Mount News Magazine: Fall 2024: Moments with Meaning

MOUNT NEWS

MOMENTS with MEANING

Dear Friends:

It is a privilege to witness the many moments with meaning the Mount Community experiences every day. Whether it’s the new Master of Speech-Language Pathology students helping people in the local community find their voices, or a service learning program in another country that profoundly shapes students’ worldviews, these moments multiply with time. The result is MSJ students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are deeply committed to making a difference in their professions and in the lives of others.

I am filled with joy as I think about the profound impact the confluence of these moments has made in our 104-year history. I’m also filled with excitement for the future of this beloved University as we continue to work on its next Strategic Plan.

With the help of surveys, forums, data, and voices from all members of the MSJ Family, the Mount’s Strategic Planning Team has developed a vision for the Mount for the year 2030:

The Mount is a dedicated learning community, rooted in the values of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, that equips every student to graduate, flourish in their chosen professional path, lead a life of purpose, and contribute to a better world for all.

Five “Bold Goals” have been identified to help us achieve this vision:

• Unsurpassed Student Experience that Nurtures the Mind, Body, and Spirit;

• National Leader in Student-Centered Success and Support;

• Operational Strength and High Impact Infrastructure Investment;

• Foster a Community that Embodies a Culture of Care and Inclusion; and

• Raise University Profile with Contemporary, Integrative and Distinctive Academic Programs.

Input from four Strategic Planning Advisory Committees, strategic choice sessions offered to all in our community, and another student survey is guiding the Strategic Planning Team as it determines the primary strategies that will support each Bold Goal. Then, it will turn its attention to implementation and the resource allocation needed for success. The next strategic plan will officially launch in 2025.

As excited as I am to look forward, I want to reflect on all we have accomplished. We continue to grow, with overall enrollment growth of seven percent over last year, including a 12 percent rise in graduate enrollment, and a 13 percent increase in the enrollment of diverse students across the University.

We announced an academic restructuring plan to enhance operational efficiency and the student experience. We consolidated five academic schools into four, while retaining all academic programs. You can read more about the restructuring on page 3.

We encourage you to visit and see firsthand how the recent investment in infrastructure continues to expand opportunities. Come cheer on one of the Mount’s 23 athletic teams, have lunch at the new Joe Lion’s Grille, and visit the newly renovated Archbishop Alter Library. Additionally, we’d love for you to experience MSJ Renaissance Program’s many visual and performing arts offerings. In this issue, you can learn more about how you can engage with Art Guild, Peak Productions, Choirs, Writer’s Block, University Bands, and Theatre Arts.

As you think about your time at the Mount and plan for tomorrow, seek to continue creating meaningful moments. I am buoyed daily with stories of how alumni live with Hearts of a Lion as they Climb Higher to Light the Way for those in need.

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

PUBLISHED BY

Mount St. Joseph University 5701 Delhi Road Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670

513-244-4200 | 1-800-654-9314 www.msj.edu

EDITORIAL TEAM

Greg Goldschmidt, MSOL ’23, ’07

Melissa Rouse ’21

Blake Watson ’19

DESIGNER

Amanda Absher ’08

MANAGING EDITOR

Kara Gebhart Uhl

WRITERS

Jessica Baltzersen, M.A. ’13

Amanda Gratsch, MSOL ’24, ’15

Tabari McCoy

Richelle Thompson

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.

FINDING THEIR VOICES 10

The Mount’s new Master of SpeechLanguage Pathology program Lights the Way for future clinicians to serve people from infants to the elderly, helping them find their voice and discover new opportunities. In just two years, the program has experienced extraordinary growth, and its groundbreaking approach is deeply resonating with students and the community.

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY 18

Through service learning, cultural immersion, and study abroad programs, MSJ students are encouraged to step outside their boundaries, gaining fresh perspectives in new places. Learn how these experiences have enhanced global awareness, fostered empathy and understanding, and helped students grow personally and professionally.

MOUNT MOMENTS 26

Mount Moments are stories that breathe life into the MSJ experience. MSJ Love Story profiles two alumni celebrating their 25th anniversary. In Milestone, a student discovers joy in collaborative art-making. An international student Climbs Higher, after transferring to the Mount. Heart of a Lion illustrates how community and belonging can be found while advancing a mission. And a student Lights the Way through the power of connection.

AROUND the QUAD

Contributors: Katelyn Rieder, Haley Codling, and Amanda Gratsch

For more inspiring stories of what's happening on campus, and the latest events, check out www.msj.edu/news.

NEW TEACHING CERTIFICATES

The Computer Science Teacher Endorsement Program is designed to equip educators with cutting-edge skills in teaching computer science. Through the Ohio-sponsored Teach CS Grant, licensed teachers can get an Ohio Computer Science Endorsement free-of-charge. Costs covered are tuition, general fees, books and materials, and completing the Computer Science Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE 054). By adding the Computer Science Endorsement to an existing Ohio resident educator, professional educator, or permanent teaching license, educators will be qualified to teach computer science across grades K-12. Learn more at www.msj.edu/cse

The Post-Licensure Graduate Nursing Certificates offer specialized courses in two tracks: nursing administration and nursing education, designed to enhance the practice of registered nurses. The Nursing Administration certificate enables nurses to gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies for effective health care administration leadership, whether starting as a new nursing administrator or enhancing one’s established leadership experience. The Nursing Education certificate prepares nurses to design, facilitate, and evaluate evidence-based teaching and learning practices focused on preparing nurses to provide safe, professional, personcentered nursing care. Learn more at www.msj.edu/nurse-edu-grad-cert

NEW BOARD MEMBER

Dan Sutton MSOL ’08, ’95 of Kemba Credit Union has joined the Mount’s Board of Trustees. Sutton’s extensive financial sector experience and commitment to community development are invaluable assets to the Mount’s mission. He is a double alumnus of the Mount, where he received his undergraduate and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) degrees.

Sutton has been a pivotal leader at Kemba Credit Union, guiding the institution through significant growth and community engagement initiatives. Sutton has served the last six years as Kemba Credit Union’s president/chief executive officer, leading a financial institution of more than 130,000 members and nearly 300 employees.

NEW CHIEF INCLUSION & BELONGING OFFICER

The Mount has named Katrice Quitter its new chief inclusion & belonging officer. In this role, Quitter will lead efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable environment, ensuring that all members of the Mount Community feel a sense of belonging, regardless of their background, experiences, or identity.

Quitter, whose career has been shaped by a passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), brings a wealth of experience from schools, nonprofits, and organizations across the country. She has led DEIB initiatives that transformed cultures and practices to foster environments where diverse perspectives are welcomed and celebrated.

Dan Sutton

Katrice Quitter

In May, the Mount announced an academic restructuring plan aimed at enhancing operational efficiency as well as the student experience. Under the plan, the Mount has consolidated its previous five academic schools into four, a move designed to streamline administration, optimize resources, and enhance academic programs. Importantly, the restructuring initiative did not eliminate any academic programs.

The restructure, developed after consulting with all faculty departments and staff, resulted in consolidation into four academic schools, as follows:

• School of Arts & Sciences;

• School of Business & Communication;

• School of Education; and

• School of Health Sciences.

“This restructuring demonstrates the Mount’s continuous effort to be a leader in higher education innovation and to meet the evolving needs of our students,” Provost Steve Almquist says. “Our new academic structure will address the needs of a global workforce and prepare our students to succeed in all careers, including jobs that may not even exist yet. Consistent with our mission and vision, these changes will enhance the MSJ student experience, which is

“The Mount’s faculty have already demonstrated strategic thinking in the ways our new structure will empower curricular innovations,” Almquist says. “For instance, we see exciting potential in the space where traditional business programs and communication and new media intersect.”

The Mount, currently, has nearly 2,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The restructuring enhances operational efficiency while building on the Mount’s momentum,

“Consistent with our mission and vision, these changes will enhance the MSJ student experience, which is uniquely personalized to help each student achieve their career goals and to live a life with meaning.”

uniquely personalized to help each student achieve their career goals and to live a life with meaning.”

The School of Education remained unchanged, while other academic programs were reorganized into the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Communication, and the School of Health Sciences. Smaller departments within these schools have been consolidated for operational efficiency.

following three consecutive years of growth in its incoming first-time freshman classes.

“We are thrilled to have the Department of Social Work join the School of Health Sciences,” says Dean of Health Sciences Darla Vale. “Social work aligns closely with other health professions in its focus on promoting mental and emotional health, advocating for social justice,

and addressing social determinants that affect overall health outcomes. Integrating the department within the school facilitates interprofessional education opportunities, allowing social work students to work alongside peers in Nursing, PT, PA, speech therapy, and Exercise Science.”

Department Chair, Director, and Assistant Professor of Social Work, Jennifer Withrow, says the move presents exciting opportunities for growth and development.

“By aligning with the School of Health Sciences, we will strengthen our connections to a wider network of health care providers, enhancing our students’ learning experiences and expanding their professional opportunities,” Withrow says.

Dean of Arts & Sciences, Michael Sontag, Ph.D., is happy about the restructure as well.

“In addition to a new level of administrative efficiency, it is exciting to witness how our new structure embodies a key element of the Catholic intellectual tradition—the idea that the arts, humanities, and sciences work together to reveal the many facets of goodness, beauty, and truth,” he says.

New

MOUNT STAFF RECEIVE HIGH HONORS

Director of Athletics, Melanee Wagener, MSOL, ’21 received the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio’s “She Leads” award, which recognizes women who inspire others through leadership, service, and commitment to their communities.

The Cincinnati Business Courier named Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Sydney M. Prochazka to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, an honor that recognizes young leaders and professionals from across Greater Cincinnati.

Chief Human Resources Officer, Teri Compton, MSOL ’05, ’89 was named one of Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Chief Human Resource Officers of 2024, which recognizes this “crucial executive role responsible for overseeing all aspects of a company’s workforce and organizational culture.”

IMPRESSIVE PASS RATES

The Mount’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 2023 National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate continues to be high, at 96.88 percent. The Mount’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) pass rate was 99 percent in 2024. The Mount’s Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), ultimate, pass rate was perfect, at 100 percent in 2024.

ACCOLADES

According to U.S. News & World Report data, in Ohio, the Mount is the No. 1 small school for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and the No. 2 Physician Assistant Studies (PA) Program.

For two years in a row, the Mount has the No. 1 elementary education program in Greater Cincinnati, per the National Council on Teaching Quality data.

In 2024, Niche.com ranked the Mount the No. 1 Safest College Campus in Cincinnati, and the No. 2 Best Catholic College and No. 5 Best Value Colleges in Ohio. Niche provides ratings, reviews and profiles of colleges throughout the U.S.

CULTURE OF WELLNESS

The Mount’s Exercise is Medicine Club (EIMC) recently earned national recognition, with a silver level status of designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program. The Mount is one of only 145 universities and colleges around the world to participate in the initiative.

Exercise is Medicine is a communityimpact initiative sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine that promotes physical activity as an integral part of the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions and regularly included as part of standard health care.

EIM-OC encourages faculty, staff, and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the campus community.

SILVER MILITARY FRIENDLY AWARD

The Mount values veteran and military-affiliated students’ contributions to the campus community and classroom experience and works to ensure that students feel included and understood as they connect to the resources available to Climb Higher and succeed. For another academic year, the Mount has earned silver status for the 2024-25 Military Friendly Award designation, a result of the Mount’s hard work and dedication in this area.

PHI THETA KAPPA

2024 TRANSFER HONOR ROLL

The Mount was honored to be named to the 2024 Transfer Honor Roll from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, for its excellence in ensuring a smooth and successful transfer student experience. The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion.

GOOD CITIZENSHIP

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recognized the Mount for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections. The Mount received the Silver Seal, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life.

In September, Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Education, Erin Hofmeyer, Doctor of Physical Therapy 2026 Cohort student, Nick Brunsman, and Executive Director of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association, Mike Mathy, met with Congressman Warren Davidson-R 8th District Ohio and his team. They discussed issues affecting the physical therapy profession. Learn more about the congressional visit here: www.msj.edu/ congressionalvisit.

Melanee Wagener

Sydney M. Prochazka

Teri Compton

ENROLLMENT GROWTH

As of the first day of classes this fall, the Mount has seen an overall enrollment growth of seven percent over last year. This growth includes a four percent increase in undergraduate enrollment, an impressive 12 percent rise in graduate enrollment, and a 13 percent increase in the enrollment of diverse students across the University.

“Our enrollment growth and the increasing diversity of our students are

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN SCHOLARSHIPS

Five of the region’s top high school students were awarded the MSJ Presidential Scholarship, which provides each student the equivalent of full tuition and fees for four years (eight semesters). The scholarships were presented in person by top MSJ leaders including University President H. James Williams, Ph.D. A total of 88 students attended a scholarship event that was held in early February on the MSJ campus. Scholars who attended the event, but did not receive one of the five Presidential Scholarships, were awarded a Dean’s Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 per year for four years (eight semesters).

testaments to the dynamic community we’ve built here at the Mount,” says President H. James Williams, Ph.D. “By investing in state-of-the-art facilities like, the Centennial Field House, and revitalizing spaces, like the Archbishop Alter Library and the new Joe Lion’s Grille, we are creating an environment in which every student has the opportunity to thrive.”

