Campaign Kickoff

Mount Community Captivated By Invest In The Mount
Venetian Carnivale Gala

The Mount St. Mary’s College Campaign kickoff event on February 25 launched the public phase of its $45 million Invest in the Mount Campaign. More than 450 Mount trustees, regents, faculty, staff, student leaders, alumnae, community leaders, and corporate friends attended this elegant celebration. The silent phase of the Campaign, which began in January 2005, moved forward at such an amazing pace that it was time to go public and to share the good news. Click here to see videos of the event.

The Setting
Carnivale actors greeted enthusiastic guests as they walked onto the red carpet and into the Doheny Mansion reception wearing their glitzy evening gowns and sharp-looking tuxedos. Some of the guests also dressed in colorful carnivale attire. Guests were escorted onto the north lawn into a giant translucent tent with a sea of royal purple carpet, twinkling skylights, and backdrops of Venetian scenes of gondolas floating in the waters of Venice, Italy. The Mount Chorus sang for the guests as they were directed to their tables. The tables were decorated with emerald green tablecloths, luscious floral centerpieces, golden paisley plates, and colorful beads hanging from each golden chair.

The Program
Popular television host, Huell Howser, served as master of ceremonies. The program began with the invocation by Mount Trustee Sister Mary McKay, CSJ ‘67, followed by Michael Enright, chair of the Board of Trustees, who briefly thanked each group of guests for their contributions and support. Associated Student Body President, Sarah Bessell, then spoke, thanking supporters on behalf of the entire student body. The screening of a special campaign video followed. Then came the introduction of College President Jacqueline Powers Doud.

Jacqueline Powers Doud

President’s Top Aspirations
President Dr. Jacqueline Powers Doud explained about the College’s Campaign goals and initiatives (see Campaign Goals and Initiatives). She said, “Mount St. Mary’s College has long recognized that when money separates a young woman from the privilege of a higher education, we have an obligation to do all in our power to enable her to surmount that barrier. We also have an obligation to assure that the education she receives is a dynamic immersion in the liberal arts and sciences, replete with a growing array of academic programs, supported by the latest technological tools in a revitalized physical environment.” She explained that because of this, three goals for our Campaign emerged:

Campaign Progress
“In the spirit of exuberant recognition of this evening, I’d like to take this time to celebrate everyone who has made a contribution during the silent phase of the Invest in the Mount campaign,” President Doud said. “Tonight, I would also like to introduce two foundations that have been longtime friends of the Mount. Were it not for the generosity of these two key supporters and the lead gifts they made to this campaign, we would not be here today,” she added.

Elaine Ewen, President, Hannon Foundation and Sister Kathleen Kelly, Trustee, Bill Hannon Foundation.

Kathleen Duncan, Mount Trustee, and her mother Kathleen Leavey McCarthy, Chair of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.

President Doud then introduced Elaine S. Ewen, President of the Bill Hannon Foundation, and Sister Kathleen Kelly, CSJ and a trustee of the Foundation, and thanked them for their leadership in continuing the generous history of the Hannon family, which has underwritten the full cost of the construction of a new Doheny Campus residence hall. President Doud presented them with beautiful bouquets of flowers.

The introduction of Kathleen Leavey McCarthy, chairwoman of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation, and her daughter, Kathleen Duncan, a trustee of the Mount and a member of the Foundation’s board of directors followed. President Doud said, “Through many years of scholarship and capital support for the construction of the McCarthy Library at Doheny, the Leavey Foundation has demonstrated a strong dedication to the needs of Mount students.” She said that in spring 2005, the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation announced that they would underwrite the full renovation of the Chalon residence halls and the construction of a new campus center. She explained that this was the largest gift in our college’s history. The audience gave a standing ovation as Kathleen Leavey McCarthy and Kathleen Duncan walked onto the stage and were showered with flowers.

“With the help of these donors, and all of you who have assured the vision of the Mount by stepping forward with your generosity during the vitally important silent phase of our campaign, I am proud to say that we can go public with our efforts as of this evening with having raised $29,5200,000,” announced President Doud. At that moment, cannons from two directions began to shoot confetti onto the stage as alumnus Leslie Cunningham ’90 began to sing, “Oh When the Mount Comes Marching In." Guests quickly joined in the festivities by dancing to the music.

Closing
All guests were given a small silver-plated champagne bucket candles as tokens of appreciation.

Top Campaign Gifts