Marymount Manhattan Welcomes Back Alumni for Reunion 2012

New York, N.Y. – Marymount Manhattan College invited the classes ending in 2 and 7 back to campus for Reunion 2012 “Then and Now” from June 1 to 2. The College honored Elizabeth Hayes ’52 with the Père Gailhac Award and Marjorie Ihrig ’57 with the Sr. Raymunde McKay Award.

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During the Award Luncheon on Saturday, Hayes, who graduated with a B.A. in history, received her award in recognition of her continuous and outstanding service to Marymount Manhattan. During her acceptance speech, she commended the College for the excellence that it has bestowed upon its graduates. As a student, Hayes was actively involved in the National Federation of Catholic College Students, the Athletic Association and the Gaelic Club, where she served as president. After graduation, she became an active participant in alumni activities, serving as a class agent, becoming an active member and participant of the Alumni Book Club, and helping to organize milestone reunions for the Class of 1952. Prior to retiring in 1992, Hayes was an elementary school teacher. Her classmates were instrumental in nominating her for this award, and are very adamant in stating that “without Tish they would not have been as active with MMC or with their participation in the reunions.” 

Ihrig, who graduated with a B.A. in English, received her award in recognition of her distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the community. During her acceptance speech, Ihrig spoke fondly about Sr. Raymunde McKay, former president of Marymount Manhattan who served from 1953 to 1964 and 1988 to 1990. Ihrig has been an active member on both the Alumni Advisory Board and Alumni Leadership Council at Marymount Manhattan. She is passionate about volunteer opportunities that involve literacy and the elderly. Ihrig has been an active member of the New York community. From 1958 until its closing in 2010, she was a volunteer at St. Vincent’s Hospital, working the gift and library carts and bringing donated books to the hospital. Since 1975, she has been a member and officer of the Greater New York Chapter of the Catholic Library Association. Ihrig has also been an alumnae archivist for the Marymount School since 2007. Ihrig worked for both the New York Stock Exchange as an employment interviewer and at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School as a librarian. She retired on June 30, 2006, after working 21 years as the secretary to the Manhattan District Superintendent of the Archdiocese of New York. 

Prior to the awards ceremony, alumni filled the Regina Peruggi Room for a Saturday morning Mass. Professor Mary Brown, Ph.D., also led alumni on a walking tour of the neighborhood. After the luncheon, Dean Peter H. Baker, vice president for Institutional Research and Planning, spoke about the College’s progress over his 50 years of service during “MMC Then and Now” in the Regina Peruggi Room. Class meetings and parties allowed alumni the chance to catch up with former classmates. Alumni completed the weekend celebration with a Class Dinner Party at the Cosmopolitan Club. 

Alumni kicked off the weekend on Friday with a Welcome Reception, a Radio City Music Hall tour, and a group outing to the Broadway musicalMemphis

Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.

Published: June 21, 2012