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to Years 1959-1970
1971-1980
1981-1990
1991-2000
2001-
On December 12, 2002, Holy Family College received approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a change of status to university. Even though most of the events listed below occurred prior to that date, the term "university" is used throughout the time line. |
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| In 1952, Sister M. Neomisia Rutkowska, CSFN, provincial superior of the Immaculate Conception province of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, takes the initiative to seek approval of congregational, archdiocesan, and state authorities for founding a women's college in the Torresdale section of Northeast Philadelphia. That same year, she receives the approval of congregational leaders and Philadelphia’s archbishop, John Cardinal O'Hara, CSC, for the undertaking. Subsequently, she obtains from the Pennsylvania State Council on Education the endorsement of the name “Holy Family [University]” in October 1953, and on February 11, 1954, the legal charter that gives the university its corporate existence, establishing it as a four year liberal arts university for women, empowered to award the bachelor's degree in arts and sciences. In March, groundbreaking takes place for Holy Family Hall. |
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| 1954-1955 | ||
| Holy Family University commences its first academic year on September 2, 1954.The initial governance of the college consists of the board of trustees, supported by an advisory board and an administrative team of college officials. Except for the advisory board, membership is drawn overwhelmingly from the sponsoring congregation, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, for the first twenty-five years of the university’s history. The significant increase of trustees, administration, faculty, and support staff during this period attests to the strength of the university’s foundation, as well as its dynamic growth. The first board of trustees consists of Mother M. Bozena Staczynska, S. Neomisia Rutkowska, S. Fidelis Kalinowska, S. Simplicia Grochocka, S. Aloysius Sabacinska, S. Florence Tumasz, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Casimir F. Lawniczak, and Walter B. Gibbons, Esq. In the succeeding twenty five years, individuals on the board change but the composition and number of trustees is very similar to the original group, with seven of the eleven members in 1980 being members of the sponsoring congregation. The original advisory board consists of six members: The Most Rev. Joseph McShea, D.D., Rev. Joseph I. Boyle, OSA, M.A., Francis P. Burns, Gerald F. Flood, William M. Lennox, and Stanley J. Skromak, M.D. Twenty-five years later there are twenty-one members and the composition is almost entirely business professionals. A strong administrative and instructional team support and assist S. Neomisia, founding president, in designing and implementing careful plans, professional standards, and administrative and curriculum patterns that identify the university throughout its history. This gifted group includes S. Florence Tumasz, academic dean; S. Aloysius Sabacinska, bursar-registrar; S. Florianne (Misaela) Zacharewicz, dean of activities; and S. Jane Menzenska, librarian. The faculty includes S. Callista Klos, music; S. Gregoria Kozlowska, French and Spanish; S. Rose Ann (Flaventia) Federowicz, biology and mathematics; Rev. Robert Puhl, theology; Raymond Lodise, chemistry; Claire Winkler, voice and diction; and Dolores Audet, physical education. Enrollment in the inaugural year consists of seventeen young women, who attend classes temporarily in the mezzanine of Nazareth Academy High School. By November the first student government is established and, on December 17, the first Christmas Rose program premieres. As the spring semester approaches, the first Holy Family Symposium is established on January 9. In February, the first class of freshmen participate in capping day as Holy Family prepares to celebrate its first Charter Day anniversary on February 11. By the end of the month the cornerstone for Holy Family Hall is laid. As the first academic year draws to a close, students publish the first issue of Tri-Lite on May 31, 1955. |
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| 1955-1956 | ||
| On November 11, 1955, the first class of sophomores receive their blazers, establishing the blazer day tradition that continues into the 1970s. Ten days later, John Cardinal O’Hara dedicates Holy Family Hall on November 21, 1955. During the spring semester the glee club, to which all students belong, holds its first performance during the Easter season, a tradition that continues for many years. In April, the Pennsylvania Council of Education approves the secondary education program. In May, two long-standing traditions debut - Regina Night processions and Genesiennes productions - the first being “The Barretts.” | ||
| 1956-1957 | ||
| As Holy Family University enters its third year, it introduces the “Parents and Freshmen Tea Hour. ” Resident students have increased in number and the original St. Joseph Hall supplements St. Mary’s Hall as a student residence. A new tradition for freshmen is established with the introduction of the “Dinky” investiture. The non-credit program for adults is inaugurated in October. During the spring semester the first intercollegiate sport is organized and the “Hi-Fi’s” compete in their first basketball season. In May, the first class of juniors receive their school rings. | ||
| 1957-1958 | ||
| The first class of seniors begin their final year, and both the parents association - later known as “Parents and Friends” - and the alumni association are established. A third residence, Sacred Heart Hall, is made available to students. Albertans, the science club, is established and, on November 21, 1957, the first honors convocation is convened. During the spring semester, the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association approves the medical technology program in March. Graduating students produce the first edition of Familogue in May and, on June 2, 1958, Holy Family graduates its first class. | ||
| 1958-1959 | ||
| Holy Family initiates its first expansion program in November with groundbreaking for the new student residence building, the original Lourdes Hall. Folio publishes its first edition in the spring semester. One year after its first commencement, S. Neomisia is elected superior general of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, thus concluding her presidency. |
| S. M. Brendan O'Brien, CSFN, MA |
Instructor School of Arts & Sciences History Department Holy Family University 9801 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19114 215-637-7700 x3279 http://web3.holyfamily.edu/srbrendan Last updated: January 2006 |