VOLUME XXVIIII NUMBER 1 | Spring 2019
MOUNT MARY MAGAZINE 4
TAKING STUDENTS FROM UNDECIDED TO UNSTOPPABLE
THE PORTRAITS throughout this issue visually depict the stories of motivation, drive and aspiration of the first-generation students from the Promise Program, one of the many grant-funded programs that assist Mount Mary in offering support to help women overcome barriers preventing them from achieving their degree (see page 27). Were you the first in your family to graduate from college? Share your story at mmu-marketing@mtmary.edu and help us inspire the next generation of #firstgen students who have found their place at Mount Mary.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Old gym locker stalls
TABLE 4
12 16
CONTENTS
Where purpose meets passion New program assists undecided students Planning the CREO fashion show
Giving thanks to the keeper of the Bell Sister Georgeann Steps down
2 3 7 9 11 15 19 21 23 25 28 33 35 36
mtmary.edu
Calendar of Events From the President Leading Lady Faculty Essay Women’s Leadership Student Spotlight Then & Now Alumnae Spotlight
Online
mtmary.edu/magazine
READ: Coverage about the Compass Year program for undecided students and check out the 30-second video that highlights the new program
VIEW: All of the red dresses that were designed by Mount Mary fashion designers and featured in the American Heart Association fashion show
ON THE COVER: Mount Mary launches the first program in the Midwest specially designed for students who are undecided about their majors
University Development Campus News Achievements & Accolades Class Notes In Memoriam Reflection
Š2019 Mount Mary University Compiled by Mount Mary Office of University Marketing and Communications, Kathy Van Zeeland, Editor Contributors: Lisa Balcerak, Joan Hartin, Anne Kahl, Sister Joan Penzenstadler SSND, President Christine Pharr, Kou Vang, Julia Wachuta, Kayla White, Office of Alumnae and Donor Relations Mount Mary University is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
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SHARE WITH YOUR YOUNG LADIES
SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN TO EXPERIENCE MOUNT MARY IN SUMMER!
JUNE 17-21 Fashion Boot Camp JUNE 23-26 Summer Leadership Academy
APRIL 2019
Preview Day Admissions: (414) 930-3024 mtmary.edu/visit
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Documentary Screening: “A Long Time Coming” See page 26
MAY 2019
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CREO mtmary.edu/creo
Commencement mtmary.edu/commencement
JUNE 2019
8 17-21 23-26
Alumnae Association General Assembly Fashion Boot Camp Grades 7-12, mtmary.edu/bootcamp
Summer Leadership Academy Grades 11-12, mtmary.edu/sla
JULY 2019
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Starving Artists’ Show: CELEBRATION OF 50 SHOWS
Sept. 8, 2019
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. West Lawn of Mount Mary
Private College Week Admissions: (414) 930-3024, mtmary.edu/visit
OCTOBER 2019
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Awards Night Alumnae Reunion Weekend mtmary.edu/visit
For all of Mount Mary’s upcoming events, visit mtmary.edu.
JUST ANNOUNCED
Oct. 5-6 Alumnae Reunion Weekend
FROM THE PRESIDENT
FROM PRESIDENT
Christine Pharr, Ph.D., President, Mount Mary University Dear Mount Mary Alumnae and Friends, As winter drags on in Milwaukee I’m feeling a bit guilty as I write to you from a cruise ship in the Bahamas. This is a family vacation with my sisters and the warmth and sunshine are so very welcome!
Notre Dame hall is the first place that most visitors see and we want to create a very strong first impression with brighter lights and more relevant displays to our prospective students.
Meanwhile, back on campus there is a buzz in the air as we are beginning work that seems to have tremendous support – repurposing unused and underutilized spaces. Unlike most university campuses, Mount Mary has a tremendous amount of space. Some of those spaces, like the front lawn, create a majestic campus image and serve the surrounding community well as a place for soccer, Frisbee golf and leisurely walks. Inside, we also have many spaces that have lain fallow and are now under consideration for renovation.
In addition, we plan to enhance the entrance to the recently relocated Alumnae Relations space and create a display to honor and recognize our alumnae and their important work in a more visual manner. Our goal is to retain the historic beauty of the architecture while creating fresh and modern facilities.
Recently we finished removing the lockers and showers near the old gym, thus creating a wonderful, open space to be used once again. We are opening up vacant office space to create an academic showcase right off the main lobby of Notre Dame Hall. This will serve as a visible and beautiful space to showcase our various programs. We will begin with the fashion program and highlight not only the great work of our current students, but also display some of our treasured historic garment collection. This new space will have a large glass door directly off the lobby, allowing visitors to get an immediate glimpse of academics on campus.
A few other spaces we’d like to reimagine are the old College Dining Room, the former Alumnae and Development office space on the ground floor of the library and of course, the big, wonderful theater. Please keep sharing stories of your time in those special spaces. We love to learn more about the lives of our students over the past several decades. We will rely upon all of you to help us in these ventures. So we hope you’ll be able to imagine with us the refresh of this beautiful campus while honoring the tradition and legacies of the past. For now, just know the planning is underway and the enthusiasm is high for making Mount Mary the best it can be for everyone who comes through our doors today and in the future. Blessings,
As part of this project, we will refresh the main Notre Dame corridor, removing old bulletin boards and updating the hallways with fresh paint and nice seating as well as electronic monitors that will display donors, friends and messaging for the campus. We know that
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Taking Students from Undecided to Unstoppable THE LAUNCH OF THIS NEW PROGRAM HAS RESONATED WITH THE COMMUNITY. NEWSPAPERS, TV AND RADIO HAVE COVERED THIS INNOVATIVE PROGRAM, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND. Visit magazine.mtmary.edu to read the coverage and to check out the 30-second video that highlights the new program.
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tudents who enter college undecided about their major face many challenges, including the fear of wasted time and money, as well as parents who aren’t sure they want to invest in education without an end game in mind.
To address this issue, Mount Mary University has created the Compass Year. The program will begin in fall and will assist students in their search and keep them on track to graduate in four years. Already there has been significant traction, with local media interest and a spike in enrollment inquiries in this program. “There is much uncertainty and stress for an 18-year-old who wants to go to college but doesn’t have a clear direction,” said Mount Mary President Christine Pharr, Ph.D. “Through this program, students can identify careers that will allow them to make their greatest contributions to society and achieve fulfillment in their lives.” Entering college undecided about a major is commonplace among first-year students. Most students – as many as 80 percent in some surveys – will switch majors at one point during their time in college, according to the industry news service Inside Higher Ed. This program fills a gaping need in society. Current studies show a decided lack of career fulfillment in the workplace. An estimated 87 percent of American workers aren’t passionate about their careers, according to the Deloitte Center for the Edge. “Helping women discover their purpose is a longtime strength of Mount Mary,” Pharr said. For example, members of Mount Mary’s faculty and
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COVER STORY
staff have engaged in projects related to vocational guidance for the past three years to better engage students in determining vocation. “People are most happy when using their greatest gifts,” Pharr said. “This objective fits in well with the mission of Mount Mary.” The Compass Year incorporates practices that have proven successful in career advising and guidance, such as classes in their first year introducing students to possible career options, and the ability to take core classes in their basic areas of interest.
Here’s how it works SUMMER JUMP START -DAY Compass Year students come to campus early for a three-day summer jump start. This kicks off the process of getting to know themselves and Mount Mary with new friends and mentors.
Students journey through the Compass Year as a group, which provides support and structure throughout the process. It begins with a three-day jump start before the semester begins. Students and specially- trained faculty advisors work together and students have access to mentors, experiential learning and job-shadowing opportunities. Along the way, students also participate in purpose-driven classes embedded in Mount Mary’s core curriculum, such as Leadership for Social Justice and Search for Meaning. If students have not settled upon a major by the end of the year, they have continued access to individualized counseling. Mount Mary’s Compass Year is the only coordinated program of its kind in the Midwest, said Wendy Weaver, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies.
ST SEMESTER
I n SYM 120: Career & Major Exploration, students develop an increased understanding of their personality, interests, values and skills. They also identify a basic subject area of interest, called a “Meta Major,” and take core classes both semesters of their first year that will count toward their degree.
ND SEMESTER
In SYM 220: Major & Career Exploration II, students deepen their self-knowledge and continue to understand how it can align with career possibilities through job shadowing and guest speakers, along with experiential learning to build their decision-making and goal-setting skills.
OF FRESHMAN YEAR
By the end of their first year, students should feel equipped to make a confident decision about their major. This year wraps up with a celebration.
“The Compass Year is a unique opportunity for undecided women to find their passion, understand themselves and discern their purpose,” Weaver said. “The entire program is designed to destigmatize the status of being undecided.” Advertising for the Compass Year includes billboards, such as this one on I-94 near downtown Milwaukee.
