Leigh Anne Rowinski, Interview with Melissa Newman, 2022
Item
Leigh Anne Rowinski (WLA, Mundelein College 1989 Class Photograph)
Interview Transcript
Title
Leigh Anne Rowinski, Interview with Melissa Newman, 2022
Summary
Leigh Anne Rowinski was a Fashion Merchandising and Business Management major and graduated from Mundelein in 1989. She talks about the long-lasting friendships she made with classmates and teachers alike and how she is still in touch with Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt. Sister Joan Frances Crowley, Avis Moeller, Kathy Fell, Sister Judith Dewell and Sister Eliza Kenny were also influential Mundelein professors for Leigh Anne. Leigh Anne also discusses the activities she participated in such as the Mundelein College Singers, the Annual Fashion Show, and the Annual Graduation Committee. She talks about the differences of having lived in both Northland Hall and Coffey Hall. In the second interview, she discusses the annual Cabaret that was completely student-led, directed, and performed.
Content Note: These collections may include language or descriptions of events that may be upsetting to some users.
Content Note: These collections may include language or descriptions of events that may be upsetting to some users.
Date Created
March 10, 2022
Biography
Leigh Anne Rowinski was born in Connecticut and lived there with her parents, brother, and sister until they moved to Wheaton, a Chicago suburb, when Leigh Anne was in junior high. She chose Mundelein College for its fashion merchandising and business management program and the benefits being in Chicago would have on that career field. She values the experiences she gained from participating in the fashion shows every year and directed the show during her senior year. Growing up around a love for music and singing also led Leigh Anne to treasure her time as a Mundelein College Singer and the performances they gave every trimester.
In the latter half of her college career, her parents moved back to the East Coast and Leigh Anne was grateful to have such a good support system at Mundelein. The Sisters created a close-knit community that Leigh Anne remained a part of even after graduating. Her first job was at Lord & Taylor’s on Michigan Avenue, and Leigh Anne stayed around Mundelein, commuting downtown. This proximity to Mundelein allowed her to continue to develop strong relationships with the Sisters and she remains in contact with several of them to this day, including Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM.
In the latter half of her college career, her parents moved back to the East Coast and Leigh Anne was grateful to have such a good support system at Mundelein. The Sisters created a close-knit community that Leigh Anne remained a part of even after graduating. Her first job was at Lord & Taylor’s on Michigan Avenue, and Leigh Anne stayed around Mundelein, commuting downtown. This proximity to Mundelein allowed her to continue to develop strong relationships with the Sisters and she remains in contact with several of them to this day, including Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM.
Interviewer Biography
Melissa Newman was a graduate student at Loyola University Chicago and a graduate assistant at the Women and Leadership Archives 2020-2022.
Time Log
Time Log for Session 1
[0:00 - 5:00]: Introductions and how she came to be at Mundelein. The appeal of the BVMs and the impact they had on her as career women.
[5:00 - 10:00]: Sister Jean and her lasting impression on Leigh Anne before and after her time at Mundelein. Madonna della Strada.
[10:00 - 15:00]: Madonna della Strada continued and the importance of music for Leigh Anne. Mundelein’s legacy of being a four year college when two-year and secretarial schools were the norm before World War II and being attracted to that and the level of education provided. Jesuit education.
[15:00 - 20:00]: Classes she took at Mundelein and the professors who taught them. Mundelein being next to Loyola which was an added benefit.
[20:00 - 25:00]: Favorite class and the way the Liberal Arts classes immersed the students in whatever they were teaching. School choir.
[25:00 - 30:00]: Student choir, friends and social life on campus, and how she chose Mundelein for the close knit community.
[30:00 - 35:00]: Continuation of friends at Mundelein and being part of the McBuddies. Living in both Northland and Coffey Hall.
[35:00 - 40:00]: Comparing Northland and Coffey and the fashion shows they would put on.
[40:00 - 45:00]: Continuation of fashion shows and helping with the school newspaper, the Mundelein Scholar.
[45:00 - 50:00]: Places on campus frequented and whether the Loyola and Mundelein students used each other’s facilities. Campus job.
[50:00 - 55:00]: Continuation of campus job. Sisters only floors of the Skyscraper and her impression of them.
[55:00 - 1:00:00]: Sister Ann Ida Gannon and the other Sisters who were retired in their fields, but still at Mundelein. World events that happened.
