Mount News Magazine Fall 2020: The Heart of a Lion

Everything we do, we do with the Heart of a Lion

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Friends, Not even COVID-19 can stop the Heart of a Lion. The celebration of the Mount’s 100th anniversary began on September 14, 2019—with the party of the century— including a gallery exhibition of our heritage, a Founders Day Mass, a party in the quad, and the first-ever fireworks display on campus! Indeed, that celebratory spirit carried over into 2020, with more pride and greater fanfare ... only to be challenged by the unthinkable—a global pandemic.

Despite the myriad challenges caused by the Coronavirus, the Mount community has responded with determination, resilience, and creativity. I could not be more proud of our students, faculty, and staff, particularly with respect to how quickly they adapted to remote teaching, learning, and operations, while maintaining their Lions’ spirit. That Lions’ spirit roared more distinctively than ever during our Centennial Jubilee Week, as we closed out the Mount’s 100th anniversary with a digital collection of inspiring videos, from September 8 through September 14.

I also proudly report that the campus environment has been greatly enriched by the revival of the MSJ Theatre Program (which is now producing virtual plays) and the revitalization and growth of our music programs. Moreover, we will achieve a major milestone toward our Transformation 2025 goals when the new Centennial Field House & Austin E. Knowlton Fitness Center is completed this fall. As I have stated before in this column, Transformation 2025 represents a comprehensive shared vision for the Mount, one in which the student experience and aspirations are absolutely central. Finally, I am delighted to share that, in 2019-2020, the Mount achieved another outstanding Career Outcomes Placement Rate—this time, 99.6 percent (i.e., nearly 100 percent of our recent graduates are either engaged in full-time work or attending graduate school within six months of graduation).

Global pandemic or not, our commitment to the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff has never been stronger. Throughout the spring and summer, we’ve kept the community updated regularly, through emails and videos, regarding COVID-19 safety guidelines and other vital information. We will continue this practice throughout the fall and next spring to ensure everyone remains informed of our latest efforts to protect the Mount community. Moreover, during these times of societal upheaval, you can also rest assured that the University is more committed than ever to continuing its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and support of social justice programs.

Finally, please note that, in the interest of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the University is exploring the option of producing digital versions of Mount News in lieu of the print editions. In 2020 and beyond, look for this and other avenues we plan to utilize to stay in touch, including email, social media, and more. You can learn more about this transition on the back cover of this issue; additionally, by visiting www.msj.edu/together, you can share your feedback and opinions regarding how we can best continue sharing news and meaningful stories about your alma mater.

May God continue to bless all of us—and may God continue to bless Mount St. Joseph University!

Sincerely,

H. James Williams, Ph.D. President

CONTENTS AROUND THE QUAD

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FACULTY & STAFF UPDATES

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LIONS’ CORNER

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MOUNT JUBILEE

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ALUMNI UPDATES I DO ... AGAIN! CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT IN MEMORIAM COMMENCEMENT RECAP

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PUBLISHED BY

Division of Institutional Advancement Mount St. Joseph University 5701 Delhi Road Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670 www.msj.edu

EDITORIAL TEAM

Amanda Absher ’08 Tara Byrd ’18 Kathleen Scanlan Cardwell ’87 Morgan Carpenter ’20 Greg Goldschmidt ’07 Matt Taske ’14, ’09 Blake Watson ’19

HEART OF A LION 6

They achieve beyond the norm, follow their dreams, and inspire others to do the same. They advocate for those in need and succeed through knowledge, devotion, and perseverance. Meet eight Mount graduates who embody the character and qualities the entire Mount community holds dear.

It won’t be easy. It never is. But there comes a time in each of our lives when we have to respond; to disappointment, to challenges, to defeat. So the question is ... How will you respond? Will you turn away?

Will you sit idly by? Will you look to someone else?

Or will you respond with the Heart of a Lion; to achieve, to persevere, to overcome! We are the students, faculty, staff and alumni of Mount St. Joseph University.

Everything we do, we do with the Heart of a Lion MSJ EDUCATION LEADS THE WAY IN OHIO 14

The Mount offers a unique solution for educators who wish to acquire the knowledge and experience to teach both general and special education students. This is in addition to other MSJ degree programs that blend multiple disciplines and interests that can lead to rewarding careers.

DESIGNER

Tricia Witterstaetter Johnson ’97

CONTRIBUTORS

Jessica Baltzersen ’14

MANAGING EDITOR Michael Schiavetta

MISSION STATEMENT

Mount St. Joseph University is a Catholic academic community grounded in the spiritual values and vision of its founders, the Sisters of Charity. The University educates its students through interdisciplinary liberal arts and professional curricula emphasizing values, integrity, and social responsibility. Members of the Mount community embrace: excellence in academic endeavors; the integration of life and learning; respect and concern for all persons; diversity of cultures and beliefs; and service to others.

All photos by Don Denney unless otherwise noted. Photo of Katlin Middleton on page 8 by Andrew E. Woods Photography. Vow Renewal Ceremony photo on page 22 by Sara Pope. If you would like to contact a member of the editorial team, call 513-244-4330 or 800-654-9314. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please email alumni@msj.edu.

For complete calendar listings, visit www.msj.edu/calendar.

Learn more and help spread the word about Mount St. Joseph University on social media. @MountStJosephU MountStJoseph @msj1920

For MSJ Lions schedule, visit www.msjsports.com.

FALL 2020 1

AROUND THE QUAD NEWS THE MOUNT WELCOMES NEW LEADERSHIP Mount St. Joseph University announced the appointment of Amy Smith as vice president for institutional advancement, Amy Smith Jeffrey M. Wampler as vice president for marketing and communications, and Rayshawn Eastman ’08, Ph.D., as chief diversity and inclusion officer and Title IX coordinator.

Jeffrey M. Wampler Smith will oversee the University’s fundraising and philanthropy efforts as well as alumni relations. She also will work alongside President Williams as a Rayshawn Eastman, member of his cabinet. ’08, Ph.D. “The culture of service at the Mount is truly inspiring,” Smith said. “I look forward to working alongside President Williams to ensure the University has the necessary resources to reach our goals and expand access to education for more people across more circumstances.”

She has worked in the field of philanthropic and nonprofit leadership

for more than 17 years. Currently a doctoral student at Vanderbilt University, she received her master’s degree from Thomas More University and bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. Smith is a native of the Pacific Northwest and relocated to Cincinnati three years ago.

Wampler joins the University’s leadership team after serving as a global marketing executive for Procter & Gamble for 31 years. In his current role, Wampler will lead the University’s marketing and communications efforts.

“This role brings together my leadership experience and passion for marketing, nonprofits, and faith-based education,” Wampler said. “I am honored and look forward to serving the mission, our students, and the community of Mount St. Joseph University as we move forward from our centennial and celebrate this Cincinnati gem founded by the Sisters of Charity.”

Wampler has lived in Cincinnati for more than 20 years and taught graduate business courses at Xavier University. He has also worked with several local nonprofits and served on numerous boards, including Procter & Gamble Agile Pursuits Franchising, Inc., Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, and Arizona State University WP Carey School: Center for Services Leadership.

He received his master’s degree from Xavier University and bachelor’s degree from Northern Kentucky University.

Dr. Eastman, a 2008 graduate of Mount St. Joseph University, is a native of Lincoln Heights and graduate of Princeton High School. He has dedicated his career to creating and implementing student-centered initiatives, and previously served as assistant dean of students at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va. Dr. Eastman also holds a doctorate in philosophy and a master’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Dr. Eastman is excited and humbled by the opportunity to return to his alma mater.

“President Williams’ leadership and vision are proving to be the catalyst that will propel the University into the next 100 years, and this is evident in our strategic plan, Transformation 2025,” Dr. Eastman said. “Our students look to us to create a holistic environment that is inclusive for all, fosters engagement across differences, and prepares students for the diverse and ever-changing world. Transformation 2025 situates the institution in a manner that will positively impact students, the region, and beyond. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

TAKE A WALK ON THE VIRTUAL SIDE

As the Mount continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, it is taking precautions to keep our community and guests safe while also providing an enjoyable visiting experience. To accommodate this new age of social distancing and safety protocols, the Mount has introduced a new virtual tour for everyone who wishes to enjoy our beautiful campus. The YouVisit Tour provides engaging 360 virtual experiences that showcase the Mount’s many features and facilities. The virtual visit provides a way for prospective students and their families to experience campus in an online environment. Visit www.msj.edu/visit for details.

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AROUND THE QUAD NEWS A CARING RESPONSE TO TRAGEDY On June 2, President Williams shared a community message addressing the civil unrest in the days following the death of George Floyd. The following is an excerpt: “As a Catholic University defined by our mission, vision, and values, we are deeply concerned about the negative, ripple effects of yet another crisis of racism playing itself out—here in Cincinnati and in communities across our Country. Indeed, the Nation’s original sin continues to eat at the very soul of our democracy and sense of wellbeing. Here, at the Mount, we believe in the sanctity of humanity, without regard to race, religion, or circumstance.