TEACHER PREP PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The undergraduate teacher preparation program at the Mount has been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its pioneering efforts in supporting aspiring teachers as they complete their clinical practice experiences, also known as student teaching. A case study, featured in NCTQ’s new Clinical Practice Action Guide, details how the Mount cultivated strong partnerships with local schools to deliver high-quality clinical practice experiences to aspiring teachers.

“Mount St. Joseph University is an excellent example of a teacher prep program getting clinical practice right,” says NCTQ President Heather Peske. “As a national leader on this front, MSJ is helping to strengthen the teacher pipeline in Cincinnati and improve teacher preparation.”

THREE GRANT AWARDS

In May, the Mount’s School of Education was awarded $3.1 million over the next four years to support its nationally recognized doctoral program in reading science. The grant is the largest private contribution ever received by the University’s School of Education and it is in addition to the $2.1 million grant awarded in 2022. In April, the Mount’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program, PA student Rachael Bauer, and PA program faculty member, Mara Prickett, were recently awarded a “Be the Change” grant through the NCCPA Health Foundation. This grant funded a service project at the Santa Maria Health Fair on April 13, 2024, focusing on educating children about heart-healthy snacks and exercises and activities.

MSJ 5K

On a beautiful September day, more than 200 registered participants, including alumni, faculty, staff, students, and members of the Delhi and surrounding communities, participated in the 7th Annual MSJ 5K. Participants, who ran or walked routes along campus and the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse, were supported along the way by volunteers from the School of Health Sciences and the Mission Ambassadors program.

“This event aligns perfectly with the Mount’s sense of community and wellness, and is the collaboration of faculty and staff from many departments who have worked endlessly together to bring this race to fruition,” Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Christy Heinrich, Ph.D., ’05 says. Heinrich and the “MSJ 5K Team” were awarded September’s Pride of the Lions award for their efforts.

Renaissance Arts at the Mount

JOIN THE MSJ RENAISSANCE

Art Guild

In September, MSJ Art Guild celebrated National Arts in Education Week with its first Art Drop event. Art Guild members created small original works of art, which were mounted on mat board and placed in a bag with a small easel. Each package had a label encouraging people to pick it up and send a message to the artist. Art Guild members dropped 46 works of art across campus.

Work continues on the mural by Associate Professor of Graphic Design Kurt Grannan, in collaboration with the MSJ Art Guild, that will be featured in the newly renovated Archbishop Alter Library. We are looking forward to sharing it with you! Learn more about Art Guild at www.msj.edu/artguild. Choir

In March of 2025, the MSJ Choirs, under the direction of Kelsey DeMange, director of choral activities, will take their talents to New York City’s historic and majestic cathedrals, where they will perform traditional and contemporary choral pieces. The University Singers, Chamber Choir, and Voices of Gold will present a repertoire carefully chosen for its emotional depth and artistic complexity.

In September, Voices of Gold traveled to Blue Ash Summit Park for the Welcome Home Veterans event, hosted by Hospice of Cincinnati. Their performance of “You Raise Me Up” was a powerful tribute to the fallen and present veterans, marking a proud moment for the University’s Choral Program. Learn more about Choir at www.msj.edu/choir.

Band

This fall, the MSJ Marching Band and Pep Band have been rallying MSJ fans at sporting events. MSJ University Bands held a Fall Concert in October, featuring its Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Concert Band. The Percussion Ensemble has also spent a lot of time preparing for a competition at the Percussive Arts Society International Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana, in November.

In December, MSJ University Bands participated in the MSJ Performing Arts Joint Holiday Concert, which also featured MSJ Choirs and logistical and production support from MSJ Theatre Arts. MSJ Art Guild presented in the Theatre Lobby as well.

Learn more about University Bands at www.msj.edu/ msjbands.

Peak Productions

Peak Productions is an opportunity for MSJ students in any major to receive real-world, hands-on experience to

Art Guild students work on the ISS Help Desk Mural.

Student performing in a choir concert in Mater Dei Chapel.

Lion’s Roar Band members welcome first-year students on First-Year Friday.

build production value and storytelling skills. The 12 students currently involved in Peak Productions help livestream a few events, including Commencement, band, and choir concerts. Students also produce and deliver The MSJ Morning Minute, a campus-focused live news program that features prepackaged pieces. You can watch the livestream on Mondays, at 12:30 p.m. Previous episodes are available to view as well. Tune in every week and stay up-to-date on the latest MSJ news, events, and sports, at www.msj.edu/morningminute. Theatre

This year’s MSJ Theatre Arts season is all about nostalgia. The 2024-2025 season began with “The Oregon Trail,” in November. Then in April, the MSJ Theatre Arts program transitions from middle school computer labs to junior high spelling bees. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” runs April 3-12, in the University Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now, at www.msj.edu/theatrearts.

Writer’s Block

Writer’s Block is a new Liberal Arts course, run by Assistant Professor Brian Phillip Whalen, Ph.D., and English Professor Elizabeth Mason, Ph.D., intended to strengthen and showcase students’ writing abilities. In September, Mason organized Banned Books outreach. In October, Writer’s Block passed out poems and candy. In November, students read their works at the Showcase in the Art Gallery and published their latest chapbooks series.

This spring, Writer’s Block will continue to produce chapbooks, host visiting writers (past writers have included poet Matthew Miniccuci and poet Sarah Giragosian), and engage Campus with events for Valentine’s Day and National Poetry Month. Follow us on Instagram @msj_writersblock and on the Writer’s Block blog at www.msj.edu/writersblock

Many Writer’s Block students help produce Dateline and Lions-on-Line as well.

SUPPORT THE MSJ RENAISSANCE FUND

Inspired by Sister Augusta Zimmer, founder of the MSJ Art Department, and her work with students on Mater Dei Chapel, the School of Arts & Sciences is broadening students’ understanding of the human experience, enriching their potential, and sharpening their critical thinking and communication skills through the MSJ Renaissance.

An artist cannot thrive without patrons. We invite you to join the Patron Circle and support a student in the arts, starting at just $500 per year. The MSJ Renaissance is a revival of the arts, a revitalization of campus, and a renewed commitment to life-changing experiences that help our students Climb Higher by putting their passion into action.

To give to MSJ Renaissance programs, please visit www.msj.edu/renaissancefund

Students performing in “The Oregon Trail” in the H. James and Carole C. Williams Recital Hall.

Writer’s Block Students at the Essex Studio Art Walk selling chapbooks featuring student work.

Peak Productions students behind the scenes of MSJ Morning Minute.

NEW JOE LION’S GRILLE

In August, the Mount held a ribboncutting ceremony for the new and improved Joe Lion’s Grille, located on the ground floor of the Harrington Center. The grill serves fresh, handmade hamburgers and cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and more. It also offers a large self-serve

salad bar, fresh pizzas, Joe’s famous Cheesy Ranch Fries, drinks, and desserts. Students, faculty, and staff can enjoy quick-service dining, eat-in, or carry-out.

Joe Lion’s Grille held the first Joe Lion’s Pub Event in October. The MSJ Community enjoyed snacks, and those 21 and older enjoyed alcoholic beverages, while watching the MSJ vs Hanover football game streaming live.

ANNUAL SERVICE DAY

In May, more than 60 employees came together for the Mount’s Annual Service Day. Employees volunteered at BLOC Ministries Horses on the Hill, Be Concerned, Brighton Center, and Freestore Foodbank. They also painted the dining hall, tunnel, and the interior

of the ground-floor administration building at the Mount. These collaborations distinguish the Mount as a Beacon to the Region—a symbol of hope and goodwill in the community. At the Mount, the spirit of service burns bright, illuminating the path toward a brighter, more compassionate future.

SISTERS AT THE MOUNT CELEBRATED IN FACULTY BOOK

Six Department of Liberal Arts faculty members recently published a book centered around the Sisters of Charity: Our Cloud of Witnesses: Mission, Tradition, and Imagination. The book is being piloted this semester in three sections of a required course in the Core Curriculum called Common Ground and will be integrated into all sections next year.

The book emerged from conversations that Kyle Schenkewitz, Ph.D., assistant professor of religious studies, had with colleagues who wanted to research some of the Sisters of Charity. The faculty members collaborated with Gene Kritsky, Ph.D., retired dean of School of Behavioral & Natural Sciences and current chief science officer of the Center for IT Engagement (cITe), who recently launched the Mount St. Joseph University Press.

Sister Judith Metz, S.C., Ph.D., ’66, historian for the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, wrote an opening, “History of Mount St. Joseph University,” that intertwines the story of the University with the history of the Sisters of Charity.

The book is available for purchase through Amazon.

Mater Dei Chapel Named To National Register Of Historic Places

In March, the iconic Mater Dei Chapel was named to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of Interior. This designation is a testament to the history and cultural significance of the Chapel, which has served as a cornerstone of the University community for generations. Being added to the National Register of Historic Places not only honors Mater Dei Chapel’s architectural significance, but also underscores its importance as a cultural and educational landmark.

“We are deeply honored by the inclusion of Mater Dei Chapel on the National Register of Historic Places,” says President H. James Williams, Ph.D. “This designation reaffirms the Chapel’s significance as a cherished symbol of our University’s heritage and mission. We look forward to continuing to steward this beloved landmark for generations to come.”

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Administered by the National Park Service, this program recognizes significant historical and cultural landmarks across the United States, ensuring their protection and appreciation for future generations.

On March 19, 2024, the Mount held a special recognition at Mass. Judy Dettenwanger Ebbeler ’61, Peg Rolfes Brungs ’60, and Marlene Hoffmann ’61 (represented by her nieces, Nancy Coppenbarger and Maureen McClure) were honored for their work on the interior design, furnishings, and sacred art within Mater Dei Chapel, while students at the Mount. Maddie Williams of MSA Design, Sister Judith Metz, SC, ’66, and Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S., were recognized for their work on the National Historic Register project. A special blessing was given to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in attendance by Rev. Kevin Scalf, C.PP.S., ’97, and the congregation. Father Kevin served as celebrant and Rev. John Amankwah

served as concelebrant.

Additionally, Delhi Township named March 19, 2024, Mount St. Joseph University Day. This recognition was presented by Chair of the Delhi Board of Trustees Rose Stertz, ’97.

Chapel Restoration

The Mater Dei Chapel serves as the spiritual and communal heart of the Mount. Since 2019, we have restored the Chapel’s sacred art, liturgical objects, pews, and bell tower. This year, the University and donors to the Chapel have invested more than $87,000 to install livestreaming and recording capabilities, as well as a new sound system that features enhanced accessibility options, such as eight headsets for the hearing impaired.

The Mount chose PictureMusic to install the new sound system, working with a team of musicians and engineers dedicated to ensuring even sound throughout the Chapel.

“There won’t be a bad seat in the house,” says Matt Hueneman, senior producer at PictureMusic. “It won’t surprise us to see the Mater Dei Chapel become a preferred venue for choir and

liturgical performances.”

These enhancements blend seamlessly with the Chapel’s historic structure, making it a space that continues to preserve the Mater Dei Chapel’s legacy, yet allowing these technological improvements to share its beauty and spirit with a wider audience, ensuring the Mater Dei Chapel remains at the heart of our MSJ Community for generations to come.

“In addition to a weekly mass for students, the University hosts a number of major events and activities,” says President H. James Williams. “It is important that the quality of the sound system is commensurate with the excellence and quality we try to promote in everything we do, here, at the Mount. In addition, given the times in which we live, quality events such as the ones we describe are often live-streamed for those important supporters of the particular events who cannot attend in-person.”

To help us continue our work, we ask that you prayerfully consider contributing to preserving our beautiful Chapel. To give, please visit www.msj.edu/restore-chapel.

Finding Their Voices

By Richelle Thompson

The newest master’s program at Mount St. Joseph University® is Lighting the Way for future clinicians to serve persons, from infants to the elderly, helping them find their voices and discover new opportunities.

Launched in 2023, the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) reflects the values of the Mount, with a focus on academic excellence and service to others. Students are immersed in hands-on learning from the onset, taught by professors who are also active clinicians.

“We wanted a program that not only teaches the clinical skills needed but also emphasizes the importance of dignity, respect and service to others,” says Erin Redle Sizemore, Ph.D., chair of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. “Speech pathology is about more than treating a disorder—it’s about improving the quality of life for our patients and their families.”

The program’s groundbreaking approach is resonating with students—and the community. The number of students doubled from the first year to the second. And Sizemore expects the growth to continue, especially given the appeal of the Mount’s innovative 3+2 combined degree track. This allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree in three years, followed by their master’s degree in two. Students enter the workforce more prepared and a year earlier than most of their peers across the country.

“I keep telling everyone how lucky I am,” says Maddie Baker, who is finishing her third year in undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and applying to the master’s program. “I’ll be able to graduate in five years from a program where the professors know my name and care about my success. And, I’ll have experience in all kinds of clinical environments… I feel like this program is preparing us to be the best speech pathologists possible.”

