From left to right: Richard Malacarne, president, Alumni Association Board; James Mooney,
Kevin Mooney, University President Joseph Grunenwald, Tim Mooney, Shirley Mooney,
Maureen McHugh, and Charles Leach Jr., president, Foundation Board.
The life and legacy of Mary L. Seifert were jointly celebrated during a memorial service and building dedication program at Clarion University.
Seifert died on July 19, nine days prior to the scheduled dedication of the Center for the Advancement of Clarion University as the Seifert-Mooney Center for the Advancement of Clarion University. The Clarion University Council of Trustees approved naming the building at its May 10 meeting.
Mary L. Seifert's rich family history with Clarion University can be traced to 1907 with the enrollment of her mother, Sabina Mooney-Seifert and her uncle Charles A. Mooney. From 1909 - 1912 her grandfather, John A. Mooney served as a trustee for the Clarion Normal School. Shortly after her mother and uncle's graduations in 1909 their two younger siblings, Thomas W. and John A., were to follow family tradition by attending Clarion. Two of Seifert's uncles became medical doctors after furthering their education at the University of Michigan. To date at least 18 members of her extended family have graduated from Clarion.
"I am excited and sad," said Clarion University President Joseph P. Grunenwald during his remarks. "I am sad because Mary is no longer with us, but excited about how her memory will live on. Mary loved music and the arts. As an investment in young people, she chose to endow a culture and lecture series at Clarion University to ignite the passion for learning that she encouraged. Mary's mission was to advance Clarion University so it is appropriate that the Center for the Advancement of Clarion University is dedicated in her name. She was the heart, spirit, and soul of Clarion University."
Seifert received her B.S.E. degrees in secondary social studies and geography and a minor in English in 1946 from Clarion State's Teacher College. After graduation, she taught for 35 years and retired from Edison Jr. High in the West Mifflin School District. She was one of the first "life members" of the Clarion University Alumni Association and became an active donor to the Clarion University Foundation, Inc. in 1993. In 1998 she received the Clarion University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award.
Lifelong Seifert acquaintance Charles Leach Jr., president of the Clarion University Foundation Inc., Board of Directors, said, "Mary wanted nothing but the best for Clarion University. She wanted the Foundation to raise more money. Without Mary's support and leadership during our first capital campaign, the Foundation would not be where it is today - annually providing almost $1 million in scholarships to students and over $3 million in total support of university programs. Mary acknowledged the need for an advancement center and this is a place Clarion's alumni can be proud of."
Richard Malacarne, president of the Clarion University Alumni Association Board, said, "Recognizing the generosity of Mary Seifert it is appropriate to name this building for Mary and her family. Mary is the ultimate alumna, she had a long and distinguished career, never forgot her roots, and provided time, energy, and money. Her legacy is a model for all Clarion University alumni."
Throughout her lifetime Seifert created six endowment funds: Sabina Mooney-Seifert Scholarship Endowment (Education), Mary L. Seifert Scholarship Endowment (Music), Mary L. Seifert Cultural Lecture Series Endowment, Timothy John Mooney Theater Endowment, Dr. Helen M. Barton Basketball Scholarship, and an endowment to support piano maintenance in the Department of Music. Seifert's estate will add to the Cultural Lecture Series Endowment and will create a seventh fund, the Seifert-Mooney Endowment for the Advancement of Clarion University.
In addition to the endowments she created, she also supported the John A. Mooney, John F. Kuhn, Lyle G. Reinhard and Diane L. Reinhard scholarship endowments and the Center for Advancement and Science & Technology Center campaigns.
At the conclusion of the dedication ceremony, Michael Keefer, administrative director of the Clarion University Foundation Inc., unveiled the plaque honoring the Seifert-Mooney family that will be installed at the building.
Rev. J. Richard Hartsfield, pastor of New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, which Mary Seifert attended, presided over the memorial service and provided the invocation and benediction. Seifert's lifelong friend Sheila Nair provided a personal remembrance during the service.
Dr. Paula Amrod, professor of music at Clarion University, Dr. Marian Dura, assistant professor of music at Clarion University, and Katie Magnuson provided the musical interlude between the memorial service and the dedication ceremony. Magnuson, a May 2007 Clarion
University graduate with a degree in music education, was a Mary L. Seifert Scholarship recipient.
The newly named Seifert-Mooney Center for the Advancement of Clarion University, located at the corner of Greenville Avenue and Corbett Street, opened in 2004 and was constructed primarily through private restricted contributions. The building includes the offices of Advancement, Alumni Relations, the Clarion University Alumni Association, and the Clarion University Foundation, Inc.