We are a ‘family,’ comprised of persons from many different backgrounds—and every member of our community has value and a right to safety. During these

very challenging times, we must stand firm on our values. We must remain committed to being an extension of Jesus’ mission by modeling gospel values, embracing a commitment to the values of Catholic Social Justice, and exercising particular attention to the dignity of all persons.”

In conclusion, he added: “Let us, all, recognize the tremendous responsibility we have as individuals to answer that call—to foster peace and tranquility throughout our communities and for everyone. We are strong enough and caring enough to make a difference—here at the Mount, throughout the Greater Cincinnati community, and across the country. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. With the Heart of a Lion, let us dare to risk a caring response.”

Students at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting discuss faith, spirituality, and a passion for sports.

STUDENT-ATHLETES SHARE FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY IN NEW CLUB

The Roar Store front entrance in the Harrington Center.

A ROARING SUCCESS The Mount’s new bookstore, renamed “The Roar Store,” opened on August 7 in the Harrington Center, complete with new, vibrant renovations to represent the University’s spirit. Students can order books exclusively online for in-person pickup.

“The new Roar Store is designed to meet the needs of our students, whether it’s spirit wear, gifts, snacks, or to pick up their e-campus book order,” says Katrina Kenton ’88, director of auxiliary services. “We also have everything from notebooks to laundry detergent to brake fluid and tire repair. We hope to offer our students a variety of merchandise and essentials so they can conveniently purchase what they need. Everyone will

enjoy the wide range of foods and snacks we offer, too!”

The store graphics include displays of the MSJ Lion logo, which was designed

by Mount alumna Tricia Witterstaetter Johnson ’97.

Amanda Absher ’08, graphic designer at the Mount, adapted that design to enhance the store’s appeal. “I designed the Roar Store graphics as a sneak peek of some of the branding you will see in the new Centennial Field House.

I wanted to create a vibrant, spirited entrance to get students and the rest of the Mount community excited to shop!

It was fun to see it all come together when it was installed.”

A new student club called the Fellowship of Christian Athletes now offers students the opportunity to grow together in their faith and spirituality while sharing a passion for sports.

One of the founding members, student-athlete Trevor Thome, was part of a similar group in high school and says his faith has impacted his life as a college football player in more ways than one.

He notes how his strong religious faith helped him to stay humble and to battle the adversities that come with balancing both school and sports. In addition, his devotion has brought him the opportunity to positively impact others.

With the platform his faith has provided for him, he is able to share his spiritual journey with students in the Mount community who have similar beliefs or who simply want to connect with others to learn and grow as people.

When asked how the idea for this club started, Thome explained that he and two teammates, Julius Fisher and Collin Matt, had simply felt there was a niche to be filled on campus, one where studentathletes could join together in “fellowship and fun.”

FALL 2020 3

AROUND THE QUAD NEWS THE MOUNT RANKED AMONG 30 BEST COLLEGES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES College Consensus has recognized Mount St. Joseph University in their survey of 30 Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities. Inclusion in the online listing helps to assure prospective students that the Mount is invested in their long term success.

Specifically, the Mount’s Project EXCEL program is a structured support system focused on assisting students diagnosed with a learning difference. Students will discover their academic strengths, address learning challenges, and acquire new skills.

Founded in 1982, Project EXCEL has proven to provide highly successful interventions, addressing the needs of students through a comprehensive system that includes academic support, executive function coaching, and help navigating new social situations.

NEW DEAN GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS

The Mount is pleased to welcome Sharon Wagner, Ph.D., as the new dean of the School of Business. She comes to us from Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon, where she was a tenured professor and served as the Harold Sharon Wagner, Ph.D. C. Elkinton Chair of Business since 2010. Dr. Wagner has also taught at the University of San Francisco, where she served as director of the M.S. in Organization Development Program. She earned her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee and her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.

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CONSTRUCTION ON NEW RECREATION AND FITNESS CENTER NEARLY COMPLETE!

Over the summer, construction on the new Centennial Field House & Austin E. Knowlton Fitness Center continued.

The Transformation 2025 project is scheduled for completion this fall. Be sure to follow our progress by following “@MountStJosephU” on Twitter and Instagram.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC CLOSES DOORS, CREATIVITY OFFERS OPTIONS

The following is an abridged essay

by Mount student Hanne Driscoll, who demonstrates how MSJ students and faculty are confronting COVID-19 with creativity and determination.

When COVID-19 struck, the entire world came to a stop. The spring semester at Mount St. Joseph University was cut short and caused students to do their course work from home. I worried about what was going to happen to the courses I had planned to take over the summer.

I was a double major planning to graduate with my two degrees, a bachelor’s in fine arts and a bachelor’s in psychology, in 2021. Balancing two different majors was difficult, but I was determined to graduate on time, pandemic or not.

I was scheduled to take an Art Criticism course and had my Independent Study course plan already in place. However, due to COVID-19, professors and students could not meet face to face, and

the museums were closed for most of the summer.

I did not want to take no for an answer and asked if there was another option.

Student Hanne Driscoll [Adjunct Professor Cecilia] Dorger created an alternative way to teach the course during the pandemic.

She researched outdoor art works [throughout] Cincinnati creating “exhibits without walls.” Then I wrote the paper as if it were an exhibit. I also looked at outdoor sculptures grouped as “exhibits.” After sending the papers to Professor Dorger, we would meet via Zoom.

If I learned anything, it was that perseverance and creative alternatives can overcome the pandemic’s obstacles. My professor and I were determined to make the most of a terrible situation. [M]y parents practically took the course, too, and could not wait to wake me up as early as possible every Saturday morning to “go see some art.”

AROUND THE QUAD NEWS MOUNT PA STUDENTS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN: DON’T BRUSH ASIDE ORAL HEALTH

NEWS BRIEFS

Diane Ato

Riley Brashear

Kelly Coburn

Kelsie Dirksing

Brett Durbin

Elizabeth Fowler

Mount St. Joseph University School of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program

Kelli Harmon

Christina Kohorst

Caitlin Cahill

Molly Hazelbaker

William Kossenjans

Ashley Nutter

Noah Freppon

Taylor Linz

Class of 2020 Inaugural Cohort

Rachael Oakley

Jeremy Palmer

Allison Scott

Lindsey Serraino

Jordan Smith

Vanessa Stewart

Kyle Storc

Alexandra Tran

Thuy Pham

Chase Tucker

Andrew Webber

Brendan Wilson

Brittany Winters

Victoria Wylie

Tristy Nguyen

Jessica Reinhardt

MSJ_Graduation_Photo.indd 2

6/18/20 2:46 PM

FIRST COHORT OF PA STUDENTS GRADUATE Physician assistant students from the Mount educated children at Sayler Park Elementary School about proper brushing and flossing, how dental care affects overall health, and the importance of a proper diet for strong teeth.

Thirty students from the Mount’s Physician Assistant Studies (PA) Program raised oral health awareness earlier this year by providing education as well as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss to more than 200 Sayler Park Elementary School students in Cincinnati.

Led by PA graduate student Kelsie Dirksing, the project stemmed from her pediatric rotation in a medically underserved community.

“On my rotation, I noticed that the majority of my young patients did not have a toothbrush,” says Dirksing. “So, I applied for the nccPA Health Foundation’s grant to develop a program that would assist me in teaching oral health while providing supplies that would make a direct impact in children’s lives.”

MSJ PA Program Director Patrick Cafferty, PA-C, faculty member Rebekah Moore, PA-C, and her preceptor Rachael Doll, CNP, supported Dirksing’s outreach plans. Setting up the project required establishing a strong partnership between

the MSJ PA program and the Sayler Park school as well as the development of lesson plans for the two-part educational program.

“Kelsie’s oral health project was a true reflection of the PA program’s vision of empathy and an attitude of service to others,” says Dr. Cafferty. “We hope our new graduates will continue to improve access to primary care in Cincinnati.”

During each session, PA students educated children about proper brushing and flossing, how dental care affects overall health, and the importance of a proper diet for strong teeth. Afterward, the kids received oral health supplies to take home as well as healthy snacks to reinforce what was taught during the session.

“My involvement in this project has been an extremely rewarding aspect of my time in PA school,” says Dirksing. “I look forward to carrying over the leadership skills and lessons that I’ve learned to my career following graduation.”

BRAND NEW RECOGNITION Kurt Grannan, M.F.A., assistant professor of graphic design, along with students in his Brand Identity Graphic Design class, received the Chairman’s Award from People Working Cooperatively (PWC) for their outstanding design work that promoted the nonprofit’s mission and operations.

PWC is dedicated to providing home repairs and other services to lowincome families to ensure they live in safe and healthy environments.

The Mount’s Class of 2020 included 30 graduates of the University’s new Physician Assistant Studies Program. Launched in 2018, the accredited, 27-month graduate program emphasizes critical thinking and life-long learning through its use of hands-on patient care and state-of-the-art technology. The program currently has provisional accreditation status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

A TRIFLING AFFAIR

On June 12, the Mount’s Theatre Arts program staged a free virtual reading of “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell.

