The Mount Fall 1999

36 Pages·1999·3.5 MB·English

by  MSMC Institutional Advancement

"TJ
MMt
ouse
BlessingT
Ambassador Wells
Honor Roll of Donors
MOUNT ST. MARYS COLLEGE LIBRARIES
3 5228 00241 2712 THE
7V\OUJ
The Cakos Legacy
Fall 1999
Vol. 17,No. 3
EDITOR
Donald Davidson
MANAGINGEDITOR
JoyJacobs
ASSOCIATEEDITOR
LauraZaragoza Guerrero
CLASSNOTESEDITOR
Heidi Hurskamen Robertson'94
DESIGN
Hutson San Luis
PHOTOGRAPHY
Glenn Marzano
RickMendoza
PRINTING
Pace Lithographers
EDITORIALADVISORYBOARD
Carla Bartlett
SisterAnnette Bower'59
Spiroand Mary PatCakos in 1985 atan eventinthe PattyDesmarais '69
Pompeian Room onthe Doheny Campus SisterJosephAdele Edwards'58
Claire Matranga Noland '87
Reverend GeorgeO'Brien
Lena Rivkin
//W!e give to the Mount because the College does an excellent job of Heidi Hurskainen Robertson '94
educating students, particularly those who are underrepresented Jeanne Redell Ruiz '63
in higher education," Mary Pat Burns Cakos '41 wrote to a
prospective donorin 1995. J
A dedicated alumna and supporter for more than 55 years, Mary Pat and
herhusband,Spiro,nevermissed anopportunitytopraisetheCollegeand to
help deserving students. Because theywanted toensure thattheirsupportof
TrieMount(USPS710-670)is
theMountwouldcontinueperpetually, they thoughtfully and generouslyset publishedquarterlybyMountSt.
up a trust provision in their estate plan to establish the Spiro and Mary Mary'sCollege. Periodicalspostage
paidatLosAngeles,CA.
Patricia Cakos EndowedScholarship Fund with a $100,000gift. POSTMASTER: Sendaddress
After Mary Patpassed away last year, Spiro furtherhonored this commit- changesto TheMount,
10ChesterPlace,
ment by an outright gift toward the Kresge Challenge. To recognize the LosAngeles,CA90007
Cakos legacy, the College has placed a plaque in her memory in the new MountSt.Mary'sCollegedoes
Thomas McCarthy Libraryon the DohenyCampus. notdiscriminateonthebasisof
J. race,color,creed,nationalorigin,
ageorhandicapintheadminis-
trationofitsadmissionpolicies,
scholarshipandloanprograms,
orinitseducationalprograms.
Tocontacttheeditororsubmit
astoryidea,writetoDonDavidson,
PublicRelationsDirector,Mount
St.Mary'sCollege, 10Chester
Place,LosAngeles,CA90007.
Orsendyourideabye-mailto
Timeless Values for Changing Times [email protected],orcall
[phone].
The CampaignforMount St. Mary's College
ClassNotesnewsshould
bemailedtoAlumnaeRelationsat
ForinformationonhowtohelpMountSt. Mary'sCollegereach its$40milliongoal [email protected]
in the "Timeless ValuesforChangingTimes"Campaign beforeDecember31, MountSt. Mary'sCollegeis
pleasecontactPamelaHillman, VicePresidentforInstitutionalAdvancement, aCatholicliberalartscollege,
MountSt.Mary'sCollege, 10ChesterPlace, LosAngeles, primarilydedicatedtothe
CA90007-2598. Call(213)477-2766,fax(213)[email protected]. erdeuccoagtniioznedoffowropmreongraanmdsneantaiobnlailnlgy
minorityandunder-prepared
studentstosucceed.
THnn
Contents
A
House
Blessing
Mount studentVicky Lopez '00 helps change lives atAlexandria House.
PAGE 6
Validating the Mission,
Us
Challenging to Fulfill It
Board Chair Sister Jill Napier, C.S.J. 71,
describes hervision ofthe role ofthe Mount's trustees.
PAGE 8
To Estonia with
Love -.and Service
Two alums visitAmbassador Melissa Foelsch Wells
atthe United States Embassy in the Republic of Estonia.
