Mercy High School Alumnae Newsletter - September 2009
Dear Mercy Alumnae,
As we begin this 2009-10 school year I share information with you. The good news is Mercy High School begins this year with 741 students, one less than the enrollment last June. We are blessed with this student body, including 191 ninth graders and 11 transfer students. Last year we had 176 ninth graders. This is the first year ALL our students have a tablet personal computer. The entire school is wireless.
The first project of our Capital Campaign was completed over this past summer. Mercy begins the school year with six completely renovated science classrooms/labs, four prep rooms, two restrooms and a teacher office/student assistance room. This is the first major renovation of the science department in 44 years. The dedication was Friday, September 18.
On a personal note, during this summer I have spent time in prayer and discernment concerning my role as Mercy’s President, at this point in my life, and I have decided, after 15 years as Principal/President and 8 years as President that this school year will be my last as President. Please keep me in your prayers as this is a very difficult decision for me. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees will soon be forming a Search Committee to begin the process of selecting a candidate for the position of President to be presented to the Sisters of Mercy Education Sponsorship Council of the West Midwest Community for approval and appointment. The plan is to have the new President in place by July 1, 2010.
At this point, I do not plan to leave Mercy but to contribute my skills in other ways if this does not pose a problem for the new President and Administrative Team. A present state requirement for graduation is that every student must complete 4 years of math, including Algebra II. Since I have also taught math at Mercy for 11 years and was department chair for 9 years, I plan to collaborate with our fine math department by working with Mercy’s “at risk” students to assist them in being successful. Two other areas of interest are: working with a Mission Life Committee in the school and continuing to support the Tuition Assistance Program.
It is my joy to have served as a Mercy teacher and administrator for 34 years. It has been God’s special blessing working with Mercy’s Principal, Carolyn Witte, and Administrative Team Members: Will Gervais, Jonell Linskey, Colleen Rozman and the Mercy’s Advancement Team.
I welcome your thoughts and prayers as Mercy moves forward. There is much to be accomplished this year putting everything in place for the new President and the future of our Capital Campaign.
Thank you for the many ways you have assisted Mercy over the years. We deeply appreciate your support and faithfulness to Mercy’s Mission. We count on your wisdom and help as Mercy moves forward!
With admiration and gratitude,
Sister Regina Marie Doelker, RSM
President
Mercy On the Move
Look who's coming to visit! Mercy is on the move to a city near you. Check out some of the upcoming outreach events that are being hosted this fall:
Milwaukee, WI
Saturday, October 11
Denver, CO
Saturday, October 24
Boston, MA
Saturday, November 7
Visit the alumnae events page to find out if a Mercy gathering is being held in your area. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Alumnae Office today!
Science Lab Dedication
Mercy alumna Luanne Thomas Ewald '87, VP Business Development and Strategic Planning for Children's Hospital in Michigan, kicked off the dedication of the new Mercy Science Facilities with a presentation to the entire Mercy student body on September 18. Luanne emphasized the importance of women in science, technology, engineeering, and math. Luanne also shared the success stories of other alumnae in the field of science; Dr. Marisa Abbo '81, Dr. Maribeth Knight '87, Linda Clancy Kaminski '87, and Dr. Sylvia Hollwell '87. This year Mercy will Celebrate Women in Science!
After the assembly Fr. Mark Brauer, Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, offered a prayer of blessing. The dedication and ribbon cutting was performed by President Sr. Regina Marie Doelker, Board of Trustees Member Bill Valade, Principal Carolyn Witte, Associate Principal, Will Gervais, Science Department Chairperson Kathy Kitzmann, 2009 Teacher of the Year Madame Campbell, and Student Council President.
Attendees then toured the science site which features increased work space of new lab, lecture, and prep rooms equipped with new desks, stools, chairs, microscopes, refridgerators, digital science balances, data projectors, air conditioning, new fume hoods, and safety showers.
Dine out at the Olga's Kitchen at Twelve Oaks Mall or the Shops at Old Orchard to support Mercy High School during Thursdays in October: October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 10:30am-9:00pm.
Simply click here to print off the coupon to include with your bill. A percentage of your bill will be donated to the Mercy Alumnae Association Tuition Assistance Fund.
Dining out never tasted so good!
Have News to Share?
The MOSAIC will be hitting mailboxes soon. If you have news to share in the class notes section please email the Alumnae Office by October 5th.
Legacy Families Celebrate
Mercy Alumnae who have daughters currently enrolled at Mercy are invited to take part in the Mercy Alumnae Legacy celebration on Thursday, October 8th in the Mercy High School Media Center.
Mercy alumna Luanne Thomas Ewald '87, VP Business Development and Strategic Planning for Children's Hospital in Michigan, kicked off the dedication of the new Mercy Science Facilities with a presentation to the entire Mercy student body on September 18. Luanne emphasized the importance of women in science, technology, engineeering, and math. Luanne also shared the success stories of other alumnae in the field of science; Dr. Marisa Abbo '81, Dr. Maribeth Knight '87, Linda Clancy Kaminski '87, and Dr. Sylvia Hollwell '87. This year Mercy will Celebrate Women in Science!
After the assembly Fr. Mark Brauer, Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, offered a prayer of blessing. The dedication and ribbon cutting was performed by President Sr. Regina Marie Doelker, Board of Trustees Member Bill Valade, Principal Carolyn Witte, Associate Principal, Will Gervais, Science Department Chairperson Kathy Kitzmann, 2009 Teacher of the Year Madame Campbell, and Student Council President.
