Timeline of Alverno College History

In 1950, Alverno College of Music merged with Alverno College becoming a department of the college.

In 1951, Sacred Heart School of Nursing joined with the previously merged schools to form the Alverno College we know today.

On March 29, 1951 the new Alverno College was granted accreditation from North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (NCA).

This is an account of Alverno's NCA accreditation that appeared in the April 7, 1951 issue of the Catholic Herald Citizen.

With overcrowded classrooms and resident halls, it became apparent that a new, larger facility was needed to house the growing Alverno College. A new campus was designed by the St. Louis architectural firm of Maguolo and Quick. With construction plans completed in October 1950, groundbreaking took place on the old Fischer farmstead, a 52-acre plot at the corner of 39th Street and Morgan Avenue, in the early spring of 1951.

This is an architect's rendering of the original buildings found on the new campus: (from left to right) Auditorium (now Pitman Theatre), Gymnasium (now Athletic Facility), Founders Hall, Corona Hall (originally the first residence hall) and not depicted, the Powerhouse.

The cornerstone for the "new" Alverno College was laid in a ceremony on Sunday October 19, 1952.

This is a postcard of the newly constructed Alverno College. It opened its doors for the first time in September 1953.

On April 21,1954 the School Sisters of Saint Francis brought together religious and civic leaders from Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin, and other states in the Midwest to celebrate the dedication of their "new" Alverno College with festivities held throughout the day.

This photo depicts the library entrance during the dedication festivities on April 21, 1954.

As Alverno College grew, other buildings were added to the campus in the 1950's.

First was Alverno Elementary School, a laboratory school, where elementary education majors would observe teaching at its best, which opened its doors in January 1955. It is now called Elizabeth Hall and houses the Alverno Early Learning Center.

Next built almost concurrently at the north and south ends of campus were Alphonsa Hall and Clare Hall. Alphonsa Hall opened for some classes in the summer of 1956 and was dedicated on December 1. Clare Hall opened for student residence in January 1957.

This is an architect's rendering for Alphonsa Hall and including Lampe Recital Hall which was built in 1956 after it became apparent that more music practice rooms were needed.

As the resident population outgrew Corona Hall, the construction of Clare Hall  was also begun in 1956. Constructed with Clare Hall was the "Fish Bowl" lobby area.

At Sister Joel Read's invitation, then Massachusetts Senator, John F. Kennedy visited Alverno on May 17, 1958 to promote his book, Profiles in Courage.

The class of 1957 raised $500 for their class gift and asked Alverno art instructor and artist Sister Helena Steffensmeier to carve a statue from the Pittsford Valley marble they purchased. The photo below shows the dedication ceremony for the statue, "Mary, Queen of the Universe" held on May 28, 1958. It currently can be seen not far from the La Verna Commons patio.

Click here to learn more about the sculpture and its dedication.