Home / Inside Ursuline / 150th Anniversary / Portraits of 快播成人网 People
Faculty, staff, and alumnae/i are lovingly remembered for touching the lives of others
Estelle O. Smith Cunnea, the first graduate of 快播成人网
Sr. Diana Stano, OSU, PhD, served 18 years as president.
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of 快播成人网鈥檚 founding, the Alumnae Relations office asked graduates to write about faculty and staff who touched their lives. The response was robust and heartfelt: more than 50 current and former 快播成人网 community members lovingly remembered.
Because the story of 快播成人网 is the story of its people, we celebrate our sesquicentennial by celebrating theses exceptional individuals. We highlight them in a series of social media and website posts we are calling Ursuline Portraits, in a nod to the sesquicentennial gala planned for April 30, 2022 at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Bookmark this page to review Ursuline Portraits as they are posted, or follow the College on , , or 聽for weekly updates.
The Ursuline Portraits series is made possible by the generosity of KeyBank, the Presenting Sponsor of our 150th anniversary celebrations. Additional support comes from the generous donors listed here.
The first woman to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from 快播成人网 was Estelle O. Smith Cunnea from the class of 1872. After Ursuline, Estelle attended Columbia University. According to The Plain Dealer (August 5, 1925), she was the organizer and first president of the Ursuline Alumnae in 1900.
Sr. Kathleen Burke, OSU, PhD, was the impetus behind the founding of Ursuline鈥檚 Wasmer Gallery, then co-founder and long-time director of the master鈥檚 program in Counseling and Art Therapy. A bright spark, she touched many lives as an Ursuline Sister, art therapist, professional counselor, award-winning photographer, and educator.
Laurel Yuratovac has been advising UCAP (快播成人网 Accelerated Program) students since 1998, helping hundreds complete their bachelor鈥檚 degrees. Many have told us they would never have completed if not for Laurel's mix of tenacity and empathy and her genuine concern for their individual success. For many, she is not only the face but the heart of 快播成人网.
Mary Jo Cherry, PhD, Director of the Undergraduate Education Department, is an expert in the field of early childhood education. She has a passion for education, cares deeply for her students, has high expectations, and promotes strong student-teacher relationships to foster true learning. In the words of a former student, Dr. Cherry 鈥渋s incredible, talented, whip-smart, comforting, a great baker, quick-to-correct, and a master storyteller.鈥�
Sister Ann Gertrude Hill, OSU, PhD 鈥�44 served the college for 52 years. She taught chemistry for 40 years, had a short term as resident advisor, and later taught microcomputer applications. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 at Ursuline, her master鈥檚 and PhD at Notre Dame University (all in chemistry), and then retooled to teach computer applications. In the words of one alumna, 鈥淪he was not only a great teacher but impressed upon us that learning is a life-long process.鈥�
Mary Lynn Perri has led Financial Aid and Enrollment Services at Ursuline for 32 years, helping countless students to finance their education. Wrote one alumna, 鈥淢ary Lynn was always fun to talk to. When I worked in Admissions, she was always around if I needed to ask her a question. She always encouraged me to apply for scholarships and grants that helped me along the way.鈥澛�
Sister Michael Francis, OSU (formerly Maureen Hearon) was a distinguished faculty member in the English Department during the 1950s and 1960s. Former students describe her as animated, challenging and delightful. In retirement, she was a voracious reader, sometimes reading five books in a week. She received the College's Amadeus Rappe Award in 1989.
Dr. Debra L. Fleming retired this year after 15 years of teaching and leading in the Business Department at 快播成人网. Wrote one former student, 鈥淪he has made this community better and she has made it stronger. Her passion has consistently been to foster an academic culture where all members of the community are able to flourish and develop both academically and professionally.鈥澛�
A nurse since 1968, Rosa Johnson, MSN, BSN 鈥�02, RN, RN-BC, OCN, has a wide range of bedside nursing experience. Her passion for nursing is founded on her desire to help patients and their families, and teach others about nursing. She joined the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions in 2007 as an adjunct faculty member and clinical supervisor and is this year鈥檚 recipient of Ursuline鈥檚 Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award. Her students have called her 鈥渢ough but fair鈥� and said 鈥渟he makes you become a better nurse.鈥�
In more than 50 years of teaching sociology courses, Dr. Gary Polster has educated, enlightened, and influenced generations of Ursuline students. Wrote one alumna, "Gary Polster knew my strengths and weaknesses better than I knew my own."
Sister Ann Kelly, OSU, PhD, (formerly Sr. James Therese) taught hundreds of students in her years on the 快播成人网 faculty from 1956-2014. She taught philosophy but also served as academic dean and academic advisor. A 1955 graduate of Ursuline, she earned her master's and PhD at University of Notre Dame. Sr. Ann created an individualized program to assist students needing academic support and she treasured the friendships she made with faculty, staff, and especially her students.