PAGE 10
Honor Roll of Donors
The Mount is extremely grateful to its donors. One small way in which we show our appreciation
is byacknowledging those who gave generouslyto the College during the year.
PAGE 12
onthecover: Vicky Lopez '00 with her student, Jose.
See story on page 6. photobyrickmendoza.
Mount Scenes 2 Campaign Update 5
In the Classroom 4 A Look Back 33
Mount
Scenes
Remembering Sister
She earned her B.A. from Mount St. Mary's
Rose Catherine Clifford College in 1942, completed a master's degree in
Adaptedmpartfromthenecrologywrittenby history at UCLA in 1948 and began teaching histo-
SisterKarenWilhelmy, C.S.J. ry atthe Mount in 1955. Duringthe course of her
doctoral studies, her research notes and two-
The MountCommunitywas saddened bythe thirds of her dissertation were destroyed in the Bel
Alumnae
death of Sister Rose Catherine Clifford on Air fire in November 1961. She was given a sab-
Directory June 7, 1999. batical bythe College and awarded the prestigious
Survey On A Los Angeles native, she was born MaryJulia Haynes Fellowship in historyfrom UCLA, which
Way Clifford on October 27, 1908, the third childto gave herthe opportunityto recreate herthesis
Its
Thomas and Mary Clifford, and was soon followed "England as Papal Fief: The Role ofthe Papal
AM alumswill receive a by six more children. The family relocated to Legate in the Early Period 1216-1241." In 1972
surveyformfor updating Lompoc and laterto Oxnard, Calif., where she she received her doctorate in history. She
personal and work infor- began her Catholic schooling. returned to the Mount in 1963 and taught until her
mationforthe new In 1926, atthe end of her secondary educa- retirement in 1989, serving as chair ofthe history
Alumnae Directory 2000. tion, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of departmentfor a portion ofthose years.
These formswill be Carondelet, and the nextyearwas given the name Sister Rose Catherinewas a gifted teacherwho
mailedthe firstweek in in religion of Sr. Rose Catherine ofthe Sacred loved life. She is best remembered for keeping in
November and will be Heart. She made hervows in 1929 and was touch with herformer students, for her clever and
due byThanksgiving. assigned toteach high school history, art, math, witty remarks, and for her knowledge offlowers
Spanish, Latin, religion and home economics. and animals.
77u.-M.mm Fall L999
MOUNT
ST. MAKY-s
ARCHIVES
Nationwide Search (310/954-4226), fax [phone]); or by Alumnae
email ([email protected]).
Underway For Next Association
MSMC Qand A
President
Mount Recognized Again As
The Search Committee forthe next presi- Top-Tier Regional University Q. Doesthe Mount
dentof Mount St. Mary's College has been have a memorialwall?
active in identifying candidateswho can The Mountwas recognized again as one
lead the College when Sister Karen M. Kennelly of the top 15 regional universities in the A. The Mountdoes not
retires June 30, 2000. Reports onthe progress West, according to the 2000 edition of have a memorialwall but
ofthe search have been made to the Trustees, U.S.News & WorldReports "America's Best wedo have a Memorial
Regents, MountAssociates, Alumnae Board, Colleges" guidebook, published in August. Book inthevestibuleof
and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Atthe "We are pleased to be recognized again for MaryChapel onthe
opening convocation ofthe fall semester in late our achievements, as we prepare to celebrate ChalonCampus. Whenthe
August, faculty, staff and administration had an our 75-year anniversary in 2000," says MSMC OfficeofAlumnae
opportunityto be informed aboutthe search. president Sister Karen M. Kennelly. "Our ability Relations is notified ofthe
Students were also updated on their return to consistently achieve top-tier rankings in death ofan alum, we send
to campus. U.S.News is a tribute tothe quality ofthe students a Memorial Masscardto
The Mount Board ofTrustees has directed we attract and the dedication of ourfaculty, thefamily, make special
thatthe next president must be Catholic with alumnae, and staff. It reinforces our dedication mention atthatyear's
an earned doctoral degree, possessing high to being a liberal arts institution serving a diverse Founders DayMass and
academic and personal standards. Within these cohort of students (primarilywomen) in the pur- enterthe name inthe
guidelines, the committee has developed a suit oftheir academic and professional goals." Memorial Book. Alums
leadership statement, underthe headings of In addition to being ranked thirteenth overall, returningtocampus are
academic vision, community leadership, exper- Mount St. Mary's was also recognized as the encouragedtocheckthe
tise in resource development, and dedication number one private regional university in the bookwhenvisitingthe
to the Catholic nature ofthe College, to guide Westforthe diversity of its student body. Chapel.
