April 2007

Archbishop Pietro Sambi to Lead May 20 Commencement Exercises
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, will give the commencement address at the Mount's 199th Commencement Exercises. Learn more here.

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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. 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. Invitations will be sent this month. The cost per ticket is $125 and seating is limited.

Share Your Mount Memories!
Help us prepare for the Mount's birthday celebration! Send us your favorite Mount memory, from a favorite class or professor to the food you liked most (or least) in the dining Hall. Take a look at some of the memories shared with us so far!

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UNIVERSITY NEWS >

Mount Professor Makes "Jeopardy!" History
It was an exciting time for the Mount community as Scott Weiss, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, appeared on national TV for four rounds of "Jeopardy!" in March. Scott was featured in TV and radio interviews and in the local papers. The best part of the story, however, was Scott's witness to the values that sustain our community. Still the winner on his third round, he made a few quick calculations during Final Jeopardy! and wagered just enough to create the first-ever three-way tie in the show's 23-year history. Each contestant that evening won $16,000 and a chance for a rematch, thanks to Scott's good sportsmanship. Although Scott lost his fourth round, he said it was "a wonderful ride." He plans to put some of the $61,000 he won towards his son's college education … and give some to his congregation.

Callings News
The Callings Conference last month was a tremendous success, with more than a thousand students, faculty and other attendees exploring how faith calls us to bring hope and healing to the world. Mark your calendar for next year's conference, "The Way Forward," on March 6-8, 2008. This will bring theologians, church leaders and lay people together in a national conversation on the future of ministry for the church in America.

Callings program funding by the Lilly Endowment has been extended until 2011. The program supports several Mount initiatives focused on the theological exploration of vocation. On April 25, Callings Program Executive Director Tom Butler will showcase the Mount at the National Association of Lay Ministry's annual conference in St. Louis. He will present "Exploring the Call to Lay Ministry within the University."

Continuing Studies Honor Society Inducts New Members
On March 25, Alpha Sigma Lambda, the national honor society for adult students, inducted 17 new members into the Mount's Mu Sigma chapter. Read more here.

Mount Chapter of Chemistry Honor Society Established
March 15 saw the installation of the Mount's chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon, the national chemistry honor society. Read more here.

Rock the Mount!
Enjoy a college concert! Come to Rock the Mount on Saturday, April 21. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. with Parker House and Theory from Boston opening for Catch 22 of New Jersey and Virginia Coalition. Purchase tickets at www.mounttickets.com or in person. Call 301-447-5700 for information or learn more here.

Springtime in Paris
Dr. Marco Roman (French) and Prof. Elizabeth Holtry (Art) organized a spring break trip to Paris, France, March 3- 9. The French students practiced their French and increased their understanding of the culture they are studying, while the art students saw in person the art works they study and gained a truer sense of the techniques applied. The group of 18 visited the Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Musée D'Orsay and Versailles. Flowers were already in bloom under the Eiffel Tower!

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ALUMNI NEWS >

Reunion 2007
Mount St. Mary's Reunion Weekend is just around the corner! Reunion will be held Friday, June 1, through Sunday, June 3. Come back to the Mount for a weekend full of fun and reminisce with your classmates and other Mounties! Visit www.msmary.edu/reunion for details. There will be special activities for our Reunion classes (those who graduated in years ending in 2 and 7), but plenty of fun for everyone, so please join us!

Habifest
Once again the National Alumni Association will be sponsoring snacks and hot chocolate for the brave souls camping out in Shantytown during Habifest 2007 on April 18. This is an annual homelessness awareness event held at the Mount. If you are interested in participating, please contact Melissa Main, director of community service/service learning at main@msmary.edu. 

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 >

Pontifical Degree Program Approved
In March the seminary received approval from the Vatican to offer its first Pontifical degree, the STB. This approval has required two years of work and two applications (in Latin!). Congratulations, particularly to Rector Monsignor Steven Rohlfs and Fr. Dan Mindling, O.F.M. Cap., seminary academic dean, for this momentous achievement!

