Time Line of Alverno College History

Time Line of
Alverno College History

1874	The School Sisters of St. Francis arrived in Wisconsin.
Co-Foundresses of the School Sisters of St. Francis	Mother M. Alexia \| Mother M. Alfons
	This was the first Motherhouse of the School Sisters of St. Francis at New Cassel (now Campbellsport), WI.
1887	St. Joseph's Normal School, the precursor of Alverno College was founded to teach School Sisters of St. Francis to be parish teachers.
1890	A charter was received from the State of Wisconsin to grant degrees.
1890	These are the ruins of the first Motherhouse of the School Sisters of St. Francis on Layton Blvd. in Milwaukee. It was destroyed by fire.
	This is the present Motherhouse of the School Sisters of St. Francis, known as St. Joseph Convent. It was built on the site of the old Motherhouse. The facility also housed Alverno College from its beginnings until the present campus was built and ready for occupancy in September 1953.	School Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse
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1924	St. Joseph Convent Conservatory of Music opened.
1930	Sacred Heart School of Nursing opened.	Sacred Heart Sanitarium & School of Nursing
1933	St. Joseph Convent Conservatory of Music began offering a two-year program and was renamed the St. Joseph Convent College of Music.
1936	St. Joseph Normal School became Alverno Teachers College.	Cover of First Bulletin for Alverno Teacher's College
1936	St. Joseph Convent College of Music became a four-year program and was renamed again: Alverno College of Music.
1946	Alverno Teachers College became Alverno College, a four-year liberal arts college.	First Bulletin with the name Alverno College on it
1948	In January, Alverno College officially opened to lay women (except lay Music students who had been attending since 1937.)	Lay Women at Alverno
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1950	Alverno College of Music merged with Alverno College becoming a department of the College.
1951	Sacred Heart School of Nursing merged with and became a department of Alverno College. Sister Augustine Scheele became the first President of the newly merged institution and Sister Jutta Hollenbeck became its first Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean. For more information about Alverno Presidents, click here.	Sister Augustine and Sister Jutta
1951	Construction of the present Alverno College campus was begun on the site of the former Fischer Farm. The School Sisters of St. Francis purchased the land on S. 39th Street (in July 1944) in anticipation of the College outgrowing the facilities at St. Joseph Convent.	Fischer Farm
1952	The statue of St. Francis of Assisi was moved into place over the former main entrance on October 2, 1952. The cornerstone of Alverno College was laid on Sunday, October 19, 1952.	Laying of the Cornerstone
	Work in progress on the chapel at Alverno College.
1953	Alverno College moved to its present location. The original Alverno College campus consisted of the main administration building with its classrooms, chapel, cafeteria and kitchen; the auditorium and gym on the south; and Corona Hall (dormitory) on the north. All these buildings were interconnected.
1954	The new Alverno College Campus was dedicated on April 21, 1954.	This is the menu and program for the Dedication dinner
1954	Alverno Elementary School, a laboratory school, where elementary education majors would observe teaching at its best, was the next building to be built. It is now called Elizabeth Hall.	Construction of Lab School
1956	A need for more practice rooms, music faculty offices, and a music recital hall triggered the building of the music wing including Alphonsa Hall.	Music Wing Drawing
1956	As the resident population outgrew Corona Hall, the construction of Clare Hall was also begun in 1956.
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1960	Sister J. Dolores Brunner (then known as Sister M. Providencia) became Alverno's second Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean. The Society of Fine Arts (SOFA), now called Alverno Presents, was founded by Sister Laura Lampe. It is the longest running performing arts series in Milwaukee.	Sister J. Dolores Brunner ( Sister M. Providencia)
1965	Taking two years to construct, Loretto Hall, now called Austin Hall, was opened.	Article from Alverno Alumnae Contact, October 1964
1966	Construction of the Nursing Education Building (now known as Christopher Hall) was begun. The building opened in September 1967.	Aerial view of Nursing Education Building Construction
1968	The School Sisters of St. Francis transferred leadership of Alverno to the first Lay Board of Trustees. Sister Joel Read became Alverno's sixth President. For more information about Alverno Presidents, click here.	First Lay Board of Trustees
1969	The "September '69" program came about as a forum for discussion between students, faculty and administration to effect beneficial changes in the Alverno learning process. Ideas that sprang forth from these dialogues eventually became the framework for the Alverno Ability- Based Curriculum. Learn More...	Alverno Today article on Sept. '69
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1970	The Research Center on Women (RCW) was established. Visit the RCW Exhibit to learn more. Babysitting Service, (renamed Childcare and now known as Alverno Early Learning Center,) began operating. The Career Services/Placement Office, now the Career Education Center, opened. Sister Bernarda Handrup became Alverno's third Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean.	Sister Marian Schreiner in the RCW Sister Bernarda Handrup
1971	Alverno's internship program, known in its early years as Off-Campus Experiential Learning (OCEL), started. Learn More...