decision making. According to Kennelly, "This recognition further
Announcements ofthe search forthe next reinforces thatwe are fulfilling the mission estab-
president have been published nationally in the lished bythe Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Chronicle of Higher Education and the Chronicle when they founded the College in 1925, as they
of Philanthropy, and in letters senttothe four soughtto identifythe needs ofthe community
other C.S.J, provinces, the C.S.J. Federation and find ways to serve them. The factthatthe
congregations, and to 200 Catholic colleges Mount's student population is a reflection ofthe
and 70 women's colleges throughthefollowing increasingly diverse population of Southern
organizations: the C.S.J. Consortium of 13 California tells us we are on track in fulfilling
colleges, theAssociation ofWomen's Colleges, that mission."
the Association of Catholic Colleges and U.S.News & WorldReportsurveys over
Universities, and the Independent Colleges of 1400 colleges and universities in preparing its
Southern California. annual "America's Best Colleges" guide. It is one
APresidential Search Web page was added to of the most comprehensive reports of its kind
the Mount's Web site, inviting applications and and is used by students and parents in making
nominations. The full leadership statement, as decisions aboutwhere to pursue a baccalaureate
well as the Mount mission statement, is available education. The rankings use a combination of
onthe Web, along with the names of committee factors, including academic reputation, gradua-
members. You are encouraged to explore the tion and retention rates, faculty resources,
Presidential Search information from the Mount's student selectivity, and alumni giving. The rank-
home page (www.msmc.la.edu). Nominations, ings were included in the regular issue of the
comments, and questions forthe committee are magazine as well as in the "America's Best
welcome. You can contactthe committee atthe Colleges" guidebook and the U.S.News Web
Chalon Campus address (Box 64), telephone site www.usnews.com. U-S.Neivs&WorldReportReprintedwithpermission.
TheMount Fall 1999
Mount Scenes
The Mount Names School and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce.
New Members Patmore received his bachelor's degree from
to Its
the University of British Columbia and his MBA
Board of Trustees from Columbia University in NewYork.
LosAngeles Times Senior Economics Editor
Three new members have been named to and ColumnistJames Flanigan, a 1961 graduate
the Mount St. Mary's College Board of of Manhattan College, began his career atThe
Trustees. Barry Patmore, James Flanigan Times in 1983 working as columnistforthe New
and Sister Marilyn Binder, C.S.J., join the 25- York Bureau. He began writing as a business
In Print member board which is the key governing body columnist in LosAngeles in 1986, became
ofthe College and is comprised of business, seniorwriter/business columnist in 1991, and
0:Inegoal I hadwastogetthe professional and community leaders. senior economics editor in 1996.
readerto laugh andcry, A partner of Brentwood Venture Capital in He received the 1991 Greater LosAngeles
sometimesonthe same page," West Los Angeles, Barry Patmore serves as a Press Club Award for a Business/Financial
saysFletcherJones Endowed member ofthe board of directors for KCET and Column and the 1988 John HancockAward for
ChairInWriting Marcos McPeek chairs its Strategic Planning Committee. He is a Excellence in Business and Financial Journalism
Villatoroabouthis recentlypub- member ofthe Pepperdine UniversityAdvisory for his nationally syndicated business and finance
lished novel, "The HolySpiritof Board and has served on the boards ofthe San column that covers both regional and internat-
MyUncle's Cojones"(ArtePublico Mateo Suicide Prevention Center, the Washington ional concerns.
