May 15, 2022
The Sister Catherine McAuley Award is presented to the graduate who best exemplifies our university mission in how they reflect, engage, serve, and live a purposeful life during their time at Mount Mercy. The award is named for Sister Mary Catherine McAuley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland in 1831.
Emma Lantz made an entrance on her first day on campus and almost was kicked out of the residence halls when a member of the staff thought she was a community member registering students to vote. When they found out Emma had just moved in and not even unpacked, yet was on a mission to get her classmates registered to vote, they knew we had someone special on the Hill.
A student impacted by Lantz said, “In her role, Emma worked to implement institutional change on campus. With her work and dedication to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (JEDI), Emma worked hard to bring about the JEDI Room as a space for underrepresented students and those in the minority at MMU. Through Emma’s leadership this two-year project became a reality. Emma's passion and dedication to 'being kind' and the importance of making MMU a place for all students to be accepted did not go unnoticed by her peers. With her passion and dedication Emma continues to inspire students like me to make change and speak up for what is right. Emma came to MMU and made it better.”
Emma plans to continue exploring work to support diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives on a college campus.
Congratulations, Emma!