Leaders at heart

Mount Mary has recently instituted a new policy that will support and develop relationships with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs).

Some updates to the MBA program will make it easier for non-degree-seeking students to pursue graduate-level professional development.

Langen passes along understanding of cultural heritage

Today, Linda Langen ’10, ’18, embraces her personal identity as an active member of the Oneida tribe, attending general council meetings in Green Bay and serving on a tribal advisory board. Professionally, she works as a school counselor in Milwaukee, supporting children in their own journeys.

Vonisha Guy wanted to stay in school. As a single mother of five, she knew getting her degree in social work from Mount Mary would help her provide for her family. Life was already a juggling act with MMU classes, working second or third shift and her kids’ schedules. Then COVID-19 hit.

This year, the Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) at Mount Mary had to make adjustments in order to maintain impactful programming for young women. While some things needed to pivot, they searched for ways to remain true to their mission.

Honoring the life and legacy of one of Mount Mary’s most influential educators

Often described as a humble master educator, outstanding mentor and excellent role model, S. Ellen Lorenz, SSND, was a source of great inspiration to colleagues and students during her five decades of service and  leadership within the Mount Mary community.

Tourguide uses many platforms to engage with new students

Margaret Dishaw is virtually everywhere, making new students feel welcome, whether they’re on a campus tour or building a network of friends online.

For many years, Anne Salamun Huff kept in touch with other members of Mount Mary’s Class of 1942 as a volunteer class delegate, writing annual letters filled with news and updates.

Wellness practices take individuals from functional to thriving

To heal after an injury, finding the right treatment can be difficult. Sometimes, it may take many months or years of seeking care to find the right combination of modalities to ease pain and return to well-being.

Board of Trustees Chair Cathy Buck reflects upon years of growth

Although she’s never studied or worked here, Cathy Buck possesses a powerful understanding of what binds her to Mount Mary, personally and professionally.

New nursing program focused on mission

In fall, Mount Mary will open the doors to a new four-year BSN program designed to fill an important niche in the community: To create nurse leaders who will further equitable health care for all.

Two major programs are under development, both with significant implications for the future. A four year, on-campus nursing program will open in fall 2021 (see next page), as will a Ph.D. program in Counselor Education and Supervision.

The School of Arts and Design is proud to share the work of our talented seniors. Each year, students from Graphic Design, Interior Design, Studio Art and Art Education spend their last semesters preparing for a two-week exhibit of their work and host a reception for hundreds of visitors.

Bringing a nationally recognized speaker to campus has a greater purpose than the lecture itself. The speaker and her ideas become a launching point for deep on-campus learning.

Last fall and this spring, a number of classes engaged in projects around the concept of personal power, set forth by Nilofer Merchant, author of “The Power of Onlyness.”

Progress continues at a rapid pace at Trinity Woods, the intergenerational housing community and innovative three-way partnership between the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mount Mary University and Milwaukee Catholic Home.

In times of hardship and uncertainty, it’s invaluable to have a cornerstone to revisit, both as a source of strength and as a vision for the future. As racial inequality, social injustice and the oppression of marginalized communities continue to occur across the nation, we return to our foundation.

Now more than ever, our core values of competence, community, compassion and commitment have been the guideposts in remaining true to our mission and relevant in an ever-changing world.

Mount Mary was honored to welcome Visiting Fellow Eleanor Clift to campus, virtually, the week of October 5 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

At Mount Mary, the idea of “giving back” is woven deep into the fabric of our mission. Students here learn so much more than academics, they learn to be leaders, to build integrity and to move through life with compassion. Many who leave this campus carry the teachings and wisdom they’ve developed at Mount Mary with them for the rest of their lives.

From her time as a freshman in 2016 through her senior year in 2020, presidential elections have bookended Evita Evers’ college experiences.

While she recalls being “highly and emotionally involved in 2016,” she became a driving force in 2020, spearheading multiple campus initiatives to engage students, designing and installing a large banner in
Notre Dame Hall, and orchestrating a pledge drive.

