sandra Mueller Baird on Jan. 20, 2019 Margaret Novak Kovacevich on July 12, 2019 Kathleen Clausan Lindsay on Aug. 25, 2017 Corrine Ferris Aiholzer on Jan. 22, 2019 S. Jane Marie Kulczak, SSND on April 25, 2019 Barbara Tandberg Ekins on May 28, 2019 Patricia Colloton-Walsh on Aug. 8, 2019 Judithann La Marre on June 7, 2019 Angela Senta Ross on October 1, 2018 Patricia Meicher Kartheiser on Sept. 27, 2019 Rosemary Leitch Bennett June 9, 2017 Gene Hutchins on Sept. 18, 2019 Clare McCarthy Leaman on July 7, 2018 Lois Schultz Breister on June 1, 2019 Karel Ketterer Bretsch on Aug. 16, 2019 Caroline Starck Kaiser Aug. 8, 2019 Sarah O’Malley Kremer on Oct. 10, 2019 Sandra Crofoot Pittelkow on April 2, 2019 Nancy Hood on Aug. 2, 2019 Wendy Jones on May 30, 2019 Doris Serwas Reupert on June 16, 2018

Former Staff Peg McCormick Fleury on May 18, 2019

FALL 2019 | 35

REFLECTION

REFLECTION

By S. Joan Penzenstadler, SSND, Vice President for Mission and Identity

With a focus on learning, living and working in a thriving community, the Strategic Plan for Mount Mary is expansive and exciting in its plans for new programs, renovations and the strengthening of our resources (see page 9).

As a School Sister of Notre Dame, I am particularly looking toward future connections that will continue to bond the Mount Mary community with SSND spirit in ways not yet explored. No longer are we SSNDs taking on roles in administration and teaching on this beloved campus, but there are strategic opportunities for us to be in solidarity with those working to build a thriving community.

As consecrated religious women, we are stepping into new ways of being at this time in our history. We are called to discover further opportunities for connecting with others, for developing skills for intercultural living in community and society, and for risking innovative responses as educators in a rapidly changing world.

Fresh possibilities for SSND presence on the Mount Mary campus are emerging at the very time we are moving out of an environment that has grounded us for over 150 years. The historic buildings with which we have identified are giving way to a new, prophetic place that is helping us re-define our religious life today. It involves the exploration of pathways for gospel living in the 21st century.

It struck me that the mural Tia Richardson recently created for the University, and which is meant to portray the spirit and

36

sister joan penzenstadler identity of Mount Mary today, serves as a metaphor for the enduring spirit that is now embodied in encouraging and vibrant ways. The center of the mural clearly shows the importance of Mary on this campus.

It is a joyous Mary in front of the tower with living water splashing at her feet. She is depicted as a woman for all women and is holding a chalice of blessing for all who are enfolded in her presence. The image unleashes the spirit of Mary who steps into the circles of life around her and offers her strength and joy and hope.

As we School Sisters of Notre Dame step into the circles awaiting us on this campus, we embrace possibilities for intergenerational living among those learning, living and working at Mount Mary today.

This is what sisters have always done, stepping out on the Word of God and moving to where the Spirit is beckoning.

I am particularly looking toward future connections that will continue to bond the Mount Mary community with SSND spirit in ways not yet explored.

SISTER JOAN PENZENSTADLER

Counting

Our Blessings “November, Thanksgiving,

harvest times, awareness of blessings, gratitude of gifts: this is our season.”

— S. Joan Penzenstadler, SSND

We thank you, our alumnae, for the countless blessings that you bring to us, not only, during the season of Thanksgiving, but throughout the rest of the year as well.

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