Mount Mary commits itself to excellence in teaching and learning with an emphasis on thinking critically and creatively. Join in realizing our Mission by submitting proposals for new creative spaces on campus! We promise that students will graduate with creative thinking skills, defined as Agility, Exploration/Experimentation, Imagination, Open Mindedness, and Navigating Complexity (AEIOC). Students are developing these skills in the curriculum and co-curriculum. Let’s enhance spaces that speak to the excitement of teaching and learning in community at Mount Mary University.

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Share your innovative ideas that tell the story and celebrate the distinctive features of a Mount Mary education. Having a hard time narrowing down the infinite number of possibilities? Think about the types of spaces that will inspire current and potential students to transform the world. Still too broad? Keep your mind open while you consider the following guidance:

Details for Submitting Proposals

  • Proposals are to be completed using the online Application form.  This is a writable PDF that can be downloaded and printed.  Links to the Application and Proposal Instructions are found below on this page.
  • Proposals are to be delivered or emailed to the Office of the President by the deadline of Friday, November 10.
  • Visual depictions may accompany the proposal submission, but are not required. Any renderings or drawings should be packaged with the completed application form and submitted together.
  • Any individual or group including Mount Mary employees, current students and alumnae may submit a proposal.
  • Individuals or groups may submit more than one proposal.
  • Questions should be directed to Pam Owens, Karen Friedlen or Dave Wegener

Criteria for Reviewing Proposals

Proposals will be reviewed relative to four criteria:

  1. Potential impact on growing enrollment by inspiring current and potential students to transform the world.
  2. Connection to the University’s Creative Campus themes with a forward looking perspective on the four University values: Competence, Community, Compassion and Commitment. Implications for the surrounding spaces adjacent to the proposal’s location, i.e. will it compliment and not alter the function and purpose of the spaces around it
  3. Creates positive impression for guests through the telling of our story
  4. Only proposals with recommendations for space on one of the following hallways will be considered for this project:
  • Bergstrom Hall Lower – Arches Area
  • Bergstrom Hall – 1st Floor – Hallway
  • Bergstrom stairwell
  • Bloechl Center – Atrium
  • Caroline Hall 1st Floor – Desk area
  • Caroline Hall – Student Services Hallway
  • Fidelis Hall Lower – Tunnel
  • Haggerty Library – Café Area
  • Helfaer Hall – Ramp to Library
  • Notre Dame – Lower Level
  • Notre Dame – 2nd Floor
  • Stairways – step faces and walls
  • Elevator Doors viewable from hallway 

Proposals cannot exceed a projected maximum cost of $20,000 for all design, labor and materials.

Proposals cannot require any major construction. This would include projects changes that would not be part of the obvious visual impact of the project. Examples would include plumbing, HVAC, electrical, masonry.

The target audiences are related to growing enrollment and include prospective students and parents, alumnae and groups visiting the campus.

Proposals will be reviewed the week of November 13 by the following committee:

  • Dr. Pharr, President
  • Barb Armstrong, Dean of the School of Art & Design
  • Gigi Szeklinski, Department Chair for Interior Design
  • Bethany Lehman – Visitor Services Director
  • Scott Larson, Trustee
  • Becky Johnson, Director of Buildings and Grounds
  • Amber Brown - Student Representative
  • Sue Nieberle - Development Representative
  • Marcia Van Vreede, Alumnae Member

Examples of Creative Space Proposals

  • Development of an interactive space for exploring or explaining the academic programs of Mount Mary
  • Transform the steps in a stairwell or the walls in a tunnel to provide images or phrases tied to the creative campus
  • Create three-dimensional spaces that students/guests could walk completely around. A circular glass case with a revolving mannequin displaying a garment designed by a Fashion major.

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