We are making history! They say that history is told through the lens of the author and certainly we know that to be true based upon historical records where many uncomfortable truths are omitted. As I reflected upon the last eight months while preparing for this magazine, I am struck by the multitude of perspectives that this magazine will present about our current situation and yet I wonder what perspectives we are missing. In these challenging days we are searching to ensure we are part of portraying the truth.

The need for nurses with BSN degrees is urgent. The Institute of Medicine targeted a goal of 80 percent of all RNs having BSN degrees by 2020. In Wisconsin, only 47.5 percent have their BSN or higher.

Mount Mary University is now accepting student applications for a four-year, fully on-campus degree program for women to begin next fall.

Marjorie Rucker ’00, executive director of The Business Council Inc., is transforming the economic and social landscape for marginalized populations in Milwaukee — and beyond.

Would you love to revisit campus today? You can see your old haunts and check out our new spaces using our new virtual campus map. The project was completed earlier this spring due to the pandemic, when alumnae, prospective students and visitors weren’t able to come to campus in-person.

Mount Mary’s vision is to educate women to transform the world in partnership with local, national and global organizations. And Anne Kahl, executive director of the Leadership Institute and corporate partnerships, plays an important role in fulfilling that vision.

On March 13 campus closed abruptly in compliance with the city’s order. But we never stopped engaging with one another. Through spring and summer, our learning community switched gears and faculty and students transitioned to fully online.

Campus reopened bit by bit in summer, and in fall we petitioned the city to reopen, based upon stringent cleaning and social distancing protocols in place. This was approved and life returned to campus.

I’m writing this note at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and so far, the only certainty in the situation has been, well, uncertainty.

In 1958, a new language lab was installed on the Mount Mary campus, and the process of learning a world language was transformed.

It all happened so quickly. Emily Boutcher ’18, had intended to study dietetics when she transferred to Mount Mary in 2016. She had not been here long when she learned about food science, a new program at the time.

Taylor Robinson is a first-year student at Mount Mary and is part of the first group to go through the Compass Year. She describes her experiences here.

At the touch of a button, the world opens up

The walls of the classroom are white, and so are the tables and chairs that face a large screen. Like a blank canvas, it is designed to transport students well beyond its walls using virtual reality (VR) technology.

New campus initiatives align with regional efforts to increase college graduation rates

Plugging the leaks in Milwaukee’s talent pipeline is an effort being waged across the region, and Mount Mary is engaging in community initiatives and developing strategies within the institution to support more students.

Meet the leading lady behind Mount Mary's study abroad programs

As a teacher, world traveler, trained counselor and director of international studies, Nan Metzger draws on a variety of experiences and skills to enrich students’ academic journeys through study abroad programs.

Celebrity designers and social media influencers have skewed the public’s impression of fashion. Ashley Brooks explains how her students learn what really matters.

The strategic plan that was approved this past summer is moving forward at a swift pace. Read a brief overview of the work being done in each of the categories of the strategic plan.

Christ King Chapel, located in the lower level of Notre Dame Hall, has been redesigned as a shared interfaith space that students of all backgrounds and faith traditions can enjoy.

Celebrating 100 years

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment, granting women’s right to vote. As we celebrate this landmark milestone, we reflect back on the women of Mount Mary exercising their right to vote—from the early years within the School Sisters of Notre Dame to the students of today.

SSNDs to move into an intergenerational housing complex at Mount Mary

The School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose presence and leadership have powered the spirit of Mount Mary, are returning to campus for good.

For a plan to be truly strategic, it must take us from the status quo to a new and different state. The Strategic Plan delivers, and will sustain our vision through 2025.

Imagine a blueprint that will not only envision a future, but one that outlines the steps that will help us reach this new place.

Get an inside look at the new spaces on Mount Mary's campus

To best support Mount Mary’s vision for the future, several spaces across campus have been re-envisioned. These refreshed spaces will create new learning possibilities for current students, opportunities for the community to stay informed and engaged in campus events, and visually reflect Mount Mary’s mission and identity. From a virtual reality room to a new gallery-style space in Notre Dame Hall, take a glimpse of these exciting new changes to campus.

