John R. "Jack" Weller Receives
 Sister's of St. Francis Award

Mount St. Mary’s College is pleased to announce that John R. "Jack" Weller of Emmitsburg, Md., has been chosen to receive the Sisters of St. Francis Award. The award will be conferred on him during a college ceremony, which will take place at 12 p.m., March 21, in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. A reception will follow.

Weller arrived at the Mount in 1982 when he was hired as the college bus driver. For 11 years, he drove Mount students to and from sporting events and other college sponsored activities. This allowed Weller to establish many friendships with the students and he soon became a well-known face around campus. He was even known to drive ill students to appointments with physicians or to the hospital.

In 1993, his position as bus driver was eliminated and Weller was moved to grounds services. Since then, he has become an even more visible member of the community and is well known for his caring greeting and warm smile. Mount alumni from all years know and love "Jack" and frequently inquire about him.

In addition to working for grounds services, Weller is also the chair of the Staff Affairs Committee and a member of the Mount Council. Known for his leadership, Weller was appointed by President George Houston to a special task force in 1996 on institutional financial issues.

Raised in Union Bridge, Md., and a resident of Emmitsburg, Weller is an avid duckpin bowler and loves to read and do crossword puzzles. He is also an enthusiastic C.A.R.T. race fan and has even been known to travel to races. The son of Alvie and Margaret Weller of Union Bridge, Md., he is a 1973 graduate of Francis Scott Key High School and a 1975 graduate of Frederick Community College, with a degree in park management. Weller is the husband of Pat Weller and the stepfather of Kim, C`95, and Mike Catania.

When reflecting on his time at the Mount, Weller explains that he is the lucky one; having great colleagues to work with and loving the relationships he forms with students. He appreciates the Mount so much that he looks forward to work everyday and truly enjoys his job.

The Sisters of St. Francis Award, established in 1997, and named after the last religious Order to serve the Mount community, "honors a Mount employee who

embodies the mission of the Mount, both at work- as an example to other employees- and at home." Nominees should also be "guided by high morale standards and a mature faith resulting in compassionate and just engagement with the world, and dedication to the highest standard as a Mount employee."

The Sisters of St. Francis arrived at the Mount in the late 19th century and dedicated over one hundred years of service to the community. All Mount employees and retirees are eligible for this prestigious award.

The faculty, administration and staff of the Mount certainly feel Weller is the ideal recipient of the award. "I truly believe that Jack Weller embodies the very spirit and foundation of this prestigious award and the American work ethic," commented Phil McGlade, director of alumni relations. "He is a hard worker and a kind person."

"I am truly flattered that the Mount considers me worthy of receiving this award," commented Weller.