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Mount Saint Mary’s welcomed back to campus alumnae from different generations at this year’s Homecoming festivities, an annual Mount tradition that celebrates the University’s alumnae and their accomplishments, offering them a special opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and witness the ongoing evolution of their alma mater.

This year, 220 alumnae participating in Homecoming made gifts totaling $173,000. These funds provide scholarships for current students, support innovative teaching and learning, and wellness initiatives. There is still time to make a contribution to this year’s reunion giving. All gifts received by November 1 will be included. Visit to make a gift.

Over 250 alumnae spanning seven decades attended the weekend celebration, which kicked off on Friday, October 6 with a festive evening cocktail social and dance at the Doheny campus. No better way to reconnect with old classmates than partying under the stars!

The event continued on Saturday morning at Chalon with a full range of activities. From an interactive vision board-making activity led by Career & Professional Development, to a meditation workshop guided by Sports, Recreation & Wellness, there was truly something for everyone.

One of the most popular activities was a Wellness Pavilion hard-hat tour, that offered the opportunity to visit the ongoing construction site and witness the progress made to date. The Pavilion, set to open in the fall of 2024, will be the physical embodiment of the Mount's Wellness Movement and represents the first new campus construction at Chalon in nearly 40 years. Alumnae applauded this project that represents the University’s commitment to health and wellness, and many showed interest in the different ways to support this new building that will transform campus and enrich students’ lives.

Alumnae also had the chance to check out various tables and exhibits throughout the day, including different student clubs that shared their involvement around campus.

Honoring the Class of 1973

The groups converged for the Founders Day Mass in the Mary Chapel, hosted by Campus Ministry & Spirituality. The ceremony honored the Class of 1973, which was inducted into the Golden Graduate Society at their 50-year reunion. “Our Golden Graduates have lived lives filled with purpose – driven by the mission and vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and we are so proud of them,” said Mount Saint Mary’s president Ann McElaney-Johnson, PhD.

“I’m thrilled that the Mount has continued to thrive through all these years,” said Karen Cabral ’73, who moved from Hawaii in 1969 to study education at Mount Saint Mary’s, following the recommendation of Sisters of Saint Joseph at her high school. “Many universities across the country are not doing as well, but the Mount has remained consistent and committed to its mission and values.”

“Congratulations for all the magnificent work the University does, specially for women. It has become a real beacon for women’s programs,” added Mary Breden ’73, DMA, professor emerita of music at Loyola Marymount University.

After Mass, everyone converged on the Campus Center, where mingling continued over lunch. Sr. Barbara Anne Stowasser ‘63, CSJ, took the stage to offer the afternoon blessing. “As graduates of Mount Saint Mary’s, we are blessed not only with the excellent education we received, but also with the experiences to encourage us to make a difference for good wherever we are,” she said.

Outstanding Alumnae Awards 2023

The highlight of the program was the Outstanding Alumnae Awards ceremony, which recognizes distinguished alumnae who have attained notable achievement or made a lasting contribution professionally, philanthropically, or in their community. This year’s awardees were unanimously selected by the Alumnae Association’s committee.

Karla Ballesteros ’16 received the Rising Star Award, which recognizes young alumnae under 30 who are already making significant contributions in their field. Karla is an attorney for Troutman Pepper’s Privacy and Cyber Group, where she works with clients to identify and remedy cybersecurity and privacy issues. She has helped over five hundred clients to date.

Karla received her J.D. from LMU Loyola Law School with a concentration in cybersecurity and data privacy, and her bachelor’s degree in political science from Mount Saint Mary’s, where she graduated cum laude.

“I’m extremely humbled to have received this award,” said Karla. “The Mount taught me that you have to be passionate about what you do, and I have translated that into my practice as a lawyer.” As a young alumna, she shared a piece of advice for current students: “Keep doing it, keep working hard. It’s going to all pay off. Even when things look stressful and unmanageable, you have to keep at it.”

This year’s recipient of the Community Service Award went to Maria-Teresa Carmier ’20. This award recognizes alumnae who inspire the world around them through service to their community. Maria-Teresa is an artist, educator and researcher who received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Mount. When she was a student, she worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she impacted hundreds of pre-K to 5th-graders by integrating the arts into literacy education, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment for students.

She continued her education at UC Irvine, where she received a master’s degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as UC Berkeley, where she will receive her second master’s degree in industrial and product design in 2024. Her work encompasses community engagement, education, art, new media, linguistics, and emerging technologies.

Finally, the Professional Achievement Award, which recognizes alumnae who have distinguished themselves throughout their professional career by making significant contributions to society, was awarded to Larissa Africa ’99. Larissa is the president and CEO of Versant Healthcare Competency Solutions™, as well as an author and international speaker.

She is a pioneer in nursing workforce development across the entire healthcare continuum, addressing high-demand areas such as long-term care, home health, and advanced practice nursing.

Larissa received a BS in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s, and a master’s degree in business administration: Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix, as well as an Executive Women in Leadership certificate from Cornell University. She was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2021.

“From the moment I walked through the Mount’s doors, I felt like I was home. It was such a welcoming environment, that I knew right away that there wasn’t anywhere else where I wanted to go,” said Larissa.

The alumnae shared that she and her family migrated from the Philippines when she was 12 years old. “At the Mount, I felt like I belonged to a supportive community for the first time since moving to the US. The University not only prepared me academically, but it also gave me a lot of long-life friends,” said the alumna, who co-founded the Pangkat Pilipino student club, which is still active on campus.

The Mount runs in Larissa’s family. Her sister, Lovelyn Marquez -Prueher ’03, also graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s and was at Homecoming celebrating her 20th graduation anniversary. Lovelyn was also a recipient of the Outstanding Alumnae Award in 2016 for her work in education.

Athenian Day

Following Homecoming, some alumnae extended their visit to the Mount and joined the 32nd annual Athenian Day. This long-held tradition brings together the entire Mount community for fun and collaborative competition in a variety of challenges designed to build school spirit and a sense of belonging.