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LEADING LADY
LEADING LADY WendyWeaver
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COLORFUL PAST INSPIRES HER WORK WITH UNDECIDED STUDENTS
endy Weaver, who spent a number of years guiding tourists safely through the wilds of Alaska, is accustomed to taking on new challenges at Mount Mary with the same effervescent spirit and can-do attitude. She has been instrumental in designing and launching the Compass Program for undecided students (see page 4). Weaver co-led the task force that met throughout the 2017-18 school year to construct the program, which launches in fall. Thanks to her diverse work experiences, she connects with the students who find themselves undecided about their major. “I have had so many careers, I am glad I was allowed to be so flexible,” she said. During her years in the tourism industry, she worked as a tour director for Holland America in Seattle, accompanying groups on shore tours. She also worked as a driver guide for Princess Cruises based out of Anchorage, where she conducted city tours and drove excursions to Whittier, Seward, Fairbanks, Valdez, Haines and Skagway. Weaver received her master’s degree from the University of Alaska-Anchorage and came to Wisconsin 20 years ago to earn her Ph.D. in English from Marquette University. Weaver joined Mount Mary in 2005 as an adjunct faculty member in the English Department. Two years later she became a full-time member of the faculty and has since transitioned into administration, first as a dean of academic affairs and now as the dean of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Weaver is the current president of the Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership and she has just completed her term on the national board of the American Conference of Academic Deans. While Mount Mary has been her first and only experience in an all-women’s environment, she found the atmosphere to be more invigorating than any other institution she’d ever encountered. “Because of the diversity in age, experiences and culture, our conversations are so much richer,” she said. “I knew this is where I wanted to be.” Coming from a woman who has seen so much of the world, this is high praise indeed. “I once was told that I was adventurous, but I always thought of these experiences as the next thing in front of me,” she said. “I was always encouraged to do things; it never occurred to me that I couldn’t.”
“I’M NOT SURE IF I EVER DID THE PAPERWORK OR NOT, BUT IN MY HEART I CHANGED MY MAJOR FOUR TIMES. I COULDN’T DECIDE. I LOVED EVERYTHING.” — WENDY WEAVER DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITES, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
These multiple roles have come with multiple responsibilities and accomplishments – and national recognition.
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FACULTY ESSAY
CREATING A PLACE FOR WOMEN-CENTERED PHILOSOPHY BY JENNIFER HOCKENBERY DRAGSETH
Members of the Philosophical Association petitioned for a more functional fireplace in the Caroline Hall Lounge so they could gather and hold discussions.
DID YOU KNOW?
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Every student at Mount Mary is given the start of a philosophical education, first with Search for Meaning, where they are introduced to both philosophy and theology. Students must also take at least one upper-level philosophy class of their choosing.
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75 percent of Mount Mary philosophy majors are women of color. To put this in context, women make up less than 20 percent of professional philosophers in the nation, and women of color make up less than 1 percent of professional philosophers.
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The philosophy department was one of the first core departments to offer study abroad courses and continues to offer a course in Rome every other January.
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The first dean of the college, S. M Lioba held a Ph.D. in philosophy and taught philosophy in addition to being dean. Other female philosophy leaders in the department included Marian Selch in the 1950s, Mary Rousseau in the 1960s and S. Mary Brian Overfield and S. Carol Marie Wildt in the 1970s.
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he women philosophers of Mount Mary are transforming the field, enlarging the canon of known philosophers and teaching philosophy in a style that is inclusive of all people.
Because every undergraduate takes philosophy, Mount Mary has a commitment to making philosophy accessible to every student. This requires allowing our students to bring their lived experiences to the seminar table as we discuss the basic human questions of life, a practice we credit in part to the pedagogy that Jim Conlon used and taught his colleagues over the last 40 years. At Mount Mary, students do learn about Plato and Descartes, but they also learn about Sappho, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Mary Wollstonecraft, Sojourner Truth, Simone de Beauvoir and bell hooks. Jim, when he was department chair, required that every course feature at least one woman thinker on the syllabus. This requirement remains, stretching faculty and new adjuncts to continually look beyond the male Western canon to include all the voices. The canon taught at Mount Mary is not one tailored just for women, but is one that is a better representation of the actual history of ideas. This spring, the book, “Just in Time: Moments in Teaching Philosophy (A Festschrift Celebrating the Teaching of James Conlon)” will be released. The book takes the five papers that were presented in 2017 at the symposium for Jim’s retirement and puts them together with three of his previously published papers, all about significant philosophical issues and how we teach them. This book will be a handbook for philosophy teachers outside of Mount Mary who share our commitment to showing philosophy’s relevance to all students. The department will be hosting the Wisconsin Philosophical Association in April. The event attracts both faculty and graduate students and usually features between 24 and 50 papers. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase our outstanding philosophy students.
A great deal of the success of our program is, of course, due to the energy and passion of our students. Recently the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel did a story on our Philosophy Club’s activities. The Mount Mary University Philosophical Association has been particularly active in the last two years, hosting panels on current events, showing films, meeting for discussions, and fundraising for a new fireplace for the Caroline Hall Student Lounge. The newspaper story highlighted the grand opening of the new gas fireplace and the opportunities for Mount Mary students to gather on cold days to discuss philosophy. The event provided a lovely metaphor for the philosophy program at Mount Mary in general, a space where everybody is invited to discuss together as they pursue a meaningful and flourishing life. Philosophy is a meaningful pursuit at Mount Mary, thanks to the legacy of Jim Conlon and the women of Mount Mary who carry it forward.
Jennifer Hockenbery Dragseth is the chair of the philosophy department.
“MOUNT MARY’S PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM HAS PRODUCED TWO TENURED PROFESSORS OF PHILOSOPHY. THIS IS RARE FOR ANY UNDERGRADUATE PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM, ESPECIALLY ONE AT A SMALL SCHOOL.” — JENNIFER HOCKENBERY DRAGSETH CHAIR, PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT
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WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
EXPANDS ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING, BRINGS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE LEADER TO CAMPUS Fania E. Davis, social activist and co-founder of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY)
Davis’ close childhood connection to victims of the 1963 Sunday School bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, set her career path early in life. She has received the Ubunti Service to Humanity award, the Maloney award, and World Trust’s Healing Justice award. The Los Angeles Times named Davis a new civil rights leader of the 21st century. For more than 45 years, the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows (WWVF) program offered through the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) has brought prominent artists, diplomats, journalists, business leaders and other nonacademic professionals to campuses across the United States for substantive dialogue with students, faculty members and the local community. The Women’s Leadership Institute at Mount Mary University is excited to bring this prestigious program to campus for the first time in fall 2019, made possible in part through endowments established by Virginia Cornyn ’62 and Nancy Cheski ’65. The program exposes students to outstanding individuals in professional fields to discuss and contemplate the sometimes irregular paths Fellows took before achieving eminence in their chosen vocations. Through a weeklong residential program of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures, and informal discussions, the Fellows create better understanding and new connections between the academic and nonacademic worlds. Instead of the one-day visit typical of the college lecture circuit, the Visiting Fellows program provides time for trust to develop, complex issues to be
explored, and ongoing relations to be established. “Through these weeklong visits, students and faculty members can explore how the topics and theories discussed in the classroom relate to the broader society,” said Anne Kahl, director of the Women’s Leadership Institute. “For those students who want to build a better world, Fellows demonstrate that despite challenges there are opportunities to create change through professional activities and as informed citizens,” she said. Mount Mary will welcome Fania E. Davis to campus October 7-10 to explore restorative justice and how it relates to MMU’s founding principle of social justice. Davis is a social activist, restorative justice scholar and civil rights attorney. She co-founded Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY). RJOY works to interrupt cycles of youth violence and incarceration, disparately impacting youth of color, fueled by punitive school discipline and juvenile justice policies of youth violence and incarceration. RJOY promotes institutional shifts toward restorative approaches that actively engage families, communities and systems to repair harm and prevent re-offending.
“Learning from the experiences of proven leaders and trailblazers and allowing those conversations and discussions to inspire the transformative leader within each of us is where most of the Women’s Leadership Institute’s programming stems from,” said Kahl. “This is an incredible opportunity to enhance the student experience here at Mount Mary and learn from the rich experiences and thoughtful perspective of Fania Davis.”
