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Alumnae gather for “peace, love and unity,” and elect new leaders

Graduates of Mount Saint Joseph Academy returned to Maple Mount on Aug. 24, 2025, for the second day of Alumnae Weekend, honoring an Ursuline Sister with the Maple Leaf Award and electing a new slate of officers.

The festivities began in Owensboro on Saturday night, Aug. 23, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church parish hall, with a tie-dyed splash of color for “Woodstock – Peace, Love and Unity.” The evening featured a VW bus for photos and the alums present wasted no time hopping aboard.

Day two on Sunday began with Mass, where those alumnae whose deaths were reported in the previous year were remembered. You can read the list here.

The participants then moved to Maple Hall for the 119th business meeting. The members listened to a presentation from Sheila Ward A’71, about Days for Girls, a charity she is involved with in Louisville. The ministry sews washable supplies for girls in impoverished countries, so they don’t have to miss a week of school each month while they are on their periods. The alumnae voted for the Alumnae Association to donate $1,000 for this charity, along with $1,000 each for three charities they supported last year – Catholic Charities, Water By Women, which was founded by Sister Larraine Lauter A’77, and Casa Ursulina, where Sister Mimi Ballard A’66 continues to serve. Each alum was urged to contribute individually to these charities as well.

The alums also unanimously agreed to change the bylaws of the Alumnae Association to elect an Executive Board rather than Officers, and to allow for a co-presidency. The Executive Board will have the flexibility to assign roles based on the abilities of each member. The alumnae then voted to approve an Executive Board of Vickie Bickett Groce A’74, Carolyn Sue Cecil A’73, Lisa Calhoun Mulligan A’75, Alicia Cecil Harrington A’82, and Brenda Basham Lee A’82. Groce and Cecil have agreed to be co-presidents, Mulligan has agreed to be the treasurer, Harrington agreed to be secretary, and Lee offered to help wherever she can.

The new leaders thanked the outgoing team, which included Stephanie Warren, who served for 15 years, Paula Chandler Gray, who served for 17 years, Mary Danhauer and Jenny Speaks McGee.

The program concluded with the naming of Sister Amelia Stenger A’67 as the recipient of the Maple Leaf Award, which goes to a graduate who “personifies the values of their Mount Saint Joseph education in contributions to their local faith communities, civic communities, and/or Mount Saint Joseph.” It was a full-circle moment for Sister Amelia, who created the award in 2000.

Her nominators – Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger A’58, and Sister Elaine Burke A’49 – spoke of Sister Amelia’s groundbreaking work in education, including becoming the first female superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Owensboro, and then in the Archdiocese of Louisville. She served as director of the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center, and was the driving force behind the Ursuline Flatboat Adventure, which recreated the journey of the original five Ursuline Sisters who traveled down the Ohio River from Louisville to open Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1874. She served as director of Development for the community until 2016, when she began her six-year term as congregational leader for the Ursulines.

Next year’s Alumnae Weekend is set for Aug. 22-23, 2026. Here are photos from the weekend.

