ST. SCHOLASTICA PLAZA HONORS SISTERS

Homecoming Weekend 2003 at Benedictine College held special meaning this year for the sisters. More than the usual reminiscing by those sisters who attended the Atchison colleges, or visiting with former students by those who have taught there, each and every sister was recognized for her contribution.

For the past three years, a group of alumnae have been working to raise the funds for a permanent memorial on the campus, to be known as St. Scholastica Plaza. The plaza is a park-like area at the entrance to the campus, adjacent to the renovated Ferrell (Freshman) Hall. The intention of the installation was to "make the distinctive Mount experience part of the permanent public identity of Benedictine College."

Sister Anne Shepard, OSB ('67) chaired the committee which spearheaded the drive: Sister Mary Collins, OSB ('57), Sister Diana Seago, OSB ('71), Sister Paula Howard ('50), Mary Kay Rocheford McAllister ('56), Diane Mealy Barber ('56), Janelle Knoedel Lazzo ('57), Judith Ferrell Taggart ('53), Cynthia Hoenig, Katherine Reynolds Watkins ('68), Lyllis Ling ('56), Maureen McLaughlin Schuering ('66), Sandy Glavin Nickel ('67) Bette (Goodwin) Geiger ('48) and Jeanne Kobuszewski, Benedictine College Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

On October 12, their dream became a reality as the plaza was dedicated following a special Sunday Eucharist at St. Benedict's Abbey. Many sisters were able to attend the celebration and to admire the impressive art of sculptor Bill Hopen. Life-size statues depict the role of the Benedictine sisters in the education of generations of young women. A sister in contemporary garb and wearing a Benedictine medal sits before two eager students in a sculpture group representing the generations of young women who have been taught by the sisters.

A bas-relief on the side of Ferrell Hall overlooks the plaza. From it, the figures of Mother Aloysia Northman and Sister Jerome Keeler sit serenely on a bench and survey today's college scene. Behind them are depictions of St. Cecilia's, the first college building, and the statue of St. Scholastica which stands in the main lobby of the Mount's former college administration building.

Each sister who has been a member of the Mount community has a brick with her name on it, in honor of the prayers, work and support that every sister has contributed to sustaining the college. The many alumnae and friends who have made this tribute are also remembered with their names on bricks and with their symbolic presence in the art.

The location between dormitories and cafeteria, as well as the placement of trees, shrubs and benches, invite the campus community to be embraced by the memorial. St. Scholastica Plaza will offer a place of beauty and a lasting reminder of the sisters' generous love for generations of students to come.

Sisters Loretta Schirmer and Cyprian Vondras look for their bricks with members of the College's Knights of Columbus chapter, who were on hand to escort the sisters.

Among the many sisters looking for their bricks at the preview were Sisters Mary Jane Van Dyke, Laura Haug, and Philomene Glotzbach. This photo is particularly significant as Sister Mary Jane died two days after the plaza's dedication.

A special preview of the plaza was held for the sisters on the Thursday preceding the dedication. Expecting only an informal chance to browse and enjoy refreshments, the sisters were delighted by a program given by students and administration to express their appreciation to the sisters. In a touching tribute, the college community recalled the night 140 years earlier when several townspeople had escorted the sisters to their new home with lanterns. A group of students surrounded the gathered sisters, singing "Christ Be Our Light," and formed a corridor of lanterns as the sisters left the campus.

Thank You to the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica
Given at the "sneak preview of the dedication of St. Scholastica Plaza
by Ali Mainelli, Benedictine College Student