The 25-minute play explores themes of isolation, the justness of law and order, and early feminism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MSJ Theatre Arts Program has been exploring theatrical experiences in virtual environments to bring more performances to the Mount community. Visit www.msj.edu/ theatrearts to learn more.

FALL 2020 5

HEART OF A LION Teachers, leaders, healers, changemakers … meet a cross-section of Mount alumni who embody what it means to go forth with courage, purpose, and strength.

By Kathleen Scanlan Cardwell ’87 Their stories are as varied as the Mount degrees they have earned.

They achieve beyond the norm, follow their dreams, and inspire others to do the same. They advocate for those in need and succeed through knowledge, devotion, and perseverance. You’ll find them in corporate offices, busy classrooms, hospital clinics—anywhere where they can leverage their Mount St. Joseph University experience to bring compassion, hope, and wisdom to improve the lives of others.

EACH OF THEM HAS THE HEART OF A LION. These eight Mount graduates embody the character and qualities that the entire Mount community holds dear.

EDUCATING WITH HOPE AND RESPECT During his 10 years as a stay-athome dad while volunteering and tutoring at his children’s school, Glen Calhoun ’08 yearned to become a teacher. The Mount’s TEAM program, a 15-month accelerated master’s program that leads to teacher licensure, was the perfect fit.

“The format of full-time student teaching and full-time classes was challenging, but I experienced tremendous support and encouragement from the Mount’s Education Department,” Calhoun says. “They really went above and beyond to meet the needs of adult students and their reputation in the field of teacher training is outstanding. The camaraderie with my fellow students and the full-year practicum were both invaluable.”

His first teaching job in the Cincinnati Public School District (CPS) was at Mt. Airy. After that he moved on to Rothenberg Preparatory Academy, followed by an eight-year stint as a preschool teacher at CPS’s Rees E. Price Academy.

While teaching summer school in

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2015, Calhoun had a conversation with the assistant director of educational issues with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The following summer, he was invited to attend the AFT’s Summer Educator Academy in Baltimore, Md., and became a local trainer for the Foundations of Effective Teaching.

He was just getting started.

Calhoun soon became a national trainer, helping other teachers in Washington, D.C., and New Jersey.

He is also part of a transition committee for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, where he is working to develop basic guidelines for early childhood educators nationwide. For the fall 2020 school year, he is one of two teachers leading early childhood education programs in the Cincinnati Public School District. His work entails guiding pre-K teachers in classroom setup and management, student engagement, and curriculum across nearly 150 classrooms. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has him working hard to develop learning plans and a variety of scenarios.

When schools closed in the spring, Calhoun and a colleague

at Rees E. Price surrounded themselves with stuffed animals to create “circle time” videos (featuring Calhoun on his acoustic guitar) for their preschool students. Before they knew it, the district had shared the videos as a best practice for other teachers who were trying to adapt to teaching in a virtual classroom.

Today, Calhoun believes teachers need even more support, as every classroom requires practical, unique, and effective approaches to learning.

He is part of a committee for Mount St. Joseph University’s School of Education that is developing a dual master’s degree in pre-K and special education. As part of this effort, he teaches a Promoting Child Development course in the TEAM Program he once attended at the Mount.

“Children learn from having relationships with their peers and teachers,” he says. “That relationship must be built on respect. Students want to learn from people that ‘get who they are’ and understand their daily struggles. The love and emotional support these children need never ceases.”

Glen Calhoun ’08, M.A. District Lead Teacher Early Childhood Education Cincinnati Public School District

FALL 2020 7

Chima John ’19, R.N., C.P.N., C.C.M. Care Manager Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

EMPOWERED TO IMPACT PATIENT CARE When patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) need help, they look no further than Chima John ’19, R.N., C.P.N., C.C.M. “I’m an advocate and they trust me,” says the CCHMC care manager, who earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the Mount. “I help families navigate the complexities of the health care system, from managing their appointments and doctor recommendations to understanding a complex or chronic diagnosis. It’s challenging but rewarding because I’m able to see what piece of the puzzle I can help them solve.”

John’s efforts to help families go far beyond hospital walls. He also connects them to a variety of resources, including community agencies and food banks, as well as managed care organizations such as Medicaid. His work as an advocate also involves participating in care conferences and even providing necessary documentation and input related to patients’ individual education plans in their schools.

“As a care manager, I can influence a patient’s success from several

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perspectives within the health care framework,” says John.

Earning his Master of Science in Nursing from Mount St. Joseph University to help improve patient outcomes is only one part of his longstanding relationship with his alma mater. He also earned his undergraduate degree in nursing from the Mount and began his career at CCHMC as a student co-op. His work resulted in his being named a finalist for the Co-op Student of the Year Award at MSJ. In addition to the many friends he met at the Mount, John also met his spouse, Abbi, while working at CCHMC. “The Mount really is like my extended family,” he says. “The instructors in the M.S.N. program are incredible because they empowered me to believe that I can make a difference in my patients’ lives.”

John chose the administrative track in the M.S.N. program because his future career aspirations include being in a leadership role. He is grateful for the many amazing nurse managers and role models he has worked with, and he looks forward to one day offering the same level of support and empowerment he received.

ADVENTURES OF A FAITH-BASED PHYSICAL THERAPIST For Katlin Middleton ’11, D.P.T., physical therapy is more than a career— it’s a calling.

One of her most rewarding experiences took place in 2016 nearly 7,500 miles from home. The adventure began as Middleton and another physical therapist, Lauren Baker, raised funds to start East of Eden Physical Therapy, an international grassroots pediatric mission. They spent two weeks in Nepal, helping children at the Nepal Disabled Welfare Center in Kathmandu, Nepal, and elderly women at a Tibetan refugee camp.

Preparations for their trip included producing a pediatric physical therapy handbook to educate and share with local caregivers. Little did they know another adventure awaited.

“After we returned, we felt an urgency to somehow broaden the reach, so in February 2020, we published it as a book, titled Pediatric Exercise Handbook: A Developmental How-To for Parents and Clinicians,” says Middleton.

Katlin Middleton ’11, D.P.T. Therapy Director Aveanna Healthcare

“We hoped to sell 12 copies and see a profit of $100. Following the COVID19 outbreak, there was an even greater need. As of mid-September, we have sold more than 500 copies in nine countries.”

Readers of their book include parents and early intervention therapists, and several universities are adding it to their pediatrics curriculum.

Prior to Nepal, Middleton was in Jacksonville, N.C., at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. During her time there, she founded a PT clinic within the Naval Hospital’s Pain Management Clinic, where she worked with active duty sailors and marines.

She is currently a therapy director for Aveanna Healthcare, where she oversees pediatric therapy clinics in both Virginia Beach and Hampton, Va. Middleton fully expects big ideas to continue presenting themselves to her. “PT is an affirming profession because you immediately experience how critical your work is. It requires getting to know your patients, but you also have to be respectful of the culture and the community in which you are serving, and to be open to the many, many lessons along the way.”

Anne Swenson ’16, M.B.A. Project Administrator Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

BALANCING BIG IDEAS AND STRATEGIC GROWTH For Anne Swenson ’16, excitement and energy breed success.

She partners with the chiefs of eight core surgical divisions at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) to evaluate and implement new initiatives focused on strategic growth, including patient care processes as well as new medical discoveries and devices. This requires Swenson to consider a variety of critical business factors, including infrastructure, competition, talent pools, investments, and market needs.

“My role is to be the voice of reason, to ensure there are actionable steps that can support the big ideas,” she says. “What drives me every day is the ability to improve the lives of children.”

One of Swenson’s most meaningful projects at CCHMC was her work on Solutions for Patient Safety. She led efforts in documenting, standardizing, testing, and validating data across eight hospitals in Ohio to achieve this. Not

only has this work saved lives, it was scaled to a national level.

In the midst of supporting top leadership in CCHMC’s responsible restart and addressing the backlog of cases due to COVID-19, Swenson is also part of a new initiative: the continued transformation of CCHMC as its 150th anniversary approaches in 2033.

Swenson credits much of her career success to the M.B.A. she earned at the Mount. The program’s Saturday class schedule enabled her to focus on her career during the week and spend time with her family in the evenings. Inspired by a professor in her M.B.A. program, Swenson recently joined the board of directors of the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation to help children impacted by this genetic condition.

“It was incredible to interact and learn with the same group of people,” she says. “We were able to quickly engage and perform as a team. The low-stakes learning and idea-sharing we used in working on case studies was so effective at honing the skills I use every day.”

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THE HEART OF A LION It won’t be easy.

It never is.

But there comes a time In each of our lives When we have to respond; To disappointment, To challenges, To defeat.

So the question is How will you respond?

Will you turn away?

Will you sit idly by?

Will you look to someone else?

Or will you respond with the Heart of a Lion; To achieve, To persevere, To overcome!

We are the students, faculty, staff, and alumni Of Mount St. Joseph University.

Everything we do, we do with the Heart of a Lion.

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Charles Myers III ’19, D.N.P., C.R.N.A. Staff Nurse Anesthetist VA Medical Center

ADVANCED NURSING IN ACTION A passion for science and 24 years in the U.S. Armed Forces has led to what Major Charles Myers III ’19, D.N.P., C.R.N.A., believes is one of the best careers out there—nurse anesthesiology.

