Los Angeles City Council recognizes Mount Saint Mary's University on 100th anniversary

The Los Angeles City Council honored Mount Saint Mary's University on Friday to mark the institution’s 100th anniversary and to recognize its contribution to higher education and leadership development for women.

Councilmember (speaker 49) introduced the university’s executive leadership, trustees and student representatives and noted the school’s role as the only women’s university in Los Angeles. “For 100 years, Mount Saint Mary's University has cultivated women leaders and anchored opportunity in Los Angeles,” the councilmember said.

Dr. Anne McElany Johnson, speaking on behalf of the university (speaker 50), thanked the council and said the Mount continues to focus on access and first-generation students: “Almost 70% of our traditional undergraduate women’s college are first generation college students,” she said, adding that 95% of students come from the local area. Stephanie Ahoro, student-government president, told the council her leadership experience at the Mount prepared her for advocacy and public service.

Councilmembers and speakers on the dais praised the university’s pipeline into nursing, public service and civic leadership. The council presented a certificate signed by the mayor and all councilmembers and invited university representatives to accept it and take a photograph with the council.