Albertus Magnus Celebrates 90th Anniversary At Founders' Day

The Albertus Magnus College community will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the opening of its doors to students on September 24, 1925, at this year's Founders' Day, September 24 and 25.

Named for St. Albert the Great, 13th century Dominican bishop, theologian and scholar, Albertus was the first Catholic, liberal arts, residential college for women in New England. Mother Stephanie Mohun, O.P., a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs (now the Dominican Sisters of Peace) and foundress of the College, took to heart a remark made by a local parent that what the New Haven area needed was a Catholic college for women. Inspired by the determination and perseverance of Mother Mohun, the Dominican Sisters forged ahead and established Albertus Magnus College.

The College opened with 50 students and 14 faculty members; in 1928, 12 students received their diplomas on the steps of Rosary Hall, a tradition that continues today. In May of this year 537 students graduated. In 1985 the College became coeducational.

The celebration begins on Thursday afternoon with a Liturgy of Thanksgiving for the College community in the St. Albert Atrium of the Tagliatela Academic Center, followed in Rosary Hall by a talk, "Albertus Magnus College: A Retrospective," by Sr. Kathleen Cannon, O.P., D. Min., associate dean of the College of Science and concurrent associate professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame. There will be a blessing and dedication of the Historical Wall in Rosary Hall, and presentation of the Veritas Award to Jeanne E. Mann, vice president for finance and treasurer, and Robert J. Imholt, Ph.D., professor of history. The Veritas Award is presented from time to time to those alumni and friends who personify the values, traditions and service to others− hallmarks of the Albertus mission.

College community events on Friday are a conversation with Foundress Mother Mohun and President Julia M. McNamara; Candlelight Ceremony, the oldest Albertus tradition, in which seniors pass on the light of knowledge to freshmen; an All-College Picnic, and a panel on "Veritas and Vision: the Future of our Mission and Dominican Tradition."

"Portraits from the Middle Ages: Spirit from the Time of Albertus Magnus," a collection of photographs by Jerome Nevins, professor and co-chair of the College's department of visual and performing arts, will be on display in the Margaret L. MacDonough Art Gallery in the Hubert Campus Center from September 24 through October 4. This exhibition is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.