Following his ROTC training as an undergraduate student, Myers began his career in health care working at University Hospital’s ER and ICU units as a nurse. Early in his military career, as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, he gained experience in medical/ environmental technologies and preventive medicine. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, an opportunity to shadow an anesthetist changed the trajectory of his career and affirmed his commitment to working directly in patient care.

He went on to earn his master’s degree in nurse anesthesia and work at Bethesda North Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital. It was then that Myers decided to pursue a terminal degree.

“I researched several D.N.P. programs, and the Mount’s was really the perfect choice for me,” he says. “The blended format and locality of the program, along with the timeline for completing the degree, worked well with where I was in my career, and where I was headed.”

In his current role as a staff nurse anesthetist at Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Myers is responsible for

consulting with patients and providing them with anesthesia services related to their surgery. He is also often on-call for anesthesia services required for emergency care, such as intubations and invasive line placement.

Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is one of Myer’s proudest accomplishments. He began intense weeks of studying for the state boards within days of his second daughter’s birth, and for him, after the stress of preparing and taking the test, it felt like a 500 lb. weight had been lifted off his shoulders when he knew he had passed.

He also relishes being commissioned as an officer in the Army Reserve and credits his military service for enhancing his career success and satisfaction. Besides Okinawa, he has served in Kosovo, Korea, as well as stateside in Hawaii and Kentucky.

Like the mentoring he received while in Okinawa, Myers was able to pay it forward while in Kosovo, where a surgical technician in nursing school shadowed him.

“For me, being a staff nurse anesthetist is the best job out there,” he says. “I am able to perform many of the same critical duties as an anesthesiologist, plus I am able to work independently and manage my own cases. I’ve also had the opportunity to integrate my Mount D.N.P. research project on the use of ultrasound technologies with anesthesia services into my work, and the work of other practitioners.”

FALL 2020 11

STARTUP SUCCESS

Andrew Webber ’20, Ph.D., PA-C Graduate Inaugural Physician Assistant Studies Program

A CAREER IN MEDICINE… YEARS IN THE MAKING As an instructor and as a student, Andrew Webber ’20, Ph.D., PA-C, is no stranger to classrooms. He taught science courses at the University of Cincinnati (UC), Northern Kentucky University, and Miami University’s Hamilton campus. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology/Invertebrate Paleontology from the University of Cincinnati and, most recently, his master’s degree in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies at the Mount.

Dr. Webber knew acceptance into the Mount’s PA Program would require prerequisite courses, many of which he had once taken some 15 years ago. He wasn’t fazed by this, or fazed by entering classrooms at UC and recognizing that a few of his new classmates were former students he had once taught. For Dr. Webber, this was all part of his grander plan: to have a career in medicine.

“For me, learning and teaching naturally go together, especially in the field of health care,” he says. “As a physician assistant, it is crucial that I stay current with trends and practices in medicine and that I help to educate and care for my patients.”

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Erin Henwood ’19 Intervention Specialist North Elementary School

Dr. Webber’s interest in medicine is partly derived from admiring his father, a dentist, who demonstrated commitment and care toward his patients. Later galvanized by his father’s recovery from a heart attack, he found himself once again drawn toward health care, where he could help others face life’s toughest challenges.

“I’m proud to have been part of the first PA Program in Cincinnati, where my family and friends are. I was really impressed with the reputation of the Mount’s School of Health Sciences, including the expert faculty. The closeknit cohort model enabled all of us, as students, to interact, learn, and collaborate as a team, and as medical professionals.”

His advice to future PA students stems from his firsthand experiences with the challenges of juggling work, life, family, and school. While taking his prerequisite courses for the PA Program, Dr. Webber was also working at a retail store, teaching, and serving as a volunteer EMT, all while being a husband and a father.

“It’s rigorous but it’s worth every minute because you’re learning so much, building a future, and you’re becoming part of an incredible network of health care professionals and colleagues ... many who will become lifelong friends.”

A CLASS ACT There was a time when Erin Henwood ’19 thought a career in education was not for her.

“I grew up watching my mother work as a teacher, so I was familiar with a teacher’s life,” she recalls.

“But I wanted to see what else was out there.”

Henwood would soon discover her passion for making a difference in the lives of children.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language at the University of Cincinnati, she worked as a sign language interpreter for Cincinnati Public Schools for seven years. Henwood soon appreciated the close, personal interactions with the Deaf/Hard of Hearing students in the classroom.

“I was with the students throughout the day, getting to know them while also collaborating with their teachers and the other professionals who supported them,” says Henwood.

“It was great to be a part of the students’ educational development and overall growth.”

J’Nelle Easley ’18, M.S.O.L. Principal Quality Control Lead Fifth Third Bank

Before long, Henwood decided to pursue her master’s degree in special education at the Mount. Not only did the Mount’s TEAM-MSE program meet her needs for flexibility, it also prepared Henwood for her new role as an intervention specialist, where she is ready to continue discovering even more ways to be an advocate for students.

Even with the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic brings to the education sector, she is thrilled to be starting the next phase of her career working with fourth and fifth grade students at North Elementary School in the Mt. Healthy City School District.

Regardless of whether her work will be in-person or remote, Henwood knows that she is ready to adapt to ensure her students’ needs are met.

“There are so many unknowns with the pandemic, and the health and safety of the students and the teachers is the most important factor,” says Henwood. “I am ready to establish myself in this new role, to stay positive, to absorb, and to learn. And I look forward to finding ways to add my perspective to the work I do, and how to best contribute to each student’s success.”

BROADENING THE BOUNDARIES OF LEADERSHIP While studying at Xavier University, J’Nelle Easley ’18, M.S.O.L., took a parttime job as a teller at Fifth Third Bank.

She expected it to be a temporary gig to help pay the bills through college.

It ended up being much more.

Inquisitive and self-motivated, Easley began asking questions about the banking industry. Her motto then—and still today —is, “How far can I take this opportunity?”

When she learned of the bank’s Operations Leadership Program, she saw another chance to broaden her skillset. That year, she was the only internal candidate selected for the leadership training. As Easley completed the program, her career transitioned from managing tactical services to being a strategic manager and leader. For 10 of her 17 years at Fifth Third Bank, she worked as the commercial specialty loan servicing manager, where she led a team of 14 in managing seven enterprise-wide customer processes.

As a leader, Easley believes it was important to give her team a platform to advance their careers, and to motivate them. She also believes that continuing to step out of her comfort zone leads to great things. That, in turn, is what led

her to the Mount’s Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) Program.

“The MSOL Program never really felt like school to me, because I was actively applying what I was learning in all of my classes to my projects every day,” says Easley. “It was a challenging curriculum, but it also constantly affirmed the value of integrating my master’s level learning with my career.”

Today, she serves as principal quality control lead for the Bancorp Quality Control/Workforce Management Team at Fifth Third Bank. Easley focuses on leading and directing a variety of top-level quality improvement programs across multiple lines of business.

“I’m the leader I set out to be, those many years ago,” she says. “On a strategic level, I’m helping other leaders to navigate change management within their teams.

But, I’m also mentoring members of those teams and giving them the encouragement they need to grow in their careers. On a personal level, I continue to shape my leadership style.”

For more information about our Heart of a Lion profiles, and to submit your own nominations, visit www.msj.edu/heartofalion.

FALL 2020 13

MSJ EDUCATION LEADS THE WAY IN OHIO

Mount St. Joseph University is the first to combine Early Childhood and Special Education

By Jessica Baltzersen ’14

N

ow more than ever the need for teachers who have both the knowledge and the experience to teach both general and special education students is essential.

And the Mount has a solution.

Currently, the Mount is the first and only school in Ohio to offer an extensive dual licensure program in early childhood and special education. With this program, students will be qualified to teach all students in preschool to fifth grade, including those with special education needs, as well as students with disabilities in grades 6 through 12.

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“Our School of Education is all about preparing teachers to change lives, impact communities, and transform the world,” says Laura Saylor, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education at Mount St. Joseph University.

NEW PROGRAMS Instead of dividing the two areas into separate skill sets, the Mount’s dual licensure program embraces a fully blended curriculum to unite general and special education.

The National Center for Education Statistics indicates that between 1989 and 2013, the percentage of students with disabilities who were in a general education class for 80 percent or more of the school day increased from approximately 32 percent to nearly 62 percent. That means general education teachers are teaching more students with disabilities. But training programs and teacher curricula are doing little to prepare teachers.

“Our School of Education is all about preparing teachers to change lives, impact communities, and transform the world,” says Laura Saylor, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education at Mount St. Joseph University.

AIMING TO FILL A CRITICAL SHORTAGE

The opportunity to have more teachers equipped and licensed with the skill set of intervention specialization fills a critical need within Ohio. The dual licensure program has the potential to jump teacher education candidates to

the top of the employment stack for many schools and principals, especially with the ability to fill such imperative shortages throughout the state.

“I chose the dual licensure because of the opportunities it will provide for my future,” says sophomore Julie Sucher.