[1:00:00 - 1:05:00]: Graduation day.
[1:05:00 - 1:10:00]: Graduation day continued and Mundelein’s study abroad program. Lasting relationships with fellow students and professors/faculty.
[1:10:00 - 1:15:00]: How Mundelein has prepared herself and other women to be leaders and independent.
[1:15:00 - 1:15:52]: Wrapping up and closing remarks.
Time Log for Session 2
[0:00 - 5:00]: Reintroducing and Leigh Anne wanting to come back on the record to talk about the cabaret show.
[5:00 - 10:00]: Leigh Anne’s story she put on at the show.
[10:00 - 14:12]: After show parties, expanding on favorite campus locations, and closing remarks.
[0:00 - 5:00]: Introductions and how she came to be at Mundelein. The appeal of the BVMs and the impact they had on her as career women.
[5:00 - 10:00]: Sister Jean and her lasting impression on Leigh Anne before and after her time at Mundelein. Madonna della Strada.
[10:00 - 15:00]: Madonna della Strada continued and the importance of music for Leigh Anne. Mundelein’s legacy of being a four year college when two-year and secretarial schools were the norm before World War II and being attracted to that and the level of education provided. Jesuit education.
[15:00 - 20:00]: Classes she took at Mundelein and the professors who taught them. Mundelein being next to Loyola which was an added benefit.
[20:00 - 25:00]: Favorite class and the way the Liberal Arts classes immersed the students in whatever they were teaching. School choir.
[25:00 - 30:00]: Student choir, friends and social life on campus, and how she chose Mundelein for the close knit community.
[30:00 - 35:00]: Continuation of friends at Mundelein and being part of the McBuddies. Living in both Northland and Coffey Hall.
[35:00 - 40:00]: Comparing Northland and Coffey and the fashion shows they would put on.
[40:00 - 45:00]: Continuation of fashion shows and helping with the school newspaper, the Mundelein Scholar.
[45:00 - 50:00]: Places on campus frequented and whether the Loyola and Mundelein students used each other’s facilities. Campus job.
[50:00 - 55:00]: Continuation of campus job. Sisters only floors of the Skyscraper and her impression of them.
[55:00 - 1:00:00]: Sister Ann Ida Gannon and the other Sisters who were retired in their fields, but still at Mundelein. World events that happened.
[1:00:00 - 1:05:00]: Graduation day.
[1:05:00 - 1:10:00]: Graduation day continued and Mundelein’s study abroad program. Lasting relationships with fellow students and professors/faculty.
[1:10:00 - 1:15:00]: How Mundelein has prepared herself and other women to be leaders and independent.
[1:15:00 - 1:15:52]: Wrapping up and closing remarks.
Time Log for Session 2
[0:00 - 5:00]: Reintroducing and Leigh Anne wanting to come back on the record to talk about the cabaret show.
[5:00 - 10:00]: Leigh Anne’s story she put on at the show.
[10:00 - 14:12]: After show parties, expanding on favorite campus locations, and closing remarks.
Index
Austria, LAR S1 20-25
Bach, LAR S1 20-25
Barbara Streisand, LAR S2 0-5
Berlin, Irving, LAR S1 25-30
Boston, LAR S1 50-55
Broadway, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Bush, George H. W., LAR S1 55-60
BVMs (Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 65-70
Byrne, Mayor Jane, LAR S1 55-60
Carla, LAR S1 30-35
The Carpenters
Catholic, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 10-15
Chicago, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 70-75, LAR S2 5-10
Chicago Bears, LAR S1 55-60
Chicago Bulls, LAR S1 55-60
Chicago Cubs, LAR S1 55-60
Chicago White Socks, LAR S1 55-60
Christmas, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 50-55
Clark College, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 55-60
Coffey Hall, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S2 5-10, LAR S2 10-15
Connecticut, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70
COVID-19, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 65-70
Crowley, Sister Joan Francis, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 15-20
Denning, Dr. Gertrude, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 65-70
DePaul University, LAR S1 0-5
Dewell, Sister Judith, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S1 65-70, LAR S2 0-5
Dolan, Sister Fran, LAR S1 5-10
Dwight, Sister Dorothy, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S2 0-5
Easter, LAR S1 25-30
Elaine, LAR S1 50-55
Evanston, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 60-65
Fell, Kathy, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 40-45
