Limestone professor retiring after 50-year teaching career

Sister Mary Mauldin has always walked quietly in her spiritual faith in a teaching career spanning 50 years.

Mauldin is a longtime member of Sisters of Mercy community. She lives with 30 women in a convent near Belmont, N.C., and has spent her time away from work teaching adult religious education to Catholic church members.

Mauldin will embark on another chapter in her time this spring when she retires from Limestone College. She has taught mathematics and religious classes at the small liberal arts Gaffney college since 1987.

In her typical lowkey fashion, Mauldin spent time Thursday afternoon serving cake and refreshments to students and faculty members who stopped by her retirement party.

"I have enjoyed my time at the college," Mauldin said. "There has always been a camaraderie among the faculty and a true community spirit on the campus."

Limestone has changed markedly since Mauldin arrived from her previous job at Charlotte Catholic High School. The college has grown from 250 students in the late 1980s to 770 students.

Shortly before Mauldin arrived, former major league baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry led a fundraising effort to seal the exterior of Winnie Davis Hall of History from damage until it could be repaired. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held April 18 to begin work on a $4.8 million project to restore the structure.

Limestone College started a Christian leadership education program in 2001 so students could further their religious education and have opportunities to participate in mission work.

Mauldin was given the rare honor to deliver the college's commencement address in December.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics education, a master's degree in theology and a certificate in liturgical studies. She served 25 years as director of McAuley Center in Belmont, a program focused on adult religious education within the Diocese of Charlotte.

Her world travels have taken her to tour the Garden of Gethsemane and religious sites in Israel. The longtime Limestone College professor has spent time studying near the Vatican and has toured Ireland.

"I have been teaching for 50 years. It's time for me to quit," Mauldin said. "I don't have any definite plans when I retire. I do plan to continue my work with the McAuley Center and Sisters of Mercy. I am open to other things that may come along in the future."