“I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was little. When I heard about the dual licensure at the Mount, I knew it was something that I had to experience.”

Now, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, dual licensure candidates in the early childhood and special education program can earn three different education licensures, spanning preschool through 12th grade. The licensures are: • Primary (formerly referred to as Early Childhood)—preschool to fifth grade.

• Intervention Specialist Mild/ Moderate Needs—kindergarten through 12th grade.

• Intervention Specialist Moderate/ Intensive Needs—kindergarten through 12th grade.

“Many teachers are seen as role models and support systems for many children, and students rely on their teachers to be there for them,” adds Sucher. “They motivate the students to want to become something, as teachers inspire them to chase their dreams.”

A BROAD EDUCATION FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS AND EDUCATORS The Mount also offers a Bachelor of Science degree that blends a major in communication sciences and disorders with the Mount’s broad liberal arts foundation to prepare students for a variety of careers. The curriculum integrates a sequence of interdisciplinary courses designed to provide a thorough understanding of normal human communication processes in children and adults, in addition to various disorders associated with these processes.

Launching in May 2021, the University’s new Doctor of Education with a concentration in reading science is designed to prepare educational leaders in the science of reading and in affecting social justice through educational systems that offer research-based literacy instruction for all. Its curriculum is fully online and designed to work within a professional educator’s schedule along with on-campus summer institutes.

A DOUBLE MAJOR FOR DATA INTEGRATED NARRATIVES

In December 2019, the Mount was awarded a $1.2 million dollar grant to create a computer science program with a natural language process (NLP) concentration intended for prospective students to double major in liberal arts and sciences. This unique program combines linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence to create applications that permit computers to analyze language data.

Students with an interest in English, languages, literature, new media communications, biological sciences, psychology, and/or sociology are encouraged to apply.

Candidates are expected to double major in CS-NLP and another major such as liberal arts, new media communications, behavioral science, or biomedical sciences.

NLP is an emerging field in computer science, training students to analyze the written word, understand syntax, and engage the user in a consumer experience. Students enrolled in the CS-NLP program will also have an exclusive opportunity to co-op as paid scholars in the University’s Center for IT Engagement program. This includes hands-on experience with industry partners to create apps and other technical solutions that solve real-world problems, such as the Mount Roar App, which was created by students for students to expand and engage the Mount community.

FALL 2020 15

FACULTY & STAFF UPDATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS FACULTY & STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

John Ballard, Ph.D., professor emeritus of management in the School of Business, along with Jamal Rashed, Ph.D., dean of the School of Business, and Ibrahim Almafdali of the Mohammad Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (Saudi Arabi) published “The Role of Business Intelligence in a Knowledge-based Economy: the Case of Saudi Arabia” in the January issue of the International Journal of Economics and Business Research.

Jamie Bayliss, D.HSc., M.P.T, P.T., ’05, ’04, director of clinical education in the Department of Physical Therapy, along with colleagues on the Interprofessional Committee, published the manuscript, “Impact of an Interprofessional Education Quality of Life Forum on Students’ Perceptions and Commitment to Addressing Local Health Disparities and the Social Determinants of Health” in the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. Members of the Interprofessional Committee included: Kristin Clephane, D.N.P.,R.N., C.P.N., assistant professor of nursing and RN-BSN/ MSN program director; Donna Glankler, D.N.P., R.N., C.N.E., assistant professor and MSN-Magelin program director; former staff member Nicole Harshbarger; Erin Hofmeyer, M.P.T., D.P.T., instructor and assistant director of clinical education in physical therapy; B.C. CharlesLiscombe, Ed.D., A.T., A.T.C., associate professor and chair of the Department of Exercise Science and Integrated Health; and Sandy Matthias, M.S.N., R.N., assistant professor of Nursing.

Robert Bodle, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Communication and New Media Studies, co-authored a report titled, “The View From Journalism’s PostCrisis Generation: Navigating Precarity and Opportunity in Philadelphia and Cincinnati,” for The Media, Inequality & Change Center and the Center for Media at Risk at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication.

B.C. Charles-Liscombe, Ed.D., A.T., A.T.C., associate professor and chair of the Department of Exercise Science and Integrated Health, and colleagues presented

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a pre-meeting workshop titled, “EvidenceBased Manual Therapy for Acute Ankle Sprains” at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting. As a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), he was recognized for his contributions to the athletic training profession as a volunteer at the local and state levels and received the Athletic Trainer Service Award at the 2020 NATA 71st Clinical Symposium and AT Expo.

Kelly Crowe, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, has been awarded a second research grant from the Neuromuscular Disease Foundation. Her research will focus on biomarker development for gene therapy for the rare muscle disease, GNE myopathy.

Maggie Davis, Ph.D., assistant to the provost, is serving her first year as chair of the board for Seton High School.

Sylvia Dick, M.A., ’85, ’76, and Susan Ruttle Lawrence, M.A., ’80, co-directors of the Art Education Program, presented a workshop titled, “Sculpture Workshop: Sustainable Mixed Media,” at the 2019 Ohio Art Education Association Professional Development Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Jeff Hillard, M.A., M.F.A., professor of English, had three poems—“After the Flood,” “The Cutting Edge,” and “Sweet Angel,”—published in the poetry-visual art anthology, For a Better World 2020.

He also had several poems re-published in the anthology, For a Better World: The Best of 2004 – 2015. Hillard also gave a presentation on writing poetry and fiction to the senior literature writing class at St. Xavier High School.

Michaelann Kelley, Ed.D., ’92, ’85, assistant professor of art and design, worked with four fellow educators to author a book titled, Knowledge Communities in Teacher Education— Sustaining Collaborative Work, highlights the expansive work, research, and influence of the Portfolio Group, the longest-standing collaborative teacher group in education.

Gene Kritsky, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biology and dean of the School of Behavioral and Natural Sciences, co-authored a paper titled, “An Augmented Wood-Penetrating Structure: Cicada

Ovipositors Enhanced with Metals and Other Inorganic Elements,” which appeared in the Scientific Reports section of nature.com.

Keith Lanser, M.A., associate director of service learning and civic engagement, co-chaired the Greater Cincinnati Service Learning Network’s Hacking Housing Insecurity Virtual Conference in February, chaired the English Language Learning Foundation’s 2020 ELL Foundation Recognition Breakfast in February, and hosted the Campus Vote Project’s Southern Ohio Student Voter Summit at the Mount.

Craig Lloyd, M.F.A., professor in the Department of Art and Design, had his paintings accepted into the following exhibits: 59th Mid-States Art Exhibition, Evansville Museum, Indiana; 83rd Annual Mid-Year Exhibition, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio; Viewpoint 51, National Juried Art Competition, ADC Fine Art, Cincinnati; and Watercolor Ohio 2019, the Ohio Watercolor Society’s 42nd Annual Juried Exhibition at the Mansfield Art Center.

Mark McCafferty, M.M., chair of the Department of Music and director of bands, became a member of the Composition Committee of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) in summer 2019. The committee manages the PAS Composition Competition and he was asked to review the winners of last year’s competition. The review was published in the official journal of PAS, Percussive Notes, in the April 2020 edition (Vol 58, No 2).

Tracy McDonough, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychology, and Lynda Crane, Ph.D., professor emerita, had their work, The Schizophrenia Oral History Project, favorably reviewed in the summer/ fall 2019 issue of The Oral History Review, the U.S. journal of record for the theory and practice of oral history and related fields.

Jennifer Morris, Ph.D., professor in the Department of History, was appointed to the Board of Directors and chair of the Education Committee for the Village Life Outreach Project (VLOP), which partners with villages in Tanzania to promote life, health, and education.

Susan Ruttle Lawrence, M.A., ’80 co-director of the Art Education Program, was recognized as the 2019 recipient of the Ohio Art Education Association Educator

FACULTY & STAFF UPDATES NEW HIRES of the Year at the organization’s annual professional development conference in Columbus, Ohio. She was also inducted as an Ohio Art Education Association Distinguished Fellow. In addition, Lawrence received her 40-year Circa Society Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to teaching visual art.

Matt Taske, M.B.A. ’14, ’09, director of alumni engagement, has been appointed to the Delhi Business Association Board.

Steve Ward, M.M.S./M.H.S., P.A.-C., principal faculty in the Physician Assistant Studies Program, and several colleagues published their research, “COPD Care Bundle in Emergency Department Observation Unit Reduces Emergency Department Revisits,” in the January 2020 issue of the Journal of Respiratory Care.

