Nearly 300 alumni, faculty, students and friends of Detroit Mercy gathered April 28 to honor seven alumni of University of Detroit, Mercy College of Detroit and University of Detroit Mercy. One alumnus from each college or school was chosen to receive the award for their success in their chosen field and their work in the community. We will share with you videos of each awardee’s comments over the next week or so; we hope you find them as inspiring as we do.
Mary Maurita Sengelaub, RSM, ’49 — College of Health Professions
Retired Chief Nurse Executive, Catholic Healthcare Association
Sr. Mary Maurita was called to a career in nursing before she heeded the call to religious life. After graduating from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, she joined the faculty there, taking her first vows as a Religious Sister of Mercy in 1948, the year she was assigned to the faculty of Mercy College of Detroit. While teaching, she completed a bachelor of science degree; she took her final vows in 1951.
Sr. Mary Maurita was on the Provincial Council that decided to keep Mercy College of Detroit in the city, opened Mercy High School in Farmington, and strengthened the 27 hospitals and healthcare facilities in the Detroit Province during a time of great change in the industry. Her acumen and commitment to healthcare led to appointments across the United States and Australia, working as an administrator of individual facilities and helping create large hospital systems. She is recognized as a groundbreaker in the U.S. Catholic healthcare ministry.
