NAA President's Letter

NAA President’s Letter

NAA President’s Letter

DEAR MOUNT ALUMNI, I hope you and your family have been safe and healthy during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The strength and resilience of the Mount community continues to amaze me. I personally want to thank President Trainor for his fearless leadership during this pandemic which allowed the Mount to welcome our students back to Mary’s Mountain and complete the fall semester in person on our beautiful campus. Your tireless dedication to our beloved Mount truly shows and we are all eternally grateful.

Sadly we have been unable to gather in person for many of our favorite alumni traditions and chapter events these past nine months. However, social media, Zoom, and virtual events have allowed us to stay connected. Alumni classes have been reaching out to the Office of Advancement to host class happy hours via Zoom and close to 100 alumni participated in Mount Athletics’ Virtual Run. At our recent NAA Fall Meeting I was pleased to introduce the newly elected Chair of our Board of Trustees, Gracelyn McDermott, C’93, to members of our National Alumni Association. Gracelyn will continue to help lead the Mount forward—together as one!

If you’ve ever considered getting involved with the NAA, now is your chance. Elections for president, two vice presidents, seminary vice president and seven council seats will be held this spring. Nominate yourself or fellow alumni to be a member of the National Alumni Association Council at msmary.edu/naanomination. We look forward to a strong turnout of alumni and seminary alumni.

The Mount’s endurance and resilience through this pandemic has been nothing short of remarkable. Nonetheless, COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on our community. Across campus there have been technology enhancements in all classrooms, PPE, new dining options and ventilation of the dorms and academic spaces. All were necessary to allow our Mount community to safely return for the fall semester and will likely be necessary for students to return for the spring semester.

When contributing before the year end, please consider making a gift to the Mount Annual Fund. Under the CARES Act, those who do not itemize can take a one-time $300 charitable income tax deduction on their 2020 federal income tax return.

Thank you for all you do for the Mount. You and your family are in my prayers, and I hope to see many of you at an alumni event in the near future.

Sincerely,

ED CARUSO, C'86 National Alumni Association President