1973	Alverno's unique Ability-Based Curriculum was instituted. The Assessment Center opened. The first Visitation Day was held for educators to learn about Alverno's teaching methods. Visitation days are now held semiannually. Visit the exhibit, "Unfolding Understandings a History of the Alverno Learning Process" to learn more.	Alverno Today, September/October 1973
1974	Robert G. Pitman became Alverno's fourth Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean.	Robert G. Pitman
1975	The Alverno College Archives was created. Sister Joanne Barras was appointed as the first archivist.	Sister Joanne Barras, First College Archivist
1976	The Center for Instructional Communication (CIC), now known as the Media Hub, opened. Learn More... The Business/Management Department was established.	Early Days of CIC
1977	Weekend College, now known as Alverno on the Weekend, was launched to reach out to working women who could not take time out to earn their degrees. The Professional Communication (PCM) Department was established.	February 25, 1977 Press Release
1978	The Alverno College Auditorium was renamed in memory of Robert Pitman. Sister Austin Doherty became Alverno's fifth Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean. Instructional Services began operation with Marlene Neises as director; one reading and one writing class taught by Sue Witkowski.	Pitman Theatre Alverno Today, Winter 1978-79
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1980	Alverno Institute (now known as the Alverno Institute for Educatiuonal Outreach), which enables the college to support and share at the national level, the teaching and scholarship of its faculty, was established. Learn More...
1980	Telesis Institute, Alverno's non-degree program of continuing education, opened.	Press Release announcing Telesis November 24, 1980 Cover of the first Telesis Catalog
1984	Nijenrode University, the Business School of the Netherlands, formed a connection with Alverno.	Alverno Today, November 1984
1984	Virginia Wagner was named Dean of Students.	Virginia Wagner, Dean of Students
1986	Carnegie Institute for Advancement of Teaching named Alverno's general education program one of the top 3 in the nation.	Press Release from April 29, 1987
1987	U.S. News and World Report ranked Alverno number one. Money Magazine designated Alverno a "best buy".
1987	Alverno College celebrated its Centennial.	Alverno Magazine, April/May 1987
1989	The 100th Commencement was held.	Alverno Today, February 1990
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1990	An annual survey revealed that over 90% of Alverno graduates were employed within 6 months of graduation.	Press Release on Student Placement January 3, 1990
1991	Enrollment topped 2500; 21% were minority students.
1992	With the growing workload, the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean was split in two. Sister Kathleen O'Brien became Alverno's sixth Academic Dean and Sister Austin Doherty remained as Vice President of Academic Affairs.	Sister Kathleen O'Brien
1994	Alverno earned the prestigious Hesburgh Award for faculty development to enhance undergraduate teaching. The Alverno Commission on Education in the 21st Century delivered its final report, to be used in future planning for the college, to the Board of Trustees.	Alverno Today, March 1994
1996	Alverno's first Masters program-a Master of Arts for teachers/trainers, was approved, as well as a new major in Weekend College, Community Leadership and Development. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded a grant of $750,000 to Alverno College for its "distinctive approach to liberal arts education."	First College Bulletin for the Master of Arts Program Alverno cited as "A National Resource and Model" Alverno Magazine, June 1996
1997	Alverno broke ground on October 15, 1997 for the construction of the new Teaching, Learning & Technology Center (TLTC).	Teaching, Learning & Technology Center Under Construction January 1998
1998	The Communication, Management and Technology (CMT) major was approved for Weekend College and the Environmental Science major was approved for Weekday College.	Real Life (Student Magazine) May 1999
1999	The Teaching, Learning & Technology Center, which includes science, computer, and multimedia labs, and a conference center, opened in January and was dedicated with grand opening festivities on April 17, 1999.	Alverno Magazine, Spring 1999 Program for TLTC Grand Opening
1999	In September, Sister Austin Doherty left her position as Vice President of Academic Affairs to become Director of the Alverno Institute; Sister Kathleen O'Brien became the new Vice President. Zohreh Emami and Tim Riordan became Associate Vice Presidents. The Alverno Diagnostic Digital Portfolio (DDP), a web-based electronic tool that allows a student to save and access selected key performances related to her learning as well as internships and volunteer work, was introduced in Fall 1999. Learn More...	Zohreh Emami and Tim Riordan
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2000	Alverno's Athletic program was officially re-initiated with the creation of the Alverno Inferno. Volleyball and basketball have been planned for the 2000-2001 school year. Soccer, softball, and cross-country running will be added later. Global Studies was approved as a major. The School Sisters of St. Francis, the College's founding Order, celebrated its 125th Anniversary.	Alverno Inferno first season schedules for volleyball and basketball