Fordham University, LAR S1 10-15
Forsyth, Sister Catherine, LAR S1 55-60
Frühlingsfest, LAR S1 20-25
Fulbright Scholars, LAR S1 15-20
Funny Girl, LAR S2 0-5
Gannon, Sister Ann Ida, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 65-70
Gannon Scholars, LAR S1 55-60
Germany, LAR S1 65-70
Google, LAR S1 15-20
The Great Depression, LAR S2 5-10
Greenwich, Connecticut, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S2 0-5
Iraq War, LAR S1 55-60
Ireland, LAR S1 0-5
Jensen, Mr., LAR S1 15-20
Jesuit, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 65-70
Junior League, LAR S1 70-75
Kenney, Sister Eliza, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S2 0-5
Kodjayan, Rhonda, LAR S1 15-20
Kunkel, Nancy, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Lake Michigan, LAR S2 10-15
Liebfried, Pamela, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 40-45
Lord and Taylor, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 60-65
Loyola Ministry, LAR S1 10-15
Loyola University Chicago, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 65-70, LAR S2 10-15
Madonna della Strada, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 45-50
Mahler, Chantal, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 40-45
Mardi Gras, LAR S1 20-25
Marker, Vanessa, LAR S1 30-35
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, LAR S1 55-60
McCormick Lounge, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S2 5-10
Merchandise Mart, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 15-20
Michigan Avenue, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10
Moeller, Avis, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 40-45
Mundelein College, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 50-55, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70, LAR S1 70-75, LAR S2 5-10, LAR S2 10-15
Mundelein College Singers, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Mundelein McBuddies, LAR S1 30-35
Mundelein Scholar, LAR S1 40-45, LAR S2 10-15
Mundelein Voices, LAR S1 55-60
Mundelein Weekend College, LAR S1 70-75
Nelson, Erica, LAR S1 50-55
New York, LAR S2 5-10
New York City, LAR S1 10-15
North Avenue, LAR S2 5-10
Northland Hall, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 35-40
Northwestern University, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 45-50
Oak Street, LAR S1 0-5
Oprah Winfrey, LAR S1 55-60
Palatine, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S2 0-5
Palmer House, LAR S1 20-25
Paris, Susan, LAR S1 30-35
Pfeiffer, Paula, LAR S1 15-20
Piper Hall, LAR S1 40-45, LAR S1 60-65
Ramblers (Loyola), LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70
Rhinegold, Mr., LAR S1 50-55
Riley, Colleen, LAR S1 60-65
Rogers Park, LAR S1 10-15
Rome Center, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 65-70
Russia, LAR S1 15-20
Sandy, LAR S1 50-55
Saturday Night Live, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Schoen, Cecily, LAR S1 25-30
Schoen, Mary Penkala, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S2 5-10
Second Avenue, LAR S2 0-5
Second City Theater, LAR S2 5-10
Sesame Street, LAR S1 20-25
Sheridan Road, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 60-65
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70
Skyscraper (Building), LAR S1 50-55
Smoller, Ava, LAR S1 10-15
Steinway Piano, LAR S1 20-25
Sullivan, Audrey, LAR S1 45-50
Taras, Susan, LAR S1 40-45
Tea Room, LAR S1 40-45
Ukraine, LAR S1 55-60
United States of America, LAR S1 55-60
Vogue Fabric Store, LAR S1 45-50
Wheaton, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 50-55
Women’s History Month, LAR S1 70-75
World War II, LAR S1 10-15
Wright Hall, LAR S1 50-55
Bach, LAR S1 20-25
Barbara Streisand, LAR S2 0-5
Berlin, Irving, LAR S1 25-30
Boston, LAR S1 50-55
Broadway, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Bush, George H. W., LAR S1 55-60
BVMs (Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 65-70
Byrne, Mayor Jane, LAR S1 55-60
Carla, LAR S1 30-35
The Carpenters
Catholic, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 10-15
Chicago, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 70-75, LAR S2 5-10
Chicago Bears, LAR S1 55-60
Chicago Bulls, LAR S1 55-60
Chicago Cubs, LAR S1 55-60
Chicago White Socks, LAR S1 55-60
Christmas, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 50-55
Clark College, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 55-60
Coffey Hall, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S2 5-10, LAR S2 10-15
