Ursuline Academy Alumnae Newsletter IV- September 2017
Welcome Back to UA This Weekend
Ursuline Academy welcomes all alumnae back to campus this coming weekend for Homecoming and Reunion! For the first time, Reunion festivities will be held on Homecoming weekend for the 2's and 7's. The weekend will kick off Saturday, September 23 with athletic games, a barbeque lunch, and two lectures. At 4 p.m., Mass will be held, followed by the dedication and building tours of our new Athletic & Convocation Center. For our reunion classes, the evening continues with a special reception, and a brunch open to all alumnae on Sunday.
Legacy Breakfast
Alumnae Legacy families are invited to our annual Homecoming Legacy Coffee on Saturday morning from 10 – 11 a.m. in the Ursuline Convent Solarium. Our Legacy Coffee is open to all alumnae and their mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts and nieces who also attended or are current students at an Ursuline school. Please RSVP if you are a legacy alumna and would like to attend.
Reunion
2's and 7's - Don't miss your Reunion this Saturday night, September 23! An elegant cocktail party in the historic Ursuline Convent overlooking the new Athletic and Convocation Center will provide the perfect setting to reminisce with old friends. Walk-ins welcome but pre-registration is appreciated for planning purposes. Register here today!
Alumnae Brunch
All Alumnae are invited back to campus on Sunday, September 24 for our catered Alumnae Brunch in the Tea Room with Ursuline grads from all years. The new Athletic and Convocation Center will be open for viewing, the Ursuline Spirit Wear Shop will be stocked up, and the Spirit of Serviam will be in full swing. Grab a group of friends and join us. $10/person. Register here.
Athletic and Convocation Center
Ursuline's new Athletic and Convocation Center stands proudly between the Main school building and the historic Convent.
The iHub, the new innovation center, features technology and equipment for all of UA's academic departments to use and explore.
The latest addition to Ursuline Academy's campus, the Athletic & Convocation Center, became home to Ursuline students and faculty on September 5. The 40,000 square foot facility features a gym that will host athletic competitions and community gatherings, an IDEA Hub, three classrooms, a fitness center, a track, locker facilities, a student lounge, and a meeting space. Click here for a photo gallery of the new building.
Sr. Marcella Savoie o.s.u., Cardinal Seán O'Malley, Sr. Maria Goretti-Bernier o.s.u., and Sr. Angela Krippendorf o.s.u. '59, gathered in the Alumnae Room of the new Athletic and Convocation Center after a Mass of the Holy Spirit for the students and faculty.
Alumnae Spotlight
Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux '94 (left) and Mary Ferrucci
New Principals Share the Helm at UA
Ursuline Academy has adopted a co-principal model beginning this September. The new principals, Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux '94 and Mary Ferrucci both have many years of experience as Catholic educators. By having two current administrators step in as co-principals, the school community will continue to benefit from their functional expertise as well as leverage their strengths as leaders in the school community. Ms. Tracy-Robidoux will continue in her current role as Director of Mission Effectiveness, and Mrs. Ferrucci will continue in her role as Director of Guidance.
Alumna Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux has long been living the Serviam ideal, having graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1994. She has a BA in English and Theology from the College of the Holy Cross and a Master's in Divinity from Harvard University. She has served for the past eleven years at Ursuline as a teacher in the Theology department, Campus Minister and Director of Mission Effectiveness. Mary Ferrucci has served for the past eight years as Director of Guidance at Ursuline, prior to which she was the principal and a teacher at Msgr. Ryan Memorial High School in Boston; she also served as Principal at Sacred Heart School in Weymouth. She holds a BA from Providence College, an MEd from Suffolk University, and an MA from Eastern Nazarene College. According to President Rosann Whiting, "Both have demonstrated a deep level of commitment to our Catholic, Ursuline mission, a wealth of educational training and professional experience, and a total devotion to all community members throughout their years at Ursuline Academy."
Patricia Foley Cummins '77 and Husband Brian Receive Volunteer Award from BC
Patricia Foley Cummins '77 and her husband Brian Cummins were honored to receive the John J Griffin Alumni Association Award from Boston College in April 2017, that recognizes the crucial role that volunteers play in BC's Alumni Association programming. Patty, a native of West Roxbury, graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1977, and from Boston College in 1981. She taught at BC, and was director of the Graduate Student Association and the Greycliff Language House before marrying Brian.
Patty was a language teacher in the Washington, D.C. area for many years, and has been recognized by the Diocese of Arlington,Virginia as the Middle School Teacher of the Year. Following in her mother's footsteps, her daughter Erin is Ursuline's current Latin teacher . Patty's early exposure to the Ursuline mission of Serviam helped set the groundwork for the future volunteer activities she and her husband have so strongly participated in for their entire adult lives. Congrats to Patty and Brian!
Alumnae Events
Lunch and Learn Series Continues in October
We are pleased to continue our Lunch and Learn series for our alumnae this academic year. Our next lecture will be held on October 12, at 11:30 a.m. in the Convent board room. Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Convent Chapel prior the program.