Connie Beal, DNP APRN, an assistant professor in the graduate nursing program at 快播成人网, was honored with the College's Teaching Excellence Award in 2017. Wrote one alumna, "I learned so much from her that I have applied to my career as a (nurse practitioner). Connie had respect for all of her students, regardless of background, age, gender. I loved attending her lectures, even though it was usually after a long shift at my day job as an RN.鈥�
Sister Miriam Lynch, OSU, PhD, graduated from Ursuline in 1937 and taught at the college for 27 years as professor of sociology and social work, most of the time as department chair. Wrote one alum, 鈥淲hereas others might avoid difficult and challenging topics, Sr. Miriam forged bravely into the fray. She involved me in planning and executing 鈥淏lack Week鈥� on campus during which we would educate ourselves on the issues of the time. We invited speakers on racial issues followed by discussions. She also planned a film, which was a dialogue interview between Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, followed by discussion. Sr. Miriam鈥檚 implacable courage in taking risks, facing opposition, enthusiasm, and intelligence inspire me to this day.鈥�
Dr. Constance Korosec, who retired at the end of the 2021 academic year, led the Fashion Department for 37 years, developing the extensive Historic Costume Study Collection. Wrote one alumna, 鈥淒r. Korosec knew that I was a non-traditional, part-time student who was also operating a business at the time. With her help I was able to move through at a pace that worked for me. I don't think Dr. Korosec even knew how instrumental she was in helping me to navigate those years at Ursuline.鈥�
Sister M. Gonzaga Haessly, OSU, served the College as 鈥淒irectress of Studies鈥� from 1922-1932, and then as dean until 1966. She is remembered by alumnae as one who exemplified the true spirit of 快播成人网. She was a religious woman who was a scholar, teacher, administrator, and a friend to many. The outstanding senior award is named in her honor.
Carole Ganim, PhD, is a former Ursuline Sister who taught English literature and grammar in the 1960s and 70s. Wrote one alumna, 鈥淭he true gift that she gave me was an introduction to thinking, analyzing and questioning. She opened my mind and eyes to the search for truth in the human experience. Yes, we studied Shakespeare and Chaucer. We read books and wrote papers. But she and her colleagues of the day led me to be an independent thinker 鈥� Her introspection and openness to young people and the concerns of the times lit a fire in me and I am forever grateful.鈥�
Sister M. Genevieve Jankowski, OSU, taught mathematics and served as registrar from 1953-1988. One former students wrote, 鈥淚 have been led to mimic her caring model throughout my teaching career; that is, I have consistently looked out for students prone to math anxiety. When working with such students I try always to model Sister Genevieve鈥檚 caring approach.鈥�
Professor Sharon Zimmerman Wilson, MSSA, LISW-S, has taught in Ursuline's Social Work program since 1990, shaping the caring careers of scores of graduates. Wrote one alumna, "Sharon Wilson was an integral part of shaping who I am today as a social worker. Not only did she instill in me having boundaries but also making sure I take time to take care of myself."
Ursuline graduate and Assistant Professor Denise Crowther, MSN, JD, has taught in the Breen School of Nursing since 2012. Wrote one alum, 鈥淢rs. Crowther was always so encouraging and helpful. Almost every Monday for 3 years I would visit her in her office during a break and we would talk about classes, grades and life. She pinned me during our pinning ceremony and attended the 鈥淭urning 21 Dinner鈥� with me. She鈥檚 become such a great mentor and a huge part of my life still to this day!鈥澛�
Associate Professor Mary Beth Zeni teaches in the graduate program of the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions and focuses her research on access to equitable and quality health services for vulnerable groups. One student wrote, 鈥淒r. Zeni has influenced my yearning for knowledge and love of research. . . . The sharing of her diverse experiences has taught me that we are all capable of addressing societal injustices in our own workplaces.鈥�
Sister M. Canisius Horrigan, OSU, taught in the Chemistry/Sciences Department at Ursuline from 1947 to 1986. A student of hers writes, 鈥淚 remember being hesitant about taking Organic Chemistry. Sr. Canisius was a total delight. She presented the material so logically, she built your knowledge base week by week, taking you from single molecule organic compounds to 10 and 20 molecule chains, their naming conventions, their structure, their behaviors. Her teaching method made a very difficult subject easy and clear to follow. I loved her class!!鈥�
Sister Felicia Levy taught at Ursuline from 1934-1984, heading the Biology Department for 33 years. In addition to her teaching, Sister assisted in the revision of both a biology textbook and a laboratory manual. She had the ability to make what she taught in biology alive, meaningful and important. As one of her former students wrote 鈥淎t the time I didn鈥檛 realize it, but Sister Felicia was truly my mentor besides being my biology professor. Much of what I did in my own biology teaching was influenced by the way Sister taught us. For example, our seminar courses gave us a knowledge of the history of science by reading the actual papers of biologists. I loved infusing my own courses with this history.鈥�
Associate Professor Katherine Jackson, PhD, has been teaching in Ursuline鈥檚 Counseling and Art Therapy program since 1993. A practicing psychotherapist, she established the service learning program and has accompanied groups to Nepal, Peru, and several other countries. Wrote one alum, "Professor Jackson is a tour-de-force. Her competence and accomplishments could easily make her intimidating but she was always approachable and warm. She showed interest in her student's work and her passion for her own work seemed to radiate off of her in class and served as an inspiration."