For those students who want to build a better world, Fellows demonstrate that despite challenges there are opportunities to create change through professional activities and as informed citizens. ANNE KAHL, DIRECTOR OF THE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
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HERE’S WHAT TAKES PLACE BEHIND THE SCENES AS STUDENTS PLAN THE CREO FASHION SHOW
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t the very start of the semester, the fashion merchandise management students realize they have a life-changing experience ahead of them. From that moment in January, students in the Fashion Show Coordination class learn about the huge undertaking that will consume their hearts and minds for more than 15 weeks, culminating in the CREO fashion show on May 10. By the third week of class, the reality of this massive responsibility truly sets in as students join the planning and execution committees. This is when the excitement really begins for the students and faculty. This is nothing short of a thrill ride.
POWERING UP THE PROCESS
CREO is Mount Mary’s annual celebration of creativity throughout the School of Arts & Design. It begins with two weeks of senior exhibitions from studio art, graphic design, interior design and art therapy students, and culminates in a fashion show of garments designed by fashion design students and planned and executed by fashion merchandise management students. The star of the show is the fashion on the catwalk, but it is only possible through the hard work of students in the three-credit Fashion Show Coordination class that is dedicated to planning the show. “Sometimes we get so hung up on that moment on the runway that we forget to talk about everything that went into it,” said Ashley Brooks, chair of the fashion department. “Merchandise management students put so much thought, inspiration and creativity into making that final product. It’s a very long and detailed process,” Brooks said.
Under the shared leadership of faculty members Brooks, Trish Kuehnl and Stephanie Brown, merchandise management students are responsible for all aspects of the event, from themes and promotions to makeup and staging. Students are broken up into eight committees: • Models • Accessories • Visual Documentation • Promotion and Media • Ushers/Dressers/Logistics • Invitations/Programs/ Commentary/Master Calendar • Staging/Stage Movement/Music • Hair & Makeup “Right away our committees start working together because we have a lot of things to do early in the semester,” said Hailey Rohlinger, a merchandise management junior. “For the model committee, the most important thing right away is to finalize the models because we’ll need to schedule auditions soon. For the promotions & media committee, we need to meet with Mount Mary’s marketing department to start planning how to reach out to the community. We’re really anxious to get the wheels rolling.”
SETTING THE TONE
The first item on the class agenda is to develop a theme. The group decided on “Unscripted: Off the Cuff,” which mirrors a greater fashion trend representing freedom to use a variety of styles on the same stage, instead of being limited to just one. But it also represents the spirit behind Mount Mary’s fashion department. “The fashion design students and merchandise management students come together to work toward one theme,” said Rohlinger. “It’s a very broad term, but it means we make
Students in the Fashion Show Production class review layout options for the stage and runway with instructor Stephanie Brown, left, and Barbara Armstrong, dean of the School of Arts and Design.
the event elements and garments come together. As independent women at Mount Mary, we’re all different people, but we combine our talents to make it one great show. We bring our ideas together and watch them unfold.” Merchandise management senior Essence Curry is on the accessories committee, so her first goal was to look at the garment designs students are creating, to get inspiration for accessories to complement the designs. “Once I see the designs and the styles they’re working toward, that helps our committee gather ideas and put some Pinterest pages together,” says Curry. “I like matching up unconventional pieces together and making a whole look out of it.” For example, fashion design senior Caroline Potter is creating a collection with a glittery, lighthearted feel to reflect her personality. Her collection requires hours of gluing tiny gems onto mesh fabric.
Senior fashion design student Caroline Potter glues tiny gems onto mesh fabric for the garment she is designing.
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“Right now my focus is time management, having enough time to work outside of class so I can do quality work,” she said. “Once my garments are fitted and finished, I think I’ll be able to sleep well.”
MAKING TOUGH CHOICES STUDENT DESIGNER FASHION SHOW Friday May 10, 2019 On Campus: Bloechl Center SHOWTIMES: 1:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 TICKETS: mtmary.edu/creo
Throughout the semester, committees present recommendations for the class to vote on, ranging from hair and makeup styles for the models to staging and décor that will transform the Bloechl Center from a basketball court into a fully immersive fashion venue. Along the way there are graphic designs for the logo, program and invitations to consider. These elements are created by graphic design students in partnership with the fashion show production class. Also there are lighting and music choices to be made that fit the theme.
COUNTDOWN TO CREO Week 1: Choose theme Week 2: Determine committees Week 3: Discuss budget Week 4: Design set and staging
Set model call and registration
Week 5: Finalize graphics for program and invitations
CHOOSING GARMENTS
In week 13, a three-person jury of industry professionals review and critique the garments. Among those jurors is Donna Ricco, an alumna and 30-year design veteran who brings a perspective that values beauty and practicality. She serves as an advisor to the department in the role of executive fellow. “I went through the whole process at Mount Mary myself many years ago and have been working in the industry a while, so I can help students understand what’s important when someone’s looking at their work and what they need to be thinking about as they’re designing the final garment,” said Ricco.
CREATING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Barbara Armstrong, dean of the School of Arts & Design, oversees planning and operations, balancing the business and operations aspects and education needs simultaneously. Armstrong shares the event’s financial budget with students Week 7: Distribute invitations and posters and gives them the power to make decisions, often requiring negotiations around community among the committees to create the show they want within their budget. Week 6: Collect designer garment cards that describe design details
Week 8: Collect program content, hold model rehearsal and develop run-of-show Week 9: Complete program draft and send to printer Week 10: Submit all photos and videos to video editor Week 11: Block show
Hold hair and makeup demos
Week 12: Review final music
Hold model rehearsals
Week 13: Conduct jury to select runway garments and designate award winners Week 14: Hold dress rehearsal Week 15: It’s finally May 10. Showtime! SPONSORED IN PART BY
MEDIA SPONOR:
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The fashion show provides a recruiting opportunity by showcasing student creativity and bringing the community on campus. Plus, it shows sponsors the fruits of their contributions. But Armstrong ensures that education is at the core of the entire experience. “We have very high expectations set for the students, but throughout the entire process, I need to always come back and determine how every choice helps students learn to manage time, people, process and what goes into making a fashion show. Every choice needs to impact student learning in a positive way.”
FOSTERING REAL-LIFE SKILLS
While the fashion show provides a portfolio-builder for designers and merchandise management students, the biggest takeaway is often an important life skill: working with different personality types. “Throughout the planning process, our students learn how to communicate with many kinds of people and resolve conflicts to achieve a common goal,” said class instructor Kuehnl. “They may be working with vendors who do video, lighting or sound, or they may be working with a classmate who has a very different opinion,” said Kuehnl. “That’s important because companies want employees to have the soft skills to communicate with lots of different personalities, and the merchandise management students get that exposure. “You can’t put a price on that experience.”
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
FRESHMAN PUTS HERSELF ON FAST TRACK to NURSING CAREER Nursing 1-2-1 student strives to reach her goal of helping children sooner Yesenia Mata has wanted to be a nurse ever since she experienced for herself the positive effect a good nurse can have on their patients. “Just seeing how much of an impact a nurse can have on a child’s emotions in a setting that isn’t desirable makes me see how much of an impact I could have,” said Mata, who went through a series of surgeries as a child. Her goal is to enter the field as a neonatal or pediatric nurse. Mata is one of 47 students currently enrolled in Mount Mary’s Nursing 1-2-1 program. This joint degree program between Mount Mary and local technical colleges addresses the growing need for BSN nurses. The Nursing 1-2-1 Partnership began last spring and is offered through the combined expertise and resources of Mount Mary University and Milwaukee Area Technical College and Waukesha County Technical College. Students enroll in the Nursing 1-2-1 to obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) licensure as a Registered Nurse, then seamlessly complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), all within four years. This program was created in response to local and national needs. The Wisconsin Center for Nursing Research estimates that Wisconsin will be facing a shortage of 20,000 nurses by 2035. Nationwide, there
are about three million nurses, but the American Nurses Association contends the country will need to produce more than one million new registered nurses by 2022 to meet health-care needs. Mata, who grew up in Bay View, Wis., is currently in her second semester at Mount Mary and next fall will transition to MATC for the next two years, all the while maintaining her status as a Mount Mary student. She said the structure of the program and the guidance of the faculty have eliminated her anxiety about moving through this ambitious program. “I know a lot of nurses who have been in the field for many years and are just now going for their BSN,” Mata said. “Getting it done right away will put me ahead of the game.” She is grateful for her advisors, who have helped her stay focused, particularly Kara Groom, her advisor and Chief Nurse Administrator at Mount Mary. “Kara has made sure that we’re working through the required courses,” Mata said. “She’s been very comforting and recognizes that I work very hard.” In addition to her coursework, Yesenia has also volunteered in nursing homes to get a taste for caregiving. Although it’s not the same as working with children, she believes her time was well spent.
“I’m able to see how my job as a caregiver is useful in different settings,” she said. In all, Mata is proud of her accomplishments as a pioneer in this fast-paced, innovative program. “I hope it puts me one step ahead and really makes me stand out,” Mata said. “It gives me that step ahead that I usually like to have.”
