Mundelein College
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Mundelein College was a private, independent, Roman Catholic college for women in the United States. Located in the Rogers Park and Edgewater neighborhoods of Chicago, Illinois, Mundelein College was once the largest Roman Catholic women's college. Founded and administered by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mundelein College was famous for pioneering women's studies and women's leadership programs now taught in most colleges and universities throughout the world.
In 1991, Mundelein College became an incorporated college of Loyola University Chicago, a member institution of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
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Establishment
On November 1, 1929, exactly three days after the stock market crash that heralded the start of the Great Depression, Sister Mary Justitia Coffey and Mother Mary Isabella Kane of the BVM Sisters presided over the groundbreaking of the landmark Mundelein College Skyscraper at 6525 North Sheridan Road. The building would become the tallest in Chicago and Mundelein College was the first college in the world to be housed in a modern high-rise building.
On June 3, 1931, Skyscraper was dedicated in a ceremony to open its doors for the first time. The Art Deco building is fifteen stories high with two towering and striking statues at the entrance, acting as a beacon of invitation to opportunities never before imagined for women.
Innovation
Not only did Mundelein College pioneer women's studies and women's leadership programs, it also pioneered continuing education programs designed for adults who have previously dropped out of college. In 1969, Mundelein College became the first school to structure a master's program facultied completely by women holding doctoral degrees. The Graduate Program in Religious Studies became a model for other women's colleges throughout the nation. In 1972, Mundelein College established the Hispanic Institute. The first school of its kind, it offered encouragement and support for bilingual and bicultural education in the various Chicago neighborhoods. The institute offered courses for people wishing to work in those neighborhoods with Hispanics.
Recognition
U.S. News & World Report cited Mundelein College as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. The college ranked sixteenth among all women's colleges in the nation and second among liberal arts colleges in the state of Illinois for the number of women graduates who went on to obtain the Ph.D. degree.
Incorporation
In 1991, Mundelein College became an incorporated college of neighboring Loyola University Chicago. The Jesuit institution began to manage the BVM Sisters' college buildings: Skyscraper, Coffey Hall, Piper Mansion and the Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Center.
Even though the BVM Sisters retired from their administration of Mundelein College, their ideals and values continued through the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership, established by Loyola University Chicago. They also continue to teach courses and chaplain to the spiritual needs of Loyola University Chicago students.
Resources
- Loyola University Chicago (http://www.luc.edu/)
- Gannon Center for Women and Leadership (http://www.luc.edu/orgs/gannon/)
- Mundelein College Alumni (http://www.luc.edu/orgs/gannon/mundelein/main.html)
- Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (http://www.bvmcong.org/)