NEW HIRES

Michaelann Kelley ’92, ’85, art and art education Donald Woodby, baseball Frances Feldman and Kelly Kistner, buildings and grounds Jeff Corcoran, Nicholas Niemeyer, and Brett Vollrath ’18, campus police/ public safety Rebecca Allen, computer science Christine Bull, Lucie Collier, Megan Dinnesen, Maggie Busam, and Jennifer Keelor, education Breanna Brunsman ’19 facilities Maria Aielli ’16 graduate education Swati Chopra, graphic design Mara Brown, human resources Morgan Carpenter ’20, and Amy Smith, institutional advancement Jeff Wampler, marketing and communications Rayshawn Eastman ’08, Ph.D, multicultural development Jacqueline Meyer ’94, office of the president Michelle Reynolds ’10, and Sally Scigliulo, physician assistant studies Michael Heckmann ’11, prior learning assessment and experiential learning Kory Phelps ’14, psychology Virginia Taylor, registrar Kyle Schenkewitz, religious studies Lisa Loveless, residence life Abdul Al Jumaily, undergraduate business

THREE DECADES OF TEACHING AND MEMORIES FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Ron White, Ph.D., professor emeritus of philosophy, retired in July, after 32 years of teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Health Care Ethics, Business Ethics, and Environmental Philosophy.

His many memories of the Mount are filled with stories about colleagues, music, and students. He had an immediate and lifelong connection with Sister Peg McPeak CSJ, who sat on the search committee responsible for hiring him, and they had both grown up in Syracuse, N.Y. Dr. White has also played the guitar since he was 15 years old and often performed at the Mount. He and Jim Haynes, a former director of the music department, would play guitar and keyboard during the women’s basketball games in what is now known as the old gym. In addition, Dr. White and several Mount colleagues formed the Blarnacles, an eclectic band that played Celtic, folk, and bluegrass acoustic music in the Cincinnati area.

Besides impacting students’ lives inside and outside of the classroom, Dr. White is also an accomplished writer, with more than 100 published scholarly essays, including “The Biology of Charisma”, which will be published in the Routledge Handbook of Charisma. In 2019, he presented a paper, titled “Playtime Politics: The Growing Mismatch Between Biology and Culture” at Clemson University, and he’s been blogging on the site he created, Freedom’s Philosopher, for 12 years.

The next chapter of Dr. White’s life is unknown, but he is certain it will include fewer commitments to serving on boards, guest editing, and speaking engagements, and a lot more time “philosophizing” on where he’s been and what’s next for him.

ENJOYING LIFE’S ADVENTURES STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Tara Byrd ’18, web services and technology manager in the Mount’s marketing and communications department, is quite familiar with what it takes to handle life’s adventures.

Growing up in Delhi, she had her sights set on attending the Mount.

However, the tragic loss of her father during her senior year of high school changed the course of her life. Byrd spent the next eight years attending college and working two jobs in West Virginia, fueled by ambition and determination. When she returned to Cincinnati, the adventures continued, as she thrived in a variety of high-tech, cutting-edge jobs including Channel 5 News, where she worked as a digital content specialist before joining the Mount in 2010.

For Byrd, the recipe for thriving amid life’s adventures is a practiced balance of courage, faith, and a sense of humor, especially when faced with difficult choices, unexpected opportunities, or situations outside of one’s comfort zone.

“I credit my sense of humor and resilience to my father,” she says. “He showed our family how humor can sometimes help us find joy and help us muster the grace needed to get through the tough times. It’s a big part of the reason why I set stretch goals for myself every year, both personally and professionally.”

She achieved her goal of earning a Mount education when she graduated with a degree in Communication and New Media Studies in December 2018.

She continues to be a part of the everchanging world of technology and communications, channeling her energy, expertise, and creativity into ensuring the Mount’s amazing story comes alive across many digital platforms.

FALL 2020 17

LIONS’ CORNER ATHLETICS

The Lions have had an outstanding run of success both on and off the field during Athletic Director Steven F. Radcliffe’s 30-year career. During his time at the Mount, Radcliffe would build a legacy of expansion, in both the number of new sports and athletic facilities.

A LION’S LEGACY After three decades of faithful service to the University and its student-athletes, Mount stalwart Steven F. Radcliffe has retired.

Known for being the last person in the building after everyone else had gone home, Radcliffe has spent countless hours ensuring that every student-athlete has what he/she needs to compete in their sport and in the classroom.

“We appreciate Steve for all he has done for the Mount during so many wonderful years and advancements in the University’s athletic programs,” says President Williams.

“We thank him for a powerful legacy of successful leadership and commitment to the Mount.”

Radcliffe joined the Mount in 1990 as the athletic trainer of the recently announced football program. He would also be vital in the implementation of the new athletic training major, in which he served as an instructor until the early 2000s.

18 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITY

In 1995, he became the director of athletics, taking over a program that was growing at a rapid pace. Over the next 25 years he would build a legacy that includes the implementation of more than a dozen new sports, and a trio of major building projects on campus.

The first of those was the Jean Patrice Harrington, SC, Student Center, which is now home to the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball programs. Next came the Sports Complex, which was a massive undertaking and included Schueler Field and the River Road Complex, home of the Kinder Morgan Softball Field. Thirdly, Radcliffe was integral to the new Centennial Field House & Austin E. Knowlton Fitness Center, which opens in fall 2020.

The Lions have had an outstanding run of success both on and off the field during his career. Since the opening of

Schueler Field, the football program has had just one losing season and has won five Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships. The women’s volleyball program won 12 HCAC titles, including nine straight championships from 1998-2006. The women’s soccer program won seven HCAC titles, including four straight from 1999-2002. These are just a few in the numerous HCAC titles the Mount has won during his 25-year run as the director of athletics.

Despite these successes, Radcliffe says that it’s the relationships he forged that meant the most to him.

“This University is about the people,” he says. “I have hired every coach on our staff. I think the world of every coach on our staff, and I feel like they are all capable of being successful at the Mount.”

LIONS’ CORNER ATHLETICS

Although the COVID-19 pandemic cut short their NCAA seasons, student-athletes Antonio McCloud (top row), Anna Schoster (middle row), and Cornell Beachem Jr. (bottom row) showed spirit, endurance, and determination as they set records and earned All-American, HCAC Conference, and NCAA D-III honors.

COVID-19 CUTS SHORT LIONS’ STAR SEASONS For student-athletes Antonio McCloud, Anna Schoster, and Cornell Beachem Jr., the COVID-19 pandemic could not have hit at a worse time as the NCAA cut short their seasons.

On the wrestling front, McCloud (above top row) was coming off earning All-American honors during his freshman campaign. He would not disappoint during the 2019-20 season, putting together a 28-4 record all while moving down from 197 pounds to 184 pounds.

Schoster (above middle row), a hurdles runner and pole vaulter for the track and field program, had a magical run this season that included winning the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) championship, setting a new conference record with a winning jump of 3.63 meters. At the Last Chance meet before the NCAA D-III National Indoor Championships, she

vaulted herself to the very top spot in the rankings. In her second to last jump, Schoster eclipsed 4.02m in her first attempt at the height.

The unknown was just how good transfer Cornell Beachem Jr. (above bottom row) would be, especially coming off of a football season in which he became the Lions most feared offensive weapon. Beachem joined the team a few weeks after the end of the football campaign, and hit the mats like a freight train demolishing everything in his path. He quickly established himself as the nation’s top 174-pounder, taking down the previously No. 1 ranked wrestler and the defending national champion to earn the championship at the NCAA D-III Central Region Championship. Cornell put together a sparkling 21-0 record, earning him the top seed at the NCAA D-III Wrestling Championships.

Beachem’s outstanding performances on the football field and the wrestling mat also earned him the HCAC 2019-20 Male Athlete of the Year award—the first Mount athlete to achieve this distinction.

His football achievements include finishing the season with 1,704 total yards, good for third most in the HCAC. He led the Lions in both rushing (95-for-648) and receiving (53-for-837).

He was third in the HCAC with 110 total points, tying for the top spot in the league with 10 touchdown catches while adding seven rushing touchdowns.

FALL 2020 19

MOUNT JUBILEE 2020 MOUNT JUBILEE AWARD WINNERS Each year, the Mount Jubilee raises scholarship money for more than 1,000 deserving MSJ students. Donations from our dedicated Mount alumni help create life-changing opportunities for young people who dream of a college education and a bright future. For more details, including bios and videos of the winners, how to make a gift, and more, visit www.msj.edu/jubilee.

Congratulations to all of the winners!

EMCEE

Radio legend Jim Scott

ALUMNI IMPACT AWARDS

Recognizes recent graduates of the Mount for their outstanding contributions to their careers and their communities.

Dr. David Childs ’00 Associate Professor of Social Studies Education and History at Northern Kentucky University Jessee Smith ’10, ’99 Owner of Silverspot Studio & Metalworks

Jason Kammer ’00 Vice President of Bancorp Intelligent Automation at Fifth Third Bank

20 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITY

EVENT CO-CHAIRS

Linda R. Holthaus ’85

ANN RASCHE AWARD

Presented to a Mount alumni who demonstrates the spirit of service and philanthropy as modeled by the late Ann Rasche ’47.

Bernadette (Coutain) Plair ’67 Director and CoFounder of the Centre for the Rescue of Endangered Species of Trinidad and Tobago

Mary Mazza Clement ’76

WOLOHAN MASTERS ACADEMY

Founded in memory of Mount alumna Georgine Braidic Wolohan ’63. The Wolohan Masters Academy recognizes alumni and community leaders while fostering a network of professionals that mentor Mount students through sharing of career and personal experiences.

