SALVE AT 75

In this milestone anniversary year, an array of events has provided opportunities for the campus community to re ect on the past, celebrate the present and envision the University’s bright, bold future as an institution of distinction in the realm of higher education.

Salve at 75 has much to be proud of: students and alumni who embrace our mercy-inspired mission by working to e ect change and make a di erence in their communities; administrators, trustees, faculty and sta who believe in the power of education by delivering on the vision of the founding Sisters of Mercy to inspire thoughtful discovery through innovative and transformative programs; and countless individuals, organizations and foundations whose generosity and partnership provides opportunities for our students to experience transformative growth and lifelong success.

e University community kicked o its 75th anniversary with a weeklong celebration in September 2022. Events included a conversation with the Honorable Elena Kagan, United States Supreme Court Associate Justice (p. 24), the Mercy Tea, McAuley Day, and Fall Festival Weekend, which welcomed alumni and families home to campus Sept. 23-25. Additional commemorations throughout the year include the Cultural and Historic Preservation Conference, Multicultural Education and MLK Weeks, the publication of “Muse and Mercy,” featured on page 36, and “Living Mercy,” a collection of essays re ecting on the core values of Salve Regina.

Inspired by the ritual of Providence’s WaterFire, an opening ceremony Sept. 23, 2022, shared Salve Regina’s story in “Carrying the Light of Mercy.” e artistic storytelling experience written and directed by Mary Beth Pelletier ’06, ’12 (M), showcased students, alumni and community members who led guests along Gerety Hall’s drive, which was illuminated by a torch- and bon re-lit path. Seven stops along the way featured student dancers, musicians and narrators highlighting the University’s rich history and a mercy heritage that began with one woman seeking to alleviate su ering and empower through education.

Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, was a remarkable woman whose unyielding faith and determination demonstrates that it takes just one person to make a di erence. Her legacy lives on in the Salve community, through coursework and experiential learning opportunities infused with the University’s mission to work for a world that is harmonious, just and merciful. e Critical Concerns of Mercy are at the forefront, as students consider the very real challenges of their future as global citizens.

Strategic initiatives under way will ensure continued momentum for the University’s next chapters. As the 75th anniversary class, the most diverse in the institution’s history, the Class of 2026 will lead the next generations of Salve students in programming designed to connect college to career and create leaders who will make an impact on our communities and on our world.

With a deep commitment to the enduring vision of its founders, Salve at 75 is on the rise. Tomorrow’s leaders are here today, learning, evolving and resolute in their belief that it only takes one person to create lasting change.

-Mary Edwards ’86,’12 (M)

CAMPUS

SALVE AT 75 CONTINUES TO RISE

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75 Years Of Preservation

The Cultural and Historic Preservation Conference highlights the importance of exploration through the lens of cultural heritage.

More than 75 years ago, the founding Sisters of Mercy took the rst steps in what would become a tradition of preservation as they tirelessly worked to transform Ochre Court by creating classroom, administrative, residential and recreational spaces for the rst class of students who arrived in September 1947. Since then, campus structures have been thoughtfully preserved and adapted, creating an extraordinary landscape in which students learn and live.

In honor of this tradition, the Noreen Stonor Drexel Cultural and Historic Preservation Program hosted “Celebrating 75 Years of Preservation at Salve Regina University” Oct. 13 – 15, 2022. e conference was organized by Dr. Heather M. Rockwell and Dr. Jeroen van den Hurk, assistant professors for cultural and historic preservation.

“ e conference was a great success, with over 150 registrants,” Rockwell re ected. “We had an incredible lineup of speakers who left us feeling inspired. Our students were so pleased to get to interact with some of the greats in preservation today.”

To both honor the legacy of the preservation movement as well as look to the future, the conference explored themes focusing on the history, technology and future of preservation, with an emphasis on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Speakers covered topics ranging from preservation law in the United States, to the looting of cultural heritage in Iraq, to the value of landscape restoration, and the complexities of grappling with a complex past,” explained Rockwell. “It really shows that you can explore almost anything through the lens of cultural heritage.”

