Mount Mercy Academy honored six deserving individuals at its twenty-second annual Mercy Honors Dinner. The dinner was held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at The Columns Banquets in Elma.
Two alumnae received the Catherine McAuley Distinguished Alumna Award, one individual was honored with the Spirit of Mercy Award and one person received the Mercy Devotion Award. In addition, the Sister Sally Walz Memorial Award was presented to one alumna and one alumna received the inaugural Athletic Excellence Award.
The Catherine McAuley Distinguished Alumna Award was bestowed on Molly Mulvaney Hayes ’97 and Meghan Crotty Quinn ’02. This award honors alumnae who have distinguished themselves as women of faith, knowledge, integrity and compassion. The woman who is honored with this award reflects the legacy and mission of Catherine McAuley, the Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy in all aspects of her life, family, community and career.
Molly Hayes currently resides in Alaska and spent several years working in elementary and preschool education. She currently works as an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska and serves as the department chair at King Tech where she has increased the school’s enrollment in a program that starts high school students on the path to becoming a teacher of early childhood education. Hayes was recognized for her accomplishments which reflect the values of integrity and compassion.
Megan Quinn has held various positions in the field of accounting and banking. She is a CPA and is currently a Senior Vice-President in Commercial Banking for HSBC Bank USA, NA who serves as the lead on the Senior Credit Manager Team. Quinn is also part of the bank’s credit training program which hires and develops young talent. She was recognized for living a life of faith and exhibiting compassion and integrity in all aspects of her life.
Marjorie S. Ryan received the Spirit of Mercy Award for her tireless efforts in improving the quality of life in South Buffalo. This award is presented to individuals who demonstrate commitment and dedication to their community in both their professional and personal lives. They are truly ministers of Mercy who "live justly, act in tenderness and with humility journey with their God" (Micah 6).
Some of her many volunteer activities include founding South Buffalo Alive and the South Buffalo Garden Walk and the Parade of Circles. Her love of gardening has led her to help maintain several South Buffalo landscapes, including, to just name a few, Mount Mercy Academy, Bishop Timon Saint Jude, Trocaire College and the McKinley Parkway traffic circles. Ryan was recognized for her commitment and dedication to the South Buffalo Community.
Tina Scarpello Webster ’91 was honored as the recipient of the Mercy Devotion Award. The Mercy Devotion Award is presented to a faculty or staff member at the Academy who has served as an inspiration for, and has earned the respect and admiration of students and colleagues over the years. Webster has held several positions while at Mount Mercy, including working in special events and alumnae, as well as recruitment. She is currently the Director of Admissions and Communications at her alma mater, as well as the cheerleading coach. Webster has impacted countless Mount Mercy students in her various roles and enthusiastically shows her commitment and dedication to empowering young women.
Patricia Keane Marren ’82 was the Sister Sally Walz, RSM Memorial Award recipient. The Sister Sally Walz Memorial Award is given to an alumna who, like Sister Sally Walz, has “an expansive heart that is always welcoming and a generosity of time and talent for what needs to be done.” Marren is a tireless volunteer. She served on the parent organizations for the O’Sullivan School of Dance, Canisius High School and the Cazenovia Hockey Association. Marren volunteered often at Mount Mercy, co-chairing the McAuley Gala with her husband, serving on the Board of Trustees, as well as on the Alumnae Board. She is also an avid literacy volunteer, as well as serving in other ways, too many to mention individually. She truly has made a significant impact on many lives and epitomizes the characteristics of the Sister Sally Walz, RSM Memorial Award.
Jessica Turner ’02 was named the first honoree of the Athletic Excellence Award. The Athletic Excellence Award is presented for outstanding athletic achievements at Mount Mercy, as well as exhibiting good character personally and professionally, as well as showing a commitment to Catholic and Mercy values as well as sportsmanship. Turner led the Mount Mercy Magic to the Monsignor League Championship as a senior and was a three-time All-Catholic selection. She then continued her basketball career at Niagara University. Turner has held many different positions for New Era Cap Company, currently serving as the Director of DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion), a council she helped to found. She is an active community volunteer and serves as a mentor through the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars. Turner has set an exemplary example for Mount Mercy Academy students and alumnae, using her athletic background and skills to have a successful career and family, while serving the community.
Caption: Mercy Honors Award Winners L to R: Megan Quinn, Molly Hayes, Tina Webster and Jessica Turner.