Press). Children's Home Society, Eastside Catholic High Mount St. Mary's alumna Sister Marilyn Binder,
Acommg-of-age novel,
"Cojones"centersonthelifeofa
suicidal 16-year-old boy, Tony,
who is senttoCalifornia byhis
motherto spendthe summerof
1978with hiswomanizing, disrep-
Mount Students Beat
utable UncleJack. Thinkingthat
thiswould be goodforyoung Tough Competition
Tony, his motherfailsto seethe
darkworldtowhich sheiscon- HIow do you beatthe competition in an advertising
signing him. However, lessonsare campaign when their resources are huge and yours
learned. "Tonybeginstodiscover Iare nextto nothing?
thatthere'smoretothe manthan Ask the MountSt. Mary's College chapter oftheAmerican
the machoclicheoffamilyleg- Advertising Federation which placed 3rd in its districtatthe
ends, whileJack helps himcome 26th annual National StudentAdvertising Competition held at
togripswith hisyoung manhood," the Skirball Cultural Center inWest LosAngeles.
writesVillatoro. Consideredto bethe "underdog" by its competitors, the
Hisfourth novel in 17years, Mount's 13-memberteam provedto be anything but, inthe
"Cojones"isVillatoro'sfirst Toyota-sponsored competition which challenged studentsto
attemptatusing humor in his design an integrated advertising campaign forToyota's new subcompactcar, ECHO.
work. "Afterwritingthree serious Mount St. Mary'swas pitted against seven majorcolleges and universitiesfrom across
—
books onehistorical novel set in Southern California, including UCLA, CSU Fullerton and Pepperdine, all ofwhich had
1932 El Salvadorduringa mas- "huge resources," accordingto Dennis Morgan, business professor andteam advisor. "Our
—
sacreof 30,000 people, onecol- students had sheertalentgoingforthem no budget, no resources—justtalent," he says.
lection ofSpanish/English poetry, This isthe second yearthe Mounthas competed inthe event, andthefirsttime it has
and one memoirofmylifework- done so voluntarily. Senior Fay Johal feelstheteam's confidence in their campaign made
—
ing inGuatemala Iwantedtotry upfortheir lack ofresources. "I feel thatthefactthatitwasn'ta requirementand thatwe
myhandatcomedy,"he says. didn't haveto do it, butratherwanted to do it, helped us achievethis success," she says.
To learn moreaboutVillatoro "We believed in whatwe were presenting and Ithinkthatmade our presentation a lot
and his books, logonto his more effective."
Website at www.no/ycojones.com.
TheMount Rill L999
C.S.J., is principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Saints Episcopal Pre-School and the Outdoor
Elementary School in Santa Barbara, California. School Committee forthe Los Padres Council of
Binder received her bachelor's degree in history the Boy Scouts ofAmerica. She has previously
and her master's in education/administration served on the boards ofthe Daniel Freeman
from Mount St. Mary's, and is a pastdirector of Hospitals, Carondelet High School, St. Mary's
residence and campus ministerforthe College. Academy, Caregivers, House of Ruth and
Currently, she is a board member ofthe All Marymount Elementary School.
Campaign Update
The James R. Dougherty, Jr. Foundation of Beeville, Calling All
TIMELESFSORVALUES TX, awarded $14,000 toward the Women's Leadership Supporters
CHANCINGTIMES Program and Portfolio on the Doheny Campus, bringing their
WHO:
total contributions to $63,000 during the Campaign. Mount
Mount students will be calling
St. Mary's College is nationally recognized for developing and
5,000 alumnae and friends.
implementing the oldest leadership development program
TheCampaignfor
MountSt.Mary's forwomen in the country. The Leadership Portfolio tracks WHAT:
College proficiency levels for skills utilized for personal, team, organi- Phonathon—one ofthe best
zational, civic, and community leadership. The foundation ways we know ofto ask for
previously established a scholarship endowment in support of MSMC's Women's your supportto the Mount.
Leadership Program.
The Fletcher Jones Foundation of Los Angeles added to its already generous WHEN:
supportfor the College with a grant of $250,000 toward the Kresge Challenge. Mondaythrough Thursday
evenings and some Sundays.
The four-year $40 million Campaign for Mount St. Mary's College, the first compre-
WHERE:
hensive capital campaign in the College's history, concludes in December 1999. To
All alums inthe U.S.
participate, call [phone].
HOW MUCH:
Lastyear, the Phonathon
Current Progress Toward Campaign Goals raised more than $93,000.
