Notes From The Inauguration

Ann McElaney-Johnson was inaugurated as the twelfth president of Mount St. Mary’s College last Friday, March 16^th, 2012.  The ceremony took place at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, next door to the Mount’s Doheny Campus.  The church was standing room only for the nearly two hour service, with 500 students clad in yellow lining the aisles.  Honored guests included many civic and religious leaders as well as academics from a number of universities and colleges.  Ms. McElaney-Johnson was led into the church by a procession of alumnae, faculty, and students.  The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who founded the college in 1925 provided a sense of scope and history to the occasion as the school embarked on a new era of education for women in Los Angeles.  The entire procession and ceremony streamed live on the internet and can be accessed for replay here.

St. Vincent’s is one of the most beautiful churches in Los Angeles, dedicated in 1925, and only the third parish constructed.  Albert C. Martin (no relation) was the architect, and much of the funding came from Edward Doheny whose mansion was next door.  That property became the Doheny campus of the Mount.  The church holds 1200 worshippers.

The interior is stunning with many side altars and niches containing statues, candles and elaborate carvings.  Two of the most striking features are the ceiling and the main altar.

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez attended the service and spoke to the crowd.

Richard J. Riordan, 39^th mayor of Los Angeles from 1993-2001 attended.  He processed into the church with Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (Second District).

The procession moved from the Doheny campus down Adams to the church, led by 500 students in yellow followed by alumnae, faculty, dignitaries and the new president.