Carol Cerney O'Connell '55
Once a year, Carol Cerney O'Connell '55 gathers Ursuline alumnae from the Washington DC area for a grand gathering. More than just a reunion, the day turns into a cultural experience, including a tour of a museum, historical site, embassy, or symphony hall. That is followed by dinner at a private club, such as the women's exclusive Mount Vernon Club or the Chevy Chase Club. The event draws former Ursuline and Beaumont students from Maryland, Virginia, southern Pennsylvania, Delaware and even New Jersey.
Carol and her late husband, Daniel, began hosting the reunions about 15 years ago, using his connections to open doors. But for Carol, the reunion is a celebration of her three loves: learning, the fine arts, and Ursuline College.
She first showed her leadership abilities in 1951, when she arrived on campus and became chairperson of her freshman class and actively participated in clubs and campus events. "Ursuline gave me a superb education, a good liberal arts foundation. Without literature and history and the fine arts, you are building a life on sand," she said.
Her career moves have opened doors for women. After graduating in 1955, she went on to earn a master's degree at John Carroll University, then taught social studies for 10 years at Beaumont School. She went on to become the first woman administrator at Brecksville Senior High School, then in 1972 was named principal of St. Augustine Academy, the first lay woman principal in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. She returned to Ursuline as the first lay academic dean, and continued to serve in various roles, including director of development, until 1979, when she became a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet for the Cleveland Board of Education, during the time of court ordered busing.
"I was director of special projects, serving the nontraditional educational programs of the Board and also worked closely with groups, particularly the citywide PTA," she said. She rounded out her career as Deputy Director of the Cleveland Health Education Museum, from 1982-85. "At which time I retired and got married," she said.
She moved to Baltimore to be with her husband and began her second "career" as a volunteer for the arts. As president of the Baltimore Symphony Associates and a member of the orchestra's Executive Committee, she heads the fund-raising efforts. "I got involved because I love music, and art institutions need help," she said simply. "Music is important."
Carol said she got her love of learning and the arts from her genes, but said her teachers at Ursuline enhanced it. "Ursuline gave me a well-rounded, deep education. It was a valuable education, an education that helps you live from day to day. I can hardly believe it's been fifty years since I graduated from Ursuline; my how time flies."