The year was 1855 and Mother Caroline Freiss, who had come to Milwaukee five years earlier, was searching the countryside for additional land to support the order’s growing mission.

Fania Davis shares strategies for restorative justice

Social activist and civil rights attorney Fania Davis visited campus Oct. 7-10 to share her practical knowledge of restorative justice with students, faculty and the community.

Every building has a story. See how a refreshed Notre Dame Hall communicates our community's past, present and future.

After a busy summer of construction, a renovation that lies at the very heart of our campus is complete.

This Mount Mary tradition celebrates a rich history and a growing future

Two traditions have bookended students’ academic journeys at Mount Mary for over 85 years, the Investiture and pre-commencement ceremonies. Each ceremony shares a connection, a lantern that contains a candle symbolizing the light of learning.

Scholarship student believes “failure isn’t an option”

Ever since she was young, a middle child with six siblings, Antoneisha Jones has displayed an extraordinary sense of independence. When she set her goal to be the first member of her family to graduate from college, she knew it would take effort – 60 hour workweeks are typical – and massive determination.

Balancing art and business

As a business owner, architecture project manager and contributing writer on the leadership forum of Forbes.com, Barbara Armstrong, M.S., was an established thought leader before she left her field to join Mount Mary.

This fall, the Starving Artists’ Show celebrated its milestone 50th show, a testament to the driving force behind the operation, the Alumnae Association and volunteers.

Colorful past inspires her work with undecided students

Wendy Weaver, who spent a number of years guiding tourists safely through the wilds of Alaska, is accustomed to taking on new challenges at Mount Mary with the same effervescent spirit and can-do attitude.

The women philosophers of Mount Mary are transforming the field, enlarging the canon of known philosophers and teaching philosophy in a style that is inclusive of all people.

Expands academic programming, brings restorative justice leader to campus

For more than 45 years, the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows (WWVF) program offered through the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) has brought prominent artists, diplomats, journalists, business leaders and other nonacademic professionals to campuses across the United States for substantive dialogue with students, faculty members and the local community. The Women’s Leadership Institute at Mount Mary University is excited to bring this prestigious program to campus for the first time in fall 2019, made possible in part through endowments established by Virginia Cornyn ’62 and Nancy Cheski ’65.

Nursing 1-2-1 student strives to reach her goal of helping children sooner

Yesenia Mata has wanted to be a nurse ever since she experienced for herself the positive effect a good nurse can have on their patients.

“Just seeing how much of an impact a nurse can have on a child’s emotions in a setting that isn’t desirable makes me see how much of an impact I could have,” said Mata, who went through a series of surgeries as a child.

How a unique program enables professionals to become teachers

Heather Strosin ’17 had worked in the corporate world before becoming a paraprofessional at the Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, where she discovered her calling to work with children who have special needs.

Lisa Breitsprecker, Senior Development Officer

Lisa is an experienced fundraising professional with a head for data-driven results and a heart for the intentions of donors.

Community reflects upon the work and legacy of Sister Georgeann

With an almost superhuman ability to be practically everywhere on campus at once, walkie-talkie in hand and keys jingling at her side, S. Georgeann Krzyzanowski ’66 has been a constant force for over 40 years.

16 weeks. One show. A million details.

At the very start of the semester, the fashion merchandise management students realize they have a life-changing experience ahead of them. From that moment in January, students in the Fashion Show Coordination class learn about the huge undertaking that will consume their hearts and minds for more than 15 weeks, culminating in the CREO fashion show on May 10.

Taking Students from Undecided to Unstoppable

Students who enter college undecided about their major face many challenges, including the fear of wasted time and money, as well as parents who aren’t sure they want to invest in education without an end game in mind. To address this issue, Mount Mary University has created the Compass Year. The program will begin in fall and will assist students in their search and keep them on track to graduate in four years.

Sharing personal narratives helps students find their calling

It is one of the most powerful and personal questions a person can ask of another: How did you become who you are? The question is only seven words, yet the answer draws upon a lifetime of experiences. In order to help our students through the self-discovery process, members of the faculty, staff and administration are learning to express the stories of their own personal journeys.