Jackie Reau CEO of Game Day Communications

TRUSTEES AWARD

Recognizes supporters of the Mount who exemplify the long-standing commitment and leadership represented by the Board of Trustees.

Timothy Schroeder CEO and Founder of CTI

CENTENNIAL AWARD

This special award, bestowed only in 2020, recognizes the legacy of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, who founded the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1920.

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

THANK YOU Mount St. Joseph University thanks these generous sponsors who made the Centennial Jubilee Gala Scholarship Benefit successful.

CENTENNIAL SPONSORS

PATRONS Cincinnati Coin Laundry Co. Dick & Susan ’61 Dagenbach John & Carrie Hayden

Don J. Doyle, Jr. ’89

Dr. Kathleen O'Connell '69 David & Sara Osborn Strategic Advisers LLC

PRESIDENTIAL SPONSOR

HOST & HOSTESSES Dr. Janet ’66 and Mr. Ed Castellini Class of ’69: Micki (Puin) Benz, Julianne Bodnar, Ellen (Diemer) Doyle, DeeDee (Corbett) Soskin, Kathy (Fogarty) Heekin Jennifer & Vito Damiano

GOLD SPONSORS

Susan ’78 & David Deye Lisa Hinger-Odenbeck ’12, ’80 Rose (Slezak) Huber ’69 and Walt Huber Gene Kritsky, Ph.D. & Jessee Smith ’10 ’99

BLUE SPONSORS

Loretta Susan (Bishof) Mannisto ’67 Kathy & Rodney McMullen Lynda (Schemmel) Mullins ’64 Linda ’82 & Frank Panzeca Mr. & Mrs. Martin E. Rahe

CAMPUS SPONSORS 1919 Investment Counsel, LLC Heather ’96 & Tim Aug Mary ’76 & Mark Clement CTI Clinical Trial George & Jeane Elliott

Fifth Third Bank Frost Brown Todd Jason & Lori Hallmark Marty & Tina Hollenbeck Linda R. Holthaus ’85 Mary ’71 & Bill Ivers

Mercy Health - Cincinnati Modern Office Methods Bernadette ’67 & Norman Plair Taft/

Jackie Reau Carole & Edwin Rigaud Ann Saluke ’76 & Don Yelton Genny ’59 & Tom Sedler Amy & Morgan Smith Ken and Carol Stecher

AV & STAGING SPONSOR

PRINT SPONSOR

CATERING SPONSOR

FLORAL SPONSORS

VIDEO SPONSOR

PICTUREMUSIC

The ‘Soc’ Sisters, Class of 1968: Jennifer (Ratterman) D’Arienzo Genie (Hodapp) Donohue Riki (Mehler) Falvey Lisa (Mennucci) Fischesser Mary Kay (Sheehan) Hall Betsy (Pogue) Hendy Mary (Shouvlin) Poinsette Anne Marie ’84 and Richard Wagner Diane (Homan) Werner ’71

FALL 2020 21

ALUMNI UPDATES NEWS A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Dear Friends, I arrived at Mount St. Joseph University on January 13, 2020. My first month was a flurry of new faces and financials, key initiatives, and academic outcomes. I toured the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse, and I learned what an Anatomage Table can do (under the guidance of the brilliant Dr. Elizabeth Murray). I learned about cicadas from the singular Dr. Gene Kritsky (and hastily downloaded a Cicada Safari app on my iPhone!).

I met many of our Mount students, and learned firsthand why they are here and what they imagine for their bright futures.

And then, in March, we were abruptly working remotely and learning remotely. I experienced an immediate sense of loss being removed from the

people and community to which I had so quickly become attached, and felt deeply concerned about being disconnected from the mission and its impact.

I was mistaken in that concern, and in retrospect realize that these past months have enabled me to understand the heart and the spirit of the Mount St. Joseph community in sublime and superlative ways. I observed rapid, elegant adjustment to online teaching and learning; exceptional commitment to student well-being as physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of students were central to every conversation and every decision; and an outpouring of love from the donor and alumni community.

I have worked on the West Coast and on the East Coast, and have been a part of many different university communities through my own education and the

experiences of my children—but I have never experienced the almost palpable love and compassion that are ever-present at the Mount. I extend my personal gratitude to you, and also my admiration, for creating and maintaining such a beloved community.

Thank you for investing in our students.

Thank you for understanding the inestimable worth of every life.

Thank you for being a part of the Mount family, and for adopting me into it.

I promise you my very best.

Amy Smith Vice President for Institutional Advancement

“I DO… AGAIN!” More than 70 couples gathered at Mater Dei Chapel at Mount St. Joseph University on February 8, 2020, to say “I do, again” at the University’s Centennial Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony.

As part of its Centenntial-year celebrations, the University hosted the ceremony for alumni and couples who married at Mater Dei Chapel.

Couples participating in the event represented more than 1,750 years of marriage, ranging from one year to more than 50. Father Kevin Scalf ’97 was delighted to preside over the ceremony.

The event was a first of its kind in the chapel most well-known for its brilliant stained glass and mosaics designed by Sr. Augusta Zimmer ’40, the internationally renowned artist with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. More than 1,200 couples have exchanged vows at the chapel since 1966, including Edward and Janet Castellini ’66, who married in 1967 and participated in the ceremony to celebrate 53 years of marriage.

Summer Hamilton Spille ’17 and her husband, Mark, were the youngest couple at the event, celebrating a little over one year of marriage.

22 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITY

The University’s Centennial Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony on February 8 was a first of its kind in the Mater Dei Chapel. Couples participating in the event represented more than 1,750 years of marriage, ranging from one year to more than 50. Sister Karen Elliott, the University’s director of mission integration, hopes to make the ceremony a biennial event.

“It was such a wonderful evening,” says Spille. “After being informed that we were going to be the youngest married couple attending, it made it even more special! Being in the same room with so many other couples that shared that special moment of saying ‘I do’ was breathtaking. The program, the singers, the reception—all was so beautiful. I love that even after you graduate from MSJ you are always a part of the Mount family.”

Sister Karen Elliott, the University’s director of mission integration, said that

couples expressed such gratitude for the opportunity to renew their vows in the chapel that she hopes to make the ceremony a biennial event.

“This ceremony connects our spiritual heritage to our current time and celebrates the sacred space of the Mater Dei Chapel,” Elliott said. “Providing the opportunity for couples to renew the faith that has strengthened them through ‘good times and bad and in sickness and in health’ gives us much to celebrate here at the University.”

ALUMNI UPDATES NEWS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT The MSJ Career & Experiential Education Center offers career development services to all Mount St. Joseph University alumni for life! In May, the center launched the PowerMyCareer Portal, in partnership with Promark, which is available at no cost to all alumni (undergraduate and graduate), regardless of graduation year.

If you would like to sharpen your skills, refine your career research, explore the job market, or access the PowerMyCareer Portal, contact us today at career.center@msj edu or (513) 244-4888. Evening appointments now available!

Nicole Rottmueller-Jones, Career Development Coordinator

BECOME AN ALUMNI AMBASSADOR! If you are a member of our Mount Community and want to share your love for the Mount with others—we have an opportunity for you!

The Alumni Ambassador Program is a new initiative for the University, one that demonstrates the mutual relationship the Mount has with alumni, community members, family, and friends throughout their lives. These individuals will represent the Mount in a positive, authentic way with their network.

There are many great things happening across campus on a daily basis and we want to be able to share this good news with the world!

As a relatively small institution, we count on our friends and family in the community to help share the story of the Mount and all it has to offer. Your commitment is noticed, and appreciated!

If interested in becoming an official MSJ Alumni Ambassador please contact Matt Taske at matt.taske@msj.edu.

The 1920 Society was established during our Centennial year by President H. James Williams to honor the generous alumni, family, and friends who support Mount students with an annual fund gift of $1,000 or more. This academic year, the University and generous donor support provided over $14 million in tuition aid and more than 1,000 scholarships, enabling many students the opportunity to pursue a Mount education and excel in the classroom and life!

Please consider joining this exceptional group. As a member of the 1920 society, you will enjoy access to exclusive University events, small group discussions with President Williams and executive leadership, and insight into the lives of our outstanding students through a quarterly newsletter.

For more information, contact matt.taske@msj.edu.

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT Dear Alumni Family, As a two-time Mount graduate, I know what it means to be a Lion.

During my time on campus, I felt connected to the Mount community and to the mission of the University.

I didn’t want that connection to end—and as the director of alumni engagement, I am working to make sure that connection doesn’t end for any of our alumni. Once a Lion, always a Lion.

Therefore, in our Centennial year, the Office of Alumni Relations has

reaffirmed the commitment to our alumni by providing value-added, meaningful, and exclusive opportunities.

By the end of this year, we are looking forward to launching new programs dedicated to our alumni—from promoting alumni business owners to creating a brand new MSJ kids club.

We want to help connect our alumni and their families with their Mount family. Whatever connects you to the Mount—athletics, academics, the arts, or something else—the Office of Alumni Relations is committed to providing you with new and unique opportunities in your interests.

