Alum From the Class of 1939 Spends “Happiest Day” at the Mount

Yes, that was Mike Leonard of NBC’s Today Show filming on campus yesterday. And yes, it was a secret until today.  Mike Leonard, a roving reporter on The Today Show, brought his dad Jack to Mount St. Mary’s University to relive his life as a student in the class of 1939. This trip is Mike’s gift to his dad because at 91 years old, there won’t be many more chances for Jack to visit his alma mater.

It was Jack’s wish to spend a quiet day at a place that gave him so much happiness, his beloved Mount St. Mary’s. Mike filmed as President Powell took Mr. and Mrs. Leonard on a golf cart tour of campus—some buildings new to Jack and some lasting remnants of the Old Mount. It was what the Leonard’s wanted: a simple day at the Mount without a lot of hoopla.

On the surface it was nothing special, no big film crew, no big production--but if you watched Jack’s face, it told the story.  The tears in his eyes spoke volumes about Jack Leonard’s day at the Mount as he listened to the singing of “Immaculate Mary.”

 “This is the happiest day in my life,” Jack said. “I love the Mount and everything looks so wonderful. It’s great to be here.”  The piece on Mount St. Mary’s will air sometime in September.