For Immediate Release

November 10, 2005

Contact:   Melanie McDonald, director of public relations, 574-284-4579

Higher Ed Board Appoints Saint Mary's College President

NOTRE DAME, Ind.--The Women's College Coalition (WCC) named Saint Mary's College President Carol Ann Mooney to its board of directors. Mooney began her three-year term during last month's annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The WCC represents 58 women's colleges in the United States and Canada.

Mooney, who became Saint Mary's first lay alumna president in June 2004, graduated from Saint Mary's College in 1972. She went on to receive her J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1977, where she received the Colonel William J. Hoynes Award presented to the student with the highest cumulative grade point average. She became a member of the University of Notre Dame Law School faculty in 1980, and served as Notre Dame's vice president and associate provost from 1996-2004.

"Many of the nation's top women leaders in business, politics and medicine are graduates of women's colleges," notes Mooney. "As a member of the WCC's board of directors, I have the opportunity to help showcase--on both the domestic and international levels--the ways in which single-gender education transforms young women into positive forces for leadership and change."

The Women's College Coalition makes the case for women's education to policy makers, the media and the general public. The Coalition also sponsors research in areas relating to the education of women and gender equity in education. Other priorities include the retention and recruitment of women into math, science and engineering programs, and the development of women's leadership in society.

"Dr. Mooney will be a great asset to the WCC board as the Coalition strives to improve its services and expand its influence," says WCC Director Susan Lennon. "She is a woman of action and integrity, and I am eager to work with her to advance the agenda of women's education."

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