When Colliers International moved into the newly constructed office at 833 E. Michigan St. in downtown Milwaukee, the real estate firm wanted a space that could depict its status in the community — and in the world.

Mount Mary student Julia Wachuta shares her experience working on the longform journalism project on suicide prevention in Milwaukee.

Strategic Planning Will Bring Mount Mary to a New and Different Place

As Mount Mary enters the last year of the 2016-2019 strategic plan, it is time to consider our way forward into the future.

Theology student Madeline Banach journeyed to Spain to walk El Camino de Santiago, a major Christian pilgrimage route of 500 miles.

Even though her journey was cut short due to an injury, Madeline gained valuable lessons of humility and gratitude. “There occurs a shedding of the old self, which provides space for the new self to emerge and grow. In this vulnerability, one becomes humbled and this, in turn, provides an openness to receiving the gift of grace. I became so very humbled on this journey, and from that daily experience of humility flowed such gratitude for the many blessings of the Spirit,” Madeline shares.

Remembering Professor Maureen Leonard

Students, faculty and staff gathered for a memorial service this summer for biology professor Maureen Leonard, who passed away unexpectedly on July 5. Leonard had been a member of the faculty since 2009.

Organizations present real-world challenges, and Mount Mary community members use their newfound skills to listen and brainstorm solutions.

Through design thinking, a strategy for addressing challenges creatively and responsively, members of the Mount Mary community have applied this skill to serve some 40 Milwaukee area organizations.

Meet the Leading Lady Lynn Diener

Lynn Diener, professor and sciences department chair, can prove to students that science and creativity are not exclusive to one another. And with an office full of colorful 3D models and past student projects, the evidence is conclusive.

Jessica Stallings has an impressive list of credentials: she is an award-winning researcher, clinician and leading expert in the application of art therapy with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She is a Mount Mary student, too.

In 1942 she was known as Sister Mary Ignatia, Mount Mary’s registrar, but to the three Luxem sisters she was “Aunt Mamie.” Every summer the girls would travel from Indiana to visit their aunt, and those fond memories began the sisters’ lifelong commitment to Mount Mary.

Educators don’t set out to be mentors. We teach. But there are times a surprising connection is made between teacher and student. Sometimes that turns into a decade, or even a lifetime, of friendship and support, encouragement and life stories. There may be shared Christmas cards or social media posts — a quick note celebrating a life passage, perhaps a Ph.D., a career change. Before long, that teaching relationship has shifted and we’ve fallen into a mentoring relationship that feels an awful lot like friendship.

Try Amelia's recipe for Costa Rican black bean soup, Sopa Negra.

An appetizer or light meal, Sopa Negra, or black bean soup, is a classic Costa Rican dish, and can be found throughout Latin America . This meal provides a quick, healthy and simple way to experience another culture’s food!

Mount Mary alumnae and friends consistently describe how their Mount Mary experience changed their lives. Many alums say they wish they could do more to support the students of today, but they aren’t sure if they can, or know how to give more while staying within their budget.

Jeannette Ingabire of Rwanda Possesses a Global Perspective Influenced by the Culture of Her Home and Mount Mary

Jeannette’s background, combined with her Mount Mary education, has shaped her understanding of community service.

Meet the Leading Lady Anne Vravick

Three years ago, Anne Vravick ’05 was part of a group proposing the idea of a food science program to Mount Mary’s leadership team. It’s been a whirlwind ever since for Vravick, the primary faculty member in the program, teaching Food Science Nutrition, Food Regulatory Standards Food Chemistry I and II, Intro to Food Engineering and Food Processing.

When 750 people packed inside a church on Milwaukee’s South Side to hold a structured, respectful exchange with the city’s chief of police, they not only proposed safety solutions for the neighborhood, they displayed the power of coordinated action.

School Sisters of Notre Dame Open North American Archives at Mount Mary

A newly remodeled space in the lower level of Bergstrom Hall now houses the documents that detail the legacy of courage, leadership and vision of the SSNDs in North America.