Simulation Coordinator Lauren Burke demonstrating how to insert a flexible endoscope as part of a collaborative event with Cincinnati Children's Hospital."

A BEACON TO THE REGION

Sizemore came to the Mount in 2021 to lead the development of the master’s program. She and her team wanted to structure it in a new way, creating more opportunities for learning and helping shape clinicians into lifetime learners committed to service. The program has a robust professional development component and the faculty are all working clinicians, in addition to serving as professors.

At the heart of the Mount’s program is putting students in diverse clinical environments from day one. These clinics are no-fee, meaning people of any means can access needed therapies.

the Mount,” she says.

As a result, the Mount is committed to “producing excellent, lifelong clinicians who also share in the mission of making the world a better place,” Sizemore says. “That’s a pretty fantastic return on investment.”

The work of speech pathology includes helping children with speech delays, assisting adults recovering from strokes or head injuries and treating swallowing disorders. At the Mount, students are exposed to a variety of specialties through a range of community partners.

“Speech pathology is about more than treating a disorder—it’s about improving the quality of life for our patients and their families.”

Sizemore says these program elements probably wouldn’t be approved at many universities because they want to know how they’re going to recoup the cost of such training.

“But when I pitched this approach to the administration, they said, ‘Yes. Let’s do it.’ This is consistent with the mission of

Check out Instructor and Simulation

Coordinator Lauren Burke’s Instagram account for the simulation lab.

@slpsimlab

Students work with young clients at Santa Maria Community Services and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, adults with developmental disabilities at the Ken Anderson Alliance, and the older sisters who live at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse.

Over the summer, the program hosted a free speech and language camp with individual and group therapy for children, ages 3 to 6. During one of the weeks, the preschoolers explored the ocean with under-the-sea games and activities; another week, they explored a back-to-school theme, with sensory tables and interactive stories and songs. On-campus individual and group therapy continues throughout the year.

When students participate in the clinics, faculty are onsite, supervising and sometimes working side by side with the students, says Emily Buckley, the program’s director of clinical education.

“All of the faculty and students love the community partnerships,” Buckley says. “It’s an opportunity to give back— and for the faculty, it’s a reminder of why we wanted to become speech therapists in the first place: to help people.”

CHANGING LIVES, ONE LETTER AT A TIME

For the faculty and the students, speech pathology is more than a career. It’s a calling.

Baker wants to honor the speech therapist who taught her how to pronounce the letter R.

Sizemore was inspired by the struggles of her sister, who had severe speech issues as a child, and her neighbor, who had autism and accompanying speech challenges.

Assistant Professor Sisan Cuervo, Ph.D., remembers the challenges of learning English as a second language after immigrating to the United States from Colombia, when she was 12.

“I realized very early on that when a child had difficulty communicating, it could have a dramatic impact on their life,” Cuervo says.

Erin Redle Sizemore, Ph.D. demonstrated the use of a scope on a medical mannequin at a program designed to teach high school students from diverse backgrounds about the field of speech language pathology.

Photo by Mark Byron.

“We bring real life into the classroom. I see patients one day, and I’m teaching the next. It’s different when you teach from experience and practice. This way, students get the best of both worlds.”

She worked with children who had special needs and studied sign language until she discovered speech pathology.

“What drew me in was the ability to help people communicate, to give people their voice,” she says.

One of those persons is 3-year-old Christian. At his 18-month appointment, his mother, Christina Hoffman, says the pediatrician diagnosed him with a speech delay and recommended a program supported by speech therapists from the Mount. After a year of therapy with Cuervo, Christian can tell anyone who asks—and even those who don’t— all the names of his favorite dinosaurs.

“I don’t know where we would be without Dr. Cuervo and the program at Mount St. Joseph,” Hoffman says. Because of the therapy, “our son will be able to go to preschool without any delays. It means the world to us knowing that he will be able to fit in and make friends and have confidence in himself.”

What’s so special about the Mount, Hoffman says, “is the passion they have for helping kids. They go aboveand-beyond, and they truly make a difference.”

John Arand offers the same high praise. A devastating stroke six years

Graduate students in the MSLP program provided a free speech and language therapy camp for preschool age children on the Mount’s campus.

ago at the age of 58 left him completely non-verbal. For six years, Arand worked with speech therapist Lauren Burke, an instructor at the Mount; at Burke’s invitation, he now meets with the graduate students to provide insight from a patient’s perspective.

“I credit Lauren with giving me back my voice,” Arand says. “She helped me relearn how to make sounds and move my tongue and mouth. She was a godsend.”

Having faculty who are practicing clinicians enhances the learning experience.

“We bring real life into the classroom,” Cuervo says. “I see patients one day, and I’m teaching the next. It’s different when you teach from experience and practice. This way, students get the best of both worlds.”

A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION

The professional development plan is another hallmark of the program. Developed by Sizemore, it’s designed to encourage graduate students to go beyond academics. Every student must earn a certain number of points in different categories. So, for instance, in the category of service, students receive points for volunteering. Another category is advocacy.

“We know that in order to form whole clinicians, these areas are just as important as practice and academics,” Cuervo says. “Writing a letter to your senator advocating for hearing aid access is something that, as graduate students, you may not normally have time for. But if you are encouraged to do it and you’re getting points for it as part of the long-term requirements of the program, then you begin to see your role in a more holistic way.”

The focus on providing a well-rounded education was a big draw for Taylor Fenn when she was looking for a master’s degree program. She started with the program’s inaugural class and will finish with her degree at the end of this school year.

“I really feel like Mount St. Joseph has our best interest at heart,” Fenn says. “From the very start, they wanted to make sure we were well-rounded clinicians instead of having us home in on a specialty. The program has given me so many hands-on opportunities and experiences that I definitely feel like I’ll be well-prepared when I graduate.”

LIFE-LIKE LEARNING LABS

At the Mount, hands-on learning also means time in the simulation lab. Before Burke joined the faculty, she worked at a hospital with new speech pathologists. She found that increasingly, they lacked confidence in their skills because of a lack of hands-on training.

When the simulation lab program opened at the Mount, “it could not have been a more perfect fit for the things that I’m passionate about,” Burke says. “I want to train new speechlanguage pathologists who are career-ready and confident. And you gain confidence through making mistakes and failing and getting back up again and having some resilience. The whole

HONOREES

Even though the Master of Speech-Language Pathology program is new, faculty and students are already receiving accolades.

In March, a group of students and professors from the Mount’s Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences attend the 2024 Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA) Conference, where they were honored with three awards.

OSLHA named Erin Redle Sizemore, Ph.D., as “Fellow of the Association” in recognition of her contributions to speech pathology. Sizemore, the Mount’s chairperson of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and associate professor, also received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Mount. In addition to her work in developing the department, Sizemore has been a national leader in researching ways to support children who have been exposed to opioids in utero. She is also working with a team studying how to support graduate students with disabilities.

Taylor Fenn was OSLHA’s first-place Student Scholarship winner. Fenn was chosen for this scholarship based on community service involvement, interest in specialized areas, and passion for the field.

Maddie Baker received the Student Recognition Award. This award is given to a student with outstanding leadership qualities and who has made innovative contributions to the field.

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences currently offers an undergraduate major in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (Pre-SpeechLanguage Pathology and PreAudiology). Eligible students also have the opportunity to complete a 3+2 program with the developing Master of Speech-Language Pathology.

To learn more about what the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences has to offer, scan the QR code or visit www.msj.edu/slhs.

point of the simulation and integration course that I teach is to give our students a space to make mistakes… so that when you go into a clinical setting, the hard part of doing it for the first time is already over.”

The Speech Therapy Skills Lab has what Burke calls “task trainers” and high- and low-fidelity mannequins, from those with realistic anatomy to primitive tools like PVC pipe and straws. There’s a private room in the back so Burke can conduct a therapy session and video stream it to the students in real-time. There’s also a nursing simulation lab with two mock hospital rooms and an observation room in the middle. Sometimes high-fidelity mannequins serve as patients; other times, “standardized patients” read from a script.

Burke says that she doesn’t know of any other program in the country offering the same degree of dedicated simulation and integration coursework.

“I make it very clear from the beginning that I’m not grading them on the accuracy of their actions,” she says. “I’m looking for depth of learning … and if they failed, what they took away from that failure.”

In the future, Burke hopes to expand the simulation lab. She only has room for one of the task trainers/mannequins, so students have longer wait times, which takes up valuable class time. She’s made some of the task trainers herself, so having professional models would be valuable.

Another need for the growing program is a permanent location for an on-site clinic. The area currently being used is earmarked for another purpose, so the department needs to outfit a new space. It needs to be accessible, built to minimize background noise, and designed as patientfriendly, especially for the children who come in for help.

“I am really proud of the program we’ve built so far, and I’m excited about the possibilities of what’s next,” Sizemore says. “I love being a speech pathologist. The fact that I get to help a child say ‘mom’ for the first time or take a bite of food for the first time is a huge privilege. My excitement for teaching and for developing this program comes from sharing that passion with others and helping inspire them to go out in the world, to help people, and to make a difference.”

To give to the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences program, visit www.msj.edu/give-hs

Students using an otoscope to look inside the ear of a pediatric task trainer.

Erin Sizemore, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Chairperson and Associate Professor

Dr. Sizemore is a practicing speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her clinical focus is working with children and families in early intervention, including pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, and early speech, language, and executive functioning development. She has been a co-investigator on grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Education/Office of Special Education Programs. Her current projects include working with children and families impacted by the opioid crisis and investigating strategies to support graduate students with disabilities in their clinical training experiences.

Emily Buckley, MS, CCC-SLP Director of Clincal Education

Buckley is a practicing speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of clinical experience in medical, educational, and early intervention settings. Emily has experience working with infants and children with feeding and swallowing disorders, multiple disabilities and autism, and adults with aphasia. Buckley has supervised professional teams, graduate student clinicians, and clinical fellows. Buckley’s interests include student supervision, pediatric communication disorders, and parent/caregiver counseling.

Sisan Cuervo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Dr. Cuervo is an assistant professor and certified bilingual speech-language

pathologist. She has practiced at a pediatric private clinic, various school settings, and as an early intervention provider for children with developmental delays. She has experience with childhood speech and language disorders and family centered care. As a Hispanic immigrant and firstgeneration scholar, Dr. Cuervo serves as a community liaison and advocate to support underrepresented communities.

Lauren Burke, MA, CCC-SLP Simulation Coordinator / Instructor

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) for 15 years, Burke has cared for adults with speech, language, or swallowing disorders due to brain injury or stroke, patients with head and neck cancer, and patients with voice and upper airway needs. In her clinical roles, Burke has been involved in the development and leadership of new programs, extensive clinical supervision of graduate students, and using simulation to create meaningful learning experiences for SLP graduate students.

Heather Helinski, MSP, CCC-SLP Instructor/Clinical Supervisor

Heather Helinski has served as a speech-language pathologist for more than 25 years, working with all ages in both medical and educational settings. For 16 years, she has also served as a school-based clinician for children in preschool through grade 12. Her passions revolve around early language and literacy skills, social communication, stuttering, and speech production issues. She has also supervised graduate clinicians and speech pathologists undertaking their clinical fellowships.

Wendy LeBorgne, Associate Professor Dr. LeBorgne is an expert in the field of voice, voice disorders, and vocal athletes. Prior to joining the Mount, LeBorgne served as clinical director and voice pathologist at two private practice voice centers. She has authored textbook chapters, peer-reviewed articles, and, along with Marci Rosenberg, The Vocal Athlete. She has presented lectures and workshops, including her TED talk on Voice Branding™, around the world. LeBorgne is a member of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Health Care Economics Committee, serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Voice, and is the Vocal Health and Wellness Coordinator for the National Association of Teachers of Singing. LeBorgne is the CEO and owner of Dr. Wendy Voice, a premiere vocal athlete private concierge coaching and consulting firm.

Michelle León, PhD, CCC-SLP Assistant Professor Dr. León is a bilingual Spanish-English speech-language pathologist with ten years of clinical experience. She is passionate about bilingualism education and advocacy. Her research and clinical interests focus on bilingual language development and improving diagnostic and treatment outcomes for bilingual and bidialectal individuals. She works with children and families to support bilingual speech and language development, dispel myths, and promote native language use. She is dedicated to teaching students, supervising graduate clinicians, and efforts to better serve diverse populations and increase diversity within the field.