Every gift helps! Especially
CASH/PLEDGES this year as we cometo the
CATEGORY GOAL ASOFAUG. 31, 1999 BALANCENEEDED end of our Capital Campaign
on December 31. All students
Facilities $ 22,100,000 $ 17,989,098 $ 4,110,902 who call are on work-study
and many are on scholar-
Student Financial Aid $ 9,500,00 $ 7,957,176 $ 1,542,824
ships, so they are grateful for
Academic/Student $ 4,200,000 $ 7,555,045 ($ 3,355,045) your support.
Support GOALEXCEEDED
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...?
Annual Support $ 4,200,000 $ 4,681,972 ($ 481,972) Alumnae volunteers are need-
GOALEXCEEDED
ed to call classmates. Find
Total Goal $40,000,000 $ 38,183,291 $ 1,816,709 out how your old roommates
are doing. Call Liz Zima,
director ofAnnual Giving, at
[phone], to sign up.
TheMount Fall 1999
gather each afternoon to participate in homework
groups, one-on-one tutoring, special celebrations and
aHouse enrichment activities. Sixteen children attend on
Mondays and Wednesdays, and an additional 16 come
on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But on Fridays, watch out!
All 32 children arrive with energy to spare. "The great-
est challenge isgettingallofthechildren inplace at the
blessing same time," says Lopez. "They're hussed from all over
the place, and arrive as theycan."
As director, Lopez's duties include overall program
coordination, volunteer management, informal coun-
seling, and, occasionally, conflict resolution. "I love
By Kelly Kester-Smith '88 knowing that I've helped to create a place where kids
can come and have fun. They tell us that ifthey didn't
have Alexandria House they would he at home alone
playing Nintendo for hours at a time, or else playing
outside on a busy street without adult supervision."
there are 32 kids in the living room, it Many of the participants' parents are monolingual and are
If
unable to assist their children with English language home-
must be Friday afternoon at Alexandria
work. Vicky hasdiscovered the greatestsatisfaction in, "know-
House. And standing capably and enthusias- ing that we provide a safe transition from school time tofami-
ly time."
tically at the helm is Victoria "Vicky" Lopez, And parents benefit as well. As a result ofa survey ofnear-
a Mount St. Mary's history major, and direc- by residents conducted in 1996, Alexandria House initiated
"English as aSecond Language" classes infall 1996. Currently,
tor of a unique afterschool program for several parents attend classes on Mondays, and interest con-
tinues togrow.
inner-city children ages five through 11.
According to Lopez, one of the most remarkable things is
how much parents trust the staff.
During her sophomore year at the "Sometimes parents will come to me
Doheny Campus, Vicky enrolled in the and ask me to translate very personal
required Social Action class. As part of documents for them because they can't
the curriculum, Sr. Maria Angela Mesa, read English. They feel very comfort-
Doheny Campus Ministry director, able talking to us and asking us for
requiresstudents tovolunteertheirtime help," she says. More importantly, par-
and talents to nearhyagencies. "When I ents trust the staff's guidance and
went for my interview at Alexandria discipline of the children. "They truly
House," recalls Lopez, "I thought I was feel that we are here tohelp them."
going to he a volunteer. Instead, they Now a senior at the Chalon
hired me to run the Afterschool Campus, Lopez is preparing forgradua-
Program ... and I'm studying to he a tion and law school. "But I can't imag-
lawyer, not a teacher!" True to her ine not being a part of Alexandria
word, she still wanted to volunteer, so House," she confides.—"I love all ofthe
in addition to her Monday through people at the house those who live
Friday duties, she provides translation there, and those who work there. We
every other Saturday for the neighhorhood Women's Support share our stories, and our dreams. I'll continue to help out at
Group. Alexandria House, and help my people, in my capacity as a
Located in an impoverished and densely populated neigh- lawyer although everyone here keeps trying to convince
...
horhood in the mid-Wilshire area of the city, Alexandria me to be a teacher," she grins.
House, also known as "la escuelita" (the little school), stands Victoria Lopez embodies the best of both her liberal arts
as a safe haven for homeless women and children, as well as a education and her proud Latina heritage. Through her exam-
neighhorhood center and locus of community organizing. ple ofgenerousservice, theCollegecontinuesaproudheritage
Founded in 1996 hy Sr. Judy Vaughan '68, Alexandria House ofits own: Mount students don't wait until graduation to start
©
provides essential survival and support services to a working making adifference in the world.
poor, recently immigrated population.
