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.

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.