Alvernia University history

Fall 1961: First lay women accepted as students.

1961: Allentown school superintendent selects Alvernia to serve as a teacher training center for all beginning lay teachers contracted to work in the diocesan school system.

1961: First foreign student accepted from Monrovia, Liberia.

In 1961, the college accepted its first lay females students.

1962: Two halls in the Administration Building, Hedwig and Angela, are renovated for resident students.

October 9, 1966: Veronica Hall is dedicated, the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, Bishop of Allentown, presiding.

October 1967: James Bamford, former Mayor of Reading, is Director of Development at Alvernia.

November 30, 1967: Commission of Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools announces Alvernia's full accreditation.

In 1967, nine years after its founding, Alvernia was granted accreditation from Middle State – a remarkable achievement since many schools with greater resources had been waiting for this approval much longer.

In the 1970’s, Alvernia College included 4 buildings on its campus: Francis Hall, Bernardine Hall, Veronica Hall, and a small one-story building that housed the professional staff in the University Life division.

1980: First Chaplain assigned to Alvernia College.

1985: Continuing Education Evening Division is created.

October 3, 1989: Alvernia sculpture, created by art professor Sister M. Theodorette, CSB, is dedicated.

Doctor Moylan C. Mills, Professor of Integrative Arts at Pennsylvania State University, Ogontz Campus, presents "Tennessee Williams: The Troubled Life and Triumphant Art." 1994: College governance system, with procedures for granting faculty tenure, is established.

March 11, 1997: Doctor Laurence W. Mazzeno is named Alvernia's fifth president.

June 30, 1997: Daniel DeLucca retires as president of Alvernia.

1997: Alvernia receives national recognition when the John Templeton Foundation selects the college for their Honor Roll of character building colleges, citing the service requirement as an outstanding contribution to the community.

1999: Our Lady of Angels convent opens in former President's House.

Fall 1999: Alvernia begins offering Master's degrees in business administration, education, and liberal studies.

2000: Francis Hall convent wing is converted to a residence hall for women.

Fall 2006: Alvernia announces first doctoral program —Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership

On September 25, 2008, officials announced that it had attained university status and would be hereafter known as Alvernia University.

September 25, 2008: Alvernia announces University Status in midday ceremony on the new Campus Commons.

2008: New softball and baseball fields are constructed at Angelica Park

In 2008, Alvernia celebrated its 50th anniversary and was granted university status by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

June 2009: Alvernia partners with Leadership Berks November 2009: A new 10,000 sq. ft.

2009: Zygmunta and Pacelli Halls are Completed; Schlager Memorial track and multi-turf field is built

2010: Began multiyear renovation of both Assisi and Siena Townhouses; renovated entrance to Bernardine Hall

2010: Francis Hall Theater renovated and elevator added

May 2011: Alvernia and Reading Hospital partner for dual-enrollment

September 2011: Francis Hall rededicated after expansion and renovations

November 2011: Center for Student Life demolished to make way for new Campus Commons

Summer 2011: Renovated Philadelphia Center first floor, Bernardine Hall North Wing; created new Media Classroom on second floor of library; renovated Bernardine Lecture Hall and created new Media Suite; renovated Upland Center first floor and upgraded Veronica Hall.

Fall 2011: Acquired 951 Morgantown Road for administrative, receiving, mail room, and warehouse

2013: Signed long term lease for all of Angelica Park including the athletic fields and courts