Dr. Frances Ford, architectural conservator of the Richard Marks Restorations, Inc., presented her research, “ e History of Preservation: Under the Roof of Ochre Court.” With her students from Charleston, South Carolina, Ford performed paint research on the ceiling of the mansion’s former orchestra room. ey used techniques to remove a small patch of white latex paint that now covers the sky mural. Expecting to reveal a blue sky with u y clouds, the group was surprised to nd the hair and eyes of cherubs depicted in the oil painting.

During the conference’s afternoon tours and entertainment, participants had the opportunity to join Ford on a guided tour of the architectural history of Ochre Court to learn more about her discoveries regarding the painting and other historical facts about the Gilded Age mansion.

On the last day of the conference, Grills Keynote speaker Dr. Morrison Heckscher, retired chair of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, shared his experience in the preservation eld. Named after Richard A. Grills and supported by the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation, the keynote address was titled “Architectural Preservation and the Art Museum: Adventures and Mis-adventures.”

“Opportunities for preservation are endless and urgent,” said Heckscher. “We need to promote the excitement of learning and looking at what we live in. What you

The Bronte Brother

see will in uence what you do.”

With a great sense of humor and many stories from his years of experience in the eld, Heckscher captivated the audience and encouraged them to promote preservation of the buildings by which they are surrounded. He suggested that attendees be vocal advocates, even at the risk of boring family and friends to tears.

“Be passionate,” said Heckscher. “Love it, and go for it. Every street you go down, you can nd something interesting.”

To wrap up the conference, Dr. Nancy Schreiber, vice president for academic a airs and provost, announced the recipient of the Student Paper Award, honoring the most inspiring paper and research. Morgan Lee ’23 was presented the award for her research, “Mapping the Untold Stories of the Gilded Age: e Use of GIS Technology to Study African American Populations in Newport from 1880 to 1910.”

Lee conducted research during summer 2022 at the Redwood Library with Dr. Kurt Schlichting from Fair eld University. ey used historic census records to research the African American population that lived in Newport throughout the Gilded Age era. From the census records, they recorded names, addresses and occupations to discover areas where they were living and what their lives were like at the time. is information helped Lee create maps of historic minority areas.

“When they called my name at the award ceremony, I was just so excited to know that the work I was passionate about meant something to other people as well,” says Lee.

An American history major, Lee has found that the addition of her minor in cultural and historic preservation has been one of the best parts of her Salve career.

“I think the most special thing about Salve’s CHP program is the fact that we get to have so much hands-on experience because of our campus location,” said Lee. “Newport is just a gold mine for preservation with all of its historical buildings and landmarks.

“ e biggest thing I took away from the weekend was just how impactful our research as students can be for the future of our elds,” she continued. “Whether you are a history, psychology, or business major or anything in between, the research that you are passionate about can be really in uential if you have the con dence to share it no matter how small you might think it is.”

-Morgan Rizzo ’23

Dr. Dean de la Motte, professor of modern languages, published his rst novel through Valley Press in June 2022. “Oblivion: e Lost Diaries of Branwell Brontë” reconstructs the life of the famous literary sisters’ often-misunderstood brother.

“Oblivion” traces

Branwell’s meandering journey across the north of England. rough his experiences the reader contemplates the existence of God, the e ects of drugs and alcohol and the nature of addiction itself, the desire for fame, and the bitter resentment of artists and intellectuals who feel unappreciated by an increasingly materialistic, mechanized society.

A review by the Historical Novel Society describes the book as “a labor of love, meticulously researched and encompassing seemingly every person who passed through Branwell’s adult life. It’s well written with believable dialogue and vivid characters.” e author of a wide range of articles on 19th-century French literature and culture, de la Motte has o ered a number of presentations, including an author’s talk at McKillop Library in fall 2022. He also hosted a lm discussion following the screening of “Emily,” along with Dr. Matthew Ramsey, professor and chair of English, communications and media, at Jane Pickens eater in Newport March 21.