Around the Mount

April 2026

agnone school of education renaming ceremony

Mount Community Celebrates New Anthony F. and Alice G. Agnone School of Education

Mount St. Mary’s University officially celebrated the renaming of its School of Education as the Anthony F. and Alice G. Agnone School of Education during a special ceremony on Friday, April 10. The new name honors two lifelong educators whose quiet dedication shaped their family and community and inspired their son, Tony Agnone, C’75, and his wife, Jaynee, to make a major investment in the future of Mount teachers. Their generosity will help strengthen educator preparation at the Mount while honoring the legacy of Tony’s parents, Anthony and Alice Agnone.

one mount one day annual day of giving graphic

Hope in Action: One Mount One Day Brings Our Community Together

Thank you to our remarkable Mount community for making One Mount One Day a tremendous success. Together, we raised more than $1 million in support of the Mount’s mission, benefiting the university, athletics, the seminary and the National Shrine Grotto. Beyond the generosity, the day was a meaningful opportunity to connect across all areas of the Mount and celebrate what unites us. This spirit of unity reflects what is possible when our community comes together to Rise in Hope, strengthening connections and building momentum for the future.

michael wysong honored guest speaker graphic

Michael R. Wysong Named 2026 Commencement Speaker

Mount St. Mary’s University is excited to announce that Michael R. Wysong, chief executive officer of CARE Pharmacies, will be the honored guest speaker at the 218th commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16. In recognition of Wysong’s contribution to his field and his community, and his exemplification of the mission of the Mount, he will be awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Mount St. Mary’s University Named a College of Distinction

Mount St. Mary’s University was named a College of Distinction by the organization Colleges of Distinction, dedicated to recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that provide an exceptional undergraduate education. Seeking to look beyond statistics and data points, Colleges of Distinction grants this designation to institutions that meet their criteria, the Four Distinctions, of Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. The Mount becomes the 11th Maryland school to be awarded this prestigious designation, granted to schools with maximum student impact.

Moriah Tyler in front of a mural she painted

Alumna Moriah Tyler, C’19, Revitalizing a Small PA Town, One Mural at a Time

Since graduating from Mount St. Mary’s University, Moriah Tyler, C’19, has been transforming blank walls into vibrant murals across Pennsylvania and Maryland. Now, as the executive director of Main Street Hanover, she is using the skills and drive for service she learned at the Mount to help revitalize a historic town. Read more about how's Tyler Mount experience helped shape how she makes a difference today.

Reunion Weekend Registration is Open!

We hope that you will join us this June 5-7 to celebrate the 2026 Reunion Weekend! While all alumni are welcome to come back to their mountain home, this year we will be celebrating classes that end in 1 and 6. Learn more and register for Reunion Weekend.

aerial view of sagrada familia in barcelona

Iberian Culture: Portugal and Spain - May 21-June 6, 2027

Travel abroad with the Mount! Trip includes private transportation to Lisbon, Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Avila, Toledo (then a train from Madrid to Barcelona); private city tours in English, including churches and cathedrals; 15 nights, and hotels with breakfast included. Contact David McCarthy at dmccarth@msmary.edu or Diana Rodriguez-Lozano lozano@msmary.edu for more information.

VPA summer camp for high school students graphic

Center for Lifelong Learning: College Audition Prep Camp – Summer 2026

Do you know a high school student interested in pursuing music or theatre in college? This immersive camp is designed for sophomores, juniors and seniors preparing for undergraduate auditions. Participants will workshop audition materials, build a professional resume and explore optional sessions on the use of AI in music. Led by experienced instructors and active performers, Mark Carlson, D.M.A., and Francesca Benner, students will leave with polished audition pieces and application-ready materials. The camp will take place August 3-7 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Mount St. Mary’s University's Frederick Campus. Enroll in the Performance Major Prep Camp.

msmu track and field athlete alena murry at ic4a/ecac championships

Mount St. Mary’s Finishes Up Strong Showing at IC4A/ECAC Championships

Earning a respectable finish in a group of dozens of teams, Mount St. Mary's track & field placed ninth on the men's side and 10th on the women's side at the IC4A/ECAC Championships in Piscataway, New Jersey. One week after breaking the outdoor triple jump record, Mount St. Mary's sophomore Camryn Jones-Howard overtook the school's long jump record during the first day of the competition. Day one also featured top five finishes from Garrett Wilkerson, Brad Lee Jones, Ethan Demeter, Sunahi Heugen, Rebecca Weir and Ella Dougher. The MAAC Outdoor Championships will be held on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University on May 9-10.

msmu women's tennis players on court celebrating

Mount Women's Tennis Secures Second Place with 5–2 Win Over Rider

Mount St. Mary's women's tennis closed out the regular season with a 5–2 victory over Rider at the Hershey Racquet Club, locking up a second-place finish in the MAAC standings. The Mount improves to 13–8 overall and 6–2 in conference play, while Rider falls to 3–18 (1–7 MAAC). Mount St. Mary's will face third-seeded Sacred Heart in the semifinals of the MAAC Championships on Friday, April 24, at 4 p.m. The championships will be held at the Princeton University Racquet and Fieldhouse.

msmu men's tennis player playing against rider

Mount Men's Tennis Falls to Rider, Earns MAAC Tournament Berth

Mount St. Mary's men's tennis dropped a 5–0 decision to Rider in its regular season finale but secured a spot in the MAAC Championships for the second consecutive season. The Mount finishes the regular season at 8–12 overall and 5–3 in conference play, placing fourth in the MAAC standings. Rider improves to 10–7 (6–2 MAAC). The match was played at the Hershey Racquet Club in Hershey, Pa. Mount St. Mary's will face top-seeded Marist in the semifinals of the MAAC Championships on Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m. The championships will be held at the Princeton University Racquet and Fieldhouse.

seminarians celebrating after winning the vianney cup in soccer

Vianney Cup Champions

Congratulations to our seminary soccer team, who worked and trained hard to take the trophy home again! Following last year's loss, which ended a nine-year championship streak, the Vianney Cup Championship title found its way back to the Mount. May our seminarians continue to find true victory in the bonds of deep brotherhood in Christ, forged on and off the soccer field. View photos from the Vianney Cup Championship.

Seminarian International Dinner

Our international seminarians gathered to share dishes from their home countries. It was a wonderful evening sharing their unique cultures around the table with delicious food! View photos from the international dinner.

May Crowning at the National Shrine Grotto

Plan to attend this year’s traditional May Crowning at the National Shrine Grotto on Sunday, May 3! Noon Mass will be celebrated at the Grotto Cave followed by a rosary procession to the Miller Family Visitor Center where President Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D., will do the honors and crown Our Blessed Mother overlooking the university and the beautiful St. Joseph’s Valley! Learn more about May Crowning at nsgrotto.org.

NS Grotto with Blessed Mary during sunset

In Memoriam

We remember the legacy of our fellow alumni who have passed on, and we keep them in our prayers as we strive to live our own lives in the spirit they have left behind. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, Amen.

If you learn of an alum's passing, please email the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@msmary.edu with information. We remember alumni who have passed or who we've learned of their passing since the last edition of Around the Mount. Alumni are listed by class year in ascending order to most recent and alphabetically by last name.