Mother Mary Bernard Graham Society

The Mother Mary Bernard Graham Society recognizes donors who have included Gwynedd Mercy University in their estate plans or who have established a life-income gift. The legacy commitments of these donors contribute to sustaining our Mercy mission and our ability to provide access and opportunity to generations of Distinctive Mercy Graduates.

Membership Recognition

Mother Mary Bernard Graham Society members are recognized throughout our publications and are invited to special University events.

The most important benefit you will receive from joining the Mother Mary Bernard Graham Society is the satisfaction derived from making a lasting contribution to our long-term success.

If you would like more information about how to structure a planned gift for Gwynedd Mercy University, please be in touch with Christina Riso, J.D. at 215-542-4661 or riso.c@gmercyu.edu.

About Mother Mary Bernard Graham

 In 1947, Mother Mary Bernard Graham, RSM, purchased an 84.5-acre estate in Gwynedd Valley for just $100,000. Her dream was to establish a college in a location outside of the city that was considered too rural by many of her contemporaries. Her visionary endeavor in a country setting northwest of Philadelphia opened for business in 1948 as Gwynedd Mercy University. Tributes to her legacy are made today through gifts to the Mother Mary Bernard Graham Society. By making an estate gift, you too, share the vision of Mother Mary Bernard Graham that Gwynedd Mercy University is a special community dedicated to educating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

The “Yellin Gate”

Before the Sisters of Mercy bought the land in 1947, a year prior to Gwynedd Mercy University’s establishment, Philadelphia’s prominent Taylor family used the grounds as their country estate. Dedicated to fine architecture and landscaping, the Taylor family contracted Samuel Yellin to create the majestic ironwork. Standing across from Assumption Hall, the “Yellin Gate” is now a testament to GMercyU’s historic past and Yellin’s talent and passion for beautiful craftsmanship.