Preparing the Next Generation of Mercy
By : Kirsten Swanson
When Nina Schmidt walks across the stage at Commencement in May 2023 , her two children , Charlotte and Quinton , will witness the first person in their family to graduate college .
The road to graduation hasn ’ t been easy for Nina . Growing up in poverty , Nina struggled to stay committed to school , eventually dropping out of high school in the ninth grade . Eventually , Nina found her way back to the classroom and is now on her way to graduating with a bachelor ’ s degree in early and special education .
“ I wanted to pursue a degree in education mainly to become a positive role model for my two children and to be someone they look up to and admire ,” Nina said . “ Now that I am a parent and my daughter is in school , I want her to understand how important a good education is as well as establish a love for learning .”
Nina began her college journey at Montgomery County Community College and the Community College of Philadelphia . After earning her associate degree , another family first , Nina decided to continue her education at a four-year institution . She chose GMercyU for several reasons : the hands-on experience education students get as part of the Teacher Apprentice Program ( TAP ), its close location to her family , and the generous scholarships she received , such as the Josephine C . Connelly Scholarship .
“ The financial support the Connelly Scholarship provided for me made a huge difference in continuing my education . This scholarship has taken some of the financial burden and stress of having to figure out how I will pay for tuition and also freed me from having to take more student loans out to pay for tuition and books ,” Nina said .
The University ’ s Mercy mission and core values of Integrity , Respect , Service , and Social Justice hit home for Nina and have been a highlight of
her experience at GMercyU .
“ This school devotes so much time to donating and advocating for the less fortunate . This really resonates with me because I grew up in poverty ,” Nina said . “ This University has taught me the true meaning of altruism and I will strive to instill these characteristics into my future students .”
After graduation , Nina plans on becoming a special education teacher in the Philadelphia or Norristown School Districts with the hope of helping the next generation of students overcome the same barriers she faced .
“ Like Mrs . Connelly , I view education as being a ladder to lift people out of poverty and into success ,” Nina said .
Founded in 1955 , the Connelly Foundation ’ s mission is to improve the quality of life in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in the areas of education , human services , culture , and civic life that strengthen resilience and help people to flourish .
The Connelly family connection to the Sisters of Mercy originated with Margaret ( Cahill ) Connelly ( mother of John F . Connelly cofounder of the Connelly Foundation ) who was educated by the Sisters before immigrating to the United States . The bond with the Sisters of Mercy became much deeper in the years to come when Ann and Frances Connelly ( Margaret ’ s daughters ) professed their vows and then served as administrators for then Gwynedd-Mercy College in the 1960s . The Connelly family ’ s commitment to GMercyU grew to include a total of 30 years of service on the Board of Trustees by other family members .
The Connelly ’ s contributions and longtime involvement with the University has helped shape the institution on all fronts . By contributing to every aspect of campus life – the students , faculty and facilities , the Connelly family has helped to make Gwynedd Mercy University what it is today – a thriving University rooted firmly in Mercy .
PRESIDENT ’ S REPORT 13