Timeless Treasures S. Jean Patrice Harrington’s honorary doctoral degree

Timeless Treasures

By S. Judith Metz

Among the many honorary degrees, plaques, certificates and other awards recognizing the late S. Jean Patrice Harrington, the 1989 honorary doctoral degree from the College of Mount St. Joseph, was her most cherished recognition. Received just two years after her retirement as president of the institution, nothing could be more fitting to acknowledge and celebrate her contribution as a “determined leader, woman of deep faith and premier innovative educator.”

Born in Denver, Colorado, and educated by the Sisters of Charity at Cathedral High School, Patricia Jean Harrington then received a scholarship to the College of Mount St. Joseph but instead entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1940. She spent her early years teaching at schools in Trinidad, Pueblo, and Denver before earning a Ph.D. in university administration from the University of Colorado in 1967. Although recruited by several universities and colleges for administrative positions, S. Jean Patrice spent the next 10 years serving in Sister of Charity community administrative roles.

When named president of the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1977, this experienced educator and administrator faced significant financial and educational challenges. According to the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, she “led one of the biggest comebacks in the community in recent memory, bringing the College of Mount St. Joseph back from educational and financial obscurity.”

When she took over its leadership, the college was $1.2 million in debt and enrollment was falling. When she retired 10 years later the budget was balanced, fundraising targets were being surpassed, and enrollment had nearly doubled. S. Jean Patrice built the institution’s visibility by partnering with the business community. She integrated the college’s liberal arts mission with its career-based education. She extended the Mount’s enrollment to include women and men of all ages, including minorities and low-income students. Under her leadership, the Mount started the first weekend college for adults in Cincinnati, Project EXCEL for students with learning disabilities, and Project SCOPE, a high school mentoring program and summer residency program for Cincinnati-area AfricanAmerican students.

In 1989, the late S. Jean Patrice Harrington received the honorary doctoral degree from the College of Mount St. Joseph.

When reflecting on these accomplishments, S. Jean Patrice commented: “I got a lot of credit for what people said I did, but I have to honestly say it was because I was surrounded by a faculty who was willing and ready for change, by loyal lay people who went to the city and made the college known, solicited funds, and at the end of one year we were able to balance the budget…. I could never say enough about the good people who surrounded me and made me look good.”

After her retirement, S. Jean Patrice was appointed director of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, served on numerous boards, and contributed her time and talents to many local organizations. In all this, she never forgot the Mount, serving on its board and initiating the foundation of a college archives to preserve forever the history of her alma mater.

Charity Family

Sisters Enjoy Earth Day Walk

The gorgeous spring weather was perfect on Earth Day, April 22, for many Sisters to participate in a 5k (more or less) walk around the Motherhouse grounds. An idea of S. Peggy Rein, the walk included approximately 60 SCs participating or cheering their Sisters on. In addition, Sisters from Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility watched and waved from their patios and the MMH porch. (From left) Sisters Katharine Pinto and Juliette Sabo enjoy the weather for the Earth Day Walk on the Motherhouse grounds.

M emorial Garden Dedic ated in S. B landina’s H onor

St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, dedicated a memorial garden on its campus in honor of Servant of God S. Blandina Segale. The high school shares the campus with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s administrative center; S. Blandina ministered to the people of the Archdiocese for many years, where she came to be known in every level of society from members of the state legislature to the indigent. Sisters and Associates in the area, SC president S. Patricia Hayden, as well as past and present board members of St. Joseph’s Children, were in attendance.

Team IJPC

S. Joyce Richter completed her virtual Flying Pig half-marathon in May, her ninth year doing so. Despite the pandemic, Sisters Joyce Richter and Sally Duffy and Associate Karen Martin committed to taking part in the 2020 Flying Pig marathon, each raising funds on behalf of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC) in Cincinnati. S. Joyce walked the virtual half-marathon, while S. Sally ran the 13.1 miles, both doing so on their own time in May. Karen will walk both the 10k and the half-marathon on separate days yet to be determined.

(From left) Grounds Worker Eric Niehaus and S. Ann Elizabeth Von Hagel enjoy their time together at the CSW root beer social in March.

Employees Celebrate Sisters, CSW

Sisters of Charity and employees came together on March 10, 2020, to celebrate Catholic Sisters Week (March 8-14). Human Resources and the SC Communications Office collaborated to plan the afternoon celebration, which included root beer floats and a friendly quiz about the history of the Sisters of Charity. In addition, hearts were distributed throughout the Motherhouse for employees to write special notes to the Sisters.

Community members gathered via Zoom to welcome Jean Simpson as an Associate in Mission.

Welc ome N ew Ass

oc iate

On Sunday, April 19, 2020, Jean Simpson, a resident of Montana, became an Associate in Mission with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. Due to the pandemic, the commitment ceremony was held through Zoom technology. Sixteen Sisters and Associates were present from Montana, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Welcome Jean!