Marymount University will soon welcome a new permanent collection to its Emerson G. Reinsch Library, one that looks to history to spark timely conversations about leadership, courage and civic responsibility today.
On February 10, the University will officially unveil the Winston Churchill Collection, a curated selection of memorabilia celebrating the life and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most influential global leaders. The collection, donated by Claudine B. Malone, CEO of Financial and Management Consulting Inc., will live on permanent display on the second floor of the Reinsch Pierce Library and be open to the public following the event.
Malone explained what the collection means to her and why she wanted to share it with the broader community.
“I have been a Winston Churchill admirer for as long as I can remember. Over the last 50 years I have amassed books, posters, photos and various other memorabilia that celebrates Churchill’s impact. I wanted the collection to have a home where it would not just collect dust but would be viewed by many people in the future and trigger their curiosity about this great Statesman who not only walked with destiny but enabled the destiny of the then free world to remain free.”
On Oct, 15, 2025, Marymount hosted a special preview of the collection, which includes books, photographs and artwork reflecting Churchill’s enduring impact on democratic values and global leadership. During the preview, Dr. Mattie Fitch, associate professor of history in the College of Sciences and Humanities, offered historical context on Churchill’s life and the relevance of his ideas in today’s world.
“This collection serves as a visible reminder of the importance of defending the values of liberty and democracy,” Dr. Fitch explained. “Churchill’s values still resonate today because we are living in a time fraught with similar social and political concerns. Churchill provides us with an example of someone who raised his voice for liberty and democracy, even when it was unpopular. He reminds us we not only have the responsibility but also the capacity to stand up and protect liberty and democracy in whatever way we can.”
Dr. Fitch also stressed the value of the collection as a learning tool to help enrich the educational experience for students.
“This collection will act as a great educational tool for students studying history and politics. Churchill was a prolific writer and access to his original works allows students to analyze his perspective in his own words. The wonderful objects will introduce students to the study of material culture, considering how and why an object was produced, how it was used or displayed, in what contexts it circulated, and what meanings it accrued along the way.”
“I am thrilled that my collection has found a home at Marymount, where Churchill’s vision and values have an important place in the University’s educational mission,” said Malone. “I hope that it will continue to serve an important educational purpose for years to come.”
The February 10 unveiling will mark more than the opening of a new exhibit. It will also serve as the live recording of the inaugural episode of Marymount University’s new video podcast, “Voices of Purpose.”
Hosted by Marymount President Dr. Irma Becerra and with an introduction by Dr. Fitch, “Voices of Purpose,” will feature conversations with influential leaders across education, government and business, and examine the values that shape ethical leadership and positive change. Guided by the Churchillian principles of liberty, moral courage, global responsibility and civic engagement, the podcast connects historical insight with contemporary challenges.
“We are excited to bring our community together for a discussion on ethical leadership, civic responsibility, and the values that continue to shape our world,” said. Dr. Becerra. “These topics, embodied so beautifully by Churchill’s life and legacy, are essential to understanding the role of strong leaders in all sectors, particularly higher education.”
The first episode will feature a conversation with historian and educational leader Dr. Elisabeth Griffith, whose work has long explored leadership, democracy and social change. Together, the panel will discuss why Churchillian values still matter and how institutions like Marymount can help cultivate principled, globally minded leaders in an increasingly complex world.
“In times of intense polarization like our own, we can feel powerless to act because we feel isolated or because we don’t know how to be effective in the face of daunting forces,” said Dr. Fitch. “Today we are privileged to have a leader such as Elisabeth Griffith, who is not afraid to tell us a nuanced, researched, and inclusive story despite many voices trying to silence that narrative.”
The event will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m., beginning with the live podcast recording and conversation in Reinsch Auditorium, followed by a Q&A session and a reception in the Reinsch Pierce Library, where attendees will be among the first to experience the newly installed collection.
“I hope this podcast can be empowering for listeners,” Dr. Fitch said. “We want to show that there are still many strong leaders and educators who value democracy, liberty, and human dignity and who are seeking to make a difference in our world.”
