Heritage Society luncheon

Date Published 12/21/2022

Category

University Events

Ann McElaney-Johnson, PhD, president of Mount Saint Mary's University, shares stories and updates from the University with attendees at the Heritage Society luncheon. This annual event is held in appreciation for those donors who have included the Mount in their wills or estate plans.

Members of the Heritage Society, comprised of those who have included the Mount in their will, trust or as a beneficiary, gathered at the Doheny Mansion on December 9 for the group’s annual lunch with President Ann McElaney-Johnson and Institutional Advancement’s individual giving team. The guests, largely comprised of alumnae and their spouses, enjoyed catching up with one another and reminiscing about their Mount experiences, classmates and faculty.

“The Mount’s stellar faculty and staff, who continuously gave so much of themselves, believed in me when I didn't believe in myself,” says Regent Elaine Kindle ’75. “With the solid and caring foundation provided by the University, I was able to dream, to keep moving forward, and to exceed my dreams. There are other young women who need the Mount to do the same for them, and the Heritage Society provides one way to help students become unstoppable. It is my privilege to be a member of this caring group.”

Attendees continued their generous giving spirit by bringing an unwrapped toy for children at , a transitional home for women and children who have left emergency shelters but have yet to establish permanent housing. "Thank you so much for bringing such joy to the mothers and children at Alexandria House during this holiday season,” says Sister Judy Vaughan, CSJ, ’68, founding director. “The moms appreciate the possibility of selecting gifts for their children from the toys you provide. And, of course, the children love opening their presents! As always, we appreciate the support from Mount St. Mary's University."

Mary Sloper describes the book she co-wrote with Sister Mary Murphy, CSJ, on the journey that seven sisters took in 1870 from St. Louis to Tucson.

Featured speaker Mary (Caratan) Sloper ’62, Regent, professor emerita of nursing, former assistant to the provost and creator of the Mansion’s docent program, entertained the gathering with stories from the new “Trek of the Seven Sisters: Pilgrimage Companion Guide,” that she wrote along with Sister Mary Murphy, CSJ, ’60. The was based on the diary of Sister Monica Corrigan, one of the seven Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs) who spent 37 days traveling 2,983 miles from St. Louis to Tucson in 1870. Part of that grueling journey — 409 miles — was in the May desert heat of California and Arizona. Lunch guests all received a copy of the book.

Heritage Society members are proud to give back to the community from which they received so much. “The holiday party is a unique opportunity to connect with and meet other fellow patrons who share the same deep love of the Mount,” says Angela Hawekotte, ’75. “My husband, Casey Quinn, and I especially enjoy hearing all the exciting updates about the unstoppable, life-changing influence that the Mount continues to have on current students, graduates and the community at large. We greatly appreciate the Mount’s faithful stewardship of the Heritage Society members’ donations.”