Mount Saint Mary College history

While the prep school closed in 1936, the twentieth century was a time of expansion for the college.

1950 - The Casa San Jose had served the sisters well, but a new facility was needed to meet the growing needs of the elementary school.

The Mount was now a four-year liberal arts college and opened its door to the first class of lay women in 1960.

In June 1962, the Mount granted its first bachelor's degree, a Bachelor of Science in Education.

In 1963, Aquinas Hall, named after Saint Thomas Aquinas, opened.

1964 - The Mount celebrated the commencement of its first graduates from the four-year liberal arts college known as Mount Saint Mary College.

In May 1968, the college received full accreditation from the Middle States Association and in the spring of that year the first and only male student begins taking classes at the new co-ed Mount Saint Mary College.

In 1984, the college's first master's degree program was introduced leading to a Master of Science in Special Education.

The Mount has enjoyed success in other sports as well, boasting 12 Olympians including Peter Rono, who won the gold medal in the 1500 meter run at the 1988 Games as only a sophomore under the tutelage of the Mount’s remarkable track and field coach Jim Deegan.

1992 - The Elaine and William Kaplan Recreation Center opened, providing much-needed facilities for recreational and intramural activities, as well as intercollegiate sports.

2004 - A new and improved Guzman Hall opened in the fall of 2004.

2006 - On May 5, the College broke ground for the construction of a new 53,000 square-foot Mathematics, Science and Technology Center addition to Aquinas Hall.

2007 - The new Kaplan Family Mathematics, Science and Technology Center (MST) addition to Aquinas Hall opened in September.

The new MST center features a 3,000 square foot atrium, a Career Center, and Jazzman’s Café.2008 - The college completed a $30 million renovation project on the College Courts, now townhouse-style apartments on the north side of campus for the upperclassmen.

In February, President Eileen Schwalbach and Mount Mary’s College in the Community program is awarded the 2009 Program Innovation Award from ProLiteracy America, the nation’s largest adult literary organization.

2010 - The Mount saw the opening of The View, the renovated dining commons in Aquinas Hall.

2011 - In July, the Mount purchased the Dominican Center and 13 acres of property from the Sisters.

A Call to Excellence: The Campaign for the Dominican Center was launched in September 2012, with the goal of raising $10 million for the Dominican Center renovation.

2014 - The new Mount Saint Mary College Library opened in January 2014 in the renovated Dominican Center, along with the newly-cleaned Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary.

Following a nationwide search, Doctor Jason N. Adsit was appointed the college's seventh and current president and began his tenure at the Mount in June 2018.

The chapter will celebrate its centennial in 2019.;