Read more: Mount Mary’s Nursing 1-2-1 Program received national attention in November 2018 when it was profiled on Inside Higher Ed. See the story at mtmary.edu/magazine.
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GIVING THANKS TO THE KEEPER OF THE BELL
COMMUNITY REFLECTS UPON THE WORK AND LEGACY OF SISTER GEORGEANN
W over 40 years.
ith an almost superhuman ability to be practically everywhere on campus at once, walkie-talkie in hand and keys jingling at her side, S. Georgeann Krzyzanowski ’66 has been a constant force for
S. Georgeann in her signature Packers hard hat during Starving Artists’ Show Celebrating her birthday was a regular event
Last November, she handed in her keys before moving into retirement at the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) campus in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. As she settles into the next chapter of her life, our campus community reflects on the 40-plus year career of one of our most cherished and well-known staff members. Like so many of the Sisters who had been responsible for operating and managing the educational, spiritual and practical needs of the campus, S. Georgeann assumed many of her duties as needs arose. She came to campus with the purpose of teaching geography – and did so for eight years – before she took on the role of assisting S. Mary John Vonderen, the original director of buildings and grounds. S. Georgeann worked closely with S. Mary John, who oversaw the original construction of Mount Mary in 1929. Eventually, she took on the role of director of buildings and grounds in 1987. Over the years, as the number of SSNDs on campus continued to dwindle, S. Georgeann picked up many of the tasks that were embedded in the fabric of the institution.
Hard at work making her famous fruitcakes
She took over the job of baking fruitcakes from S. Mary John and over the span of 30 years, S. Georgeann’s fruitcakes raised over $50,000 in proceeds. She started the S. Georgeann Fruitcake Endowed Scholarship in 2008 from her annual sales. This scholarship is given to single mothers or returning students who are pursuing a degree in education. She kept up Mount Mary’s tradition of being a weather observer from S. Mary Felice Vaudreuil, a professor and chairperson in math, who was a volunteer weather observer 20 years. The responsibility shifted to other sisters until the role of taking weather measurements was passed down to S. Georgeann. She did this, twice daily, for over 30 years and gained recognition from the National Weather Service in 2018, when Mount Mary was
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S. Georgeann was as well-known for her interests as for her attention to campus. As an avid Star Trek fan, her office was decorated with Star Trek memorabilia … and pink flamingos. One year, after a visit to her uncle and mother in Florida, students and staff decorated the door of her Caroline Hall dorm room with pink crepe paper and a giant pink flamingo. The incident prompted others to gift her hundreds of pink flamingos over the years. Pink became her signature color and when the community celebrated Mass in her honor before her departure, Our Lady Chapel was awash in rosy hues, from the covering on the altar to the clothes of the community members celebrating S. Georgeann.
Walkie-talkie was always in tow
recognized for 50 years of continual weather reporting. “If the other sisters weren’t here, I would do it,” she told a reporter in 2018. “And that’s how I acquired the job. It’s the way we acquire jobs around here sometimes. You’re there – OK, I will do it!” S. Georgeann knew early on she wanted to become a nun, and so after eighth grade, she left her hometown of the Milwaukee east side and entered the SSND aspiranture at Saint Mary’s Academy in Prairie du Chien. She received her bachelor’s degree in history, then earned a master’s degree from Mount Mary in science, education and history, with a concentration in geography.
Now, even several months into retirement, S. Georgeann hasn’t stopped helping those around her. “They ask for help with things, and they keep me busy. I’m staying out of mischief,” S. Georgeann said in March. “She was the keeper of the treasured bell in the tower and so proud of every inch of this campus, which was her home,” said Pam Owens, Vice President for Alumnae and Development. “Living on campus in addition to working long hours every day, she touched the lives of virtually everyone who walked these halls. The pride and love she put into everything Mount Mary is her legacy.” Though the campus won’t be the same without S. Georgeann’s dedication, generosity and one-of-a-kind personality, many blessings and memories remain. And as each of us reflect on the legacy of S. Georgeann Krzyzanowski, both as individuals and as a community, we do so with smiles and warm hearts. In the words of your beloved Star Trek, you have helped this community live long and prosper. Thank you, S. Georgeann, for all you have done.
S. Georgeann’s willingness to serve is clear by the many hats she’s worn (and in the literal sense, one of which is a Packers hard hat, forever memorialized in a mural outside of the Alumnae Dining Room). She’s held additional roles such as temporary stage manager and events coordinator. And armed with a tool belt, walkie-talkie, and a keychain that seemed to hold a key for every door on campus, perhaps the role S. Georgeann filled best was as a helping hand, always ready and willing to help those in need. “S. Georgeann is the person to see to attend to all of your needs, body and soul,” reporter Meg Kissinger wrote in a profile in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the mid 2000s. “S. Georgeann changes light bulbs, directs traffic, fries fish and occasionally works the bar at college events.”
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Dedication of the Mary John Place, Aug. 29, 2018
THEN & NOW As students fill the tables to play monthly bingo, they are hoping to win a prize – and carrying on a longstanding tradition. Mount Mary was introduced to bingo in in the early 1970s, when the Mount Mary Parents Association (MMPA) held the first monthly bingo night, bringing together parents, friends and members of the Mount Mary community to raise money for student scholarships and campus needs. The bingo nights were a huge success, and over a span of 15 years, the Parents Association raised over $200,000, largely generated from the monthly events. Money raised through the efforts of the Parents Association have enabled the university to purchase a van for students, renovate the college post office, and furnish offices with equipment and furniture. In 1978, the MMPA also donated $8,000 to the Mount Mary Endowment Fund, all raised from the previous year, to establish an annual scholarship that would benefit students for years to come. Although community bingo nights are no longer offered, students still participate in a revised version of the game, organized and moderated by the Office of Student Engagement. Students play for free, and the lucky winners can take home a variety of prizes such as Mount Mary apparel, gift cards and college essentials. “Bingo is a great time for students to take a study break and spend time with friends,” said Julie Schneiter, director of student engagement, who also shared how Mount Mary students have made the game their own. “For example, when B-4 is called, the crowd always responds with ‘AND AFTER!’ “The thrill of winning still stands the test of time and still excites students today,” Schneiter said.
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ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT
HOW A UNIQUE PROGRAM ENABLES PROFESSIONALS TO BECOME TEACHERS Heather Strosin ’17 had worked in the corporate world before becoming a paraprofessional at the Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, where she discovered her calling to work with children who have special needs. As she made the decision to pursue the further education necessary to lead her own classroom, she searched for a training program and selected Mount Mary’s partnership with the Milwaukee Teacher Education Center (MTEC), which allows students like Strosin the unique opportunity to teach while furthering their education. For students like Strosin, who sought to change careers entirely, having the ability to work in the classroom and take classes summers and evenings, was the most time- and cost-efficient option for her. As a special education teacher at the Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, Strosin teaches common core curriculum to first to fifth-grade students in a self-contained and most restrictive intellectual disabilities classroom. After the positive experience Strosin had in the MTEC program, she continued her education at Mount Mary and received her master’s degree in education. Strosin continues to achieve recognition for her work as an educator. In 2018, Strosin was nominated for the Celebrate Teachers & Teaching Award and was chosen as the keynote speaker for a recent MTEC networking reception. Strosin credits her Mount Mary mentor, Debra Dosemagen, chair of the education department and Mount Mary’s MTEC coordinator, for her support throughout her educational journey. “The lessons I learned while under Deb’s wing have impacted both my professional and personal life,” she said. “I am forever grateful and indebted to her kindness, generosity and commitment.” Every morning, Strosin said she feels a sense of joy and purpose in her new career, as she helps the students achieve success and reach their goals. “I’m excited about going to work every morning, and I’m so happy that I made the career switch to become a teacher,” said Strosin. “I love helping children reach their goals and using my skills to help make a difference in their lives. My education through MTEC and Mount Mary has brought me so many opportunities, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned and continue to learn.”
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Recognizing the need for trained teachers in schools, Mount Mary has an established partnership with the Milwaukee Teacher Education Center (MTEC) to help people who hold bachelor’s degrees transition into the field of education. •
MTEC grants new teachers (who are already working in schools) their initial teaching license
•
Mount Mary grants these teachers a master’s degree in education
•
Students in this program are paired with seasoned mentors who offer encouragement and advising. Learn more at: mtmary.edu/mtec.
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UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT
GETTING TO KNOW YOU …
with Lisa Breitsprecker, Senior Development Officer and Malayia Roper, Director of Alumnae Relations Mount Mary’s Office of Alumnae and Donor Relations Office has some exciting changes to announce. Join us in welcoming Malayia Roper ‘14, Director of Alumnae Relations, and get reacquainted with Lisa Breitsprecker in her new role as Senior Development Officer.
