国产传媒

As the academic year came to a close, the Mount Saint Mary’s University community gathered for one final celebration before summer: the annual President’s Appreciation Dinner. Held on May 14 at Rose Hills Plaza on the Doheny Campus, the evening recognized the commitment, achievements and career milestones of the University’s faculty and staff.

A cherished tradition at the Mount, the dinner honors those who have made a lasting impact through years of service, academic excellence and student-centered dedication. Faculty promotions, milestone anniversaries and retirements were celebrated.

President Ann McElaney-Johnson, PhD, expressed gratitude for the contributions of all honorees, saying, “This event is a testament to the dedication and passion each of you brings to our University. Your contributions are the foundation of our success and the reason Mount Saint Mary’s continues to thrive.”

This year, several members of the community were recognized for their years of service, including professors Pamela Gist (30 years), Julia Chang (25 years) and Scott Bryson (25 years). Celebrating 20 years of dedicated service were professors Shelly Tochluk, Elizabeth Sturgeon, Lia Roberts, Marsha Nickerson and Laurie Wright-Garry.

The University also recognized recent faculty achievements, including the promotion of professor Paul Lee, PhD, from the Department of Physical Sciences, who was elevated to the rank of full professor in fall 2024. Additionally, two faculty members from the Department of Education were awarded sabbaticals for the 2025–2026 academic year: Diana Taylor, PhD, will take a sabbatical in fall 2025, followed by Julie Feldman-Abe, PhD, in spring 2026.

The evening also paid special tribute to retiring faculty and staff members who have helped shape the Mount through their leadership, scholarship and service. Honorees included Gregory Travis, PhD, from the Psychology Department (17 years of service); Millie Kidd, PhD, from the MA Humanities Program (36 years); Fr. Guillermo Garcia from the Religious Studies Department (16 years); Patricia Ash, PhD, from the Department of History and Political Science (22 years); Suzanne Williams, dean of the Weekend, Evening & Online College; and Susan Salem, director of Counseling & Psychological Services.