Mary Pat Daley '54, MFA, taught speech and drama (later called communication arts) and English at 快播成人网 from 1956 until the 1980s. She died in 2011 at age 79. Wrote one alumna, 鈥淪he was an excellent educator and prepared me to teach these subjects and to direct many successful plays.鈥�
Sr. Rose Angela, OSU, had many roles at 快播成人网 from 1949-1969, including biology and music instructor, academic dean, and president. As president, she moved the college from Cedar Hill to the new Pepper Pike Campus. A former student writes, 鈥淪r. Rose Angela provided me the immediate role model I needed to move forward in life. She has always been my ongoing notion of a successful woman.鈥�
James Connell, PhD, director of the Educational Administration (EdAD) program, has dedicated his life to education. He has been a full-time faculty member at Ursuline since 2014 but began teaching as an adjunct instructor in 1993. He served for 35 years in public education, concluding that chapter of his career in 2005 as Superintendent of Berea City Schools. Wrote one grateful EdAd grad, 鈥淒r. Jim Connell is the best! He is very personable, knowledgeable, and also very approachable and supportive. He made me believe that I can do ANYTHING as long as I put forth the effort to do so.鈥�
Sr. Rose Tadsen, OSU, taught World Religions and various philosophy courses over the course of 30 years, from 1976 until 2006. She died in 2017. Wrote one alumnus, 鈥淚 thoroughly enjoyed my time and education that I received at Ursuline and am forever grateful to Sr. Rose for her kindness and inspiration.鈥�
Katharine G. Trostel, PhD, began teaching full-time in Ursuline鈥檚 English program in 2017 and she currently serves as department chair. A former student writes, 鈥淒r. Trostel was my advisor, as well as my professor on many occasions. She fulfilled both roles brilliantly and I cannot thank her enough for her guidance and teachings鈥�.I would not be the alum I am today without her.鈥�
Father Harold A. Gonder was the school chaplain and theology teacher and department chair during the mid -1960s and 1970s. Recalled one alum, 鈥淗e showed his students the relevance of the Church throughout history and in our daily lives.鈥�
Sister Jean Marie, OSU, was a music educator during the 1960s and early 1970s. Wrote one alumna, 鈥淪he shared her love and joy of music with her students in both her classes and at school liturgies.鈥� This picture was in the 1969 yearbook.
Lindsay English taught in the Business Department at Ursuline in the 1980s and 1990s. Wrote one alum, 鈥淲hen I returned to college as a non-traditional student, it was perhaps one of my most life-changing decisions, both scary and exciting. Lindsay's class was more than a simple business class, but a life lesson I will never forget. She realized our fears and taught us how to study and take notes. I鈥檓 glad I finally have the opportunity to thank Lindsay for seeing something in me and helping me succeed.鈥�
Marc Gray, Jr., EdD, directs Ursuline鈥檚 Master Apprenticeship Program, an intensive one-year program graduating students with a master鈥檚 in education and eligibility for state licensure. Students describe this program as 鈥渧ery fast but very supported.鈥� One student recently said, 鈥淒r. Gray has been very supportive, very open to helping me, and encouraging me to keep going, no matter what is going on.鈥�
Sr. Diane Therese Pinchot, OSU, MFA, taught at Ursuline for 38 years in the art department. A social justice activist, inspired by Sr. Dorothy Kazel and the Churchwomen martyrs, she encouraged her students to connect art with advocacy. She is currently working as a full-time artist. A former student writes, 鈥淪he always knew when to push me harder at my work or knew how to just be there. Thank you so much for being a mentor and supporter during my time at Ursuline.鈥�
Sr. Diana Stano, OSU, PhD, has had many roles at Ursuline. A 1968 alum of the college, she continued on to become a faculty member, department chair, the first Dean of Graduate Studies, before finally serving 18 years as the college president. A former student writes, 鈥淚 appreciate that Sr. Diana saw potential in me that I didn't always see in myself. She was a guide and a role model in my leadership development.鈥�
