Alumnae Profiles

From left to right, African American Student Alliance co-leader Da’Nita Goins ’24 and member Janyiah Pope ’24; President Moira Clark ’77; and LeAnne Moore ’04, PharmD.

Learn at Lunch Returns with LeAnne Moore ’04, PharmD

On February 11, LeAnne Moore ’04, PharmD returned to campus as part of the Black History Learn at Lunch series where alumnae share about their careers and lives with current students. After a two-year pause in the series due to the pandemic, the African American Student Alliance sponsored the event as part of Magnificat’s Black History Month celebration. LeAnne shared about her path to becoming a clinical pharmacy specialist at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, where she helped establish the antimicrobial stewardship program. Upon graduating from Magnificat, LeAnne earned a bachelor of science degree in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Toledo and a doctorate of pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky. She continues to work for Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, and the stewardship program has garnered national recognition as a Center of Excellence by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

Lillien in Magnificat’s mechanical engineering garage, which used to be the garage for the HM Sisters’ convent.

Lillien Heywood ’20

As a student, Lillien Heywood ’20 always liked to sign up for the new classes offered at Magnificat each year. She took coding as a sophomore, AP Computer Science Principles as a junior, and then Introduction to Mechanical Engineering her senior year — a decision that set her on her current career path. “I definitely really like mechanical engineering,” said Lillien, who completed her Genesis Project at NASA and is now a sophomore at Ohio University. “I’m really happy that my first major is something I actually want to stick with.”

The new engineering class at Magnificat was offered in partnership with Motogo Cleveland, a STEM-focused organization co-founded by Molly Vaughan ’99 that teaches problem solving through the disassembly and reassembly of 1970s motorcycle engines. The inaugural class in which Lillien participated also helped set up Magnificat’s garage, unpack tools, and clean up the old bikes. Despite coming in not knowing a wrench from a set of pliers, she along with her classmates succeeded in putting their motorcycles back together and blazed a trail for the Motogo program to expand to schools around the Cleveland area. “It was great being with five other girls because any time anyone did anything, no matter how small, we’d all jump up and cheer,” she said. “It was great to get some hands-on experience.” Last summer, she returned to Motogo as an intern. She made workbenches and motorcycle lifts for the organization’s new space, using a 3D modeling tool she learned how to use at college. She also joined attended various schools’ Kickstart Days, including Magnificat’s in December, to lend a helping hand as students revved their engines for the first time. “It was super cool to be able to give back, because that’s how I started,” she said. “I think the class is awesome.”

Lillien and Motogo cofounder Brian Schaffran inspect motorcycles at the Motogo &Skidmark Garage on Cleveland’s Hamilton Avenue.

Kelsey Farr ’17

Kelsey Farr ’17 has always enjoyed math and science, but it was her experiences at Magnificat that opened her eyes to how the disciplines could contribute to real-world solutions through the field of engineering. In Honors Physics during junior year, Kelsey learned how to build circuits and Lego robots; and for her Genesis Project, she shadowed a computer scientist at American Greetings, which helped her understand what computer science and engineering look like in a professional setting. Genesis was integral to her career discernment, because the experience made her realize that — while she enjoyed coding — she also wanted to pursue a branch of engineering that would be more hands-on.

Upon graduating from Magnificat, Kelsey began her studies at the University of Notre Dame, where — in just three years — she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering with a minor in energy studies as a member of the Grand Challenge Scholars Program. During her time in the program — which takes an interdisciplinary approach to engineering with a focus on sustainable energy — Kelsey became acquainted with Engineering Tomorrow, an organization that introduces high school students to engineering through virtual labs. As a Curriculum Development Intern and College Mentor, Kelsey was instrumental in developing the organization’s electric vehicle lab, which launched in the fall of 2021. In February 2022, 30 Magnificat students joined over 1,000 students across the country to complete that very lab during Engineering Tomorrow’s first-ever Catholic Schools Week celebration.

“I really enjoy that with engineering, you have so many opportunities to innovate and focus on the up-and-coming technologies and use those technologies, products, and services to have a positive impact on the community,” Kelsey says. “I really enjoy that with engineering, you have so many opportunities to innovate and focus on the up-and-coming technologies and use those technologies, products, and services to have a positive impact on the community,”

Magnificat students participate in Engineering Tomorrow’s Catholic Schools Week virtual lab, where they built model electric vehicles.

She credits Magnificat’s holistic approach to education as laying a strong foundation for her time at Notre Dame: “In many ways, Magnificat parallels the teaching mission of Notre Dame – ’the mind shall not be educated at the expense of the heart.’” Experiences like sophomore service and discussions in theology classes helped Kelsey understand how her skills and serving her community can “mesh together” as one chooses a career path. As she prepares to complete her Master of Science degree in engineering, science, and technology entrepreneurship from Notre Dame’s ESTEEM graduate program this May, Kelsey says, “The holistic nature of my education has helped me focus my academics in such a way that I seek out other classes not connected to technical engineering to understand how engineering and science can impact the broader community — positive or negative — and to make sure that I am doing everything in my power to make the most positive impact that I can.” This summer, Kelsey will move to Tucson, Arizona, to work in product marketing engineering at Texas Instruments. Her role will focus on collaborating with the automotive industry to understand what products are needed to drive technology — especially related to semiconductors for electric and autonomous vehicles — and to determine which solutions are needed to further innovation.