Connecticut, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70
COVID-19, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 65-70
Crowley, Sister Joan Francis, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 15-20
Denning, Dr. Gertrude, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 65-70
DePaul University, LAR S1 0-5
Dewell, Sister Judith, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S1 65-70, LAR S2 0-5
Dolan, Sister Fran, LAR S1 5-10
Dwight, Sister Dorothy, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S2 0-5
Easter, LAR S1 25-30
Elaine, LAR S1 50-55
Evanston, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 60-65
Fell, Kathy, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 40-45
Fordham University, LAR S1 10-15
Forsyth, Sister Catherine, LAR S1 55-60
Frühlingsfest, LAR S1 20-25
Fulbright Scholars, LAR S1 15-20
Funny Girl, LAR S2 0-5
Gannon, Sister Ann Ida, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 65-70
Gannon Scholars, LAR S1 55-60
Germany, LAR S1 65-70
Google, LAR S1 15-20
The Great Depression, LAR S2 5-10
Greenwich, Connecticut, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S2 0-5
Iraq War, LAR S1 55-60
Ireland, LAR S1 0-5
Jensen, Mr., LAR S1 15-20
Jesuit, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 65-70
Junior League, LAR S1 70-75
Kenney, Sister Eliza, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S2 0-5
Kodjayan, Rhonda, LAR S1 15-20
Kunkel, Nancy, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Lake Michigan, LAR S2 10-15
Liebfried, Pamela, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 40-45
Lord and Taylor, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 60-65
Loyola Ministry, LAR S1 10-15
Loyola University Chicago, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 65-70, LAR S2 10-15
Madonna della Strada, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 45-50
Mahler, Chantal, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 40-45
Mardi Gras, LAR S1 20-25
Marker, Vanessa, LAR S1 30-35
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, LAR S1 55-60
McCormick Lounge, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S2 5-10
Merchandise Mart, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 15-20
Michigan Avenue, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10
Moeller, Avis, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 40-45
Mundelein College, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 10-15, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 20-25, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S1 35-40, LAR S1 45-50, LAR S1 50-55, LAR S1 55-60, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70, LAR S1 70-75, LAR S2 5-10, LAR S2 10-15
Mundelein College Singers, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Mundelein McBuddies, LAR S1 30-35
Mundelein Scholar, LAR S1 40-45, LAR S2 10-15
Mundelein Voices, LAR S1 55-60
Mundelein Weekend College, LAR S1 70-75
Nelson, Erica, LAR S1 50-55
New York, LAR S2 5-10
New York City, LAR S1 10-15
North Avenue, LAR S2 5-10
Northland Hall, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 30-35, LAR S1 35-40
Northwestern University, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 45-50
Oak Street, LAR S1 0-5
Oprah Winfrey, LAR S1 55-60
Palatine, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S2 0-5
Palmer House, LAR S1 20-25
Paris, Susan, LAR S1 30-35
Pfeiffer, Paula, LAR S1 15-20
Piper Hall, LAR S1 40-45, LAR S1 60-65
Ramblers (Loyola), LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70
Rhinegold, Mr., LAR S1 50-55
Riley, Colleen, LAR S1 60-65
Rogers Park, LAR S1 10-15
Rome Center, LAR S1 15-20, LAR S1 65-70
Russia, LAR S1 15-20
Sandy, LAR S1 50-55
Saturday Night Live, LAR S2 0-5, LAR S2 5-10
Schoen, Cecily, LAR S1 25-30
Schoen, Mary Penkala, LAR S1 25-30, LAR S2 5-10
Second Avenue, LAR S2 0-5
Second City Theater, LAR S2 5-10
Sesame Street, LAR S1 20-25
Sheridan Road, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 60-65
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 5-10, LAR S1 60-65, LAR S1 65-70
Skyscraper (Building), LAR S1 50-55
Smoller, Ava, LAR S1 10-15
Steinway Piano, LAR S1 20-25
Sullivan, Audrey, LAR S1 45-50
Taras, Susan, LAR S1 40-45
Tea Room, LAR S1 40-45
Ukraine, LAR S1 55-60
United States of America, LAR S1 55-60
Vogue Fabric Store, LAR S1 45-50
Wheaton, LAR S1 0-5, LAR S1 50-55
Women’s History Month, LAR S1 70-75
World War II, LAR S1 10-15
Wright Hall, LAR S1 50-55
Copyright
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