LISA BREITSPRECKER SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
New role, familiar face
Lisa is an experienced fundraising professional with a head for data-driven results and a heart for the intentions of donors. After three and a half years at Mount Mary, managing development campaigns and initiatives behind the scenes, she is transitioning to a role that connects with donors on a personal level. “My biggest joy is being a philanthropic advisor to those who love Mount Mary and all that our institution stands for,” she said. “As I transition to the position of senior development officer, my primary goals are to re-engage with alums, share institutional vision, and allow opportunities to blossom.”
“LISA IS A WONDERFUL LISTENER WHO GENTLY ASSISTS DONORS TO IDENTIFY AND ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS. SHE BELIEVES IN AND HAS WITNESSED DONORS EXPERIENCE THE TRUE JOY OF GIVING AND HOPES TO HELP OTHERS EXPERIENCE THAT JOY AS WELL.” PAM OWENS, VICE PRESIDENT OF ALUMNAE AND DONOR RELATIONS
Lisa, a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 2012, has spent 25 years in the profession, securing philanthropic support for human service, health care, higher education and child welfare organizations. She has led five capital campaigns and focused on building unrestricted funds and program infrastructure. She is one of only 6,000 professionals internationally who hold this designation. With Mount Mary supporters, Lisa strives to connect the interests of the individual to a university initiative that addresses a societal need. She calls this the trifecta – “and the greatest gift I can provide.”
Already, Lisa is busy connecting with supporters and establishing relationships. She said her greatest strength is her capacity for listening and making connections. “I offer opportunities, when appropriate, for donors to match their passions and charitable goals to the needs of Mount Mary and our students,” she said. She also pointed out that philanthropy is only one of many ways to offer support for Mount Mary. “We are always seeking internship partners, volunteers, introductions in the community and student referrals.”
Growing up, Lisa developed her love of music by playing piano and the baritone and currently exercises her musical talents as a member of a church handbell choir.
Lisa enjoys studying alongside Mount Mary students, hearing their stories of triumph and transformation. She is currently taking classes focused on women’s justice and women in history.
Lisa can be reached at (414) 930-3131.
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UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT
MALAYIA ROPER Welcome back to campus DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE RELATIONS
“Mount Mary University was and always will be a place I can call home,” said Malayia Roper ‘14, Mount Mary’s Director of Alumnae Relations who joined the Alumnae and Donor Relations team in February. “When I walked into Mount Mary, I felt a sense of belonging. I never needed to fit a certain mold. I brought my quirkiness to the classroom, and it was well-received. I brought my passion to my extracurricular programs, and it was well-respected. I brought my questions to my mentors, and they were answered. I entered MMU very quiet and timid, yet I left the halls with a boldness and bravery that has allowed me to leave my mark on many people in various communities.” Malayia is a young professional who is eager to make her mark on the institution through her talent and experience in making connections, winsome personality and individual style. “As the director of Alumnae Relations, I return to Mount Mary with a maturity and excitement for engaging women from all walks of life,” she said. “I want to create spaces for ongoing dialog and opportunities for women to come together and boldly enhance the way we engage with alums.” She plans to hold community conversations among generational groups of alumnae, faculty and others to create a shared sense of purpose. “I’m extremely excited to work with the alumnae team to invite shared leadership, cultural relevance and equity in all that we do.” After her time as a VISTA volunteer in Charleston, South Carolina, Malayia remained in the area to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters. There, she worked to build strong relationships among school staff, families and community volunteers. When she moved back to Milwaukee, she worked in partnership with organizations such as the Milwaukee Bucks, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, the Milwaukee Community School Partnership Initiative, and the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. “Every day I’m inspired to give of my time and talent to things that not only give me joy, but also give others the resources to joyfully thrive as well,” she said. “I love to dive in headfirst and put my ‘glam’ on it.”
As the daughter of a pastor, Malayia grew
up singing in the church choir and serving on the Junior Usher board at her church. A high point of her Mount Mary experience was participating in the Gospel Choir.
After graduating from Mount Mary with
a degree in communications/public relations, Malayia joined the AmeriCorps VISTA program in South Carolina.
In her spare time, Malayia is creating a blog that will feature style and fashion, home decor inspiration, workout tips and recipes, all written from a Christian perspective.
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“I charge everyone to work toward our shared purpose and engage with a power so strong that everyone feels energized to join the movement,” she said. “With each new answer to the question ‘why,’ Mount Mary will rise. With each new story, Mount Mary will rise. We are like seeds in the ground, and with each new discovery, together we will rise.”
“MALAYIA HAS LEFT LASTING IMPACT ON THE ORGANIZATIONS SHE HAS SERVED. HER POSITIVE ATTITUDE, OPENNESS TO ALL PEOPLE AND IDEAS, AND ABOUNDING ENERGY WILL ENABLE HER TO BUILD A STRONGER MORE ROBUST EXPERIENCE FOR ALL ALUMS ACROSS THE DECADES.” PAM OWENS, VICE PRESIDENT OF ALUMNAE AND DONOR RELATIONS
CAMPUS NEWS DESIGNERS TAKE RED DRESSES TO HEART For an American Heart Association fashion show in early March, Mount Mary fashion students, faculty and alumnae created dresses to support the cause of women’s health. Although this project fell outside the scope of the classroom, student designers devoted significant time and effort to the project. Ashley Brooks, chair of the fashion department and Donna Ricco ’81, the department’s executive fellow, coached the designers throughout the process by critiquing their sketches, overseeing the muslin pattern-making process and holding multiple fittings to make sure the dresses were well constructed and done on time. All of the Mount Mary dresses were juried into the competition.
This garment by Lillian Koch ‘21, was modeled by her mother and was named one of the top three in the student competition.
The American Heart Association has hosted the Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection event with Macy’s as the presenting sponsor since 2014. Similar Red Dress Collection events have been held across the country in support of the American Heart Association. This is the first year that Mount Mary has participated in the event. The three winning student-designed dresses will be featured in the 2019 CREO fashion show. Nine students participated in the competition, along with faculty members Ashley Brooks and Jess Frantal ’08, and alumna Laura Bavlnka ‘14.
For full coverage of this event, visit mtmary.edu/magazine.
Garment by Laura Bavlnka ‘14
Garment by Jess Frantal ’08
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CAMPUS NEWS
OLEJNICZAK NAMED VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS Sarah A. Olejniczak has been named the Vice President for Student Affairs for Mount Mary University, overseeing the University’s engagement, support and success offerings for all students. Additionally, she will serve as a member of the President’s Council, which, among other things, manages all facets of long-range strategic planning for the University. “Sarah Olejniczak will be a wonderful addition to the leadership team at Mount Mary,” said Mount Mary President Christine Pharr. “She brings excellent experience and expertise to create an environment in which students can thrive.” Olejniczak has served Mount Mary University as the Dean for Student Affairs since 2015 and previously served the institution in other varied capacities from 2013 to 2015. Prior to Mount Mary, Olejniczak worked in Residence Life at Marquette University and at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois.
You showed u s the love! SUCCESSFUL
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
5%INincrease DONORS (FROM 2018)
More than 1/2 THE DONORS WERE ALUMNAE
$43,819 RAISED Thank you!
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Learn about the game that changed the world On Thursday, April 25, Mount Mary will hold a screening and panel discussion of the documentary “Long Time Coming,” which touches upon themes of race and equality.
The documentary tells the story of the baseball game between two teams of 12-year-old boys in 1955 that was called “an act of cultural defiance that would change the course of history.” A panel discussion with local sports and community leaders will follow. The event will begin at 6:10 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, visit mtmary.edu/baseballmovie.
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
The first presentation in a series aimed at reducing barriers to education and promoting inclusivity on campus took place on Feb. 1. More than 100 attendees participated in a conversation about Milwaukee’s 1967 open housing marches, and how the marches led to eventual passing of the federal fair housing policy.
TITLE III Strengthening Institutions
SURPRISE! STUDENT LEARNS OF STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP
To celebrate International Education Week, a representative from The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) came up from Chicago to surprise Mount Mary student Zoua Pa Yang with a full scholarship to study in Thailand.
$3 MILLION
S-STEM Scholarships for STEM majors that are low-income and academically talented
$650
THOUSAND
Zoua Pa Yang, a Mount Mary junior studying art therapy, is the daughter of first-generation Hmong immigrants who arrived as refugees. She is a Grace Scholar and a member of the Promise Program. She will attend the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for seven weeks this summer. Yang was selected for the scholarship from over 300 applicants. With a student body at Mount Mary that’s at least 40 percent first-generation college students, and 55 percent Pell Grant eligible, studying abroad can often seem out of reach to some students, “which is why a full-ride scholarship provided by TEAN makes such an impact for our students,” said Mount Mary’s Director of International Studies Nan Metzger.