Psychology

2024 Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference

Denver, CO

Spring 2024

Women’s Volleyball

Costa Rica

Summer 2024

Service Learning

New Orleans, LA

Annual Winter Trip

Baseball Tournament

Softball Tournament

Dance Competition

Florida

Spring 2024

Appalachia Culture and Spirituality Course

Jackson County, KY

Annual Spring Trip

Choir Competition

New York, NY

Spring 2025

Cherokee Culture and Spirituality Course

Cherokee, NC

Spring 2023

Physical Therapy

APTA CSM Conference

Boston, MA

Winter 2024

HIS 385 Sea, Sail, & Song: Early America Maritime History

Maine

Spring 2023

Women’s Soccer

Argentina

Spring 2024

A World of Opportunity

By Jessica Baltzersen ’13

Student Hayley Cupp

Semester Abroad at Maynooth University through AIFS

Dublin, Ireland

Spring 2023

Women’s Golf

Scotland

Summer 2024

Men’s Soccer

Spain

Summer 2024

International Sport Management

Italy

Summer 2023

Student Katelyn Larkins

PSY 499 Psychology of Dracula through CCSA

London, UK

Summer 2023

Directed Research and Applied Social Computing Courses

Finland

Summer 2024

Author Neale Donald Walsch says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Walking away from creature comforts and familiar routines isn’t instinctively easy for many. The unknowns, the “what ifs,” and the fear of feeling out of place can hold us back. Yet, within these moments of uncertainty, we know true learning begins. This is why the Mount has always prioritized education beyond the classroom.

Through service learning, cultural immersion, and study abroad programs, MSJ students are encouraged to step outside their boundaries, gaining fresh perspectives in new places. These experiences enhance global awareness, foster empathy and understanding of other cultures, and introduce students to new customs, languages, and religions. Students grow professionally and personally in these settings, making an impact only real-world experiences can offer.

STUDYING ABROAD WITH A MISSION

It’s 8 a.m., and Brooklyn Brunner ’23 has just landed in Rome after graduating from the Mount only the day before. She and 22 other MSJ students are heading straight from the airport to the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center. There, they distribute clothing donations that they collected prior to the trip, offering vital supplies to refugees who are homeless after fleeing wartorn countries.

The students are 4,796 miles from Cincinnati on a facultyled Service Learning & Sport in Italy trip offered by the Department of Sport Management in the School of Business & Communication. Students learn about international sports organizations and administration practices in this short-term study abroad program, while immersing themselves in Italy’s Catholic history and traditions.

Even though Brunner is not a Sport Management major, she

had always wanted to go to Italy after hearing about her older sister’s travel-abroad experience there. The service elements of the trip applied to her interests and skills as an Early Childhood Education major. Despite needing to complete her studentteaching requirement in her final semester, the Mount offered her the opportunity to join the trip, even though she couldn’t take the course for credit.

“That is the Mount to a tee,” Brunner says. “They’re going to meet you where you’re at, and they’re going to make sure you get everything that you need.”

For decades, the Mount has provided learning opportunities around the world to broaden students’ horizons, heighten curiosity, and offer an outside perspective. MSJ students have traveled to London to learn about literary greats, have swam in the Aegean Sea to uncover ancient Greek ruins, have followed in Darwin’s footsteps in the Galapagos Islands’ ecosystems, and have researched burgeoning AI technologies in Finland.

Many of these experiences are made possible through partnerships with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) and The Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA) for long-term programs and in-house short-term study-abroad opportunities created as faculty-led courses.

“I think it’s really important when students can get out of their comfort zone,” says Caroline Meyer, assistant director of Service Learning & Civic Engagement at the Career & Experiential Education Center. “The travel component and seeing a different place in the country or even the world can really broaden their horizons to experiencing a new culture or meeting new people. On the more academic side, you see a higher retention rate of students who are doing these experiential opportunities. Usually, those students have more rewarding educational experiences. It can make what they’re learning so much more impactful.”

Growing up, Brunner says her parents sacrificed a lot so the family could travel and play sports. Her father loved taking them to different Major League Baseball stadiums. Her mother liked crossing off locations from the Amazing Places to Take Your Kids: Hundreds of North American Adventures—a book she received for Christmas one year. They made the most of Brunner’s volleyball tournaments, visiting places like Florida, Chicago, and St. Louis,

All smiles after touring the Vatican and learning about the Catholic traditions, as well as artwork and history.

where they’d venture off to check out nearby attractions. Over time, her mother began to hang their travel photos on their basement wall. Now, those framed memories wrap around the entire room.

During the 12-day trip to Rome and Cinque Terre, students explored the sprawling ruins of Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon. They witnessed the architectural beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica and the grandeur of Michelangelo’s masterpiece at the Sistine Chapel. They also attended the Italian Open tennis tournament and toured the Stadio Olimpico—the largest sports facility in Rome.

Brunner could see the paintings and sculptures she studied in her freshman world art class at many museums.

“It showed me that the things you learn in the classroom can carry on—that they can mean a little bit more to you later in life,” she says.

Alongside learning about Italian history and culture, students also experienced service opportunities. Students broke into groups where they provided meals for persons experiencing homelessness, and worked with children with special needs, through a Sisters of Charity mission at the Centro Caritas Santa Giovanna Antida.

Brunner even took on a particularly challenging task of cleaning the home of a man who needed some help. Accompanied only by a sister from the local mission, Brunner was warned that the man didn’t particularly “like” Americans. When she entered the run-down apartment, she noted that the place was in bad shape, with cracks in the floor and cigarette ash everywhere. “I’d never seen a house that dirty.”

For eight hours, though, she persevered with an enduring spirit and positive attitude.

Brooklyn Brunner ’23 and Bre Robbins ’22 cherishing moments with a special education student serving at the Sisters of Charity Centro Caritas Santa Giovanna Antida.

“I cleaned his bathroom, his bedroom, even painted the walls and replaced faucets on the tub,” she says. “It was hardcore work. But if I didn’t do it, he would have been kicked out of his home.”

Brunner says that was the most impactful experience on the trip.

“It taught me that it doesn’t matter how much money you have; it matters what you’re giving back,” she says. “The Mount talked about this the first year we were in college. ‘We are a service.’ And in that moment in Italy, I experienced what that really looked like.”

Today, Brunner teaches second grade at Five Points Elementary School in Springboro, Ohio—the same elementary school she once attended. Her classroom, decorated in vibrant pinks and oranges, radiates the same cheerfulness and enthusiasm she has for doing good in the world and making a difference.

“That trip to Italy solidified that I am meant to be a teacher,” she says.

It taught her resilience, patience, leadership, and compassion. During a challenging hike through Cinque Terre, Brunner kept her group motivated despite exhaustion and tough conditions.

“Everyone wanted to turn around, but I was determined to push us forward,” she says.

Faced with a long, steep climb, she took on a guiding role.

“It was about more than just not complaining,” she says. “It was about lifting others up to push forward.”

Brunner says if anyone is on the fence about whether or not they should study abroad, they should, 100 percent say yes. She notes that while it may be a bit more of a financial commitment, the once-in-a-lifetime experience outweighs the cost. The students even received $1,000 off their trip total on this particular trip thanks to a generous donor.

“If anybody is able to experience traveling internationally, it’s going to open your eyes to a new perspective in life,” she says. “It’s learning about other cultures and being able to overcome biases or learning about different religions that you might not know. You’ll be able to return to the States with a new outlook to teach others.”

To learn more about the Study Abroad program at the Mount, scan the QR code or visit www.msj.edu/study-abroad

SERVICE WITHOUT BORDERS

Service to others has always been integral to the Mount’s mission. While Greater Cincinnati has many service opportunities, the call extends to all corners of the country.

The Mount’s longest-running service learning project is with the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) in Eastern Kentucky. Students take a seven-week course on Appalachia Culture & Spirituality, then embark on a service trip over spring break to spend the week at Camp Andrew Jackson in McKee, Kentucky.

According to the Housing Assistance Council, “The poverty rate in Appalachian Kentucky, is double the national rate as nearly one-quarter of eastern Kentuckians have incomes below the poverty level.” However, those numbers are continuing to improve.

With the region’s limited economic opportunities and structural inequalities, students, like Ra’Neisha Carter ’22, want to assist with hands-on community service.

Carter attended Mother of Mercy High School, where she first participated in service trips.

“My parents encouraged me to give back to my community,” Carter says. “By giving back to my community, I appreciate and enjoy working and diversifying myself with different groups of people and different ways of life.”

Carter grew up mainly traveling within the U.S. Her mom’s side of the family has a reunion every two years at a different destination.

“We’d always incorporate an educational aspect,” Carter says. “Like when we went to the Martin Luther King museum

[The King Center] in Atlanta. Those experiences really opened my eyes to learning more in-depth about how African Americans went through trials and tribulations during segregation and how they overcame it. It gave me more insight of my own culture as an African American.”

While on the Appalachia service trip, students participate in intensive residential repair—sometimes even building houses from the ground up. With the assistance of professionals, the team of students performs tasks like painting; installing siding, flooring, drywall and roofing; and building ramps.

During her time in McKee, Carter helped to build an addition to a house for a woman and her grandson.

“Appalachia was so beautiful, with the mountains and the trees,” she says. “Even though it was difficult at times due to the conditions, such as being in a rural area with limited phone

Building friendships and hope in Eastern Kentucky and New Orleans.

Rainy days can’t keep us from making a difference!

signal and dealing with rain most of the time, it was a great way to immerse ourselves in a new environment and be present in the moment without distractions.” Despite challenging circumstances, students are able to bond over unified experiences.

“What stands out is how we started as strangers and became friends by working together,” Carter says. “We bonded through community service, especially in a faith-based environment.”

In 2019, Carter volunteered for another service learning trip to New Orleans. The Mount has aided in relief efforts, particularly in the city’s Ninth Ward, after Hurricane Katrina’s devastating impact in 2005, where 1,800 people lost their lives, and over 800,000 housing units were destroyed or damaged.

The Mount partnered with the House of Charity, which was sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Federation and Sister Monica Gundler, who is now the president of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. Through their ministry of hospitality, they welcome groups from all over the country, working with the St. Bernard Project, which helps rebuild homes for natural disaster survivors.

“For me, it was interesting to see the contrast between Bourbon Street, which is fancy and filled with partying, compared to other areas hit hard by the hurricane, where no one was living,” Carter says.

The service learning experiences in Appalachia and New Orleans welcome students to reflect on their personal growth, the impact of their work, and the unique challenges and insights they gain from these different regions.

Michelle Arnold ’19, assistant director of The Center for Mission & Belonging, hopes students ultimately take away kindness, a love for service, and a sense of community after traveling for a service learning experience.

“There’s something fulfilling about doing things for others without expecting anything in return,” Arnold says. “It’s not tangible, but it stays with them.”

The work doesn’t end, though, once students graduate. An alumni donation fully funded a recent social justice retreat, and alumni continue to come back and participate in events like “Workfest” in Appalachia.

“In 2023, a group of students went back to Kentucky without the class, which shows how much they valued the experience.”

Service Learning not only takes students to different locations but also opens their own worlds to a different understanding of how someone else lives. Those experiences become invaluable when they enter into their own professions.

“These trips made me more open-minded, especially now that I work at UC Health,” Carter says. “It helped me understand different cultures and people, making me less judgmental and more willing to work together in diverse

Ra’Neisha learing how to operate a power drill with Clarence and John (Christian Appalachian Project staff and volunteer).

BRIDGING RESEARCH ACROSS THE GLOBE

The Mount’s Center for IT Engagement (cITe) Program had the opportunity to travel abroad to Finland, in March, 2024. Students enrolled in NLP 340 Directed Research and NLP 350 Applied Social Computing completed collaborative research with Laurea University of Applied Sciences students in Finland.

To learn more about the Service Learning program at the Mount, scan the QR code or visit www.msj.edu/service-learning.

“The chance to work with students internationally, learn from each other about our countries, and actually have the opportunity to meet them in person was incredible and something I knew I couldn’t pass up,” says Alexa (Lexi) Theuerling, who is graduating in May 2025 with a dual major in computer science with concentrations in Social Computing and Art Education. “This experience showed me just how little of the world I have seen or understand, and how much more I want to explore in the future.”

At International Day at Laurea University, students had the chance to meet professors, network, present their research findings, and get feedback from peers. Theuerling was able to attend the short-term trip to Finland thanks to the Thrailkill Student Scholar Research Fund.

“Being a full-time college student and a double major makes finding time to work and save money incredibly difficult,” Theureling says. “Having a resource like this shows just how much [the Mount] wishes their students to succeed.”

Since this trip, the Mount’s cITe program has continued its partnership with Laurea University. The Laurea University students and the cITe senior students have been working together on exciting AI video projects for a company in Finland.

In October, the Mount welcomed Finnish students and faculty members to the University. While at the Mount, Laurea University students and faculty members got to participate in cITe’s first undergraduate research and work-based learning showcase. During this showcase, students had the opportunity to talk about past research projects, current research projects, or a work-based learning experience they had through an internship, co-op, or work-study in a short oral PowerPoint presentation.

MOUNT MOMENTS

Mount Moments stories breathe life into and showcase the unique experiences held on Mount St. Joseph University’s campus, and beyond. From academic achievements to personal milestones, they tell the stories of our Mount Community as they Climb Higher, dare to risk a caring response with the Heart of a Lion, and Light the Way in their communities with dedication and passion.

TWO HEARTS, ONE CAMPUS: BRIAN & MARGIE METZ CELEBRATE 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

By Amanda Gratsch, MSOL ’24, ’15

As if drawn by an invisible force, Margie and Brian’s lives converged on the vibrant campus of Mount St. Joseph University.

Two students from the west side of Cincinnati, English graduate, Brian Metz ’98, and Margie Meiners ’99, an Art Education major, found more than just an education.

“We were both the first of our immediate families to go to college,” Margie says. “It was a new experience for both of us, and our families and our parents were proud of us. My two younger sisters also attended the Mount.”

Drawn to the Mount’s impressive art and education programs, and the convenience of being close to home, Margie decided to pursue her Art Education degree there, while Brian’s aunt played a key role at the time in introducing him to the University. With the help of scholarships, both students were able to make their dreams a reality.

In 1994, Margie and Brian’s paths crossed in the familiar setting of the “Gazebo,” a mid-90’s lunch gathering place on the ground floor of the Mount’s Seton Center for students to connect and socialize. They were introduced by their mutual friend, Amy Rave ’99, and the two quickly formed a bond within their lively group of peers.

As their friendship blossomed, they discovered shared interests and a natural connection. Margie and Brian’s time together extended beyond the classroom, from exploring the Red River Gorge on Spring Break to enjoying leisurely lunches in the Theatre Gallery. Their bond deepened further when they supported each other through personal challenges, including the loss of loved ones.

“We just understood each other and got along so well,” she reminisces fondly. “We knew early that we would be together forever.”

A turning point in their relationship came during a family trip to Cape Hatteras in the summer of 1997. On a picturesque beach, Brian proposed,

sealing their commitment to each other.

“We had just a few weeks earlier gone on a family trip with my family to the Smoky Mountains, so [Brian] proposing as we were sitting on a porch swing on the beach near Cape Hatteras was a surprise!” Margie says.

Their love story continued to unfold after graduation, with their wedding held on April 10, 1999, at Margie’s parish, Our Lady of Victory, where they were joined by friends and family.

Surrounded by MSJ alumni in the bridal party, their wedding was a celebration of friendship and community, including

Margie’s two sisters, as bridesmaids, who are MSJ graduates, as well as their mutual friend Amy who introduced them.

The two celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last April with their two beloved children, Moira (24) and Aidan (19), and currently reside in Moores Hill, Indiana. Reflecting on their journey, Margie and Brian express gratitude for the role the Mount played in bringing them together. Their story serves as a testament to the power of connection, and the lasting impact of the Mount Community for years to come.

projects, both on and off campus.

Initially, Bach was captivated by the $500 scholarship—but after joining, he soon realized the meaningful connections he created with those in the art and design field while building a stronger portfolio for future endeavors.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with all sorts of people who enjoy art and design as much as I do, [including] fine artists, graphic designers, and art education students! Plus, that’s not even going into the professors I’ve worked with. Art Guild has truly helped me make meaningful connections with those around me.”

Bach’s favorite initiative that he has worked on so far over the past two years was an ISS Help Desk mural (pictured on page 6), where he was involved from start to finish.

“Working on that project from June through October was truly worth it,” he says. “From sketch to paint, it truly made my job engaging and contemporary.”

Along with a big thank you to his colleagues for their continued support, Bach also credits Associate Professor of Graphic Design, Kurt Grannan, for his expertise and guidance. “The relationships that I have created in Art Guild have been long-lasting. I’ve met many people who have positively impacted my life in great ways, and I’ve also met great people I’m able to work with. It is worth it to anyone who wants to work with art.”

As early as five years old, Bach was deeply into art. It began with a fascination for animatronics, but eventually, his interest shifted towards public signage.

“I’ve always enjoyed looking and thinking about what goes into a work of art, and how, over time, the designs and style can change,” Bach says.

Eventually, he decided to explore and engage with the limitless possibilities of graphic design to discover his own creative solutions. The best part, he says, is witnessing the progress.

“I’ve been doing consistent graphic design work for about seven years now, and I can see a progression of skill. That’s what fuels my passion for art and design,” Bach says.

The MSJ Renaissance is made up of various programs at Mount St. Joseph University that allow students to broaden their understandings of the human experience, and unleash their creative potentials. Students of any major can earn a $500, per semester, award through participation in the arts, including Art Guild, Peak Productions, Theatre, University Band, University Singers, and Writer’s Block.

Open to all MSJ students by instructor approval, Art Guild is a hands-on art making experience. The Art Guild provides students with the opportunity to work on individual and group projects in areas of their expertise and interest, and members of the class complete public art

In addition to Art Guild, Bach is also the Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery coop, where he assists with the installation of the various shows that go into the Mount’s art gallery throughout the year. He also helps with the gallery receptions to ensure they go according to plan.

Bach emphasizes the power of connection when asked for advice on making the most out of an MSJ experience.

“Make connections with as many people as possible as long as they help you in some way, from academics to just being a good friend,” he says. “Make sure to have a planner so you can keep track of everything and just take life one day at a time.”

RYAN BACH ’26 DISCOVERS A COLLABORATIVE ART-MAKING EXPERIENCE IN MSJ ART GUILD By Amanda Gratsch, MSOL ’24, ’15

Graphic Design major Ryan Bach finds belonging, connection, and opportunity in Art Guild, an MSJ Renaissance program.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CAROLINA HOTZ ’25 JOURNEYS ABROAD FROM GERMANY TO UNITED STATES

By Addie Conley ’24

From moving to the U.S. to transferring colleges, Carolina Hotz ’25 isn’t afraid to take a bold risk for her future.

Carolina Hotz ’25 grew up in Germany, moving to the U.S. in 2019 to become an au pair. An au pair is a person who moves from their home county to live with a host family in a different county, typically playing a role in childcare for the host family, while engaging in cultural exchange and learning. Hotz loved experiencing the values and life of her exchange family— and in turn—sharing her values and experiences with them.

While working as an au pair, Hotz gradually decided to pursue a degree— citing influence from people she met, the sense of community she discovered in her experiences, and the circumstances of the pandemic. With German universities staying closed for longer than U.S. universities, Hotz received the opportunity to explore higher education options in the U.S.

Her exploration first led her to a community college in Cincinnati where she earned her Associate of Applied Science in Business Management Administration and Technology, while holding an impressive 4.0 GPA.

“I knew I wanted to be in business, but kept my options open,” Hotz reflects. “Business Management Administration and Technology felt like the perfect blend of versatility and opportunity within the business realm.”

After visiting campus and learning about the Mount’s merit-based scholarship system, she decided to make the transition. In the fall of 2021, Hotz transferred to the Mount to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

“Accounting is known to be the language of business,” Hotz explains. “So, this program provides me with essential technical skills that I can, hopefully, transfer into various career paths in the future.”

Transferring to the Mount was a big change for Hotz, especially coming from a community college where she

remembers everyone commuting. The Mount’s campus, was a significant, but welcome change.

“MSJ has a vibrant campus with weekly activities, like weekly sport events, or visiting therapy dogs,” she says. “This just creates a lively atmosphere. I especially enjoy the cafeteria with its daily changing menu, the friendly cafeteria staff, the oncampus Starbucks for my caffeine fix, and the extensive gym, which keeps me active between long study sessions.”

While maintaining academic success over her first semester, Hotz received the Mount’s Mosaic Scholarship, awarded to students who commit to a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, diversity. In addition to this being an

honor to earn, she says that the award also boosted her confidence in herself and serves as motivation for her going forward in her studies and future career.

Once she graduates from the Mount with her Accounting degree, Hotz plans to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a form of employment that would allow her to remain in the U.S., while granting her the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge she will have gained in a professional setting.

“I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to find a job where I can immerse myself fully and demonstrate my capabilities,” she says. “As I navigate the world of accounting, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that are yet to come, and I am grateful to be part of the supportive and nurturing community at Mount St. Joseph University.”

ALYSSA BAKER ’26 FINDS COMMUNITY & BELONGING BY ADVANCING THE MISSION OF THETA PHI ALPHA By Amanda Gratsch, MSOL ’24, ’15

Alyssa Baker had a hard time adjusting during her freshman year—until she found a special cause to dedicate her efforts towards.

Entering her junior year in Criminal/ Forensic Psychology, Alyssa Baker ’26 had an endless fascination with helping and understanding others, especially within the criminal realm.

Passionate and ready to expand her learning in the field, Baker entered the Mount last year to pursue a degree in Criminal/Forensic Psychology. But, she didn’t feel a sense of home right away as she had hoped, especially as a commuter student. Building connections was difficult, and as a result, she felt isolated.

“I had a hard time adjusting to college and feeling like I was a part of the community, when the only thing I was ever on campus for was classes,” she says. One day, Baker remembered talking

to an MSJ acquaintance from her high school who was also a student in the MSJ sorority—Theta Phi Alpha. Baker decided to reach out and she instantly clicked with the chapter upon meeting them. She was initiated the following November.

“That sense of belonging was important, and it was relieving to find a group that made the Mount feel like home,” she says. “Before that, I was really conflicted about where I should be and what I should be doing, and all of that settled once I joined Theta Phi.”

From here on out, Baker began to find comfort in her college experience. Some of her favorite pastimes bonding with the chapter took place in New Member

Education.

New Member Education is a fiveto six-week period before students are officially initiated as a new member, where they learn the inner workings and expectations of the chapter in-depth. One fall night, their current President and Baker attempted to make hot chocolate for the group, but soon realized it wasn’t going according to plan.

“We weren’t able to find any way to make hot water, so we ended up just trying to microwave cups of water,” she laughs. “It was a fun night, and we cheered everyone up by having what we now refer to as our ‘Lukewarm Chocolate.’”

The ability to live in the moment and have fun with caring people while tending to necessary duties and expanding her leadership skillset made all of the difference for Baker in advancing the mission of Theta Phi Alpha.

“It was one of the times I really knew that, while Theta Phi is technically a business and we have responsibilities and tasks to accomplish, we can do those things while still having a good time and lifting each other up,” Baker says. “Being in the group truly is like the kinds of relationships and memories you would have with actual siblings.”

All within her first year, she not only discovered a sense of belonging within the chapter, but her dedication led her to take on multiple leadership positions. Last year, Baker was elected as both the vice president and the hospitality chair of Theta Phi Alpha, as well as the new PR chair.

“After I joined, I had a lot of ideas of things I could help implement and improve, to continue growing our chapter,” she says.

As for her future, Baker’s main goal is to earn her Ph.D. to work on further destigmatizing mental illness. She is eager and hopeful to increase visibility of Theta Phi Alpha to recruit future students, and hopes to provide community for new students as the chapter has done for her.

BRIDGING DIVIDES THROUGH POWER OF CONNECTION By

Amanda Gratsch, MSOL ’24, ’15

Shaunda Dawson ’25, ’18 leads women from diverse backgrounds in love, empathy, and respect to bridge differences and create a better world.

Inspired by conversations with her colleagues, combined with a deep desire to make an impact on earth, dedicated nurse and educator, Shaunda Dawson ’25, ’18, wished to embody and share her faith in bigger ways. It was from here that L.O.V.E. United, LLC was born.

Standing for Ladies of Various Ethnicities, L.O.V.E. United is a transformative platform dedicated to fostering unity among women through faith-based initiatives. Women from diverse backgrounds can gather in love, empathy, and respect to engage in difficult, honest conversations about the world we share. Here, they are able to build relationships to create positive change in their communities through service, leadership, and education.

“I started L.O.V.E. United because I wanted to create a platform where all women could come together and show the world that we are more alike than we are different—a space where women could be vulnerable,” Dawson says. “Where we could demonstrate to the younger generation that women of all races can work together and do so effectively.”

“We’re committed to bridging divides, fostering a space where we can ask hard questions, exchange perspectives, and ultimately grow into a united force,” she says.

Combining her love for nursing and education, Dawson has taught clinical students as an instructor and worked in maternal health at Mercy Health after graduating with her BSN from the Mount. She brings her expertise as a registered nurse to the forefront of her endeavors, and has quickly established herself as a dedicated educator and clinician. She is currently pursuing her MSN in Education at the Mount to continue advancing her career in teaching.

Throughout her career, Dawson worked with many women from areas with limited cultural diversity. Their discussions were rich with curiosity, as they often asked questions about each

other’s cultural differences. What made these conversations so special was the mutual sense of safety they felt.

“Over time, we began to see that we were more alike than we initially thought,” she says. “These moments lit a spark in me and inspired a desire to create something bigger—a space where women could come together, engage in tough but necessary conversations, and grow side by side.”

Thus far, Dawson has empowered countless women to overcome challenges, build confidence, and find their voices. Her dedication to her work and her genuine care for others have made a significant impact on the lives of many.

Dawson recently published a book called My Closet, a 52-week interactive journal and devotional. The weekly entries come directly from her personal journal.

“A woman I know has been reading it, and she shared so much with me in a letter that it literally brought me to tears,” Dawson says.

The woman ended the letter with these words: “Thank you for this purpose that God brought you to do. Your gift of sharing words of testimony has and will forever change me, and I hope you always remember that, because I will never forget.”

With gratitude, Dawson attributes her success to the support and guidance of her mentors, particularly her former MSJ professor, Kristin Clephane, DNP.

“Her encouragement to pursue a graduate degree, even when I wasn't sure about completing my BSN, planted a seed of possibility in my mind,” she says. “Her unwavering support and belief in me have had a profound impact on my life and career, helping me to grow and take on new challenges.”

