College Of St Catherine Alum history

In January of 1865, St Catharina’s Female Academy opened with 15 boarders and 47 day school students.

The Minneapolis campus was founded in 1887 by the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet as St Mary’s School of Nursing, later named St Mary’s Junior College.

Derham Hall opened in January 1905, offering classes to high school boarding students and lower-division college students.

Upper-division college courses were first offered during the 1911–12 academic year.

In spring 1913, Bachelor of Arts degrees were conferred on the first two students to complete four years at the new institution.

In fall 1937, St Kate’s became the first Catholic college or university in the United States, and the third Minnesota institution, to be awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

McGuire Gym added during first renovation to original building (1947)

St Catherine’s has a strong tradition of interest in art and design, natural concerns in the context of world famous and award-winning buildings designed in 1960 by Arne Jacobsen and more recently by Stephen Hodder.

First computer center opens in newly renovated library (1985)

St Kate’s strengthened its commitment to excellence in healthcare education in September 2007 with the launch of the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health.

1:1 Apple iPad Pilot Program launched (2010)