Mary Margaret Drury A’66, left, says something to make Sister Amelia Stenger ‘A67 laugh prior to Mass.
Paula Chandler Gray, left, talks to her 1973 classmate Rhonda Warren Mischel as she welcomes people to Mass.
Classmates from the graduating class of 1957 – from left, Sister Vivian Bowles, Virginia “Ginger” Ford Green, Lila Green Gehrke and Sister Ann Patrice Cecil – chat before the alumnae Mass.
Becky Henderson McCarty A’70, right, talks with Peggy Murphy McCarthy A’56, prior to Mass.
1975 classmates Lisa Calhoun Mulligan, left, and Mary-Anne Cossey Powers are all smiles before Mass. They and their classmates were celebrating 50 years since they graduated from the Academy.
Jenny Speaks McGee A’70, cantors as Sharon Hudson plays piano during “Gather the People” to open Mass. Hudson’s husband works in information services at the Mount.
Mary-Anne Cossey Powers A’75 delivers the first reading from Isaiah.
Elizabeth Mulligan Belcher A’65 served as the second reader. Her class was celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Sister Elaine Burke A’49, reads the intercessions. Sister Elaine was the oldest graduate at the reunion.
Kathy Ford Young, left, and Loretta White Hamby prepare to bring up the gifts. They are both 1970 graduates, who were celebrating their 55th reunion.
Father Ray Goetz, chaplain at Mount Saint Joseph, celebrates Mass with the alumnae and Sisters gathered.
Stephanie Warren A’73, left, alumnae president, and Paula Chandler Gray A’73, treasurer, read the names of alumnae whose deaths were reported in the previous year.
Carolyn Drury McCarty A’70, right, chats with Sister Michael Ann Monaghan following Mass.
Georgia Warren Bottles A’68, left, and Rhonda Warren Mischel A’73, talk with Sister Elaine Burke A’49, following Mass.
Sister Margaret Ann Aull talks with Mary Margaret Drury A’66.
Beth Calhoun Henderson A’70, talks with Sister Claudia Hayden A’67 after Mass.
Mary Hazel Bethel Fraize, left, chats with her 1965 classmate Carolyn Hancock Marren as they find their table for the Alumnae banquet. Their classmates were celebrating their 60th reunion.
Marva Abrams Crutcher A’75, left, says something to make Carole Caummisar Sanders A’68 laugh as they prepare for the banquet to begin.
The Murphy sisters, who span a decade of attending Mount Saint Joseph Academy, pose for a photo. From left are Sally Buford A’64, Mary Riney A’66, Sister Nancy Murphy A’59, and Peggy McCarthy A’56.
The outgoing Alumnae Association officers and the incoming Executive Board gathered for a photo. In the first row are the officers departing – from left, Mary Danhauer A’71, secretary; Paula Chandler Gray A’73, treasurer; Jenny Speaks McGee A’70, vice president; and Stephanie Warren A’73, president. In the back row from left are the new Executive Board, Vickie Bickett Groce A’74, Alicia Cecil Harrington A’82, Brenda Basham Lee A’82, Lisa Calhoun Mulligan A’75, and Carolyn Sue Cecil A’73.
The incoming Executive Board is, from left, Alicia Cecil Harrington A’82, Vickie Bickett Groce A’74, Brenda Basham Lee A’82, Lisa Calhoun Mulligan A’75, and Carolyn Sue Cecil A’73. Vickie and Carolyn Sue have agreed to be co-presidents, Lisa has agreed to be the treasurer, and Alicia has agreed to serve as secretary. Brenda offered to help in any way she can.
Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader of the Ursuline Sisters, “got the memo” about the Woodstock theme for Alumnae Weekend, and wore her tie-dye to welcome the guests.
No one needs to ask, “Who’s on first?” with Mary Costello A’65, left, and Doreen Abbott, coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships on hand.
Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger A’58, left, and Sister Elaine Burke A’49, read their nomination for Sister Amelia Stenger to receive the Maple Leaf Award.
The outgoing Alumnae officers gather with Sister Amelia Stenger A’67 after she received the Maple Leaf Award. From left are Mary Danhauer A’71, Jenny Speaks McGee A’70, Sister Amelia, Paula Chandler Gray A’73, and Stephanie Warren A’73.
Sister Amelia Stenger, center, gathers with her nominators for the Maple Leaf Award. Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger A’58 is on the left, along with Sister Elaine Burke A’49.