We are excited to share with you all of our upcoming initiatives. Connect

with us on social media, through our monthly newsletter “Around the Mount,” and on our website, to stay up-to-date on everything happening on campus and in the Office of Alumni Relations.

I am dedicated to serving our alumni and growing our dedicated community—more than 20,000 strong.

Please know that you can reach out to us anytime at alumni@msj.edu.

Thank you,

Matt Taske ’14, ’09 Director of Alumni Engagement

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ALUMNI UPDATES IN MEMORIAM S. CATHERINE KIRBY

Sister Catherine Kirby, SC, ’64 died April 14, 2020, at the age of 84 in Tri-Health Rehabilitation Center, Dana Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Sister Catherine was born Margaret Louise Kirby on Feb. 7, 1936 to Harold J. and Mary C. (Sheppard) Kirby in Lansing, Michigan. She was one of four children, three girls and a boy. She was a Sister of Charity for 65 years.

S. Catherine grew up in Lansing attending Holy Cross grade school and graduating from St. Mary Cathedral High School in 1954, where she was taught by the Sisters of Charity. In September 1954, she entered the Sisters of Charity at Mount St. Joseph, Ohio.

At the time of her vows she took the

name Catherine in honor of her mother.

S. Catherine’s ministries served a variety of mission-driven entities for more than 50 years. These years can be broken down as 20 years in Catholic elementary education, eight in elected Sisters of Charity leadership, seven as assistant superintendent of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and 11 with Mount St. Joseph University.

S. Catherine joined the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1985 as assistant professor of education. Years later, she became the assistant superintendent of schools, coordinating the high schools of the Cincinnati Archdiocese. She ministered in this capacity until her retirement in 2004.

But in even retirement, S. Catherine remained active, providing board service at DePaul Cristo Rey High School, CISE (Catholic Inner-city Schools Education), and Mount St. Joseph University. Most notably, she chaired the feasibility study undertaken by the Sisters of Charity Congregation to establish and sponsor

a Cristo Rey High School in Cincinnati.

She took on a community-wide study, interviewing local, school, church, and community leaders, as well as middleschool students and their parents, in order to gauge interest in such a model for education in the city. The school successfully opened in 2010, serving the city’s underserved high school population. Earlier this year, along with S. Barbara Hagedorn ’71, S. Catherine was the recipient of the DePaul Cristo Rey High School Founders Leadership Award for her service, charity, and passion for the DPCR mission.

Throughout her varied experiences of ministry S. Catherine often commented on how truly important a strong, valuesbased Catholic school can be.

She once said: “With all the problems kids face today, we are there for them and can offer them something solid, consistent, and of value that they can incorporate into their lives.”

Mary Sue O’Connor Thompson ’55 Rosa Driscoll Lombardi ’56 Loretta Saupe, SC ’56 Rose Therese Wich, SC ’56 Mary Jo Mirlenbrink Gerlach ’57 Mary Lee Lange Depew ’58 Eileen Bonekamp ’59 Helen Margaret Cullen, SC ’59 Patricia Sweeney Meder ’59 Ialeen Davis Schroeder ’59 Rosalie Riggio, SC ’60 Suzanne Tracy Bywater ’61 Mary Martha Naltner Yee ’61 Regina Riedmatter ’63 Jeanne Hodapp Schmidt ’63 Catherine Kirby, SC ’64 Kathleen Vogel Miller ’64 Catherine Cahur, SC ’65 Mary Jane Imburgia Comerford ’65 Susan Vonderbrink Quirk ’66 Julie Bramlage Kent ’68 Janet O’Brien Mattson ’69 Kathleen Schiller Stautberg ’69 Ellen Rodman McVay ’71 Helen Partridge Trierweiler ’71

Joanne Holden Ruther ’72 Cheryl Grenier, SC ’73 Nila Banks Clingner ’80 Mary Rudemiller ’82 Doris Gorsline ’83 Juanita Forshey ’85 Kelley Crites ’86 Sharon Haas Fields ’88 Rita Kimmey ’88 Roberta Peters Mains ’89 Victoria Barnthouse ’90 Yvette Azeltine Pryse ’90 Joan Becker ’91 Amy Jacobs Reynolds ’92 Elise Waxler ’95 Steven Carlton ’97 Jacqueline Wagner Costello ’97 Charles Harrell ’97 Mary Beth Kunnen ’00 Sarah Richter ’03 Mary Beth Bruner ’09, ’04 Sheila Denny Shahbabian ’13 Betty Piecuch Bieber ’14 Pamela Cavalier ’19, ’15

ALUMNI PASSAGES Mary Joan Stiene Blum ’41 Mary Hue Coulson ’41 Kathryn Brennan Fugazzi ’42 Jeanne Bothe Reilly ’43 Mary Alberta Bodde, SC ’44 Mildred Dempsey McCabe ’44 Mary Dorothy Nurre Broad ’46 Catherine Damico Glase ’46 Eileen Conway ’47 Mary Leverone Busener ’48 Julia Mary Deiters, SC ’48 Ann Murphy Hildreth ’49 June Gartner Betsch ’50 Patricia Sandmann Chaney ’50 Jean McMahan Fochtman ’51 Margaret Shea Bohn ’52 Janette McDonald Huerkamp ’53 Alma Grollig, SND ’54 Patricia Kemper Hart ’54 Jayne Marnell Helmers-Kulle ’54 John Miriam Jones, SC ’54 Dolores Daniel ’55 Marlene Niklas Ney ’55 Barbara Bail Obermeyer ’55 Ann Harmon Simms ’55

24 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITY

Passages listed are current as of press time.

ALUMNI UPDATES COMMENCEMENT RECAP

ANA KINCART ’07 With heavy hearts, we want to share the courageous, tragic story of Ana Kincart, a 2007 graduate of our nursing program.

On July 6, 2020, while driving to work on I-275 in a rainstorm, she witnessed a vehicle ahead of her spin out and crash.

Daring to risk a caring response, Ana pulled over to call for help and check on the driver. While waiting for authorities to arrive, another vehicle lost control and crashed into them, fatally injuring Ana and the person she was helping.

A classmate and former patient of hers recalled that, “She was an amazing person who truly cared about her patients and she was beautiful inside and out. She was always so helpful and attentive to any medical needs I had or my general concerns. She exemplified everything you would want in a health care professional.” Ana, who worked at a local VA clinic, is survived by her husband and four children. May her legacy of selflessness and compassion live on forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, Ana. If you have received Mount News in error or wish to update your mailing preferences, please contact us at www.msj.edu/together or call 513-244-4871.

Mount St. Joseph University (“the University”) is committed to providing an educational and employment environment free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other minority or protected status. This commitment extends to the University’s administration of its admission, financial aid, employment, and academic policies, as well as the University’s athletic programs and other University-administered programs, services, and activities.

The University has designated the chief diversity and inclusion officer, (513) 244-4467, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, as the individual responsible for responding to inquiries, addressing complaints, and coordinating compliance with its responsibilities under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and other applicable federal and state civil rights laws. The University has designated the director of Learning Center & Disabilities Services, (513) 244-4524, as the individual responsible for responding to inquiries, addressing complaints, and coordinating compliance with its responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2020!

The Class of 2020 Commencement will certainly be one to remember.

On May 9, 2020, the event honored new graduates, recognized faculty and staff, and thanked family and friends.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 105th MSJ Commencement was held virtually, so attendees could safely join via computer, smartphone, tablet, or other Internet-enabled device. Remarks were made by Dean of Students Janet Cox, Provost Diana Davis, Ph.D., Director of Mission Integration Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S., D.Min., and President Williams, with additional video congratulations from faculty and staff, who joined from their own remote locations. The celebration also included a slideshow of favorite Mount memories from the past year.

President Williams commended the Class of 2020 for how they coped with the COVID-19 pandemic in their final semester as they completed their degrees.

He challenged them to use their Mount education to make a difference across the world.

“Go and fend for those who cannot fend for themselves,” President Williams told graduates. “You have the Heart of a Lion. So be the voice for the voiceless and hope for the hopeless. And remember— simplicity, humility, and charity. Care for all creation, and dare to risk a caring response.”

To watch the full commencement video, visit www.msj.edu/commencement.

FALL 2020 25

Division of Institutional Advancement 5701 Delhi Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45233-1670

S

ince opening its doors in 1920, the Mount has undergone several changes across the decades—from our beginnings in the SC Motherhouse, to opening and expanding the current campus, to our transition from the College of Mount St. Joseph to Mount St. Joseph University.

As we look to the future, the Office of Alumni Relations is exploring new ways to connect and provide meaningful experiences to you, our Mount St. Joseph Alumni. We ask that you please complete a brief survey at www.msj.edu/together and share how you prefer to receive upcoming news about the Mount. You can also submit your responses by using the self-mailing insert inside this issue of Mount News.

Your feedback is critical and will help shape future MSJ alumni communications.

It’s important to remember that even when things change, the heart of Mount St. Joseph University will always remain the same—we are a Catholic university founded by the Sisters of Charity with a values-centered tradition of educational excellence ... right here in Cincinnati!

Scan the QR code (left) or take the survey at:

www.msj.edu/together