  When Brita Kuhrmeier Schumacher ’99 went to Korea to teach English to kindergarteners, she made an astonishing discovery herself: Students there could speak Korean, Chinese and English perfectly, because most elementary schools incorporated foreign language in the curriculum. She returned home a year later, determined to bring this same experience to elementary school children in the United States.

Meaningful Moments and Highlights from the Inauguration

In a ceremony that drew strongly upon themes of community, Mount Mary University officially installed its 12th president, Christine Pharr, Ph.D., on April 20.

More than ever, technology informs and enables the creative vision of students.

In today’s world of fashion, it takes more than technical skills and creativity to become a designer. Students need a high degree of technological proficiency to work, create and operate the industry tools of today.

From the Summer 2017 special edition of the Wisconsin Teacher of Mathematics, dedicated to Sister Mary Patronia Van Straten. Sister Petronia Van Straten began teaching at Mount Mary in 1947, served as chairman of the math department for over 20 years beginning in 1965, and continued to teach up until her death in January, 1987. She died just short of 40 years of service at Mount Mary. “Her influence helped to shape the Mathematics Department at Mount Mary College … and mathematics education within the United States.”

Personal acts and philanthropic gifts support mental health, particularly for students

Just the other day at Barnes & Noble, Billie Kubly ’57 struck up a light conversation with the salesclerk.  The clerk asked, how many children do you have? Without hesitation Billie answered, “Seven – but one died of depression.”

Technology unleashes potential for bringing math and science to life

One of my most interesting teaching experiences involved observing how Carl, a blind student, perceived math concepts differently than sighted students. What I learned from this student many years ago continues to influence my teaching.

Mount Mary is a gem that glows brightly from lives transformed. You, our alumnae and our friends, carry our message into the world.

Dear Mount Mary Alumnae and Friends, As a way of getting to know the University, I have chosen to spend the majority of my time meeting the people who know it best: the faculty and staff, students, board members, alumnae, donors and community members. My meetings have been both rewarding and insightful. As I complete my first four months as President, let me share some of my learnings with you.

How undecided majors become equipped with knowledge

“What’s your passion?” This deep question makes a lot of women uncomfortable, said Jena Mahne, career counselor at Mount Mary University. And that’s why she starts her career exploration class with the following declaration: We have a dysfunctional belief about passion.

Mount Mary's new program increases our expertise in the science of food

What’s for dinner? That is an exciting topic – lunch and breakfast are, too – with Mount Mary’s brand new program in food science and the opening of a completely renovated food lab.

There are three good reasons why Andrea Petersen is almost always wearing a lab coat around Mount Mary’s Gerhardinger Center.

There are three good reasons why Andrea Petersen is almost always wearing a lab coat around Mount Mary’s Gerhardinger Center.

A look at the women who have planned their legacy

Inherent in all of us who have been educated in the tradition of the School Sisters of Notre Dame is the desire to leave something behind, a legacy and heritage of the things we care about deeply.

English adjunct and Director of the Caroline Scholars Program

A member of the English faculty since 2011, Keenan has recently been named director of the Caroline Scholars program. Passionate about social justice, Keenan appreciated the directorship as an opportunity to cultivate bravery by acting as a role model for the Scholars.

Pat DeGroot, '64, traveled thousands of miles to support Stella Maris, a boarding school for girls ages 6-20 in Nsube, Uganda. And that's just one continent. She's been transforming lives across three continents.

Pat DeGroot began her week in Israel. That Monday, she wrapped up a three-month volunteer stint as an administrator at an archaeological park in the Negev Desert.

For anything to grow in the desert, it must be watered. But the irrigation system at the 55-acre Tamar Biblical Park always seems to be in need of repair.

For anything to grow in the desert, it must be watered. But the irrigation system at the 55-acre Tamar Biblical Park always seems to be in need of repair.

Follow along as we trace the story of Pat DeGroot, ’64, across three continents

How will I make a difference? The question that challenges all young Mount Mary students, and it follows us through our lives as we grow, engage and shape our personal legacies.

