February 2007

BICENTENNIAL UPDATE >

Join Us on April 12 for the Mount's First Bicentennial Academic Symposium
Explore the biological foundations of morality with 2001 National Medal of Science recipient Dr. Francisco Ayala, who will speak at 7 p.m. in the Marion Burk Knott Auditorium. Dr. Ayala is University Professor and Donald Bren Professor of biological sciences, ecology and evolutionary biology, and professor of philosophy, at the University of California, Irvine. Author of dozens of research articles in evolutionary genetics, he is also a leader in the religion-science field and recipient of dozens of international medals and degrees. 

Find out more about the bicentennial at www.msmary.edu/bicentennial.

Celebrate the Mount's Bicentennial in the World's Greatest City Oct. 20, 2007
New York City will honor 200 years of Mount St. Mary's University with Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, concelebrated by Mount alumni priests. A Gala Dinner Dance at the New York Athletic Club, overlooking Central Park, will follow the Mass. The Alan Quinn Orchestra will provide the gala's music, including a jazz trio for the cocktail hour and a nine-piece orchestra throughout the event. Plan to visit the Big Apple and take part in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. All alumni and members of the Mount community are invited. Mark your calendar today! Invitations will be sent in the near future.

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UNIVERSITY NEWS >

 Explore the Call to Heal at the Callings Conference, March 12-16
Come for a day or the full conference to explore how faith calls us to bring hope and healing to the world. Keynote speakers include international peace activist Arthur Romano, Holocaust survivor Nesse Godin, film producer Martin Doblmeier and music therapist Dr. Deforia Lane. Full schedule and registration details at www.msmary.edu/callings.

Answer: Scott Weiss
Which Mount faculty member will appear on "Jeopardy!" on March 14? Tune in to see Scott Weiss, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Says Scott, "I had a great time! I'd recommend it to anyone who loves the show."

Faculty Update
Dr. Brian Henning recently received a national book prize, Dean for Continuing Studies Linda Martinak published a research article on adjunct teachers, and Dr. Diana Rodriguez-Lozano is organizing bicentennial trips to Costa Rica. Find out more news here about Mount professors, including recent tenures and sabbaticals!

New Mount Business Team Wins Grant
The new Mount St. Mary's Students in Free Enterprise—or "SIFE"—team is off and running with one of 50 national project grants sponsored by Goldman Sachs. Learn more about how they're gearing up for competition!

Mock Trial Team Success
If you've seen outlines of bodies on the chalkboards of the Mount's Science Building, don't worry! There has been no crime. What you are seeing is the work of the Mock Trial Team, which is busy preparing for the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Regional Tournaments. Find out how their season has been going!

March for Life
Approximately 70 Mount seminarians, faculty, staff and students traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22 to participate in the annual March for Life. They joined thousands of other witnesses to bring attention to the need to respect life from its very beginnings.

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ALUMNI NEWS >

Join us at Winter Homecoming!
Winter Homecoming 2007 is this weekend —make sure you don't miss out on all the fun! Visit www.msmary.edu/homecoming to learn more about the activities taking place throughout the day on February 10 and to enjoy our 2 for 1 Alumni Ticket Offer for the men's and women's basketball games. Be sure to join us for the Alumni Pre-Game Social from 5:30 – 7 p.m. in the Field House, where we'll have food, drinks and giveaways!

Visit our alumni event page to see what is happening in your area.

Alumni Service Trip
Last summer's alumni service trip was such a success that we are doing it again! This time the destination is Jacksonville, Fl., and we will be assisting with a Habitat for Humanity build for four days in July. If interested, please contact Melissa Main, director of community service/service learning, at main@msmary.edu. More information will be coming soon, but right now we are just trying to get a feel for the interest level as we finalize plans for the trip.

Show Your Mount Pride!
Some alumni have expressed interest in showing their Mount pride by placing an ad in their church bulletin. The ad would acknowledge the parishioner as a Mount alum and “spread the word” about the Mount and its 200 years of history.
 
