Mount Saint Mary’s University Receives Major Funding Gift

Richard D. L. Fulton

Mount Saint Mary’s University (MSMU) has received a significant donation to be utilized in supporting the institution’s “Climb the Mount” initiative.

University President Timothy Trainor announced that Raphael Della Ratta, MSMU Class of 1992, had presented a “major gift” to fund the “Climb the Mount” initiative in support of the university’s mission.

Donna Klinger, executive director of Communications, Office of University Marketing & Communications, stated that Della Ratta is a member of the Mount’s Board of Trustees “and a long-time supporter of the liberal arts at the university.”

Trainor said, “The ‘Climb the Mount’ initiative recognizes that three intersecting areas of the undergraduate experience at the Mount accelerate students on the path to leading lives of significance in service to God and others,” adding, “The Mount community is deeply appreciative of Raphael Della Ratta’s generous gift that will provide support for students in the ascent along their educational journey at the university.”

Klinger reported that, under the “Climb the Mount” initiative, students are led through a self-discovery process as part of the integrated core-curriculum. “Next, students are introduced to avenues to leave campus in order to interact with the world beyond Emmitsburg. Finally, the university assists students in securing external academic opportunities that will launch them to purpose-driven lives and successful careers.”

Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Bryan Zygmont stated, “Raphael Della Ratta’s transformational gift is meant to achieve three strategic initiatives to strengthen our core curriculum through an investment in the First-Year Symposium, increase support to our marvelous Study Abroad programing, and assist the Office of Competitive Fellowships in providing aid to our ambitious students to secure world-class fellowships, grants, and internships.”

“Together, these three programs impact each student we teach at the Mount,” Zygmont said.

Della Ratta said, “My intent is for the ‘Climb the Mount’ initiative’s impact to be both immediate and enduring,” adding, “It will transform the lives of students, both during their time at the Mount and long after they leave campus.”

Klinger stated that Della Ratta, president of Commercial Management Company, graduated from the Mount in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in philosophy. “He recalls the two-semester freshman seminar course as a great introduction to ‘what was expected of new students in the classroom of a liberal arts college.’”

Thirty years later, Della Ratta said he still remembers the pedagogical experience and vocations and meaningful work units as providing great insights, further stating, “The working unit urged students to consider what makes for a meaningful career after graduation.”

The “Know Yourself” segment of the “Climb the Mount” initiative focuses on ensuring that the instruction of First-Year Symposium classes is provided by full-time professors who are equipped to impact students’ minds, hearts, and lives from within the classroom.

The Mount is recruiting current faculty members with a proven record of excellence in instruction to also teach this foundational course. In addition, the university is hiring two early-career faculty members who will focus on teaching sections of First-Year Symposium and other core curriculum courses that align with their areas of academic interest. The First-Year Symposium program is led by Edward Egan, who also directs the Pre-Law Program.

The other two components of the “Climb the Mount” initiative, titled “Know Your World” and “Change Our World,” are not all-encompassing like the core curriculum improvements, but their impact on those who participate is limitless.

“Know Your World” seeks to enhance the Mount’s Study Abroad Program by further diversifying the locations of the university’s international offerings, making such programs more affordable and increasing administrative support for the program. These efforts would allow for more students to participate, and holistically realize their place in the world. The Mount’s study abroad program is directed by the chair of the Department of Political Science, Amanda Krause.

The “Change Our World” section of the “Climb the Mount” initiative provides resources for the Office of Competitive Fellowships to support students in pursuing prestigious external fellowships, internships, and grants. The program was compiled by the professor of World Languages and Cultures, Christine Blackshaw.

Climb the Mount donor Raphael Della Ratta (front, center) with Fellowship students at an end-of-year celebration.

Photo by Jacob Chielli, Courtesy of MSMU