Campus celebrates University's 104th anniversary
Outstanding students, faculty and staff awarded on Founders Day
To commemorate the 104th anniversary of Mount Mary, the community celebrated its connection to the School Sisters of Notre Dame with an awards and honors convocation.
Each year, Founders Day is celebrated on Feb. 23. Sister Mary Anne Owens, provincial leader of the Central Pacific province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, visited Mount Mary from St. Louis and presented two awards to students: the Mother Theresa Award and the Mother Caroline Award. These awards are given to students with excellent academic records and who exemplify the vision of Mount Mary's founders.
- The Mother Theresa award, named for the foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, was presented to Claudia Yageira Evangelista Calvario, a senior majoring in social work with a minor in Psychology and a member of the Honors Program, Phi Alpha, Psi Chi and Delta Epsilon Sigma, as well as student clubs such as S.A.L.S.A. Club (Students Achieving Leadership through Spanish Activities) and the Social Work club.
Outside of Mount Mary, she has volunteered with the Boys and Girls club, tutoring struggling students in math and reading. She is also active within Voces de la Frontera, assisting in rallies and community organization with Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES!) and working with women through the Mujeres Líderes (Women Leaders) Program. She is the head director of new citizenship classes offered at the Forest Home Library.
- The Mother Caroline award, named for the foundress of the SSND's North American chapter, was presented to Gwendolyn Zubke, a junior majoring in social work, in recognition of her academic excellence and her work in the community. She has organized fundraisers to support Habitat for Humanity and the research of St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.
In the Easter Seals Foundation's career development program, she helps others achieve academic success and find employment. Gwendolyn also continues to work with people who have various forms of cognitive impairments, helping them maintain and improve their health and quality of life.
Three members of the Mount Mary community received the SSND Heritage Award, which is given to administrators, faculty and staff who embody the values of Mount Mary.
- The Administration Award was given to Mary Karr, Registrar, for the high level of competence, integrity and compassion she shows in her work and interactions with those around her.
- The Faculty Award was given to Mary Beth Duffey, Ph.D., adjunct professor of English, for the supportive, inclusive environment she creates and her inspiring way of teaching.
- The Staff Award was given to Patrick Aiman, special events setup and custodian with the Buildings and Grounds department, for the cheerful and conscientious manner with which he carries out his role on campus.