Father Robert Zylla to Receive McCloskey Award
Patrick J. Goles, C'64, National Alumni president, has announced that Fr. Robert V. Zylla, O.S.C., has been selected to receive the 2007 John Cardinal McCloskey Award. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007, at the Priest Alumni Reunion Dinner. Fr. Zylla, associate professor of moral theology, has been a member of the seminary faculty for 36 years and has taught almost 80 percent of Mountaineer priests, including Bishop William E. Lori, S'77, Diocese of Bridgeport, who will be the main celebrant for the Reunion Homecoming Mass. Check the seminary website for details and updates.

Deacons Travel to France
Deacons from the Fourth Year seminary class traveled to France over semester break for a spiritual retreat. They attended Mass in Ars at the burial site of St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests, and also visited and viewed the incorrupt bodies of St. Bernadette of Lourdes in Nevers and St. Catherine Laboure in Paris. Fr. Fred Miller, assistant professor of systematic theology, served as retreat director.

Summer Alumni Retreat
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. 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.

Find out more about bicentennial events.

ATHLETICS >

E.T. Straw Family Stadium Opening Baseball Game April 7
On April 7, the E.T. Straw Family Stadium will be formally dedicated beginning at 11:45 a.m. Erv Straw will throw out the game ball for the first baseball game in the new stadium, a 12 p.m. match up with Monmouth. Come cheer on the Mount!

Mount to Host Lacrosse Championship
The Waldron Family Stadium should be substantially completed in early May, when the Mount will host the MAC lacrosse championship competition.

Visit www.mountathletics.com for more news!

Mount Student Athletes
Since August, Kevin Robinson Jr., the new coordinator of athletic academic support services, has been spending much of his time talking to Mount student athletes about classes, grades and "branding." Find out more about Kevin and our athletes here.

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DEVELOPMENT >

New Web Service for Financial Planning
Visit www.msmary.edu/giftlaw for a "wealth" of information affecting gift and estate planning. From upcoming Congressional action and tax law changes to case studies and IRS rulings, we provide technical information on charitable giving, updated weekly.

IRA Rollovers Supporting the Mount
In 2006, changes were made in the tax law that allow individuals 70½ and older to make contributions directly from their IRA account to charities through 2007. Since the changes went into effect, the Mount has received more than $175,000 in direct IRA donations. Proposals are in Congress to make these changes permanent; www.msmary.edu/giftlaw is a great place for you or your financial planning advisors to stay up-to-date.

Questions about how to merge support for your future with support for the Mount? Contact Director of Gift Planning Dan Carroll at 301-447-5916 or carroll@msmary.edu.

Call a Classmate!
If you call three friends, and they call three friends … the possibilities are limitless. Just as you counted on the Mount, the Mount is counting on you!

Did you know 20 percent of alumni have supported the Mount Annual Fund this year? That means 80 percent have not. Our goal is 40 percent alumni participation. We need everyone's help to reach this goal.

Call a classmate. Tell the Mount story. Explain why you support the Mount Annual Fund and challenge them to follow your example with a gift to Mount St. Mary's.

The Annual Fund supports every aspect of student life: financial aid, faculty development, technology enhancements and student extracurricular activities. As we near June 30, the end of our annual fund effort, we need your support. Every gift, of every size, makes a difference. To give now, click here.

To see your class's participation, click here.

New Partnerships!
Mount St. Mary's University is pleased to announce two new partnerships with the Gettysburg Wyndham and the Links At Gettysburg. Alumni, students and employees can now enjoy discounted rates at both of these locations.

The preferred Mount rates at the beautiful Gettysburg Wyndham are as follows: January-March, $97; April-October, $107; and November-December, $97.

The Links At Gettysburg, a "Must-Play" destination course, offers a 20% discount on a round of golf anytime Monday through Friday, or after 1 p.m. on weekends and holidays when availability permits. Also, Mount wedding parties choosing the Links for their reception will receive an additional hour free ($1,000 value). Please show Mount ID or give graduation year.

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GROTTO NEWS >

Easter at the Grotto
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

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 15: 9 a.m. - noon, confessions; noon, Mass; 1:30 -3 p.m., confessions; 3 p.m., Mass and Chaplet of Divine Mercy with music by Mark Forrest

Day Retreats, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: April 21, Men's Day Retreat; April 28, Women's Day Retreat

Mysteries of Light Dedication
Rosary Walk's new Mysteries of Light mosaics will be formally blessed and dedicated on April 29 at 4 p.m. by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly.

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.