2001	The Alverno Archives Web Page was launched. Computer Studies became a major area of study.
2002	Marketing Management and International Business were approved as new major areas of study. "The Mug" coffeehouse opened in the Campus Center. The International and Intercultural Center opened.	"The Mug" Alverno Magazine, Summer 2002
2003	Sister Joel Read, President of Alverno College for 35 years, retired. For more information about Alverno Presidents, click here. Sister Kathleen O'Brien was named Interim President.	Sister Joel Read at her retirement, May 2003 Sister Kathleen O'Brien
2004	Dr. Mary J. Meehan became Alverno's seventh President. Her inauguration was on October 8, 2004. For more information about Alverno Presidents, click here.	Dr. Mary J. Meehan, PhD.
2005	In Fall 2005 Alverno began offering a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).	Alverno's New MSN Program Alverno Magazine Winter/Spring 2005
	Zohreh Emami stepped down from her position as an Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.	Zohreh Emami
	On November 8, 2005 the Campus Center was renamed Austin Hall in honor of Sister Austin Doherty for her service and dedication to Alverno.	Alverno Alpha November 2005
2006	In Fall 2006, Alverno began offering a Master of Business Administration. The Alverno College Campus received a facelift. The six month beautification project culminated with a dedication ceremony during homecoming on October 7, 2006.	The MBA Alverno Magazine Spring 2006 The campus beautification project included landscaping, signs, new athletic fields and a parking garage.
2007	The George Lucas Foundation named Alverno College one of the nation's ten leading schools for teacher education. Kathy Lake became an Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.	Kathy Lake
2008	Clare Hall (student residence) was renovated during the summer of 2008. There was a dedication ceremony on October 4, 2008 during Homecoming.	Clare Hall renovation was described in the Summer 2008 issue of Alverno Magazine The Clare Hall dedication was featured in the November 2008 issue of Alverno Alpha (Student Newspaper)
2009	On March 11, College President Mary Meehan received the Sacagawea Award from Professional Dimensions.	President Meehan receives Sacagawea Award
	Alverno's Research Center for Women and Girls (RCWG) was opened in Fall 2009 and Kate Masley was hired as its first director. Click here to learn more about Alverno's Research Center for Women and Girls.	Announcement of Alverno's new Research Center for Women and Girls
	A sixth sport, tennis, was added to the Alverno Inferno Athletics program.
	In October Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education,"singled out Alverno College as a shining star; a school that does an exemplary job in training and preparing teachers for the classroom. Learn More...
	The Alverno Childcare Center was renamed the Alverno Early Learning Center.	Alverno Early Learning Center
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2010	In June, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the Walmart Foundation selected Alverno College to receive a $100,000 CIC/Walmart College Success Award. The funds were used to create the promise Scholars program for first generation student support. Two new programs of undergraduate study were added, an Asian Studies minor and a minor in Chinese Language and Culture.
	Two new specialties in Alverno's Master of Arts program were launched: a Special Education Licensure-to-Masters program and a World Humanities specialization. Calandra Lockhart was hired as program coordinator for Special Education.	Calandra Lockhart and Alverno's Special Education Program
	Alverno began offering a new Weekday major and minor in Women's and Gender Studies.	Alverno's Weekday Women's and Gender Studies major and minor
2011	Rhonda Matthews Ware was appointed Executive Director of the Research Center for Women and Girls. Click here to learn more about Alverno's Research Center for Women and Girls.	Rhonda Matthews Ware in the Spring 2012 Issue of Alverno Magazine
	Tim Riordan stepped down from his position and Jeana Abromeit became an Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.	Tim Riordan and Jeana Abromeit
	Alverno began offering a new Master of Science in Community Psychology and Counseling. A new specialty in the Master of Science in Nursing program: Family Nurse Practitioner was launched. Learn More...
2012	Alverno celebrates its 125th Anniversary.	Celebrating 125 years of innovation in education
	The Mug Coffeehouse received a needed makeover.	The Mug makeover in the Spring 2012 issue of Alverno Magazine
	The National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) announced that Alverno Early Learning Center has been awarded accreditation. As a NAC accredited center, Alverno Early Learning Center has been recognized as an early care and education program that exemplifies excellence in the care of young children.