First Posted: 7/22/2014

Sister Anne E. McLaughlin ‘63, RSM, D.Min., vice chair of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education Board and professor emerita, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Misericordia University Convocation Ceremony at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21 at the Wells Fargo Amphitheater on the upper campus.

Dr. McLaughlin has spent more than 30 years in Catholic higher education in theology, Catholic social thought and ministry supervision. Most recently, she completed three years of service as the chief academic officer of the Washington Theological Union in Takoma Park, Md., where she also worked as the director of the Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality program.

From 1974-2006, Dr. McLaughlin’s ministry was centered at Misericordia University where she held various positions as a lecturer, associate professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies. Misericordia honored her with the title of professor emerita and the Alumni Association presented her with the Sister of Mercy Award.

She earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Misericordia in 1963. Dr. McLaughlin received her master’s degree in religious education and her Doctor of Ministry degree in theology from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Dr. McLaughlin has served on various higher education boards through her career. She was on the board of directors at Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa.; board of trustees at the Mount Saint Agnes Theological Center for Women, Baltimore, Md.; the executive committee of the Mercy Higher Education Colloquium, Misericordia Alumni Association Board, the Ethics Institute of Northeastern Pennsylvania at Misericordia University, and the Catholic College Theological Consultation Committee of the Diocese of Scranton.

The annual Convocation ceremony welcomes first-year students and their families to Misericordia University and acts as the official start to the new academic year. Orientation begins later in the afternoon and continues until the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 25. The orientation program includes the Orientation Day of Service on Saturday, Aug. 23 in which first-year students and other members of the campus community volunteer their time and talent in the region.