Mount’s 200 years commemorated by U.S. Postal Service

BY RICK FULTON
Gettysburg Times Staff Writer

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s 200-year history was honored Saturday by the United States Postal Service with the official issuance of a stamped postal card held at Knott Arena.

The new 27-cent postal card features a watercolor painting, “The Terrace,” created by awardwinning architectural illustrator Frank Costantino of Winthrop, Mass.  The Terrace — consisting of DuBois, Bruté and McCaffrey Halls — is one of the oldest and central attractions on the university’s mountainside campus. 

The stamped card was dedicated Saturday at a special ceremony in Knott Arena by Postmaster General John E. Potter and Mount Saint Mary’s President Thomas H. Powell. USPS Engineering Vice President Walter O’Tormey served as master of ceremonies.

“Mount Saint Mary’s University is honored that the U.S. Postal Service recognizes our historic significance and the contributions that the university has made to higher education,” said President Powell. “We’re so pleased to have this wonderful stamped postal card to mark the occasion of our bicentennial.” After the stamped card was unveiled, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra presented an all-Beethoven program, concluding  with the famous symphony, for event attendees.  Monahan stated that the issuance of the stamped card will serve as “a catalyst to promote awareness of our strong academic programs” and will enhance the  public’s perception of the university.

Saturday’s stamped postal card release, Mount's Bicentennial Director Liz Monahan said, would be “a highlight of our Bicentennial celebration.”
The stamped postal card is part of a year-long celebration of the Mount’s founding in 1808 by French émigré Father John DuBois.

Interested parties have 60 days within which to obtain first day of issue cancelled cards.  The stamped cards will go on sale beginning today only at the first-day-of-issue site, Mount St. Mary’s University, and at the Emmitsburg Post Office, 305 South Seton Avenue.

Purchased, uncancelled cards will have to be individually preaddressed address and placed in a larger envelope and mailed to Mount St. Mary’s University Stamped Card, Postmaster, 305 S Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727-9998. The post office will return the first day canceled stamped cards through the mail.

In photo, John Potter, right, postmaster general and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service, congratulates Thomas Powell, president of Mount Saint Mary's University, following the unveiling of a stamped postal card celebrating the Mount's bicentennial on Saturday.  About 1,400 guests attended the event.