Guest Speaker
Dr. Mary Crowley McDonald '66
Immaculata University is honored to announce that alumna Dr. Mary Crowley McDonald ’66, will be the guest speaker at the upcoming 2008 Commencement Ceremony to be held on Sunday, May 18, at 1:00 p.m. at the Valley Forge Convention Center.
Dr. Mary Crowley McDonald is the Secretary of Education and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Memphis (West Tennessee). She was appointed to this position in 1998 by Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Memphis. Prior to that, Dr. McDonald served as Principal of St. Benedict at Auburndale (pre-K -12th grade) and Principal of St. Agnes Academy (elementary). She has taught at both the elementary and high school level, was an Adjunct Professor for the University of St. Thomas at Christian Brothers University, and at the University of Memphis. Dr. McDonald received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Immaculata University, a Master's degree from the University of St. Thomas and a Doctorate from the University of Memphis. She has been involved in Catholic education since 1966 when she started her teaching career as a math teacher at St. Maria Goretti High School in Philadelphia, PA.
As Superintendent for the Diocese of Memphis, Mary is responsible for the oversight of all Catholic schools as well as the creation of the Jubilee Catholic Schools, eight long-closed Catholic schools that were reopened in the inner-city of Memphis. These schools address the needs of children and families in poverty and have become centers of learning for the community. As the architect of the Jubilee Schools, Mary’s responsibility includes the development of the infrastructure, as well as ongoing oversight, funding, marketing and development, and accountability for the operation and academic programs of the schools. The Catholic schools have grown in number under her leadership; from 16 to 29 in the past ten years and the highest student enrollment since 1975. During the past five years all schools were accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and in 2007, the Catholic Schools Office was fully accredited as a School District by SACS/CASI, one of only two dioceses in the country to receive District Accreditation.
Dr. McDonald is very involved in the community, locally as well as nationally. She is a graduate of Leadership Memphis, the Regional Representative of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), serves on the University of Notre Dame’s Task Force for Catholic Education, National Catholic Educational Association Strategic Planning Task Force, has been involved with The Governors’ Alliance for Regional Excellence, (TN., MS., AK); Gateway Technology Inc., National Advisory Board Member; Rotary Club of Memphis, Board Member; Facing History and Ourselves, Advisory Board Member; Diversity Memphis, Board President; National Conference for Community and Justice, (NCCJ); Serra Club of Memphis, Past President; Shelby County Regional Health Council, Schools Advisory Board; EdPac Advisory Board and The National Civil Rights Museum (education collaborative).
Dr. McDonald was the 2002 recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award given by the National Council for Community and Justice. She has been recognized by the University of Notre Dame by receiving The Notre Dame Exemplar Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education (1997), Christian Brothers University Carroll T. Dozier Award for Peace and Justice, (2006); Facing History and Ourselves for Making a Positive Difference in the Community, (1996), 50 Woman Who Make a Difference In the Mid-South for Outstanding Leadership (1999), by the Mid-South Magazine, Who’s Who in American Education, Kappa Delta Pi Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education, (1999), Educational Courage Award (1999), Immaculata College Amethyst Award (2001) for outstanding contributions in community service and education and The St. Agnes Academy Award, Women Who Make A Difference (2001). Dr. McDonald leads by example and works to make education a vehicle for understanding diversity, promoting unity and making the future brighter for all children.
Dr. McDonald is an accomplished author. Her first book, A Light Reflected, was published in 2003. She writes a regular column for the West Tennessee Catholic Newspaper. She is also a guest writer for several local and national publications. Dr. McDonald gives workshops, and speeches in numerous areas of faculty and staff development, leadership, parenting, and various other topics at the local and national level. Dr. McDonald and her husband, Joe, have two adult children and six grandchildren. It is said of Dr. McDonald that she is a woman from whom one expects greatness and will not be disappointed.
Catholic Education: Miracle in Memphis