One of its most urgently needed and acclaimed programs is Kelly KesterSmithisafreelance writerandthepresidentofyes'.com,aval-
the Afterschool Homework Program ottered weekdays ues-basedcompany meeting the communications needs oj the businessand
throughout the year. Resident and neighhorhood children nonprofit sectors.
The.Mount Fall 1999

L L L
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LLC
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n
Mount Trustee Chair Defines Board's Role
as More than Governance
DON DAVIDSON
BY
s chair of Mount St. Mary's hoard of trustees, Sister Jill Napier, C.S.J. 71 plays a pivotal role in the College's
strategic direction. She is certainly well qualified to perform in that capacity, having been associated with the
Mount for more than 30 years. First as a student, then as an employee in the business office at MSMC while
earning her MBA, Napierhasspent herentireprofessional life in education.
She sees the board of trustees' role as larger than the traditional and legally defined one of governing the College. "We
partner with the administration in validating the mission of the Mount," she says, "and we challenge the College to
evidence its infusion in its various programs and departments."
Napier sees many challenges in the Mount's future. berof theC.S.J, community shortlyafter that and isgrateful
Amon—g them is the issue all colleges and universities are f(>r the numerous blessings and associations that have come
facing staying financially viable and affordable. "It is criti- with thatdecision.
cal that we strengthen our endowment," she explains, "in Herprofession—al life spans 25 years of involvement in the
order to offer the kind of financial aid that is needed to local community first as a teacher, then as a principal, and
allow access to students desiring the opportunities offered at most recently asan administratorforthe ArchdioceseofLos
the Mount." Angeles, which constitutes the third-largest school district
Napier continues, "The success of our current capital in Southern California. With 100,000 students and 6,000
campaign has allowed us to expand and update our physical teachers, Catholic education isavital partofthe livesofthe
facilities as well as our academic programs. Roth campuses youth in Southern California. Among the challenges the
have been provided with the technological infrastructure to Mount faces, she asserts, is finding ways to translate the
accommodate distance learning, teaching and research. Catholic values that students learn in those schools into
MSMC
Though blessed by these improvements, we must be willing their college plans. Partnerships with and those
to adjust our methods of administration and teaching to schools can help in advancing that agenda.
fully utilize the opportunities offered the College by these "By establishing the Center for Cultural Fluency and the
advancements." Center for Urban Partnership," Napier explains, "the
Additional challenges lie in the path of providing an Mount has strengthened its relationships in many areas of
education steeped in the Catholic tradition. "We need to the community beyond Catholic elementary and secondary
ensure that we retain our emphasis on developing the spiri- education. As a resource forour neighbors, the Mount must
tual character of the students we teach at the Mount," she continue to draw on its status as a leader in cultural under-
says. "We should strive to integrate discussions related to standing to engage the community in an ongoing, values-
—
issuesofjustice, ethics and morality inall the disciplines it centered dialogue."
should permeate everything wesayand do. Since ourfound- This engagement extends to the Mount's board of
ing in 1925, we have maintained ourstrong commitment to trustees. Napier is currently working full time on advancing
the education of women and the formation of Christian her candidacy for her Ed.D. at Pepperdine University.
leaders, who will contribute tosociety through theirservice, As she contemplates her dissertation, she notes, "I am lean-
influence and strength of character. We must ensure ing toward investigating the elements that inspire and
that our tradition of meeting this need in our society is develop an effective board. Boards such as ours are made up
kept alive." of dedicated and generous women and men who desire to
Napier's life as a woman religious began after she was a make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. The
student at the Mount. After graduation, she worked for Mount's trustees are a special group ofpeople who serve as
three yearsas an elementary school teacher in the innercity important spokespersons for the College. Our challenge is
and came to a gradual realization of the importance of spiri- to provide the means for our trustees to make that differ-
—
tuality in her own life. "Teaching forces you to get in touch ence to tap into their particular gifts and talents tor the
©
with your values and articulate them," she recalls. "It made sake of ourstudents."
iiir realize what I valued most in life." She became a mem-
8