Elaine Clouse A’77, right, hugs Stephanie Warren, as Paula Chandler Gray prepares to present her with a vase. Elaine, who is retired from working at the Mount, was honored for her many years of helping with Alumnae Weekend.
Among the many fabulous raffle prizes was this quilt made by Karen Calhoun McCarty A’74, right, and won by Carole Caummisar Sanders A’68, left.
Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner A’62, gets a hug from her prayer partner, Sister Grace Simpson A’56.
The Saturday night festivities at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church parish hall were a tie-dyed splash of color for “Woodstock – Peace, Love and Unity.” Members of the class of 1974 got in the spirt of “flower power.” From left are Diane Bickett, Tina Weber Smith, Vickie Bickett Groce, Karen Calhoun McCarty, and Laquita McIntyre McCarty.
The class of 1975 – celebrating 50 years – was “super fly” with help from that magnificent afro from Marva Abrams Crutcher. From left are Lisa Calhoun Mulligan, Mary-Anne Cossey Powers, Kay Drury Clark, Marie Collins and Marva.
The class of 1965 flies their MSJ sweater. Hope they don’t lose it in the wind.
Sister Suzanne Sims gives new meaning to “nuns on the bus” as a passenger in the class of 1966 van.
Looks like the bus was stuck in the mud for the class of 1968.
The class of 1971 answers the question, “How many people can you cram in a VW bus?”
The class of 1972 does not seem to have anyone at the wheel.
Who wouldn’t accept a ride from this peace-loving class of 1973?
The gang is all here in the class of 1974.
The class of 1975 recalls the trouble with keeping all one’s hair inside the bus.
Can’t say this is the safest way to drive, but the class of 1982 was undeterred.
Sister Elaine Burke takes the wheel, as Sister Mary McDermott – who drove Sister Elaine to the event – gets a ride in the back.
Class photos began with Sister Elaine Burke, class of 1949.
Class of 1956, Sister Grace Simpson, left, and Peggy Murphy McCarthy.
Class of 1957, From left, Lila Green Gehrke, Sister Vivian Bowles, Virginia “Ginger” Ford Green, and Sister Ann Patrice Cecil.
Class of 1958, Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger
Class of 1959, From left, Sister Nancy Murphy and Joy Robinson Keller
Class of 1962, Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner.
Class of 1963, Sister Karla Kaelin.
Class of 1965, seated from left, Sue Timbrook O’Bryan, Alice Mayo Roberts, Patricia Gardner Griffith, Mary Costello, Carolyn Hancock Marren, Mary Wanda Jenkins Perry, and Jerryon Dant Roberts; standing from left, Maggie Jenkins Beville, Mary Hazel Bethel Fraize, Judith Kranz-Donley, Elizabeth Mulligan Belcher.
Class of 1966, seated from left, Mary Murphy Riney, Mary Margaret Drury, Dolores Biddle Lundy, and Susan Thomas Allgeier; standing from left, Phyllis Costello Bresnik, Cecilia Robinette McEldowney, Sister Maureen O’Neill, and Sister Suzanne Sims.
Class of 1967, Sister Amelia Stenger.
Class of 1968, seated from left, Carole Caummisar Sanders, Judy Deweese King, and Sara Olges Holden; standing from left, Deborah Lord Campisano and Georgia Warren Bottles.
Class of 1969, Betty Drury Byrne.
Class of 1970, from left, Loretta White Hamby, Jennifer Speaks McGee, Kathy Ford Young, Beth Calhoun Henderson, Becky Henderson McCarty, and Christine Schwartz Beets.
Class of 1971, seated from left, Mary Danhauer, Rebecca Collins Morris, WaNell Stallings Lanham, Catherine Daugherty Thomas, Carolyn Drury McCarty; standing from left, Barbara Drury Hutchins, Charlotte Thomas Powers, Mary Carol Riney, Sheila Ward, and Maria Ransdell.
Class of 1972, seated from left, Rita Thomas Tanner, Shirley Bickett Warren, Mary Ann Shewmaker Willett, and Pat Schwartz Cook; standing from left, Dorothy Ford Riggs, Mary Ann Clements Carr, and Theresa Mattingly Clark.
Class of 1973, seated from left, Brenda Dant McIntire, Marian Lanham, and Carolyn Sue Cecil; standing from left, Rhonda Warren Mischel, Stephane Warren, and Paula Chandler Gray.
1974
Class of 1975, Kay Drury Clark, Marie Collins, Mary-Anne Cossey Powers, Lisa Calhoun Mulligan, and Marva Abrams Crutcher.
Class of 1978, Margaret Powers O’Bryan.
Class of 1982, fom left, Darlene Thompson May, Brenda Basham Lee, and Alicia Cecil Harrington.

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