PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID 3737 West 99th Street Rescigno's Mailing Chicago, IL 60655 Solutions www.mothermcauley.org “Let charity then be our badge of honor... So that it may truly be said there is in us but one heart and one soul in God” –Catherine McAuley Annual Report 2007 - 2008 and 2008 - 2009 A Message from the Chairman of the Board Board of Trustees 2007-08 of Trustees and the President/Principal This report highlights two remarkable years of the Mother McAuley community. The faith-filled and inspiring mission and ministry of the Sisters of Mercy are alive and vibrant today, as evidenced in this report. Mercy education, brought to Chicago in 1846, and established on the current site of Mother McAuley High School in 1956, continues to develop young women as confident role models and strong leaders for the future. The heritage and traditions of the past are combined with the new initiatives of the present and future. Many of these wonderful curricula, Seated: Vice Chairperson Michael Nielson, Secretary Sister Marion Cypser, RSM, Laura Shallow ’75 President/Principal Dr. Christine Melone, Chairperson Laura Shallow ’75, Treasurer John Scanlan Chariperson, Board of Trustees programs, projects, and events are featured within these pages. The academics, fine arts, athletics, spiritual life, and extra-curricular Standing: James Rabbit, Sister Lenore Mulvihill, RSM, Madeline Singler Kelly ’74, activities reflect the reputation of excellence, and the lifetime advantage, Sister Brian Costello, RSM, Sister Mary Ruth Broz, RSM, and Joseph Schwieterman for which this school is known. We hope that you see yourself reflected in these pages. Without the support of our board, alumnae, parents, faculty, staff, friends, and Board of Trustees 2008-09 neighbors, our students would not have access to the outstanding and creative programs, provided each day. Our school is grateful to supporters like you, who have made all these accomplishments possible, so we continue to ask that you do so for the years ahead. These difficult economic times have been challenging for all sectors, including private, Catholic schools. Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High Christine Melone, Ed.D., School continues to survive and thrive for today’s students, but needs President/Principal your help to do so for the young women of future decades. Thank you for helping us celebrate and hope. We encourage you to remain active members of the McAuley community, and continue your support. We especially ask for your prayers for our school and our students. Thank you, and God bless you always. Laura Shallow Dr. Christine Melone Chairperson, Board of Trustees President/Principal Seated: Vice Chairperson Michael Nielson, Chairperson Laura Shallow ‘75, President/Principal Dr. Christine Melone, Treasurer John Scanlan Standing: Sister Cathleen Cahill, RSM, J. Peter Nielson (deceased), Madeline Singler Kelly ’74, Joseph Schwieterman, Nancy Hill-Davis, Sister Brian Costello, RSM, Lawrence Harris An Alumna’s Commitment to Single Gender Educa tion Benefits a New Generation of McAuley Women Fran credits her McAuley education and the single-gender environment with her success as a prominent attorney. She notes, “My feelings about single gender education were really inspired by McAuley, where I tried things that I know I would not have tried in a co-ed setting. Most of what I have learned has been learned by trying and failing and by trying again. I believe that educating women in a single gender setting gives them tools for lasting friendships and leadership skills that they may not otherwise acquire. I would like to see McAuley continue its mission of single gender education because it has consistently allowed young women to emerge and find their strengths and use them wisely. The type of self reflection this requires is often impossible to exercise in a co-educational setting during high school years. Girls at that age are often so self conscious that they just can’t stop and appreciate what they have going for themselves.” In honor of her parents and her McAuley education, Fran is committed to helping a new generation of McAuley women. In the Spring of 2008 two incoming freshman each received a $5,000 John V. and Mary Ann Robinson Scholarship. In explaining her generosity, Fran states, “Wherever I have gone, I have never felt that my McAuley education was anything less than a superior foundation. I have never forgotten the people I met at McAuley; I have never ceased to appreciate the values that were instilled there by the teachers, as well as the students. If I can give back, I am proud to do so.” “I was fortunate enough to have a father who believed in educating women,” In 1978, Fran Robinson graduated cum laude from Boston College, and in 1982, graduated with high honors from the Chicago Kent College of Law. She became a member of the Massachusetts Bar in explains Fran. My father always said, “Educate a man and you have educated 1982 and was an Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Criminal Bureau from 1982 until a man. Educate a woman, and you have educated a family.” 