Beyond Pearls Capital Campaign - Mount Saint Joseph Academy
In 2018, Mount Saint Joseph Academy launched its strategic vision, Laced in Legacy—a call to action rooted in gratitude for all who came before and responsibility for those yet to come. Its goal was clear: to maintain a safe, welcoming, and sustainable environment that nurtures every facet of a Mountie’s growth and learning. From that vision came a bold charge: to ensure that every classroom, studio, athletic space, and corner of our beloved campus reflects the spirit of our founders and the excellence our students deserve. In 2023, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the next step in this journey—a comprehensive plan to modernize and transform the Mount campus for generations to come. Guided by this strategic Campus Plan, we asked ourselves a simple but powerful question:
Why now?
Because the world our students will inherit is changing faster than ever.
Because the Mount has always prepared women not only to lead, but to lift others as they do.
Because to honor our legacy, we must continue to evolve.
This is the foundation of Beyond Pearls: The Campaign for Mount Saint Joseph Academy—a once-in-ageneration opportunity to invest in the worth of women. Just as every pearl is shaped through time, care, and perseverance, so too is every Mount woman. Beyond Pearls is a celebration of that journey—of her growth, her confidence, her leadership, and her light.
Vision Unveiled: A Night to Remember
On October 10, 2025, the Mount community came together in a spirit of joy and anticipation at Vision Unveiled, a milestone event that marked the launch of this transformational campaign. It was an evening that shimmered with Mount spirit from the very first step.
Guests arrived along a purple carpet runway, welcomed by smiling student greeters, swirling bubble ‘pearls’, and a glimmering strand overhead. Each pearl—hand-crafted and blessed earlier that day—represented every young woman currently at the Mount. Together, they formed a breathtaking strand featuring each girl’s photo and a personal reflection, a moving reminder that each Mountie matters—and together, they create something beautiful, lasting, and strong.
Beyond the draped entryway, guests gathered in the auditorium, where the air buzzed with anticipation. When the lights dimmed and the opening presentation began, 167 years of Mount history came to life—tracing a legacy of faith, courage, and vision that continues to guide the school today.
President Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ, took the stage—
“Tonight, we unveil not just a vision for buildings, but a vision for HER—the young women of Mount Saint Joseph Academy,” Sister Charlene shared.
Through her remarks and the powerful visuals that followed, guests saw how each space—past, present, and future—tells the story of Mount women who have built, led, and inspired across generations. This moment, she reminded everyone, was not about bricks and mortar—it was about continuation. A living mission made tangible.
As the final slide faded, ushers opened the doors to a transformed gymnasium—a scene alive with light, music, and imagination. The Mount jazz band welcomed guests as they explored an elegant reception surrounded by renderings, student ambassadors, and dynamic displays that brought the campaign’s vision to life—spaces for collaboration, athletics, creativity, and community.
“Together,
we are building spaces that reflect the brilliance and worth of every young woman who walks through these halls,” Sister Charlene affirmed.
Each spotlight drew attention with a circle of light sweeping across the gym, inviting guests to the next reveal. Throughout the evening, laughter and conversation flowed freely alongside delicious food and drink—a perfect reflection of the Mount community: dynamic, purposeful, and filled with joy. At the end of the night, the Sweet Madelines sang the Alma Mater as guests joined in, sharing the excitement, pride, and collective belief in the Mount’s mission. The future had been unveiled, and it is radiant.
A Campus Reimagined
Collaboration & Student Life
Spaces that connect, inspire, and empower.
At the Mount, community is at the heart of learning. Our new student life and collaboration spaces will ensure that Mounties experience both independence and support— mirroring the college experience ahead and deepening the bonds of sisterhood that define our school.
• Clement’s Crossing, opened in 2024, brings to life the vision of collaborative learning beyond traditional classroom walls.
• Flexible learning areas encourage creativity, communication, and critical thinking.
• Breakout spaces extend the classroom, offering safe and inviting settings for conversation, confidence, and discovery.
• Student-centered design ensures every Mountie has space to learn, lead, and belong.
Athletics & Community
Where Mounties build strength, resilience, and pride.
Our new Center will be a home for champions — in sports and in life. Here, student athletes and the entire Mount community will gather to compete and celebrate a wide variety of milestones, together.
• Bleacher seating for 600+ spectators for games, reunions, and school-wide events.
• Expansive Fitness Center, twice the current size, fostering strength and confidence for all students.
• State-of-the-art training room with hydrotherapy and cold tubs for injury prevention and recovery.
• Natural light and inspiring design that transforms community gatherings—from THON and robotics to alumnae events.
Welcome & Safety
A new front door to the Mount—secure, accessible, and full of promise.
The Mount’s new entrance and Welcome Center will embody the hospitality and care at the heart of our mission, while providing the safety and functionality our growing community deserves.
• Single, secure point of entry for all students, staff, and guests.
• Centralized front office and security hub for safety and ease of navigation.
• Expanded entrance foyer creating a warm and professional first impression.
• Dedicated Welcome Center supporting admissions and ensuring every visitor feels the Mount difference from the moment they arrive.
Creativity & Performance
Where imagination meets courage.
The arts are the soul of the Mount—where young women discover their voices and learn to share them boldly. Our Arts & Music expansion will create professional-quality spaces that empower creative expression and confidence.
• Dedicated choral and instrumental rooms designed for optimal sound and collaboration.
• Music theory classroom supporting foundational study and artistic growth.
• 2-D and 3-D art studios and a new kiln room where pottery and sculpture come to life.
• Modernized facilities and technology that prepare students for college arts programs and creative careers.
Together, We Go Beyond
Campaign Goal: $20 Million
Each gift to Beyond Pearls: The Campaign for Mount Saint Joseph Academy helps create the spaces where Mount women will learn, lead, and flourish for generations to come.
We are deeply grateful to our Partners in Vision—the early leaders whose generosity and faith have brought us to this exciting moment. Their commitment reflects profound belief in the Mount’s mission.
Together, we are building beyond today—for her, for every Mountie, for generations to come.
Learn More and Join Us
Shannon Thompson Connolly ’86, our Chief Advancement Officer, specializes in connecting donors with funding opportunities that align with both your financial capacity and programmatic passions. Whether you're interested in naming opportunities, establishing endowments, or supporting specific initiatives, Shannon will work with you to make your philanthropic vision a reality.
