The formal Installation Mass brought together students, parents, alumnae, Les Anges, faculty, staff, Trustees, and friends of Marymount—each a thread in the fabric of a community over a century in the making. Sisters of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, whose vision and mission have guided the school since its founding, were also present, their prayers and presence a powerful reminder of the enduring charism that continues to animate Marymount today.

Presided over by Fr. Marc Reeves, SJ and Fr. Tom O’Neill, SJ, the liturgy reflected the faith and purpose that define the school’s history. The readings spoke of humility, unity, and leadership rooted in service, and the choir’s voices rose through hymns familiar to those in attendance, filling the Pavilion with the shared spirit of belonging.

In her remarks on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Colleen McCarthy Pennell ’89 spoke of the continuity embodied in this moment: “As an alumna herself, Dr. Desmond steps into this role with a profound sense of purpose and an authentic commitment to the values that have shaped Marymount for over a century. She is a builder of bridges—between tradition and innovation, faith and inquiry, mission, and modernity.”

That sense of bridge-building was present throughout the morning. Alumnae from Dr. Desmond’s time at Marymount led the Prayers of the Faithful; her three children brought forward the gifts of bread and wine. And in a joyful surprise, students from ASB presented Dr. Desmond with gifts as symbols of belonging and the continuation of her own journey as both student and leader.

When Dr. Desmond addressed the community, her words carried both reverence and resolve. “Standing here today, surrounded by this extraordinary community, I feel both humbled and deeply grateful,” she shared. “As the sixth lay leader of Marymount’s history, I feel the responsibility—and the wonder—of honoring our past while leading us boldly into the future.”

Her reflections spoke to the enduring ideals at the heart of Marymount’s mission: the integration of faith and intellect, leadership expressed through service, and education that shapes both the mind and the heart.

That spirit was visible in every corner of the Pavilion that morning—in the faces of students and alumnae, faculty and staff, current and former parents, friends and family. It was reflected in the presence of the RSHM Sisters who continue to guide Marymount’s mission and in the gratitude expressed for the generations of women who built this community from its earliest days.

As Dr. Desmond stood before the school she once called home, the moment felt both deeply rooted and forward-looking—an intersection of history and hope. Because Marymount’s story has always been one of continuity: of women carrying the torch for those who will come after them, of leadership that listens and lifts, of a mission that evolves but never wavers.

Dr. Desmond closed her remarks with a conviction that now echoes as a promise for the years ahead:

“Today, I don’t just feel installed—I feel ignited. By the faith that built this place, by the people who sustain it, and by the young women who will take it into the future. This is the promise of Marymount…that together, we form hearts that lead, minds that seek, and spirits that serve.”

As the final notes of Fire and Flame echoed through the Pavilion—a hymn written by former English faculty member Teresa Dickey especially for Marymount after a pilgrimage to Béziers, France, and now sung in RSHM schools around the world—what lingered was not ceremony, but conviction. In welcoming Dr. Desmond, the Marymount community reaffirmed the values that have defined it for more than a century—faith that grounds, intellect that inspires, and leadership that serves.

The installation marked both a continuation and a renewal: a moment when Marymount’s storied past met its unfolding future. With Dr. Desmond at the helm, the flame of that mission burns brighter than ever—guiding new generations of Sailors to lead with courage, curiosity, and joy.