Mount Mary University

Mount Mary University traces its roots to 1872, when the School Sisters of Notre Dame established St. Mary's Institute in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.[6] In 1913, the school introduced a college curriculum and was renamed St. Mary's College, chartered by the state of Wisconsin to grant degrees. It was the first four-year Catholic college for women in Wisconsin.[2]

In 1926, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee requested that St. Mary's College move to Milwaukee to make Catholic education available to a wider group of students. An 80-acre campus was purchased on the west side of Milwaukee.[6] On September 12, 1928, the cornerstone of the new campus was laid and the school was renamed Mount Mary College. The college opened its doors to students in 1929.[7]

In July 2013, the college changed its name to Mount Mary University.[8]

The following individuals have served as Mount Mary's president:

• Mother M. Seraphia Minges, SSND (1913-1922)[7]
• Mother M. Angela Schott, SSND (1922-1929)[7]
• Edward Fitzpatrick (1929-1954)[9]
• Sister Mary John Francis Schuh, SSND (1954-1969)[10]
• Sister Mary Nora Barber, SSND (1969-1979)[11]
• Sister Ellen Lorenz, SSND (1979-1987)[12]
• Sister Ruth Hollenbach, SSND (1987-1995)
• Sally Mahoney (interim president, 1995-1997)[13]
• Patricia O'Donoghue (1997-2006)[14]
• Linda Timm (2006-2008)[15]
• Eileen Schwalbach (2009–2017)[16]
• Christine Pharr (2017–2022)[17]
• Isabelle Cherney (2022–present)

Mount Mary's core curriculum is based on the human search for meaning. The core curriculum consists of studies in philosophy/theology, communication/math, humanistics, literature/fine arts, and science. The core courses "provide breadth within the liberal arts by allowing students to construct an understanding of the perspectives that each of the disciplines offers in each person's lifelong search for meaning."[20]

In addition to the core curriculum, undergraduate students select a major in which to specialize. Mount Mary launched the first four-year fashion design and merchandising degree program in the nation in 1965.[21] The most popular majors currently at Mount Mary are dietetics, fashion design, fashion merchandise management, interior design, occupational therapy, and social work.[22]

Several Mount Mary undergraduate programs are accredited by their fields' accreditation body. The social work undergraduate degree program was the first private college in Wisconsin to have its baccalaureate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and continues to be accredited today.[23] The interior design program has been accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation since 1986.[24] Mount Mary's undergraduate dietetics program is accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.[25] The occupational therapy program has been accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education since 1943.[26]

Mount Mary offers seven master's degree programs and one doctoral degree program. In 1982, Mount Mary launched its first graduate program, the Master of Science in Dietetics program.[27][28] In 1990, Mount Mary launched its Master of Science in Art Therapy[29] and Master of Arts in Education: Professional Development[27] degree programs. The Master of Science in Art Therapy program has been accredited by the American Art Therapy Association since 1995.[30]

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.[31]

The Master of Arts in English program began in 2006.[27] Mount Mary launched its Master of Business Administration program in 2008.[32] The Professional Doctorate of Art Therapy program was launched in 2011, and was the first program of its kind in the United States.[33]

The first two buildings on the Mount Mary campus, Notre Dame Hall and Caroline Hall, opened in 1929. Notre Dame Hall housed classrooms and administrative offices. Caroline Hall served as the student residence hall.[7] Both buildings have had many updates throughout the years, but continue to house classrooms, administrative offices, and student residences.

In May 1953, ground was broken for Fidelis Hall, a residence for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and Kostka Hall, a building housing an auditorium.[34][35] The buildings were completed in 1954, and 198 freshmen were welcomed in the fall at the academic investiture held in Kostka Hall.[36]

Bergstrom Hall, which houses the college's dining rooms, bookstore, and post office, opened in 1964.

The Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Library opened in 1981. It was renovated in 2011 and now houses a computer lab, group study rooms, and quiet study spaces.[37]

Ground was broken for the Gerhardinger Center in 2002.[38] The building was opened in 2004 and is named to honor Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger of Jesus, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame order. The 33,000-square-foot (3,100 m²) building houses the college's electronic lecture hall, Cyber Cafe, and science and occupational therapy classrooms and labs.[39]

The Bloechl Recreation Center opened in 2006. The 24,800-square-foot (2,300 m²) building houses basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness center, training rooms, locker rooms, offices, a concession area, and a classroom for aerobics, dance, and yoga.[40]

CREO is Mount Mary University's annual event that showcases arts and design student work and celebrates creativity. The event includes a student art gallery and student-designer fashion show. The annual fashion show began in 1967.[21] The show moved off campus for the first time in 2011[42] and draws an audience of nearly 1,200 each year.[43]

The Fashion Department began the Historic Costume Collection in 1965. The collection consists of 9,000 pieces dating 1750 to the present, and features significant 20th-century women's couture and ready-to-wear garments. The Historic Costume Collection includes pieces from actress Lynn Fontanne, Eunice Johnson, and Chanel.[44][45][46]

Mount Mary University's Marian Art Gallery hosts national, regional, and local art shows throughout the year. School of Arts and Design students, faculty, and alumnae also have the opportunity to display their work in the gallery. The gallery is open to the public and is located on the first floor of Caroline Hall.[47]

Since 1968, Mount Mary has been hosting the annual Starving Artists' Show. The show features local and national artists who work in all types of mediums, selling artwork for $100 or less. Attendance has averaged 8,000 or higher in recent years.[48][49][50]