Thursday, October 12 -11:30 a.m.
"Women and Wealth"
with Jane King '61, President, Fairfield Financial Advisors
Managing Your Money as a Woman in 2017
Jane King is the founder and president of Fairfield Financial Advisors, a Wellesley, Mass.-based firm with roughly $200 million in assets under management. She has been named to the Worth Magazine list of America's best financial advisor, is featured in the book "Best Practices for Financial Advisors" written by Mary Rowland, and is a frequent speaker on money issues. All are welcome. Contact Alumnae Director Susan Hehir to rsvp. Keep your eyes open for future programs in March and June.
Newly Established Alumnae Task Force Meets
On Tuesday, August 15 the Advancement Office hosted the first meeting of the newly established Alumnae Task Force at Victory Grille in Dedham. The purpose of the Task Force, which is made up of representatives from each decade, is to share thoughts and ideas for new opportunities to learn, reconnect and re-energize. Thank you to those alumnae members who were able to attend our summer meeting: Michelle (Garrison) Glynne '80, Lisa Garrison '82, Mary (Meade) Ambrefe '84, Brigid (McDonough) Coyle '91 and Nicole (Glynne) Norton '05. The group generated some fabulous ideas for future consideration. If you would like to join the Task Force please call Susan Hehir at 781-493-7713 or email shehir@ursulineacademy.net. The next meeting is scheduled for November 9 at 6:30 pm.
Life on Lowder Street
Cardinal O'Malley Presides at Mass of the Holy Spirit
September 5 was a defining day in the history of Ursuline Academy, as Cardinal Seán O'Malley celebrated a Mass of the Holy Spirit to bless Ursuline's latest campus addition on the first day of the 2017-18 academic year. The entire student body, faculty, staff, and honored guests joyfully participated in the Mass, the first school event held in the new building. Read more here.
Sisterhood "Bond"-fire
Hundreds of members of the Ursuline community came together for a "bond"-fire on the first Friday evening of September to begin the year, joining together to celebrate the unique bond that is Ursuline Academy. Watch a short video here to catch the spirit, and be sure to follow us on social media to to get a glimpse into student life throughout the year.
Faculty and Staff at UA Begin the Year with Service
Ursuline faculty and staff wrapped up a week of preparation for the new year by spending a morning at Community Harvest Farm in Grafton, continuing to build community among themselves and harvesting vegetables to feed families in Worcester County. The team harvested tomatoes (4,950 lbs, or 15,147 servings) and cherry tomatoes (276 lbs, or 839 servings) for a total of 5,226 lbs, or 15,986 servings. Thanks to Campus Ministry for arranging this opportunity for our staff.
Participants in Ursuline's faculty-staff day of service included several alumnae: Math Teacher Sarah Busch '06, Campus Minister Katie McNally '10, School Nurse Heather Smart '95, and Co-Principal Mary-Kate Tracy Robidoux '94.
Class Notes
Please let us know what's new in your life? Drop us a line or fill out our Alumnae Class Notes form. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Ellen Huntley Fagone '70 has lived in beautiful Kailua, Hawaii for the last forty years. After a full-time career of teaching, she now teaches part-time English courses at Hawaii Pacific University. Having just welcomed grandson #2 into the fold, Ellen says "Life is grand. I always look back so very fondly at my four years at Ursuline."
Make the most of your UA Connections by listing Ursuline Academy-Dedham in your LinkedIn profile!
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Mary Kate Harrington '10 and Spenser Adams celebrated their marriage at The Red Barn at Outlook Farm on June 10, 2017, South Berwick, Maine. "I met Spenser within the first weeks I arrived as a freshman at Saint Joseph's College of Maine. My sister, Meghan Harrington '07, served as my Maid of Honor and my UA sisters, Kristin Feeley '10, a bridesmaid, and Olivia Munro '10 were also there for us. (photo l. to r. : Meghan '07, Mary Kate '10 and Kristin '10)
Class of 1968
The 'Girls of '68 gathered again on May 21, 2017. Many thanks to Amelia Nore Horgan for hosting. Since our 45th reunion at Ursuline we have been having "mini" reunions at least once a year.We are looking forward to the Dedication of the new Athletic Complex and our 50th reunion in 2018.
Ally Penella '10 was recently highlighted by her employer KHJ Brand Activation for her blog post "4 Reasons Why Millenials Provide Invaluable Insight in the Workplace." Ally, a graduate of Bentley University, has worked for KHJ, founded by Ursuline alumna and board member Judy Habib '71, since 2015.
In Memoriam
Kathleen A. Heaney, '68, of Dedham, May 27, 2017
Lauren E. Power Arms Ledwith '82, of Franklin, June 23, 2017
Paula Joyce Wild Buckley '76, of Brighton, September 2, 2017, mother of Rachel '07. Paula was an active volunteer with the Ursuline Academy Parent's Guild while Rachel was a student.
To continue to educate young women in the Ursuline tradition we need your help.
A gift of any amount will directly benefit today's students.
Please consider a gift to our Annual Fund.
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