2008 Sister Mary Lea Human Service Award
Monica Gundler, SC, has devoted her life to service. From social work to ministry, Sister Monica is always ready to go the extra mile to help one of God’s people, especially youth.
She graduated from the Mount with a degree in sociology in 1983 and began working as a social worker for Reading Youth Services in Cincinnati. A call to serve the Lord led Monica to join the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1986, which was followed by a move to Colorado Springs and a position as a youth director. She obtained a master’s degree from the University of Denver and went on to hold positions at Loretto Academy High School in El Paso, Texas, and St. Mary’s High School in Colorado. In 1996 she left the west for the chance to serve at the University of Dayton as campus minister.
Sister Monica returned to Cincinnati and she joined the Mount as campus minister in 1998. At the College she organized retreats and peace and justice activities, accompanied students and faculty on cultural immersion trips, held prayer services for the victims of 9/11, helped students plan service trips, and served as chair of the Mount’s Mission Integration Committee.
Today Sister Monica is the director of initial formation for the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and serves on the board of the Women’s Connection in Price Hill.
For her dedication to youth and service to God and others, the College of Mount St. Joseph presents the 2008 Sister Mary Lea Human Service Award to Sister Monica Gundler, class of 1983.