A former English teacher at Mount Notre Dame High School, Reading, will return to become the school's first president.

Sister Rita M. Sturwold, who recently served as director of the Holy Cross Fund at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., will become chief executive officer of Mount Notre Dame. She will be responsible for institutional advancement, development, alumnae, marketing and public relations.

Sister Rita is looking forward to connecting with former students and meeting current students, faculty and parents.

"This is such an important time for Catholic schools," she said. "MNDHS has made tremendous progress over the last decade. It is a privilege to help MNDHS strengthen its tradition of success in educating young women."

Sister Rita assumes her duties on July 1 while Maureen Baldock continues as principal of the school, a position she has held since 1990.

As director of the Holy Cross Fund, Sister Rita helped raise more than $6 million annually from alumni donations.

Being the first president of the school fits in with her background. Between 1990 and 1997, she was the first assistant superintendent for development for Archdiocese of Cincinnati's schools, and was director of the Catholic Inner City Schools Fund.

She has served as director of development, assistant principal and chairman of the English Department at the Notre Dame School for Girls in Chicago.

From 1998-2000, she was director of International Mission Research for the Sisters of Notre Dame International Office.

"I am committed to Catholic education and education for young women," Sister Rita said. "I have spent 23 years in five all-girls schools."

Sister Rita is a 1995 graduate of Leadership Cincinnati. She has a master's degree in English from Northwestern University.

The Half Pint Library Book Drive is entering its last month. The drive, which collects books for children and their families to read while staying in hospitals, pediatric clinics, special need schools and community centers, was created in 1998.

It runs through March. To locate drop-off centers, call 772-1511 or 891-7170.

A walk-for-health drive that started March 1 will run through March 31 at Tri-County Mall, promoted by Spring Grove Cemetery, Oak Hill Cemetery and Jon Dietloff Centre.

Andrew Conroy, III, president of Spring Grove Cemetery, said a health-focused kiosk inside the mall will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, to distribute personal health information cards to consumers. For information, call 853-6819.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News'' column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.