Pair believes creativity in the science is cultivated through experimentation

Is science a creative pursuit? To help students understand the connection between science and creativity, two professors at Mount Mary are foregoing conventional lab projects, in which students follow directions and get anticipated results, in favor of student-created experiments.

All the while, he has worked hard to inspire students while making music and creating art.

Dr. Bruce Moon’s 16 years at Mount Mary has been marked by milestones including numerous presentations and published books, in addition to a pioneering spirit that led to the creation of the Doctorate in Art Therapy Program — the first of its kind in the United States.

How we stand up to Milwaukee's greatest challenges

Championing change in the face of profound social and economic challenges requires a fortitude of spirit.

We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

Creative initiatives flourish all over campus and Milwaukee

Five years ago, President Eileen Schwalbach set Mount Mary’s Creative Campus into motion.

When Erica Marion was 6 years old, she told her parents she wanted to be a doctor. Now completing her junior year at Mount Mary with a major in biology, her options have expanded beyond medical school.  

Dr. Christine Pharr, a higher education administrator with more than 20 years of experience, will become the 12th president in July.

Connecting academic skills to genuine community needs

Sandrea Smith, justice major, knew she wanted to help educate people about crimes and legislation concerning violence against indigenous women.

Mount Mary’s pioneering fashion program had been in existence for just over a decade when Sandi Keiser joined the ambitious department.

As food makes its way from farm to fork, there are critical links in the delivery system that require a generous portion of science, including ensuring freshness, quality and safety.

Mount Mary alumna is a HGTV star and interior designer on the rise

Could you describe yourself in 25 words? Jamie (Gumieny) Fink, ’03 can. Fink has the distinct ability to keep things simple, despite her growing accolades in the world of interior design.

Campus spirit is more than sporting blue and white

Her body in full swing, Adrianna Nester draws back her elbow, extends her arm and connects with the volleyball. Spike. Point Mount Mary.

This year’s Publishing Institute offered inspiration through one-on-one sessions with agents and presentations by successful writers

There’s nothing like a great role model to help one strive for achievement, and it’s no different for the local community of Milwaukee-area writers.

Gardening has always been a hobby for Ncais, but when she was exploring internship opportunities, it became a calling

Gardening has always been a hobby of Ncais Vang, and when she was exploring internship opportunities, it became a calling. Ncais, a sociology major and nutrition minor, has a deep interest in creating healthy communities.

Even after 47 years, this annual favorite among arts lovers still generates the same level of enthusiasm and anticipation

Mount Mary University’s Starving Artists’ Show took place Sept. 11 on campus. And even after 47 years, this annual favorite among arts lovers still generated the same level of enthusiasm and anticipation.

Associated Collegiate Press awards Termeria Taper prestigious award

What is the spirit of feminism on an all-women’s campus, during an election year when the first woman is running for president? Student reporter Termeria Taper tackled the issue in her story, “F*#!nism: Not a Dirty Word” for the student publication, Arches. These awards are often referred to as the Pulitzer Prizes of student journalism.

The Succeed Scholars Program will provide 25 scholarships annually to Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's students

In late October, Mount Mary held its official welcome for the 25 graduate students in counseling known as “Succeed Scholars,” a program put in place through a significant award by the federal government. The Succeed Scholars Program is funded through an award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and will provide 25 scholarships annually for four years to students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program.

This is the timeless legacy of Eileen Mihm Schwalbach

Seated behind the desk of her office, Mount Mary President Eileen Mihm Schwalbach is ensconced in not only the rich 103-year history of the institution, but how her time leading the community has intersected with a foundation first laid by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Mount Mary's Hmong designers integrate and celebrate ethnic styles

Fashion design students Panyia Xiong and Beth Yang feel exhilarated by what took place at this year’s Fashion Week in New York City.

Natasha Tang is ready to achieve her dreams of a career in pharmacy

Natasha Tang, ’18, learned to read a prescription, code a label, research patient profiles, locate medications on the pharmacy shelves and operate a cash register. All this, on her very first day of her internship.