A full-time student support consultant was hired in fall to focus primarily on limited-income students in developmental English and math courses. The Student Support Consultant provides interventions to students who may be struggling with their coursework and connects them with academic resources.
The Jewel Scholars learned about biology and food science careers at five local science-based companies in fall 2018: GenoPalate, Masterson Foods, Accelerated Analytical, Maglio Companies and Gamay Food Ingredients. They learned entrepreneurial and marketing strategies from Kathleen Quartaro, owner of Colonel Pabst Worcestershire Sauce. Students also learned resume writing and interviewing skills with Aerotek, a recruiting and staffing firm.
SDS Scholarships for clinical mental health students
$2.6 MILLION
To date, 42 students have received scholarships through the Succeed Scholars program. In fall, a Succeed Scholar alumna shared her experience in securing employment after graduation, and explained to current Scholars how to identify language in employment contracts that may indicate unethical work practices, and what should be included to ensure a fair and equitable workplace.
TRIO Support for first generation and low-income students
$1.1 MILLION
A Graduate School Retreat Day was held for Promise Program students in October. They met with admissions counselors from various graduate programs and learned about the graduate school application process. They also learned how to develop personal statements, a requirement for most graduate school applications.
DASH Emergency funds for unforeseen expenses
$84
THOUSAND
The DASH Program provided 41 students with resources to mitigate unforeseen emergencies related to transportation, housing, utilities, childcare, food and medical/dental expenses. In one instance, a student and mother of two school-aged children experienced a medical emergency and could not work for a few weeks, leaving her without income and with several unforeseen medical bills. The DASH Program was able to provide her with a gift card to purchase food and necessary household essentials.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES
ACHIEVEMENTS
ACCOLADES
This section highlights recent noteworthy accomplishments and awards of the Mount Mary University faculty, staff and students. Josh Anderson, Art and Graphic Design,
coordinated two public artist lectures for the Marian Gallery for artist Ben Moore on September 20, and a reception during Alumnae Weekend for the alumnae exhibit on October 5. Over 100 people from the campus and community were in attendance at each event.
Artwork by art professors, Josh Anderson, Art and Graphic Design and Jordan Acker Anderson, Art and Graphic Design, was selected for exhibit in the 2018 Annual Juried Art Competition, at the South Arkansas Arts Center. Additionally, both artists exhibited work at the portrait exhibit with Milwaukee Area Teachers of Art, hosted by Carroll University in the Marceil Pultorak Atrium Gallery.
Jordan Acker Anderson hosted guest speaker Cain Oulahan, an immigration lawyer with Murrar, Oulahan, Rivas & Hochstatter, LLC for Immigration Law, in her Grace Scholar section of Leadership for Social Justice.
January in Paris? Mais oui! Here’s a statistic that’s out of this world: Approximately 1 out of every 5 Mount Mary students study abroad, compared to the national average of eight percent. The vast majority of students who study abroad do so in Mount Mary’s short-term, faculty-led programs.
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Linda Barrington ‘70, Arches Design Advisor,
received the Medal of Merit from the Journalism Education Association last November.
Chris Belkofer, Art Therapy,
co-authored a chapter in the textbook, “Digital Media and Art Therapy.”
Nicole Boyington, Occupational Therapy,
completed training for certification in home modification. She also had an article published in the Journal of Allied Health titled, “Students’ Knowledge and Self-Perceptions Regarding Integrative Medicine and Health Following Training in First-Year Graduate PA, PT, and OT Programs.” Additionally, she received certification as a service provider for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
This January included a study abroad program for fashion students in Paris, and a twoweek long program to Ireland and Northern Ireland.
In France, Mount Mary partners with the Paris American Academy to connect students with local experts in the fashion industry in Paris. Hands-on learning encompasses working sideby-side with experts such as Madame Picco, the draper for Madame Grés, or learning about different merchandising techniques by exploring the various fashion districts of Paris.
The Ireland program offered psychology and fine arts studies. Over the course of 2 weeks, the group traveled to four cities, including Galway, Derry/ Londonderry, Belfast and Dublin. The heart of the program takes place in Northern Ireland, where students meet with local peace leaders within the community to personal testimonials of how the “Troubles” affected people’s lives.
To learn about Mount Mary’s study abroad program, visit
mtmary.edu/studyabroad.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES
Deb Brenegan, English, advanced to the
third of four rounds of NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge, a contest that included 5,000 writers. Only 500 writers advanced to the third round.
Kristen Carioti, Business, was elected to
a leadership position within the Boy Scouts organization at Roosevelt Elementary School in Wauwatosa.
Cindy Clough, Occupational Therapy, wrote a chapter for an
Arches recognized as top national magazine Arches staff members received 5 national awards, the largest number of awards ever given and nominations received to the publication from the Associated Collegiate Press at the National ACP College Media Convention in Louisville in October 2018.
upcoming publication on teaching school-based pediatric practice in higher education. She presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association specialty conference this past September.
Here are the MMU winners:
Colleen Conway, Chemistry, attended the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education this summer and presented a session on the Jewel Scholars.
• STORY OF THE YEAR | OPINION: Honorable Mention Julia Wachuta, “Beyond Bipolar”
Shawnee Daniels-Sykes, Theology, was
appointed by the President of the Catholic Theological Society of America to a three-year term on the organization’s nominating committee. She gave a keynote address titled, “The Problem of Liberation: For the Wretched Refuse of your Teeming Shore, I’m Going to Build a Wall” at the annual Lonergan on the Edge Conference at Marquette University in September.
Cindy Dostal, Dietetics, and the Dietetics
faculty proposed a new MS–Coordinated Program in Dietetics in compliance with 2024 standards for Dietetic Education. The proposal was approved by the Graduate Council in November. The proposal was approved by the Faculty Assembly in December. The proposal was submitted to ACEND (accrediting body) in January 2019.
Cindy Dostal, Dietetics, was interviewed by Spectrum Channel 1 News in December, 2018 regarding the social media uproar over the suggestion that people restrict the number of French fries they eat to six. Mary Beth Duffey, English, participated in “The Milwaukee
Model: Envisioning the Role of the Arts in Criminal Justice Reform” at Marquette University in November 2018. The San Quentin Project presented the results of rehabilitation programs that use the art of narrative as a tool for re-entry after incarceration.
Kara Groom, Nursing, successfully
passed her dissertation defense, “Comparing Interprofessional Socialization in Mixed Discipline and Nursing Student-Only Cohorts” in fall 2018. She presented the results of her study at the Midwest Nurse Research Society conference in March.
• STORY OF THE YEAR | SPORTS: Honorable Mention Payton Hintz ‘18, “Gotta Be a Champion”
• DESIGN OF THE YEAR | MAGAZINE SPREAD: Honorable Mention Barbara Xiong ‘18, “Morning vs. Night” • DESIGN OF THE YEAR | INFOGRAPHIC: Honorable Mention Payton Hintz ‘18, “ The Persistence of Racial Stereotypes” • DESIGN OF THE YEAR | ILLUSTRATION: Honorable Mention Denisse Hernandez ‘17, “Shoot for the Moon”
Jennifer Hockenberry Dragseth, Philosophy,
is facilitating Mount Mary’s hosting of the Wisconsin Philosophical Association on April 14. Additionally, she brought MMU philosophy students to Divine Savior Holy Angels High School to present on women’s education to 26 students in an introductory ethics class in September. In October, those same 26 students came to Mount Mary University to share in a presentation on pedagogy of the oppressed, take a historical campus tour with S. Joan Penzenstadler, and eat lunch with MMU students.
Katie Homan, Philosophy, brought students from the Philosophy of Art and Beauty class and the Philosophy of Play class to the Milwaukee Art Museum. This visit offered the opportunity to apply theories from class to new contexts and to explore works from different traditions.
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An update from the
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
“I am so compelled by Mount Mary’s vision to educate women to change the world. An emphasis on social justice teaches students that change is achieved by the spirit and commitment of individuals working together to create a better future. — C ATHY BUCK PRESIDENT, MOUNT MARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND PRESIDENT, FROEDTERT HOSPITAL
Katie Homan, Philosophy, and Jason Meyler, World Languages, co-presented “Fulbright & Beyond: Leveraging
your Language Skills for the Future” at the National Institute of International Education/Benjamin A. Gilman Alumni Workshop at Mount Mary University on September 17, 2018.