Leaving a Legacy: Toni Mesaros Marquard ’71

Toni Mesaros Marquard ’71 describes herself as a pragmatic person. Magnificat would certainly add generous and smart to that description.

When Toni was torn between studying music and math in college, Sr. Jean Marie Kudlacz, HM —

Toni’s geometry teacher and guidance counselor — suggested that math would be more challenging since it was a male-dominated area of study. Toni recalls that it was this very challenge that inspired her decision to pursue mathematics. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in mathematics from Cleveland State University. Regarding her college preparation at Magnificat, Toni said,

“I had great teachers at Magnificat, especially in math and science. When I got to college, I realized just how well Magnificat had prepared me in those two fields.”

Toni has been a passionate STEM educator throughout her adult life. She taught physics and math at St. Joseph Academy for 32 years, eventually serving as the associate principal for academics until 2007 when she moved on to teach at Cleveland State. Toni is especially proud of her work with Cleveland State colleagues to develop "Operation STEM,” a highly successful program to help mathematically underprepared students become proficient in math in order to pursue STEM careers such as engineering and medicine. Even though she retired in 2020 to care for her husband who suffered a debilitating stroke, she tutors two gifted students in California, which she says keeps her on her toes. An ardent math and science fan, even her free time is used to enjoy STEM books and videos. After receiving an email regarding Magnificat’s partnership with FreeWill — a complimentary tool to help community members write a will or report existing estate plans that include Magnificat — Toni decided to share that Magnificat is included in her own will. She reports that FreeWill was fast and easy to use. Although Toni’s plans are non-binding — they can be changed at any time if circumstances change — it is helpful for Magnificat to be aware of her intentions to plan for the future.

“In planning my will, if I have anything left over that I haven't had to use for medical care and living expenses, then I want to give it to others for whom it could make a difference in their life. Since education has made such a big difference in my life, I chose to give a portion of my estate to the school which gave me such a great start in my career.”

Charitable gifts from estate and financial plans are important to Magnificat’s future, and they offer donors tax-smart ways to ensure how and by whom your estate will be used. Whether you are thinking of including Magnificat in your will, reporting a gift from a will or trust as Toni did, or naming Magnificat a beneficiary of your IRA, life insurance or other assets, FreeWill tools on our website will guide you step by step. Please visit magnificaths.org/ways-to-give for more information or scan this QR code.

Celebrating Magnificat Alumnae on the Faculty/Staff

Magnificat is proud to have 40 alumnae serving as members of the faculty/staff for the 2021-2022 school year. We are grateful that the call to live Mary’s Magnificat in the world has brought them back to the halls of Magnificat to serve current and future generations of young women!

First row, left to right: Mary Ellen Madden ’03, Former Director of Communications Karen Wagner Bain ’86, Mathematics Chair Brigid Reilley Schaefer ’97, Parent Club Coordinator Maggie Riley McCarthy ’80, Registrar Moira Hickey Clark ’77, President Marilyn Knox Arundel ’76, Dean of Faculty & Academics Julie Sims Gibbons ’80, Vice President of Enrollment &

Marketing Megan Stroh Rutkowski ’98, School Psychologist &

Director of Student Support Services Nikki Clevenger Mohar ’89, Director of Enrollment

Second row, left to right: Karen Duffy Morley ’78, Theology Faculty Marybeth Metro McCormick ’86, School Nurse Nina Kennedy Varga ’88, Main Office Assistant Dr. Monica Orlando ’01, English Faculty Beth Twohig ’91, English Chair Kathy Ward Caldart ’80, Advancement Administrator &

Stewardship Coordinator Kristen Slattery ’01, Theology Faculty Sarah Meadema Monroe ’06, Enrollment Office Coordinator Mary Clare Fanta Oberst ’75, Advisory, Sophomore Service, & Design Learning Coordinator; Theology Faculty Caitlin MacBride ’10, Director of Alumnae Relations

Kris Koma Comer ’86

Third row, left to right: Karen Ryan Tigue ’85, Horticulture Program

Coordinator Patty Connor Schwarber ’77, Bookstore Manager Chris Rini Slyman ’84, Advancement Assistant Maggie Mroz Lamb ’84, Director of Development Kim Worden Summers ’98, Performing Arts Faculty;

Dance Coach Mary Cachat Papa ’79, Performing Arts Program

Coordinator Liz Wojtkun ’02, Social Studies Chair Colleen Mooney ’08, World Languages Faculty Devon Lynch-Huggins-Szep ’02, Theology Faculty Deborah Durbin ’81, Vice President of Advancement Caitlin Lynch-Huggins ’01, Theology Chair

Not pictured: Dr. Emily Clark ’92, English Faculty Katie Higgins ’99, Vice President of Mission Beth Toomey McBride ’90, Science Faculty Shannon Scott McCale ’96, Science Faculty Jessica Roth McCoy ’04, School Counselor Kate Hyland Minerd ’83, Theology Faculty Cheryl Simecek ’90, Mathematics Faculty Nina Stanfar ’14, Science Faculty Paige St. John ’15, Dance & Physical

Education Faculty