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mission Award is the highest mission honor bestowed by the University. The annual award honors four members of the MSJ faculty and staff who live out the mission and are “daring to risk a caring response” in their service to the Mount Community. The 2024 award winners are:

• Rev. John Amankwah, Ph.D., associate professor emeritus of Communication and New Media Studies;

• Amy Burger, coordinator, Student Administrative Services;

• Kevin Koo, chief, MSJ Police Department;

• Peter Robinson, Ph.D., professor emeritus of History.

Peter Robinson, Ph.D., has taught at the Mount since 2004 and now leads an occasional course as an adjunct. He is the author of The Dance of the Comedians: The People, the President, and the Performance of Political Standup Comedy in America (University of

FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHT

AWARDS

Massachusetts Press, 2010). He has contributed to The Washington Post and has been interviewed for National Public Radio on the subject of his next book, humor and

the presidency. Robinson received the Mount’s eProfessor of the Year Award in 2009, its Emerging Scholar Award in 2011, and the Sister Adele Clifford Excellence in Teaching Award this past spring. He enjoys theatre, running, kayaking, and sailing along the coast of Maine, and he cherishes time spent with his family.

“I always have considered myself a pilgrim seeking to live the Mount’s mission, so to be recognized with this tremendous honor as having contributed in some significant way to the benefit of the University and, most important, our

students, is immensely gratifying,” he says.

Amy Burger has worked in Student Administrative Services at the Mount for over 14 years. She and her husband, Steve, have two children: Olivia Burger ’22, ’21 and Owen, who is currently a junior at the Mount, studying Business Management.

“Our family’s connection to MSJ fills me with immense pride,” she says.

A career change brought Burger to the Mount in 2010.

“I knew immediately that I’d found a home,” she says. “Over the years, I’ve assisted many outstanding students and families, guiding them through the often complex financial aid process. Many remain close friends to this day. I am honored to have been selected for the St.

Amy Burger

Peter Robinson, Ph.D.

LIVING THE MISSION: 2024 ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON MISSION

Elizabeth Ann Seton Mission Award and will do everything possible to live up to the honor.”

Kevin Koo is a graduate of Elder High School and a former U.S. Marine. He retired from the Hamilton County Sherriff’s office in 2019 with 31 years of experience. For 23 of those years, he was assigned to the organized crime division as an investigator and supervisor. He worked with federal, state and local authorities managing criminal investigations of upper-level offenders involved in organized crime such as narcotics trafficking, gambling, money laundering, human trafficking, and illegal sales of firearms, and conducted those investigations back to the source state or country from which the crime

DEAN’S DAY OFF

Michael Sontag, Ph.D.—Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences

Michael Sontag, Ph.D. has plenty to keep him busy at the Mount Monday through Friday. But when the weekend rolls around, this Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences knows how to relax. His latest adventure: participating in the Sports Car Club of America’s (SCCA) Starting Line training. Long a fan of sports cars, Sontag recently drove north to Trader’s World in Monroe, Ohio, for a day of professional driving instruction.

Until recently, he was driving a 20-year-old car that was in the shop regularly. Finally, his mechanic had an “end-of-life discussion”. It was time for a new car.

And his dream car just happened be for sale: a 2023 Subaru BRZ, “with manual transmission, of course.”

During the 10-hour day, professionals instructed participants in “vehicle dynamics, traction management, vision and control,” according to the SCCA website.

originated. During his time with the sherif’s office Koo was in charge of the department’s special response team, canine unit, firearms range staff, and a patrol supervisor. He has been involved in law enforcement for 36 years and public safety for the past five years at the Mount. “I have been the recipient of many awards over the years for various investigations but never for an award such as the Seton Award,” he says. “It is a great honor being recognized by the University for my service provided to the Mount Community.”

Rev. John M. Amankwah, Ph.D. (who many know as Fr. John) was born in Ghana, West Africa, he attended St. Teresa’s Minor Seminary, Elmina, and studied philosophy and Rev. John Amankwah, Ph.D.

In the morning, Sontag built up skills on a slalom course and an oval course. In the afternoon, he applied those skills on a full autocross track.

Before going solo, Sontag rode with an instructor.

theology at St. Peter’s Major Seminary, Cape Coast. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1979, in the diocese of Sunyani in the Brong Region, and he obtained a diploma in Adult Religious Education from AMECEA Pastoral Institute in Eldoret, Kenya. In 1995, he came to the U.S. to study at Duquesne University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate in communication and rhetorical studies. He has taught at Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh, presented articles at academic conferences and is the author of three books, including Forgiveness in a Cynical Age (WestBow Press, 2023). He is also president of the International Mission for Children. This award “is the highest honor awarded to me as a professor,” he says. “What it means to me is that it points me to the path treaded by St. Elizabeth Seton.”

“You can’t believe how they are able to drive,” he says. “There’s a g-force like you get on a roller coaster, plus the feeling of panic that you’re about to slide off the road.”

On the final course, Sontag’s first time was 60 seconds compared to his instructor’s 41. By the end, he had made “an amazing improvement—46 seconds.”

When participants weren’t driving, they were helping keep the tracks safe. His job was setting up cones that were knocked over, while others would be assigned to wave flags when a car spun out.

He met “a ton of people who love

cars,” but what struck him as unusual was that “no one talked about what they did for a living.” It was only when he looked up new friends on Facebook that he found how diverse the group was. Yes, he was a university dean, but he discovered that another was a biomechanical engineer at The Ohio State University.

He’ll be doing this again. “It’s so exciting and such a challenge. I compare the experience to a satisfying drumming session, or teaching a class that goes really well. It’s totally absorbing. You’re fully focused, in the state of flow.”

Kevin Koo

Michael Sontag

SCIENCE

A preschool teacher is sharing an age-old tale, made new with the Project Ready! curriculum.

“He went to the first little pig’s house, and he huffed, and he puffed, and blew the house down!”

The teacher takes a wolf puppet and places it next to a card with an illustration of a straw house.

“The first little pig ran all the way to the second pig’s stick house.”

The teacher places a pig puppet next to a card with an illustration of a stick house.

“‘Oh dear! Oh dear!’ said the pig.”

The teacher asks the child, “How does the pig feel?”

This scene is now played out in classrooms across the country, thanks to Telling Terrific Tales, an instructional routine to enhance language comprehension and oral language skills. It is a small part of broader Project Ready! curriculum that can be downloaded for

free and used as a resource for knowledge building, teaching everything from astronomy and botany to what different countries are like and the arts.

Project Ready!, an initiative of the Mount’s Reading Science program, is the passion project of Amy Murdoch, Ph.D., assistant dean of reading science. Born from her dissertation years ago, Murdoch and Project Manager/Early Learning Specialist Rosie Warburg ’12, officially launched Project Ready! in 2019.

Project Ready! Joyful Discoveries, created by Murdoch, Warburg, and Assistant Professor Maria Aielli, Ed.D. ’24, ’16 is a comprehensive preschool curriculum available to all for free. It is just one of the many initiatives of the Center for Reading Science, which aims to “support educators in implementing the science of reading in their classrooms and communities”.

The curriculum, which focuses

on language development, content knowledge, and early literacy skills, includes 12 theme-based units, several small group routines, interventions, and family materials.

This fall, Project Ready! launched a new initiative to offer all of the instructional materials available as professionally produced books and kits for purchase at cost. As part of the Center’s mission, all Project Ready! curriculum will continue to be openresource as well.

“This has been a project we’ve been working on for a while, and we have strong data demonstrating impressive literacy outcomes for children,” Murdoch says. “It’s exciting that we’re able to make it more available by offering a printed version. I think it was a barrier for schools to have to download everything.”

Thanks to a grant from the Carol

TELLING TERRIFIC TALES WITH THE CENTER FOR READING SCIENCE

THE CENTER FOR READING

Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, Murdoch, Warburg, and Aielli, along with Coordinator, Graduate Programs Amanda Lord, M.A. ’14 and Reading Science Ed.D. Program and Grant Manager Maggie Busam, spent two years exploring design options, creating prototypes, and discovering how to make a professional yet low-cost product.

The Alphabetics and Math series each include seven spiral-bound books that, when laid out, allow a teacher to have access to an instruction page while a student sitting across from the teacher has access to their page. Additionally, there are 12 Main Unit books, with lessons for 20 to 25 stories, plus center ideas, shared writing instruction, and more. These will be available for purchase in 2025.

Telling Terrific Tales was launched mid-November, as a boxed kit for $150. This kit includes an instructional manual containing eight fairy tales, written by Murdoch and Assistant Professor Meghan Martin, Ed.D., sequence cards, and puppets. Madison Taylor, an art education major who also works at The Center for Reading Science as a student worker, designed the illustrations for the sequence cards. The team contracted a puppetry artist, Heidi Carpenter of InJest Puppets, to create the puppets.

Reading Science faculty and student workers assemble the kits at The Center

for Reading Science, located in a former private residence on the edge of campus.

“One of our big missions at Mount St. Joseph is to make sure that children have access to high-quality curriculum that will help them develop the skills needed to be strong readers,” Murdoch says. “Unfortunately, in our country, there’s an opportunity gap where children from low-income communities often don’t have as many opportunities to

gain the skills they need to succeed in school. Our mission with Project Ready! is to close that opportunity gap and to provide high-quality instructional materials, based on the science of reading, to schools and families. We made Project Ready! to change that trajectory for students—positively.”

While working through a number of research projects involving the curriculum materials, Murdoch, her team, teachers, and parents have all witnessed incredible growth in students’ early literacy skills and knowledge.

“By teaching a knowledge-building curriculum, we are making their world bigger,” Murdoch says. “And that’s really what education should be—making our worlds bigger and making sure that all children have the opportunity to have a big life. That’s our mission.”

For more information on The Center for Reading Science and instructional materials available for purchase, visit readingscience.org/shop

Maggie Busam, Amy Murdoch, Maria Aielli, Larissa Phillips, Rosie Warburg, and Amanda Lord.

LIONS’ CORNER

By Tabari McCoy

GAINING MOMENTUM

The 2024 season may not have begun the way the Lions’ faithful would prefer, but following big wins to start October, the MSJ Football team is poised for a return to championship form.

September saw the Lions split the difference of their first four games of the season, beginning the year with a 42-35 loss to Muskingum University. The team rebounded over the course of their next two games, producing dominant 28-7 and 49-14 wins against Hiram College and Albion College. The team ended September at 2-2 after a 68-9 loss against University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

The Lions lit up the scoreboard over the course of their next two contests— both road games—beginning with a 49-41 win over Hanover College. That was followed by their most dominant performance to date as of press time, shutting out Anderson University 49-0.

Head Coach Tyler Hopperton ’12 believes the hot October start is a sign his team is finding its chemistry in the

nick of time for postseason play.

“We returned a lot of guys,” Hopperton says. “But at linebacker and at defensive back, there are a lot of new faces. We’ve had some games where we’ve struggled defensively and we’ve had some games where we’ve played really well. Anytime you can post a zero on the scoreboard for the opponent, that’s great.”

Hopperton also notes that Defensive Coordinator Rick Thompson has done a good job of adjusting to who he has and Offensive Coordinator Darold Hughes “moves with confidence and that makes our players play confidently as well.”

One player’s growth that Hopperton is also impressed with is starting senior quarterback Tyler Prather, a “tough kid” whom he’s enjoyed watching “wait his turn and take advantage of it.” While disappointed, Prather was not worried about the team’s September struggles because, he says, “We kept getting after it. You have to tell yourself it’s a long season and you can’t get down after the first couple of games.”

Best friends on the field helps.

“Even if things aren’t going as we’d hope, we won’t turn our backs on each other,” Prather

says. “We’re going to keep striving towards the common goal and just being out there with them is fun. You’ll get through anything if you have that bond and level of trust.”

Prather says a three-peat for conference championships “would be awesome.”

“To watch where we have come from, being blown out by Rose-Hulman [Institute of Technology] my freshman year to now, it has definitely been a journey,” he says. “Also, this one would be a little sweeter, because I have had the opportunity to start this year and not watch most of the games from the sideline. Seeing guys come and go and still holding ourselves to the same standard is a beautiful trait that Coach Hop and the rest of the organization have.”

Hopperton agrees.

Editor's Note: The MSJ Lions Football team celebrated the 20th anniversary of Schueler Field and the 2004 Championship team on November 16. They also defeated Rose-Hulman, securing their third consecutive HCAC Championship, and third consecutive spot in the NCAA D-III Playoffs.

YOUTH IS SERVED

By early November, the MSJ Women’s Volleyball team found itself sitting at 12-11. But by weathering the storm of a tough early season schedule, the Lions are now confident they will be better served—pun intended—for the rest of this season and well into the future.

“This team has a lot of potential; we’re very young,” says Head Coach John Spinney. “Almost half the team are freshmen and we’ve played a brutal schedule. Ten of our 11 losses are to teams that are in the top 25 or receiving top 25 votes. I knew how hard our schedule was and I wanted to get our freshman seasoned and they’re seasoned now.”