Justin Hustoft, Physics, attended the
American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting to present data on the use of virtual field trips in the Earth & Space course. Virtual field trips are simulated, real-time field trips using a computer or smartphone to visit and examine a location without leaving the campus. Dr. Hustoft will continue to use virtual field trips in Earth & Space (SCI 210) to visit the Grand Canyon, Alaska, and even other planets. Additionally, Hustoft served as a judge for the Badger State Science and Engineering Fair.
Lynn Kapitan, Art Therapy, served on a review panel for the
National Institutes of Health, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Mechanisms of Mind and Body Interventions.
Mount Mary University’s Board of Trustees consists of 29 business and community serves 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 four new members to its board:
Joan Andert, SSND, President Emeritus of Rosati-Kain High School in St. Louis, MO
David Jorgensen, Executive Vice
President of VJS Construction Services, Inc., in Milwaukee
Dr. Ann Butler Nattinger, M.D., Associate Provost for Research, Medical College of Wisconsin
Stephanie Russell, Vice President
and Consultant for Mission Integration at the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) in Washington, D.C.
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Melinda Kiltz ‘99, Counseling, was an invited co-presenter at the WCSWE state conference in October 2018 in Wisconsin Dells. Her presentation was entitled “What to Know About the 2015 EPAS and Accreditation.” Carrie King, Counseling, presented
trauma-informed approaches to teachers at Notre Dame Elementary, Messmer High School and Washington-Caldwell School in August 2018. Additionally, King serves on the Strategic Planning Committee at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee.
Mary Ellen Kohn-Buday, World Languages (Spanish), presented a paper, “Comparing the
ACTFL ‘Can-Do’ Statements with Students’ Own Self-Assessments” at the annual conference of the American Assn. of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in Salamanca, Spain, in June 2018. This was a joint conference with the organization Español para todos.
Jennifer Kontny, English, presented “Wax
& WANE: Proposing A Digital Mentorship Network for Non-Tenured, Women-Identified Administrators” on October 19 at the 2018 State Conference for Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership.
Mari Maldonado ’13 & ‘15, Communications Adjunct, started a new student organization for adult students and is volunteering to serve as its faculty advisor.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES
Emily Nolan ‘14, Art Therapy, is president of
Wisconsin Art Therapy Association. She and Chris Belkofer, Art Therapy, hosted Jonathan Brostoff, a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, to Mount Mary University. Brostoff will draft the Wisconsin bill for legislature to add a Clinical Art Therapy License. Nolan also developed a yoga program specifically for the Juvenile Justice Center and will also be training yoga teachers in trauma-informed practices through Om Town Yogis and Tosa Yoga.
Laura Otto, English, was invited to the
eight-member national board of the Associated Collegiate Press, the governing national organization for college campus media. During a week in July, she met with other board members to strategize and plan for upcoming conferences, revise award categories and develop new initiatives for campus media outlets.
Elysium Pajhuab ’12 & ‘14, Mathematics
Tutor, attended the Midwestern Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs Summit in Chicago on November 15, 2018.
Donald Rappé, Theology, served as a
continuing seminar discussion member of the “Paul Within Antiquity” group during the annual meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, held in Denver, Colo., in July 2018.
Paula Reiter, English, Julie C. Tatlock, History, Wendy A. Weaver, Dean of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies and Mary Karr, Registrar, participated in the third and final Consortium for Online Humanities Instruction Workshop in July 2018 in Washington, D.C.
Julie C. Tatlock, History, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Mount Mary University.
Marion Toscano, Counseling,
presented “Exploring Millennial Activism and Racial Equity Interventions” at the International Association for Counseling Annual Conference, in Rome, Italy, in September 2018.
Kristin Whyte, Education, along with her
research colleagues, published “Mathematics in Early Childhood: Teacher Educators’ Accounts of Their Work” in the September 2018 issue of the Journal of Teacher Education.
STUDENTS Becca Basten is an intern for SRH Marketing, a branding and production agency, in Brewer’s Hill neighborhood of Milwaukee. She started as an administrative intern and was recently promoted to digital intern for marketing. She served as a production assistant for a recent Oriental Theater trailer. Deborah Estrada-Carson and Krystin Kantenwein have been selected as the spring
2019 recipients of the English Graduate Program Continuing Writer Scholarship, awarded to those with excellence in academics and an impressive application to the program.
Graphic design students recently competed in a logo project for Bethel Bethany United Church of Christ in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee. Two students, Haley Gilbert and Nashella Smith, competed in the advanced graphic design course. Both designs created will be used by the church in future years.
Sherrie Serros, Mathematics reviewed and wrote the foreword for “Brainball: Teaching Inquiry Math as a Team Sport,” published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018.
Lisa Stark ‘90, Dietetics, presented “Healthy
Shelves Kidney-Friendly Food Pantry Rx: Assuring Nutritional Adequacy for Hemodialysis Patients” in November 2018 at the Wisconsin Dialysis Symposium in Madison, Wis., sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin.
CALLING ALL ALUMS! SEND US YOUR UPDATES! Access our online form at:
mtmary.edu/magazine.
SPRING 2019 | 31
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES
Melenie Gonzalez is
participating in The Commons Milwaukee, an initiative of The Greater Milwaukee Committee. Her small group is partnered with Kohl’s to create a marketing strategy for a particular target market.
Art therapy doctoral student Alexia Kutzner
is initiating a new student services program at the University of California-Los Angeles for students on the autism spectrum.
Counseling student Tory Mertz won the
Wisconsin Counseling Association’s graduate student of the year award.
Nicole Mueller received the
university’s Mother Caroline Award at Founders Day on February 22 for her therapeutic work at Hickory Grove Farms, her service as a caregiver and as an elementary school volunteer. Mueller is also a Caroline Scholar.
Mary Parizek received the university’s Mother Theresa Gerhardinger Award at Founders Day on February 22 for her academic success, volunteer work with children with autism, and her advocacy for women with developmental disabilities at risk of human trafficking, sexual assault and sexual abuse.
Jeanette Ingabire (3rd row left from front) attended the Newman Civic Fellows conference in November 2018. She met leaders from across the country, learned from the many projects that the fellows are working on, and networked. Additionally Ingabire has received the Math Department Scholarship, the Sister Mary Petronia van Straten Award and the Altenhofen Award for the 2018-19 academic year.
Two students in the Intro to Entrepreneurship course are working with Team Awesome, a coaching firm founded by Katie Rasoul. Rachel Nies received an internship with the firm, and Bristall Johnson is being connected with a fashion startup by Team Awesome.
Angela Wusler ’14 presented “Understanding Attachment
Theory,” with faculty member Melissa Smothers, Counseling, at Catholic Educator’s Convention on October 5.
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CLASS NOTES 1970-1999 Clare Zillmer Dundon ‘70 is now retired and helps with St. Anthony on the Lake’s music ministry and serves on its human concerns committee. Jane Rice Radoszewski ’71 co-funded the nonprofit WE BUILD
Lisa Runge ’05 & ’11 now works as the Senior Learning Experience Designer at Johnson Controls in Milwaukee. Katie Fischer Streeter ‘05 and her husband are serving as missionaries in Papua New Guinea with the organization Ethnos360.
(Women’s Empowerment Business Initiative for Lending and Development) in 2012.
Maylanda Campbell Johnson ’06 had
Cynthia Hagen Mennig ’80 is trained as a blue zones
her new book “HIV on TV: Popular Culture’s Epidemic” published in September 2018, which talks about how HIV has become saturated in popular culture through television.
facilitator in Dodge County, serves as a board member for the Dodge County Toy Bank, and volunteers at the Beaver Dam Community Hospital.
Tanya Gross ’91 started at Trustmark as the senior service delivery analyst.
Maureen Peters Waslicki ’93 published
“Forged with Flames: Faith and Love During the Peshtigo Fire” with Solstice Publishing under the pen name Jayne Caelan. The faith-based historical romance is set during Wisconsin’s deadliest natural disaster in 1871.
Dana Hansen ’96 now works as an account executive for Absolute Payroll, Inc.
Jennifer Gruel Hoffmann ’99 is now the
development and production manager for the JES Apparel division of the American Fashion Network.
Jessica Kressin Pelnar ’07 is now the associate
director of advancement at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in West Milwaukee.
2011-2018 Mandy DesJardins Webster ’13, author of
“Valley of the Bees,” was a featured author for the second annual Local Author’s Fair at the Bloomington Public Library.
Kerri Lukasavitz ’12
2000-2010 Jennifer Hernandez Brown ’02 started as a claims associate at State Farm Insurance in Arizona.
won a 2018 Royal Dragonfly Book Award for her middle grade novel, “Mystery Horse at Oak Lane Stable.”
