Saint Joseph’s College recently chose Sister Mary Kneeland, R.S.M., for its annual St. Joseph Award in honor of her contributions as an “unsung heroine.”
The annual award event celebrates the college’s patron saint, Joseph. Sister Kneeland has graced the campus with her hard work, positive attitude and fun-loving personality for many years – she first came to campus more than 46 years ago to help part time in the office of the Capital Fund Campaign for Saint Joseph Hall.
“She did such great work that when it came time for a full-time ministry, she was assigned here as assistant treasurer to Sister Mary Cook,” says Sister Mary George O’Toole, Vice President for Sponsorship and Mission Integration.
In the mid-80s, Sister Kneeland went to Suffolk University to earn her MBA. In the late 80s she was named Treasurer at Saint Joseph’s, a position she held until last fall. For many years she was also in charge of the bookstore – no easy task, given that she was still full-time in the Treasurer’s office.
Nevertheless, she carried out this responsibility with fidelity, creativity, generosity and a healthy sense of humor. Always interested in students, faculty, and staff, Sister Kneeland embodies the core values embraced by Saint Joseph’s College. As her nomination paper states, “She is a quiet servant, a humble woman. She is truly an unsung heroine.”
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