November 14, 2016
Five La Roche College Alumnae Elected to Leadership Positions for the Sisters of Divine Providence
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 14, 2016 – La Roche University announced that five alumnae have been elected to five-year leadership positions in the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence, the University’s founders and sponsor.
Sister Maria Fest, CDP, B.S.’65, D.A., who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology as a member of La Roche University’s first graduating class in 1965 and lives in Bellevue, was elected to the position of congregational leader of the order worldwide.
Sister Eun Soon Kim, CDP, B.S.’04, of the Congregation’s St. Joseph Province in South Korea and the recipient of a bachelor’s degree in management from La Roche in 2004, is one of three sisters joining her on the Congregational Leadership Team.
The other three alumnae are part of the Provincial Leadership Team for the Marie de la Roche Province, which covers the United States and the Caribbean.
Sister Michele Bisbey, CDP, B.A.’71, Ph.D., of McCandless, Pa., was elected provincial director. Sister Mary Traupman, CDP, B.S.’69, MBA, JD, of Ross Township, Pa., and Sister Donna Marie Gribschaw, CDP, B.S.’74, MA, of Avalon, Pa., are two of four provincial councillors.
Sister Michele earned a bachelor’s degree in English from La Roche in 1971. Sister Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1969, while Sister Donna Marie earned the same degree in 1974.
Sister Maria said the Congregation, which now has about 400 members, compared to a high of 1,601 in the 1960s, will be working together to face global issues.
“I think the call at this time is to really deepen our internationality … while still respecting the individuality of the various cultures,” said Sister Maria.
Sister Michele said she and the Provincial Leadership Team will work to promote the sisters’ priority of “right relations” within their community and with the rest of the world and the church. “We’ve always been a group interested in social justice issues,” she said.
Sisters in the Province will continue their work related to operating schools, supporting single mothers and families, fighting human trafficking and assisting documented refugees, she said.
Sister Michele, a professor of religious studies at La Roche who has held the Ketteler Endowed Chair of Theology, has been a foster parent for 25 years and cared for 28 children.
“I think that has given me a unique insight into real-life issues and the importance of having balance. Foster parenting brings issues of the street to your living room,” she said.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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