1987. From 1987 to the present time Fran has been a partner in the law firm of Davis, Robinson & Molloy, LLP. The firm is busy handling cases at every level of the state and federal systems. The Robinson girls: Fran Robinson ‘74, Jo Hayward ‘71, Nancy Bisanz ‘68, Barb Heneghan ‘77, and Fran’s niece Tanya Robinson ‘06. The oldest Robinson daughter, Mary Dugan ‘63 passed away In addition to practicing law, Fran has also been a guest lecturer at the Harvard Law School Trial in 1990. Advocacy Class; the National Institute of Trial Attorneys Trial Advocacy Class and the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Foundation. In 2002, she was appointed to the Judicial Nominating Council by then Governor Mitt Romney. She has also been a frequent Legal Commentator for television stations New England Cable News, Channel Five and Fox TV. In the Spring of 2008, Fran Robinson ’74 pledged $50,000 to create the John V. and Mary Anne Robinson Scholarship in honor of her parents and their commitment to Catholic, single-gender Fran lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She is also an avid horsewoman. education. Fran and her four sisters, Mary Robinson Dugan ’63, Nancy Robinson Bisanz ’68, JoAnn Robinson Hayward ’71, and Barbara Robinson Heneghan ’77 are all graduates of McAuley. Fran’s niece, Tanya Robinson, graduated in 2006. 3 Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School 4 Celebration 2008 McAuley alumna Alex Meneses Simpson is an actress, producer and philanthropist. She has studied at Second City in Chicago and the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. A member of the Screen Actors Guild for 20 years, Alex performs on the stage, television and in film. A devoted alumna of McAuley, Alex frequently meets with the students to share her insights and her commitment to a McAuley education. In 2005 Alex established the Alex Meneses Endowed Scholarship so that a new generation of young women will benefit from a McAuley education. Celebration 2008 festivities included dinner, entertainment by AC Rock, silent auction and grand raffle. All proceeds from this event benefited the Mother McAuley Endowment for Student Scholarships and Financial Aid. (left to right) Dr. Christine Melone, Catherine McAuley Leadership recipients Steve and Winnie (Gardner ‘59) Ligda, Board of Trustees Chairperson Laura Shallow ‘75, and Distinguished Alumna Alexandra Meneses ‘83. The Board of Trustees of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School hosted the annual Celebration Endowment Fundraiser on Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Drury Lane, Oak Brook. The event honored Stephen and Winifred Ligda with the Catherine McAuley Leadership Award and Alex Meneses Simpson ’83 with the Distinguished Alumna Award. Steve and Winnie (Gardner ’59) Ligda are long-time supporters of Mother McAuley High School. Steve is a past Chair of the Board of Trustees and has served on several other Board committees. Winnie was instrumental in planning the Mass during McAuley’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and participated in several alumnae events with her daughter (Jennifer Ligda Busk’93). Alex Meneses Simpson ’83 receives Distinguished Alumna Award. 5 Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School 6 Celebration 2009 This year’s Distinguished Alumna was Barbara Moore Pasquinelli ’57, who was recognized for her work as a volunteer and philanthropist. In addition to her support of Mother McAuley, Barbara is president of The Caritas Society of St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation and an active member of the League of Women Voters of the Palos-Orland Area. The Celebration festivities included dinner, entertainment by Skip Griparis, silent auction and grand raffle. All proceeds from this event benefited the Mother McAuley Endowment for Student Scholarships and Financial Aid. During the evening, McAuley debuted its new “giving tree.” Attendees were invited to sponsor specific needs of academic departments and school programs, by picking a “leaf ” and providing a donation for the item selected. The tree provided more than $1,100 in needed items. President/Principal Dr. Christine Melone, Barbara Moore Pasquinelli ‘57 and Board of Trustees Chairperson Laura Shallow ‘75. The Board of Trustees of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School hosted Celebration 2009, on May 15, 2009, the annual gala to raise money for scholarships and financial aid. The event, held in the school's recently renovated Dining Hall and Lounge, included the presentation of the Catherine McAuley Leadership Award and the Distinguished Alumnae Award. The 2009 Catherine McAuley Leadership Award recipients were the Napleton Family who are generous supporters of McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy and the community. The Napletons have a long, rich history of Mercy education including Mrs.