Legacy Family:
Mary Celestia McQuaid, Salem Normal School, 1919
Kathleen Weisse ’88
Shannon Weisse ‘17
Christian Weisse, ’22, ’23 G
On their choice to attend Salem State, Christian Weisse sites two important reasons. First, they wanted to follow in their family's footsteps and attend a school that had value, meaning, and purpose within its walls. Second, affordability. “Knowing Salem State had phenomenal history and education programs, the opportunities for scholarships, financial aid, and affordability became important for furthering my education.” Christian shared.
“Having a connection to the campus made Salem State feel like home.” Christian reflected. “Knowing that my great aunt, mom, and sister all attended the same school brought a sense of purpose, connection, and unity within my own experiences. I was able to continue advocating for improving the student experience through my work with the Student Government Association, collaborating with university leadership, and creating policies in shared governance. Stepping onto campus in 2018, I knew that I was entering an institution with a foundation built on years of success from students. I knew I needed to continue building from that foundation to ensure Salem State's futurity and a prosperous learning environment.”
Family Memories
Mary, 1919
Salem Normal School, Teaching
After graduating from Salem Normal School, Christian’s great aunt Mary taught in Boston Public Schools. The family remembers Aunt Mary talking fondly of her time at Salem Normal School.
Kathleen ‘88
Salem State College, Nursing
Kathy’s (Kathleen) favorite memory from Salem State College was when she completed the nursing program. On the last day of nursing school all the graduating senior nurses drove down Canal Street from South Campus waving their uniforms out the windows, honking horns, and screaming. The parade went through downtown, up Lafayette Street, and back to South Campus. It was an annual rite of passage and tradition for the senior nursing students to showcase their accomplishments. She also enjoyed Senior Recognition Night, the pinning ceremony and going to hockey, basketball, and soccer games. As a “doll from Peabody Hall,” she loved coming together as residential students at sports games to cultivate community. After graduation and years working in the nursing field, Kathy would return to Salem State College as a visiting lecturer teaching clinicals at Lahey Clinic from 2007-2013.
Shannon ’17
Sports and Movement Science
Shannon’s favorite memory of ֱ was discovering her love for Bagel World. Conveniently adjacent to the O’Keefe Center, she loved grabbing a coffee and a bagel with her fellow students. During her time at SSU Shannon spent her time mostly at the O’Keefe Center and appreciated the research opportunities within the SMS Department. She embraced her love of dance by taking a course in the Dance Department with Meghan McLyman. The O'Keefe Center became a space where Shannon could focus on her passion for exercise physiology.
Christian, ’22, ‘23G
M.Ed.-Secondary Education, Graduate Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and B.A.-History and Teacher Education with a minor in Sociology
Christian's favorite moment at Salem State was having the opportunity to travel and study abroad. During their first year Christian joined Dr. Shea and other students on a trip to visit the 9/11 museum in New York City. After this experience of traveling and studying with Dr. Shea, Christian had the opportunity to study abroad with Professor Mauriello three times in Europe.
Do you come from a family of Vikings?