That seasoning started to pay off in October, with the young Lions’ squad winning four of its first five contests, defeating DePauw University, Earlham College, Anderson University, Carroll University, and Kenyon College. The team suffered a loss to Calvin University, a “high-level” opponent Spinney says, adding that they enabled his younger players to “start to get more savvy.”

One of the young players Spinney is excited about is freshman Aubrey

Miranda, a 5’8” Medina, Ohio, native who led the team at mid-season with a .249 hitting average.

“That’s very good, especially for a freshman,” Spinney says. “It’s good for anybody, really.”

Miranda chose to attend the Mount after she “absolutely fell in love with this campus” during a visit. She says she is excited to be part of the team’s growth.

“We were pushed into the wolves’ den and fighting all these tough teams and we’ve really shown we can compete with them and strive to be at the top with everyone,” Miranda says. “It’s not just a team—it’s a family. We’re so close-knit we’ll fight for anything.”

In November, that fight resulted in Grace Wilking, a 5’6” senior, celebrating senior night and an impressive 1,000dig milestone in the third set, helping to defeat Bluffton University.

Jasmine Butler, a 5'7" senior who transferred from Drew University to the Mount last season, also recently hit a major milestone with 3,000 assists.

“We’re not just really great volleyball players; we’re also amazing people,” Butler says. “That makes our program really special because we all care so much about the sport and each other, which makes our time on the floor so much better.”

Butler has felt support from MSJ staff and coaches, including Assistant Athletic Director, DEI Joey Moore “for being our biggest cheerleader” as well as Academic Exploration Program & PASS Advisor Jadah Jackson. Butler also gave a shout out to Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Cristina Webb, “For getting up early with us and instilling hope and lessons in us every day. There are great people that are in our corner, which is what makes Mount volleyball very special.”

Editor's Note: The MSJ Women's Volleyball team fell in the HCAC semi-final match against Manchester on November 16, 2024.

THE MOUNT SAYS ‘GAME ON’ WITH ESPORTS TEAM, PLANNED ARENA

MSJ students looking to stay plugged in to the collegiate experience may soon be getting a new outlet for their competitive and casual gaming, following the announcement of a new Esports arena on campus.

Set to occupy the former ROAR Store, next to the new Joe Lion’s Grille, several features of the new arena will bolster the growth and development of the Lions’ Esports team. In addition to competition space, Head Coach Christian Duvall says the arena will also offer broadcast and video production rooms for live streaming, a space for reviewing past event performances, practice rooms, and a dual-purpose digital classroom.

Now coaching 30-plus students in several popular gaming franchises— Valorant, Rocket League, Fortnite, Overwatch and Madden NFL football among them—Duvall says the arena will serve as the Esports competitive space.

“The digital classroom space/dualpurpose practice space and lounge will basically be used for different classes, but also will be open for students to come and use the computers as more of an amenity space,” Duvall says.

The Mount aims to attract a wide

range of student interest related to Esports, whether it’s competition/ broadcasting, campus events/ programming, casual participation, or integration with curriculum.

“The Esports space is that idea realized,” he says.

Excited as he is for the new arena, Duvall is currently focused on building on the success of the Esports team’s 2023 season. The 2023 season saw the Lions bring home plaques for both Overwatch and Valorant, multiplayer first-person shooter games, winning the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Starleague East 9 and East 13 division championships, respectively. As of press time, the Overwatch team was off to a hot start, defeating previously unbeaten Kettering University to advance to 3-0 in

their season.

Also excited for the new arena is Esports team member Austin “Womizzle” Womack, the 2023 Spring Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Madden Xbox competition third-place finisher. Noting that he was originally recruited to play football while also participating in track and field, he says injuries and a desire to focus on his academics made him turn away from traditional athletics.

“Despite not playing football anymore, Esports allowed me to still compete against many players on a national scale,” Womack says. “It’s definitely grown tremendously and in such a short time, too. When it comes to the arena...It’s going to make a difference on campus, having more than a fishbowl to look into, versus such a massive space where people will be seeing broadcast teams talking about the game. It’s just going to grow a whole other chapter at the school.”

*Each year the Mount offers a $2,000/ year Esports Scholarship to a freshman who is enrolled full time and participates in Esports practices, team workouts, and competitive events.

TRACKING TOWARDS SUCCESS

Adam Cokonougher is quick to let people know the proper pronunciation of his last name is the equivalent of saying if he were a soda, they would be drinking a “Coke an hour.” Now that he’s fully engrained in his role as the Mount’s new men’s cross country head coach and recruiting coordinator, however, he’s much more concerned about helping his teams enjoy the sweet taste of success.

A graduate of Xavier University, Cokonougher spent five years coaching at Cincinnati Christian University, serving in multiple roles before eventually becoming its assistant athletic director. Most recently, he has led the track and field and cross-country programs at Brewton-Parker College, where in 2019 he was named the River States Conference Coach of the Year and in 2022 he produced a men’s indoor championship. It was at the Mount,

GETTING HIS KICKS

Anthony Clark says the Greater Cincinnati area’s proliferation of youth programs has made the area a “hotbed” for rising soccer talent. Now eager to prove himself as a head coach, he hopes to channel that enthusiasm into a winning program at the Mount.

A Cincinnati native who grew up in Amelia, Clark is a graduate of Ohio Northern University, where he served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and helped with fundraising events. Clark has also worked with EXACT’s showcase soccer camps and has served as a head coach for both a Cincinnati soccer club and West Clermont High School, his alma matter. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach at University of Detroit Mercy, where he also served as the school’s recruiting coordinator.

Noting that the Men’s Soccer team

had a “really tough non-conference schedule” to begin the year, he feels the team will eventually hit its collective stride as his freshmen and sophomore players gain experience.

Preparing his players to be winners, however, isn’t limited to just their time on the pitch.

“We have a lot of underclassmen, we’re very freshmen and sophomore heavy, which bodes well for the future and adding a good recruiting class will make things exponentially higher for it moving forward,” he says. “I love the game, I love the sport but everything I do is for the betterment of the boys, not only in soccer but teaching them life lessons so they can get internships, jobs, and achieve beyond. We have the tools, resources, and campus to attract players and I look forward to tapping into that potential.”

however, where he was able to get his first coaching experience, interning with the football team between 2012-2015.

Arriving back in Ohio this June with his wife and young son in tow, Cokonougher was all set to continue his coaching career at another university. However, MSJ Head Football Coach Tyler Hopperton sent him a text—on his birthday nonetheless—and said that his “dream job” would be available soon.

Cokonougher is looking forward to bringing a championship-level program to the Mount.

“I have a lot of three-, and four-year goals for the program,” Cokonougher says. “But I also live in the moment and want to celebrate all the great things that the team is doing day-in and day-out. They’re absolutely phenomenal. Their work ethic is great.”

Adam Cokonougher

Anthony Clark

Every athlete aspires to be part of a world-class team. In the case of MSJ alumni Austin Brock and Josh Taylor, however, their talent has allowed them to play the game they love professionally, half-a-world away.

Taylor is a Cincinnati native who was a 2023 semi-finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy—the top individual award in D-III football. He and Brock enjoyed several years together as teammates at the Mount. The duo would find themselves together once again in 2024 as teammates for the Kuopio Steelers, one of eight teams in the Vaahteraliiga, a.k.a. the Maple League, the highest-level professional football league in Finland. The Steelers were quite ready to welcome the duo to the roster, looking to return

to their threetime Maple Bowl championship form after missing the playoffs the previous season.

Brock and Turner had notable seasons for the Steelers, each being named among the Top 50 Players of 2024 by American Football in Finland, the governing body of the Maple League. Brock, a wide receiver, earned Maple League First

Team All-Finland Honors, leading the Maple League with 1,032 receiving yards on 72 catches. Taylor, named the Maple League’s eighth best player in 2024, enjoyed a dominant debut in May, accounting for 300+ total yards and eight touchdowns as the Steelers’ starting quarterback before suffering a shoulder injury. The Steelers finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, good enough for second place in the Maple League, finishing just one game behind 2024 Maple League Bowl champions, the Helsinki Roosters.

Taylor, calls the experience a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“Getting to go over with Austin, one of my best friends in the world, was a dream come true in itself,” Taylor says. “It's one thing to get to do what you love by yourself, but it's a whole other thing to do it with people that you love as well. Going from the coaching staff we had here that’s absolutely elite, to over there, where football’s becoming more prominent, that was kind of cool within itself ... I’d definitely recommend it to everybody because it’s worth it.”

Having a familiar face along for

FOOTBALL ALUMNI SHINE IN FINLAND

the ride helped the duo adjust to life overseas, a situation made more complicated at first by the fact Taylor says “it snowed every single day for two months” upon his arrival. But once the summer arrived, Taylor found his attitude (and sleep schedule) adjusted, noting how the city “was packed” once warmer weather was present, making it much easier to enjoy all Kuopio’s lakes and forests. Brock agrees, noting that the culture of Finland was one in tune with his athletic pursuits.

“Everybody just wants to be outside [to] enjoy the weather when they can,” Brock recalls. “People there always like to stay fit. A lot of people take nutrition and health extremely importantly, which I believe is something we should do in America. It was just fun and interesting to see.”

Taylor, who had never been away from his family more than two-and-ahalf weeks prior to playing in Finland, credits the experience for helping him mature as both a player and a person.

“I did a lot of growing up,” Taylor says. “I had to rely on myself more; I couldn’t be a mama’s boy over there.

Football’s fun, but it’s those moments you’re living with your best friend, you’re building relationships that are more special than just getting to play football alone.”

Now back in Cincinnati, the duo is actively assisting the current MSJ Football team, sharing their wisdom and expertise as volunteer coaches. Taylor is confident that Tyler Prather can develop into a championship-caliber quarterback for the Lions.

“His arm is very live,” Taylor says. “When he’s seeing the field, he sees it very well. My big thing is to just keep encouraging him to be himself and then also whenever he needs guidance or help.”

For anyone seeking guidance on why the Mount should be the place they call home, Brock says the answer lies in the coaches and faculty that make it such a special place.

“Winning is the standard,” Brock says. “Not only is the football program very elite, but the academics are very elite.

No matter if you’re the first string or last string here, you’re going to get coached. It’s the same thing [in the classroom]. Whenever you need help, they’re right there for you. Outside of the professors, your advisors, your supervisors, the Dean of Students, even President Williams, everybody—it’s just such a family atmosphere here and it really does feel like home.”

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

SUPPORT THE MOUNT WITH A DONOR ADVISED FUND

You can make a transformational impact and receive a tax deduction at fair market value when you donate to Mount St. Joseph University through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). You can contribute assets including cash, securities, IRA beneficiary interests, and life insurance directly to your DAF to support qualified charities, such as the Mount. DAFs can be customized to fit your financial plans and charitable goals,

With gratitude,

and they also allow a collaborative giving strategy with family members.

By leveraging the power of your DAF, you can support the programs, scholarships and areas of the University that matter most to you.

After speaking to your tax professional, please contact me at 513-244-4611 for personalized service or visit our website at www.msj.edu/give to explore giving opportunities and make a lasting impact on future generations.

Sydney M. Prochazka Vice President for Institutional Advancement sydney.prochazka@msj.edu

513-244-4611

Mount St. Joseph University proudly recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the University through a planned gift and by joining the esteemed ranks of the Heritage Society.

What is a Planned Gift?

typically part of a donor’s will or estate plan, ensuring their generosity benefits future generations. Each year, planned gifts allow the University to meet current funding needs, establish and strengthen programs, and provide critical scholarship support to students. Heritage Society members play a vital role in ensuring the long-term financial stability of the University, enabling its mission to thrive for years to come.

To learn more about or to enroll in the Heritage Society, please visit www.msj.edu/heritagesocietyenrollment or contact Dan Emsicke at 513-244-4955 or dan.emsicke@msj.edu THE HERITAGE SOCIETY: HONORING LEGACY COMMITMENTS

A planned gift is a meaningful way to support the mission of Mount St. Joseph University. These gifts are

MURDER MYSTERY EVENT

In April, the Mount, and alumni-owned Moonlight Murders, teamed up to host a whodunnit for a cause. Alumni came dressed in their finest 1920s “glad rags” to help our lead detectives solve a case while raising funds to support MSJ student scholarships. The evening’s events included dinner, dessert, two drink tickets, and a cash bar.

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 8, 2025

"POST TIME FOR MURDER" A derby-themed Murder Mystery Event

Mount St. Joseph University and Murder and Merriment will host an MSJ Murder Mystery Fundraising Event. Wear your best derby apparel and put your detective skills to the test while supporting a great cause. Proceeds from this thrilling event will directly benefit student scholarships. Be on the lookout for more details!

Dr. Ann Marie (Miller) Whitlatch ’74 has lived a life rooted in family, friendship, Catholicism, and a love of learning, thanks to the empowerment she felt as an MSJ student creating her path in critical care nursing, gerontology, and ethics.

Whitlatch grew up in Newark, Ohio, as one of 12 kids. Her mother, Dorothy Miller, was a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. While at Saint Mary’s, Miller had to have surgery, causing her to miss a semester. During WWII, the Mount allowed students to make up a missed semester in one summer. So this is what Miller did. Whitlatch says her mother had a wonderful experience at the Mount.

