Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA

Sr. Mary Ann Gschwind has always sought to put her gifts and talents to good use. During her distinguished career in education and through almost 40 years of community service, Sr. Mary Ann has made an impact in La Crosse. She is an alumna of Viterbo and served as chair of the education department in the 1970s. She currently serves on seven community boards and seven committees, including the City Vision Foundation board, the Community Theatre board, Chamber Chorale board, the Mayo Diabetes Advisory Committee and the Viterbo Ethics Advisory Committee. Her past service includes 18 years on the board of directors for Catholic Charities of the La Crosse Diocese, 20 years as a member and eight years as chair of the Viterbo University board of trustees and time with many other local organizations. Key projects completed during her service on the Viterbo board include the construction of the School of Nursing Building and collaboration with the La Crosse Community Theatre, which resulted in the Weber Center for the Performing Arts. Sr. Mary Ann will celebrate her 60th jubilee as a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 2020. She was the vice president of her religious order from 1990–98 and has been serving as its archivist for 16 years.