If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in this "Mount Pride" advertising campaign, please contact the Office of University Communications at 301-447-5366 or on the web.

SEMINARY NEWS >

Seminary Honors the Rev. Robert Zylla, O.S.C.
Seminarians, faculty and staff recently honored the Rev. Robert V. Zylla, associate professor of moral theology, on his 80th birthday. A Mass, with Father Zylla serving as the principal celebrant, was held on Sunday morning, January 28, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. A dinner followed later in the evening.

Father Zylla, a Crosier father, has been a member of the seminary faculty since 1971. During his tenure, he has taught more than 80 percent of all seminary alumni. Monsignor Steven P. Rohlfs, STD, S'76, rector, called his former professor "a model of prayer and devotion for priests and our seminary's bicentennial treasure."

Join Us for an Alumni Retreat!
The annual Seminary Alumni Summer Retreat will be held at the Mount June 18-22, 2007. The Rev. Thomas Acklin, OSB, will be the retreat master. Father Acklin served as rector of St. Vincent's Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., for 12 years. He is also the author of a recent book, The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood, which focuses on the spirituality of the diocesan priesthood.

For details, please contact Director of Seminary Development and Alumni Relations Phil McGlade, 301-447-5017 or mcglade@msmary.edu.

Upcoming Alumni Events
The annual Priests Reunion will be held Oct. 2-3. Check the seminary website for details and updates.

Alumni priests are invited to concelebrant at our bicentennial Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Oct. 20. Find out more about bicentennial events.

ATHLETICS >

Headlines
Men's and women's basketball teams win over Fairleigh Dickinson Jan. 27 … Mount selected to host the 2007 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men's Lacrosse Championships at the brand new Waldron Family Stadium on May 4 and 6 … baseball team picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference in a preseason poll by Collegiate Baseball. Visit www.mountathletics.com for more news!

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DEVELOPMENT >

Be Part of Mount History!
There is still space in the Founder's Plaza for your name but time is running out to become a Bicentennial Pioneer. Send in your commitment form no later than March 1. For further information check the website or contact Executive Director of Development Pamela Zusi at 301-447-5361 or zusi@msmary.edu.

Doing My Part: Young Alumni Spotlight
Meet Emilee Senkevitch!

Major : Biology with a minor in theology, business and chemistry

Best thing about an education from Mount St. Mary's : Its diverse liberal arts curriculum

Senior Research topic : "The role of C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta in Modulating Cytokine Expression during Inflammation"

Future plans : Graduate school in molecular or microbiology

Student Internship : National Institutes of Health, Ft. Detrick, Frederick, Md.

School activities and programs : Tribeta (biology honors society), Women in Science club member, biology tutor, supplemental instructor, lab aide, Mount Ambassador, Senior Class gift committee and phonathon caller

Your gifts to the Annual Fund help the Mount minimize tuition increases, keep the university competitive for students, and maintain facilities so great teaching can continue with up-to-date equipment. Your gift opens up the world to talented alumnus like Heath. To make your gift of support now, click here.

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GROTTO NEWS >

Refresh Yourself at Mary's Mountain Grotto
From the Rev. Jack Lombardi, chaplain: "If I can personally welcome you here during the semester in any way, please let me know (301-447-5318) or simply stop up on the Holy Hill—snow or sunshine! We have daily Mass at noon and prayerful pathways of peace, light and beauty."

Upcoming Events
Sun., Feb. 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick: Mass and Healing Prayers

Sun. – Tues. evenings, April 1-3, Lenten Retreat conducted by Monsignor Stuart Swetland: "Preparing for the Passion and Resurrection of Christ"

Visit www.msmary.edu/grotto for a complete schedule of events.

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Around the Mount is the monthly electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of Mount St. Mary's University. We need your feedback! Let us know what you think of this newsletter and/or suggestions for improving it. Please send your comments and suggestions to the office of communications via email at communications@msmary.edu or by telephone at 301-447-5366.