BVM Leadership Change Brings New Voices to Clarke Board of Trustees
Following their annual Congregational Assembly June 22-27, the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary have elected a new leadership council that acts as their voice in the congregation and the larger civic community. This includes an active presence at Clarke University, thanks to the BVMs’ foundational role in the university’s history.
Several members of the leadership council will be familiar to the Clarke community, including newly elected President LaDonna Manternach, BVM ’82. Prior to her role as president, Manternach served as second vice president for the BVMs, and spent many years as an elementary music teacher in Iowa and California, and as an assistant professor of music at Clarke University. She was also active in Clarke’s campus and youth ministry programs. Beginning August 1, Manterach will also hold a seat on Clarke University’s Board of Trustees.
Alongside the Board of Trustees, I look forward to working closely with LaDonna and all the BVM sisters and associates to continue providing a lifelong and life-changing values-based education that extends the mission of their congregation with Clarke’s,” Clarke University President Thom D. Chesney said. “Her experience and perspective will help us explore new opportunities for our students and community, while staying true to our core values of freedom, education, charity, and justice.
Clarke alumna Lou Anglin, BVM ‘83 will serve as the congregation’s First Vice President, and is joined by Second Vice President Katherine Kandefer, BVM; Third Vice President Kate Hendel, BVM; and Fourth Vice President Carol Marie (Joseph Louis) Baum, BVM. Hendel previously served as a member of the Clarke University faculty and as dean of adult and graduate studies.
The sisters select new leadership every four years. To learn more about the leadership council and the BVM Sisters, see the full release at bvmsisters.org.