Emelle Holmes-Drammeh ’03, lead
inpatient physician assistant in the OBGYN department at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, joined the Board of Directors for Beat the Blues, Inc. She also serves on the board for Madison Kanifing Sister City and the Senegambian Women’s Association and holds an annual school supply drive for an elementary school or orphanage in The Gambia, West Africa.
Craig Mattson ’12
started as a communications specialist at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
DONATE YOUR BIRTHDAY TO MOUNT MARY https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/MMU SPRING 2019 | 33
CLASS NOTES
Jennifer VandenBosch DeLucia ‘15
DIETICIAN:
Food is not the enemy To help people who struggle with eating disorders and weight management gain a positive relationship with food and body image, Brittany Barker ’12 opened her own private practice, Lake Country Nutrition Counseling. “I can remember thinking back to one of my dietetics classes at Mount Mary, writing a business plan and dreaming about a day of starting my own business,” Barker said. “Well, here I am and the education I received at Mount Mary prepared me and gave me the confidence I needed to make this a reality.” Lake Country Nutrition Counseling opened this fall and is located in Oconomowoc.
Allyson Housaman ’13 & ’14 started a new position
received the 2018 Rawley Silver Research Award for her research on art therapy with veterans.
Melissa Stindt ’15 started as the program and electronic communications coordinator at WI FACETS. Yasmin Henderson Tucker ‘15 now teaches art therapy at Concordia University-Nebraska as an adjunct professor for their undergrad program.
Michelle Hawkins ’16 started as the membership services and communications coordinator at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. Zecilia Alamillo-Roman ’17 started as a pre-college advisor at the United Community Center.
Mary Andrus ’17 received the 2018 Presidential Award from the American Art Therapy Association. Leah Sommers ‘17 earned her NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) certification in December 2018.
Mandy Mindin ’17 & ’18 accepted a full-time position as a registered dietitian at the Elmbrook Campus of Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital.
as clinical coordinator of occupational therapy at Froedtert South.
Emily Dachs ’18 now works as the
Anna Olson ’15 is now
Dominique Balderas ’18 now works as a residential counselor at Rogers Behavioral Health.
working as an independent consultant for Perfectly Posh.
human resources generalist for PS Seasoning & Spices.
Nicole Pryor ’15 was
interviewed on WUWM 89.7 last fall for her efforts to integrate mental health care into routine physical check-ups with doctors. Nicole provides behavior health services for primary care clients in a nurse-managed health care facility and also works part-time providing substance use treatment services for clients referred from the Department of Corrections.
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Celebrate with us Share your weddings, births, professional and personal accomplishments with the Mount Mary community. Send us your update (and a photo, if you’d like). You can fill out the online form at mtmary.edu/alumnae/update.
IN MEMORIAM 1939 1940 1940 1941 1945 1946 1946 1946 1946 1947 1947 1948 1948 1948 1948 1950 1951 1951 1952 1952 1952 1953 1953 1953 1954 1954 1954 1955 1955 1955
Teresa McNeil Haschka on June 7, 2015 Jane Archibald on Dec. 18, 2015 Lois Wang Lee on June 8, 2016 Dorothy Schwerman Wood on Dec. 20, 2003 Marilyn Nelson Mulligan on Feb. 6, 2018 Marilyn Denessen Mackin on Oct. 8, 2018 Jeanne O’Toole on June 11, 2011 Virginia Bodden Tausz on Sept. 11, 2018 Dorothy Becker Wagner on May 17, 2010 Elizabeth Isabella Clayton on January 8, 2017 Patricia Renard Wolf on Oct. 27, 2016 Jean Lachenmaier Curtin on Jan. 17, 2019 Patricia Phoenix Harrington on Jan 14, 2019 Kay Kelly Higgins on March 26, 2018 Rita Byrnes Schneider on Nov. 23, 2018 Elizabeth Reuteman Malloy on Dec. 4, 2018 Eileen Johnson on Jan. 18, 2019 Mary Rasmussen Plinke on Nov. 11, 2018 Patricia O’Brien Delaney on Oct. 28, 2018 Nancy Knapp Grun on Nov. 25, 2017 Kathleen Conter Maag on Jan. 19, 2019 Sister Clara Mary Ruesch, SSND on Jan. 31, 2019 Sister Mary Ann Sadowski, SSND on Nov. 18, 2018 Nell Theiler Virgil on Dec. 20, 2018 Anne Burbach Barg-Costello on July 28, 2017 Jeanette Gahl DeMers on Feb. 13, 2019 Mary Ellen Ryan Magrini on Jan. 2, 2019 Jeanne Boyle McJoynt on Jan. 22, 2019 Dolores Gross Sextro on March 13, 2018 Kathleen Kenney Ward on Aug. 25, 2018
IN MEMORIAM
1956 Dolores Maresh Butler on Jan. 18, 2018 1957 Carol Berghammer Buechel on Jan. 23, 2019 1957 Pauline Wesley Wanderer on Jan. 9, 2019 1959 Molly Ann Mohar Black on Sept. 4, 2017 1959 Barbara Schwartz Campbell on December 4, 2018 1959 Sister Mary Brain Overfield, SSND on Jan. 12, 2019 1960 Mary Ann Haertl Helstad on Jan. 17, 2018 1961 Theresa Balistierri Fruncek on Feb. 6, 2019 1962 Mary Schaus on Dec. 26, 2018 1963 Margaret Du Bois McPhee on Nov. 29, 2018 1963 Gertrud Elizabeth Meyer on Feb. 8, 2019 1963 Judith Kortsehl Nairus on Feb. 14, 2019 1969 Cheryl Freis Bornemann on Nov. 15, 2018 1969 Daria Horn on Jan. 7, 2019 1970 Lois Labus Steliga on Oct. 15, 2017 1973 Debra Robel Cygnar on Nov. 1, 2018 1973 Maureen Martin on Jan. 12, 2019 1975 Sister Mary Beth Schraml, SSND on Jan. 17, 2019 1978 Alice Schmidt Strube on Dec. 27, 2013 1979 Mary Leeuw Stewart on Oct. 23, 2018 1982 Mary Tobin Holt on Feb. 10, 2019 1982 Monica Iannelli on May 27, 2017 1985 Nancy Morris Skarich on Oct. 16, 2012 1995 Kelly Stodola-Reszczynski on Nov. 17, 2018 2004 Anne Warren on January 7, 2019 Annetta Hinton on Nov. 8, 2006 Former Trustee and Staff T. Michael Bolger on Nov. 29, 2018 Christine Ertl on Oct. 3, 2018
SPRING 2019 | 35
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
By Sister Joan Penzenstadler, SSND, Vice President for Mission and Identity
On New Year’s Eve 2017, Pope Francis thanked parents and all educators who invite others into a civic sense “with an ethics of responsibility, educating them to feel part [of society], to take care of it, and to be interested in the reality that surrounds them.” He called all such citizens “artisans of the common good.” That concept holds a distinct resonance with what we are about at Mount Mary University. By nature, artisans devote their minds and spirits to the highest ideals of their work, and they invite apprentices to immerse themselves in the “art form” at hand and make what they are learning their own. Besides the expertise that each discipline requires, we artisans at Mount Mary know that our work interconnects with all the other endeavors that provide an environment for the development of the whole person.
“ WE ARE ON THE LOOKOUT
sister joan penzenstadler enrollment strategies that prompt prospective students to see themselves stepping into their future because of what Mount Mary promises? What new venues do we design that will enhance the culture we want to promote? Are there new delivery modes for our academic programs that can effectively offer a sense of community?
Although we need goals that are measurable, strategizing for the future also calls us to keep in MISSION: mind the intangibles that cannot be measured. MANY ARTISANS AT MOUNT To help students realize What is the vision for Mount Mary that that the development transcends concrete outcomes and continues of their gifts is meant to MARY TOGETHER CAN BEST to inspire and shape lives? How do we cherish serve a purpose beyond the bedrock of our values — community and the self. inclusion; education that draws out the best in SCULPT THE MISSION FOR each student; personal encounter; a thirst for a just and sustainable world — so that our strategic THE FUTURE.” plan becomes the vessel through which these values can be transformative agents in the future? As we continue to shape a strategic plan that will see us through to 2025, we are on the lookout for ways in Our work as artisans continues. We are in this great which the many artisans at Mount Mary together can work together, and, thus, we bless one another with best sculpt the mission for the future. How do we create hope as we hone our gifts in a rapidly changing world.
FOR WAYS IN WHICH THE
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to bloom!
Our newest graduates will soon be leaving Mount Mary and carrying the mission of the school into the garden of life and their futures. We thank our alums and friends who have helped to financially support the programs and services of Mount Mary. Your continued gifts will honor the legacy and mission of Mount Mary for years to come.
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