March 2007

David Rehm Appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs
The Mount has appointed David Rehm as vice president for academic affairs, effective Feb. 12. Dr. Rehm had been serving as the interim vice president for academic affairs. Prior to that, he served two years as dean for academic affairs. Read more about Dr. Rehm.

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BICENTENNIAL UPDATE >

Join Us on April 12 for the Mount's First Bicentennial Academic Symposium
Are humans the only moral animals? Where do codes of morality (such as the Ten Commandments) come from? Explore the biological foundations of morality with 2001 National Medal of Science laureate Dr. Francisco Ayala of the University of California, Irvine, who will speak at 7 p.m. in the Marion Burk Knott Auditorium. Author of dozens of research articles in evolutionary genetics, Dr. Ayala 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 (see Seminary News). 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 April. The cost per ticket is $125 and seating is limited.

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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. Updates are at www.msmary.edu in the "News & Events" listing.

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."

Photo courtesy of Jeopardy! Productions Inc.

Mount College Bowl Team Places Fourth in Regionals
The Mount's College Bowl team came in 4 th place at the regional tournament held at West Chester University the last weekend in February. This was the highest Mount finish ever. Find out more here about the College Bowl and the Mount's team.

Mock Trial Team Success
At the Regional Mock Trial Tournament in D.C. in February, the team finished with a 4-4 win/loss record, including three wins over Gettysburg College. The team is especially proud of Zachary Jacobsen, who won awards for Outstanding Witness and Outstanding Attorney. More than 120 students competed in the regionals this year; Zach was the only student to win both awards, an especially impressive accomplishment given that he is a freshman in a relatively new mock trial program. Other competing team members were George Bruner, Kathleen Kennedy (cocaptain), Nicole Miller, Michael Sorrentino, Adam Spacht (cocaptain), and Tim Woods.

In Memoriam
We are saddened to report that Mount Board of Trustees member the Rev. Joseph Hacala, SJ, passed away on Feb. 19. The former president of Wheeling Jesuit University and rector of its Jesuit community, Father Hacala had served on the Mount's board since 2004. During his life of service, he was director of the National Office of Jesuit Social Ministries at the Jesuit Conference in Washington, D.C.; executive director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; special assistant to Secretary Andrew Cuomo at the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and director of HUD's Center for Community and Interfaith Partnerships in Washington, D.C.

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ALUMNI NEWS >

Bruté Medal Recipients and Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The National Alumni Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2007 Brute Medal: Mr. Robert Horan Jr., C'54, and Mr. Dean Sprague, C'57. Read more about the award and this year's recipients here.

Also, congratulations to this year's Hall of Fame inductees: Ed Kuhn, C'63; Bradley Hiester, C'91; Greg Goles, C'94; and Chris McGuthrie, C'96. These alumni will be honored at the annual Hall of Fame dinner this spring. For more information about the Hall of Fame and its newest members, please click here.

Thomas Sullivan, C'93, Receives Young Alumni Award
Thomas Sullivan, of Breezy Point, N.Y., is the recipient of the 2007 Distinguished Young Alumni Award, presented by the Mount St. Mary's University National Alumni Association. He is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves and is currently serving in Iraq. He is a survivor of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Read more about Sullivan and the award here.

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.

National Alumni Association
Spring is a busy season for the National Alumni Association! Visit our alumni event page to see what is happening in your area.

Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane!
We’ve received a tremendous response to our request for information on the photos in the Mount's 2007 calendar. Visit www.msmary.edu/memorylane to add your thoughts and see what other alumni have submitted. What a great way to strengthen our ties as lifelong members of the Mount community!

SEMINARY NEWS >

Concelebrate Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral
As part of the bicentennial celebration, there will be a Mass on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral. The cornerstone for this storied church was laid in 1858 and blessed by Mountaineer Archbishop John Hughes, successor to Mount founder Bishop John DuBois.

Alumni priests are invited to concelebrate at this very special liturgy. Monsignor Stuart Swetland, S'91, seminary faculty, will serve as the Mount's liaison with the cathedral. Alumni priests interested in concelebrating must contact Monsignor Swetland by March 30, 2007. He can be reached at 301-447-3453 or swetland@msmary.edu. Additional information regarding vesting time, accommodations and other details will be sent later to those planning to participate.

Find out more about bicentennial events.

Summer Alumni Retreat-Important Update!
Monsignor James J. Mulligan will serve as retreat master for the Seminary Alumni Summer Retreat to be held at the Mount June 18-22, 2007. The Rev. Thomas Acklin, OSB, originally set to preside, will now be in Rome during the scheduled dates. The schedule will not change.

Monsignor Mulligan served the seminary from 1963-87 as dean of studies and professor of systematic theology, moral theology and homiletics. He is also a highly respected spiritual director, scholar, author, columnist and retreat master.

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

Upcoming Alumni Events
An Archdiocese of Washington Seminary Alumni Reception will be held April 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Jane Frances de Chantel rectory, Bethesda, Md. For details, contact Phil McGlade, 301-447-5017 or mcglade@msmary.edu.

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

ATHLETICS >

NEC Basketball Tournament Results
The Mount's basketball teams traveled to Connecticut this weekend for Northeast Conference tournament play. In women's basketball, Sacred Heart used a strong start to the second half and then held on after a furious comeback attempt to defeat Mount St. Mary's 70-67 in the NEC quarterfinals on Saturday, March 3. Click here for details.

In men's basketball, on March 4, a late second-half run lifted top-seeded Central Connecticut State past #5 seed Mount St. Mary's, 74-68, in the NEC semifinals. Read more here .

The spring sports seasons have already begun for the Mount athletic teams. Check www.mountathletics.com for home schedules for all the teams!

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DEVELOPMENT >

Last Call for Bicentennial Pioneers
The Founder's Plaza is nearing completion. Dedication for the centerpiece of the campus is scheduled for Aug. 24. To guarantee space for your name in the floor of the plaza, we must have your commitment by April 1. Your commitment of $2,008 can be made over four years ($502 per year).

Check the website for a list of alumni and friends who have already become Bicentennial Pioneers. For your convenience, you can download the gift agreement form from the website. If you need more information, please contact Executive Director of Development Pamela Zusi at 301-447-5361 or e-mail zusi@msmary.edu.

Doing My Part: Young Alumni Spotlight
Meet Heath Tarbert, C'98!

Mount majors: Business and accounting
Student activities: Resident assistant, president of Delta Mu Delta (national honor society for business administration)
Graduate school: Law degrees from the University of Pennsylvania Law School; Thouron Scholar; D.Phil. in comparative law from Oxford University
Next career step:  A one-year position as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas beginning July 2007
Best thing about a Mount education: "The Mount provided a world-class education that enabled me to succeed in law school and beyond. More important, being a member of the Mount community developed my leadership skills, fostered in me a spirit to serve others, and strengthened my Catholic faith."

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 >

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

Good Friday, April 6: noon, Stations of the Cross; 1:30 p.m., sermon; 3 p.m., liturgy with music by Irish tenor Mark Forrest

Easter Sunday, April 8: 6:30 a.m., ecumenical sunrise service; 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and noon, Mass with music by Mark Forrest

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.