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The Mount community gathered on February 21 at the President’s Annual Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon to celebrate the Mount’s Unstoppable students and scholarship donors.

“This special occasion gives us the opportunity to honor our students and their amazing accomplishments as well as the generous supporters and donors who help make it all possible,” said President Ann McElaney-Johnson, PhD. “The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, our Trustees, Regents, faculty and staff, alumnae and friends – all of you make up the network of support that provides a transformative education for our students.”

This year, the University was able to award $7.5 million in direct aid to over 500 students. Also, 4 new scholarships were established this past year. “I cannot emphasize enough how important financial aid is to our students as well as millions of students across the country,” highlighted President McElaney-Johnson.

Throughout the lunch, students had the chance to engage with scholarship donors and exchange stories about their career interests and passions. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear firsthand experiences from Mount students during a panel facilitated by Shannon Green, director of the CSJ Institute. Cassandra Morin-Gaona ’24, Graciela Escamilla ’24, Nichole Bondocoy ’26 and Deanna Solorzano ’24 discussed their experiences at the Mount, research endeavors, and involvement in campus life. They also emphasized the significance of scholarships in contributing to their academic success.

“My scholarship has really helped me to focus on my studies and immerse myself in all what the Mount has to offer. Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t be here right now. It has allowed me to broaden my horizons and start building my own path,” shared Nichole.

This year’s Unstoppable Scholar Award recipient was Aurora Torres ’24, a Spanish studies major and a political science minor. The Unstoppable Supporter Award went to three longtime supporters, sisters and Mount alumnae Sharon Leahy, '60, Peggy Leahy Starr '64, and Mickey Leahy Payne '64, who support Mount nursing students with the annual Leahy Family Endowed Nursing Scholarship.

To read more about this year’s Unstoppable award recipients, visit the links below:

• Unstoppable Supporters: The Leahy Sisters
• Unstoppable Scholar: Aurora Torres '24