From a young age, Whitlatch was taught that much of life’s richness stems from a strong bond rooted in love with family and friends, and she has witnessed her mother’s teachings ripple down through generations.

“When I look at my parents’ legacy of 31 grandchildren, there is nothing they would love better than to know that their grandchildren are such good friends,” she says.

Having grown up hearing wonderful things about the Mount from her mother, along with godmother and aunt, Sr. Ann Middendorf, OSB ’49, Whitlatch scheduled a visit. Everyone was so kind. She loved the smallness of the campus and the largeness and liveliness of Cincinnati. It fit.

Whitlatch enrolled as a biology and chemistry major. She quickly met Diane (Lyons) McCrone ’74, who was studying nursing. They became fast friends and roomed together.

“I love sciences, and I was determined to be a science major, but Diane just kept talking about her love of nursing,” Whitlatch says.

Whitlatch didn’t want to switch

majors. Intrigued, she simply added on nursing. Clinical practice often coincided with lab work, but her professors were encouraging, often teaching labs after hours one-on-one.

“That’s how generous they were,” Whitlatch says. “I mean, that’s way beyond.”

Whitlatch was also struck by the brilliance of one particular professor, Paula Gonzalez, SC ’52 “very short but mighty,” she says, and ahead of her time, talking about the ethics of scientific developments and the importance of environmental stewardship.

“She was this tiny 5’0” nun with a heart of gold who was a giant in my mind,” Whitlatch says.

Whitlatch enjoyed fencing and had leadership roles in student government, a benefit of attending an allfemale school in the ’70s.

“I felt like we were encouraged to be leaders in an era when other women weren’t,” she says. “Now it’s not as important because my granddaughter wouldn’t even know not to be a leader. She’s never had that prejudice. But at the Mount, we were really taught that we could be anything and that we should rise to the top to be leaders.”

This through-line in Whitlatch’s life has given her the confidence to step into many leadership positions.

After graduation, Whitlatch and McCrone remained roommates in Cincinnati. Nursing at Christ Hospital fulfilled Whitlatch’s scientific love of research and drew on the compassion she inherited from her mother. Her MSJ

education gave her an edge as she was challenged in her new role.

McCrone got engaged, and Whitlatch took a job as a critical care nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital (now Ohio State University Hospital East) in Columbus, Ohio. She met and married Tom, and they had two sons, Brian and Sean. In 1980 she earned a master’s degree in nursing at The Ohio State University (OSU)—in 1993, she earned a Ph.D. in gerontology and a minor in ethics at OSU as well. She taught critical care nursing at the Mount Carmel College of Nursing for five years. Then, she became a tenured professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, teaching critical care, ethics

DR. ANN MARIE MILLER WHITLATCH ’74

Dr. Ann Marie Miller Whitlatch ’74

husband still winter.

These days, Whitlatch volunteers at her parish church and a parish school as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. She mentors nurses in gerontology and critical care through the Ohio Nursing Association and shares her expertise in Alzheimer’s care with local support groups.

culture of Mount St. Joe still today,” she says.

In May, Whitlatch celebrated her 50th reunion at the Mount, where she received the Sister Loretta Richards, SC Award, the highest award given to an alumna.

and senior management for 15 years.

“I really loved it there,” Whitlatch says. “I thought I’d found my career home.”

In the 1990s, more opportunities opened up for women, but nursing enrollment was down. Her program abruptly closed.

“It was really traumatic for me,” Whitlatch says. “I thought my career was thriving and I had made so many good friends and associates.”

She expanded her wings as the executive vice president of the Ohio Nurses Association’s for-profit division. Then, an ideal position opened up at OSU: teaching undergraduate gerontology, a topic she first became passionate about while working as a critical care nurse.

“We were putting all these older people with all these chronic illnesses into these intensive care units and not even thinking, just because we can do it, should we do it,” she says. “The more we know in medicine, the more questions we have, ethically.”

After teaching graduate-level leadership, management and ethics at OSU, she retired from teaching fulltime in 2015. She limited her work to one online class a semester for four more years, sometimes grading papers poolside in Florida, where she and her

She also gives communion and serves as a companion to residents at the same skilled nursing center where she used to take her OSU students for advanced assessment.

“I wanted to give back to them,” she says. “They were always so good about letting me bring students there.”

Living close to her siblings and sons, she is grateful to worship weekly with family. Her entire family loves golf and she enjoys watching her four grandkids play sports. And now, a longtime friend is family. After vacationing and sharing many holidays together, Whitlatch’s son, Brian, married McCrone’s daughter, Katie. These two MSJ roommates now share two grandchildren.

Whitlatch credits her mother and the Mount for underscoring the importance of family, friendship, Catholicism and a love of learning.

“That is the

50th Golden Reunion, May 22nd, 2024 at Jewish Memorial Museum, Cincinnati. From Lt to Rt sitting row: Rebecca (Cox) Cron ’74, Pam (Hall) Pewitt ’74, Anna Marie Kiel ’74, Maureen (Vater) Hiner ’74, and Ann (Miller) Whitlatch ’74. Standing row: Karen (O’Donnell) Smith ’74, Mary Lou (Eichhold) Sanders ’74, Sue (Lehman) Ryan ’74, Mary (Hoy} Curran ’74, Mary “Mimi” (Holtel) Ryan ’74, Barbara (Pierman) Luff ’74, Mary Lou (Prendergast) Wassel ’74.

Diane (Lyons) McCrone ’74 (front left) and Ann (Miller) Whitlatch ’74 (front right) stand in front of their respective children Katie (McCrone) Whitlatch (left) and Brian Whitlatch (right) and their shared grandchildren, Lauren and Jack Whitlatch.

In the shower at the Mount! From Lt to Rt: Karen (O’Donnell) Smith ‘74, Ann (Miller) Whitlatch ‘74, Diane (Lyons) McCrone ‘74, and Georgene (Gibbs) Waecker ‘74.

From Lt to Rt: Katie (McCrone) Whitlatch and her husband Brian, Ann and her husband Tom, and Lindsey (McGrew) Whitlatch and her husband, Sean.

CLASS OF 1974 50TH REUNION & ROYAL MOUNTEE ALUMNAE LUNCHEON

In May, the Office of Alumni Engagement welcomed 102 alumnae to campus. In the morning we celebrated the Class of 1974’s 50th Reunion. This year, we combined the Golden Anniversary Reunion with the Royal Mountee Luncheon, recognizing that many of these alumnae share memories together. Everyone came together for a joyful Mass at Mater Dei Chapel led by Father Mark Bredestege. His mother, Cheryl Bredestege ’74, was also in attendance. The day was filled with nostalgia and reconnection, and our hallways echoed with the voices of alumnae singing “Mount St. Joe Girl” and sharing heartfelt conversations, all a testament to the enduring spirit of our cherished Mount Community.

We are grateful for the Class of 1974’s Reunion and Liturgy Committee and Sister Barbara, SC, whose contributions resulted in an indelible celebration. To those who were not able to attend, know that you were missed and we hope to see you at next year’s celebration on May 15, 2025.

ALUMNI AWARDS

The Mount St. Joseph University Office of Alumni Relations is proud to recognize the following alumni for outstanding contributions and service.

Sister Mary Lea Mueller, SC Human Service Award: Honorable Judge Melba Marsh ’74

Sister Loretta Richards, SC Award: Dr. Ann Whitlatch ’74

Honorable Judge Melba Marsh, ’74 and Dr. Ann Whitlatch, ’74

HOMECOMING & HALL OF FAME

In October, students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered on a beautiful fall weekend to reconnect and make memories at this year’s Homecoming celebration. On Friday, the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame class was honored. This year’s inductees included:

• 1975 Women’s Volleyball team;

• Carolyn Condit ’76 (Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Basketball);

• Mary Ann Broderick (Women’s Volleyball coach);

• Mary Broadhurst Slowinski ’93 (Women’s Volleyball); and

• Shad Wetterich ’98 (Football).

Saturday included a homecoming tailgate and alumni lunch at the MSJ Sports Complex. Cheers from 1,700 fans were heard throughout Schueler Field as the MSJ Lions defeated Bluffton University 63-27. Alumni were invited to join the Lion’s Roar Pep Band. Saturday evening, students and alumni supported the Women’s Soccer team as they won 3-0 against Franklin College, and the Men’s Soccer team as they won 2-1 against Franklin College.

A PRAYER FOR OUR DEPARTED MSJ FAMILY

Gracious and loving God, we join in prayer for our departed brothers and sisters, entrusting them to your divine charity and mercy. We pray with Mary the Mater Dei, Saint Joseph, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, along with all of the angels and saints, that you will welcome them with your divine and loving embrace for all eternity.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

PASSAGES

ALUMNI PASSINGS

Kathleen Dunn McCurdy ’46

Sarah Sweeney ’49

Mary Meisel O’Neil ’49

Julie Zink ’51

Ann Koebel, SC ’55

Paula Spagnuolo, SC ’55

Eileen O’Donnell Howard ’56

Theresa Hughes Masangkay ’57

Mary Walsh Falta ’58

Ann Doherty Patino ’59

Esther Marie Humbert, SC ’60

Suzanne Rouch Hibler ’61

Mary Lou Holthaus Holtel ’62

Elizabeth Finn, SC ’62

Mary Claire Ernt Erhman ’65

Timothy McBride ’67

Tara Coughlin Joyce ’68

Kathleen Verbryke Fischer ’69

Karen Kiesewetter Olson ’71

Katrina Rosselot Patton ’80

Jennifer Molony ’81

Mary Ellen McGlenn ’81

Susan Dillon Reitman ’83

Paula Maloney Coffey ’84

Maureen Suttman ’85

Nicholas Spano ’85

Lisa Landon Lamping ’87

David Champ ’94

James Doherty ’94

Nancy Gibson ’94

Joseph Folzenlogen ’98, ’05

Alexis Hadsell ’20

Passings listed are current as of press time.

William Allen Kenton Jr., known as Bill on campus, passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 58. Kenton served as a mail clerk in Buildings and Grounds at the Mount and was truly dedicated to serving our students, faculty, and staff every day. He is survived by his wife, Katrina Kenton ’88, who also worked at the Mount as director of auxiliary services, four children, and four grandchildren. Kenton was a nationally syndicated radio host and a US Navy Veteran. He was inducted into the American Heritage Blues Hall of Fame in 2014. A Celebration of Life was held at Mater Dei Chapel in November.

Faculty Recital

January 7 at 7 p.m.

Recital Hall

Juried Assemblage Exhibition, curated by Michael Thompson and Jim Tucker

January 17 – February 12

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery

Choir Concert

February 25 at 7 p.m.

Mater Dei Chapel

Youth Art Month featuring artworks by Greater Cincinnati regional art teachers and students

February 28 – March 27

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery

Band Joint Concert with Jazz and Steel Drum Bands

March 11 at 7 p.m.

University Theatre

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

April 3-5 at 7 p.m. | April 12 at Noon

University Theatre

Senior Thesis Degree Exhibition: Artworks and Design Projects created by Art Education, Fine Art and Graphic Design Candidates

April 9 – April 27, 2025

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery

Student Recital

April 14 at 7 p.m.

Recital Hall

Band Concert

April 22 at 7 p.m.

University Theatre

Choir Concert

April 24 at 7 p.m.

Mater Dei Chapel

Student Art Exhibition featuring selected art and design student works

May 1 – September 5

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery

For our full events calendar, visit www.msj.edu/news.

ONE LAST THOUGHT

For more than a century, members of the Mount Community have imbued moments with meaning, from the everyday to the profound. These moments shape those who create and those who experience them—examples of both fill this issue.

After a year of therapy, three year-old Christian Hoffman can now name all of his favorite dinosaurs, thanks to MSJ speech therapists. MSJ students waited with excitement and apprehension for the curtain to pull up on the opening night of “The Oregon Trail.”

Brooklyn Brunner ’23 provided meals for persons experiencing homelessness, through a Sisters of Charity mission in Italy. Brian Metz ’98 and Margie Meiners ’99, MSJ lovebirds, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Joe Lion and MSJ leaders surprised and changed the lives of five of the region’s top high school students with Presidential Scholarships. Alyssa Baker ’26 found a special cause to dedicate her efforts towards after having a difficult time adjusting during her freshman year.

The Girls Scouts recognized Director of Athletics Melanee Wagener, MSOL ’21 for inspiring others through leadership, service, and commitment to her community. Shaunda Dawson ’25 ’18, created L.O.V.E. United to foster unity among women.

After spending months assessing how to meet students’ evolving needs, MSJ leaders revealed an academic restructuring plan. On the first day of the ’24-’25 academic year, a freshman shared a plate of Joe’s famous Cheesy Ranch Fries with new friends at the newly reopened Joe Lion’s Grille.

On campus, the Mount Community stumbled upon small, original works of art—gifts from MSJ Art Guild members. In The Center for Reading Science, student workers assembled kits to encourage early literacy skills.

As we turn the page on this calendar year, we ask you, members of the Mount Community: What have been your meaningful moments this year?