Mercy Mourns the Loss of Former VP Mary Pat Wagner
Stephanie Elio and Zeljka Peric
Issue date: 5/5/07 Section: News
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Wagner was listed as a missing person after not returning to her home Sunday night, April 15, in the midst of a nor'easter that left much of the area under water.
According to The Record, Wagner's car was found on the morning of Wednesday, April 18, in a Ramapo river off Route 202 in New Jersey.
Wagner, former Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Mercy, left in November 2006 to work for the Tri-County Scholarship Fund. She joined the development staff of Mercy College as Director for Alumni Relations in 2000.
Carolyn Tragni, Assistant Vice President for Academic Support Services in the Learning and Assessment Service, was a colleague of Wagner since 2000 and considered her a close personal friend.
"She had an absolutely vibrant, contagious, personality," Tragni told The Impact. "She was extremely enthusiastic about supporting Mercy College students and staff."
Colleague Ann Grow, Dean for Undergraduate Studies, was shocked when hearing the news.
"I was speechless. You hear about things like this happening to other people but you don't hear about someone like this - a young woman that was so full of life."
Tragni said that Wagner "was an advocate for students… she dedicated a good part of her career to helping students"
"She was a natural at fundraising. She believed in the cause. She believed in the whole effort of getting money to help Mercy College students get an education," said Grow. "One of her great achievements was that she ran the most successful capital campaign that Mercy College has ever had, mainly to bring in more than 10 million dollars for the Bronx Campus."
Asked what she would want people to remember about Wagner, Tragni said, "Her enthusiasm-her vibrant way of living life and committing to great causes."
"She will surely be missed," Tragni added.
According to an e-mail announcement from Mercy College President Louise Feroe, the family is asking in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Mary Patricia Wagner Scholarship Fund, c/o the Tri-County Scholarship Fund, 4 Century Drive, Parsippany, New Jersey, 07034.
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