Facts
#1
Cornerstone
The cornerstone of the Administration Building was blessed in 1915.
#2
816 Wins
Coach Andy Yosinoff is the winningest coach in NCAA D-III Women's Basketball history.
#3
The First
Emmanuel College was the first women's Catholic college in New England.
#4
JFK Speaks
President John F. Kennedy—then a US Representative from the Eleventh Congressional District of Massachusetts—gave the 1949 Commencement Address.
#5
Everywhere but Antarctica
Alumni currently live across six continents in 68 different countries around the world, from Bolivia and Zimbabwe to Switzerland and Singapore.
#6
Emmanuels
Two Emmanuels (and one Emmanuelle) have graduated from Emmanuel since 1923.
#7
Campus Cats
In the 2000s, there were so many feral cats in the Fenway that Emmanuel faculty, staff and students built houses in the campus gardens for them and volunteered to shelter them indoors in winter.
#8
327 Barbaras
327 Barbaras have attended Emmanuel College since 1919.
#9
Wearing the Pants
Commuter students protested the College dress code in 1969, wearing pants to classes during icy winter weather, winning the right for all students to wear pants on campus for the first time.
#10
WASP
Alumna Edna "Rita" Murphy Wischmeyer '43 served as a Women's Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during WWII, earning a Congressional Gold Medal in 2009 for her service.
#11
SGA
The first Emmanuel Student Government Association was convened in 1946.
#12
Charter Day
The College Charter was passed on April 14, 1921.
#13
There She Is...
Four Emmanuel alumnae have been named Miss Massachusetts and competed for the national title of Miss America, including the first-ever Miss MA of color, Gabriela Taveras '17.
#14
Robed
Seniors wore robes to class daily through the Class of 1963. For several years afterwards, seniors could opt to wear robes for classes and paired their robes with stocks—high sheer white collars—for special events throughout the year.
#15
Sr. Wilfred's Garden
Sr. Wilfred's garden and a baseball field were once where the Cardinal Cushing Library stands now.
#16
Apollo 11
Patricia Mary (Finnegan) Collins '52 was the wife of Mike Collins, one of the three astronauts of Apollo 11. He manned the spaceship while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon.
#17
Grad School
Emmanuel College opened its first graduate school in 1926.
#18
Emmas Forever
Emmanuel students referred to themselves as "Emmas" during the College's time as an all-female institution.
#19
10/16/17
The College's beloved campus St. Bernard, Emma was born on October 16, 2017.
#20
19,089
As of 1/1/19, there are 19,089 living Emmanuel College alumni.
#21
Shared Space
When Emmanuel College first opened its doors in 1919 as a day college, it shared its building with the Boston Academy of the Notre Dame, a private girls primary and secondary school.
#22
Bark, Bark
Halo the St. Bernard was chosen as the College mascot in 2004.
#23
Emmanuel of Tomorrow
The College's expansion from 1949-1968—which saw the addition of nine new buildings to campus—was dubbed "Emmanuel of Tomorrow." Buildings included five residence halls and the Cardinal Cushing Library.
#24
Storied Past
Built in 1958, Julie Hall was sold to Beth Israel Hospital during financial challenges in 1974, repurchased in 2002, demolished in 2016 and replaced in 2018 with a stunning new residence hall.
#25
Colleges of the Fenway
Emmanuel College President Sr. Janet Eisner, SNDdeN led the establishment of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium in 1996.
#26
Primary Forum
Emmanuel College hosted the nationally-televised Democratic Presidential Primary Forum on Women's Issues in 1984.
#27
Coed
The College's first coed class arrived on campus in September 2001.
#28
Home Field Advantage
In 2009, Emmanuel College partnered with the City of Boston to restore Roberto Clemente Field, giving the Saints a stunning new home field on Boston's Emerald Necklace.
#29
Enemy List
Journalist and alumna Mary McGrory '39 won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1975 for her articles about the Watergate Scandal. McGrory was on Richard Nixon's famed "enemies list."
#30
The Bird
Larry Bird filmed a commercial on the Emmanuel College campus in Fall 1985.
#31
Merck
Emmanuel College leased a parcel of land to Merck Laboratories in 2001, making it the only college in the nation with a private pharmaceutical research facility right on campus.
#32
Anti-Slavery Leader
Emmanuel College's Notre Dame Campus, acquired in 2012, is home to the William Lloyd Garrison House, the historic residence of the leader of Boston's anti-slavery cause.
#33
OUTSpoken
OUTSpoken, Emmanuel College's first LGBTQ organization, was recognized by the Student Government Association in Spring 2012.
#34
And I'm Barbara Walters...
Barbara Walters gave the 1975 Commencement address, right before becoming the first female co-anchor of a network evening news (ABC) in 1976.
#35
BSU
The Black Student Union (BSU) was established on campus in 1970.
#36
Teach In
Emmanuel College sponsored a teach-in on 11/20/77 organized by Sr. Rosaria Salerno in support of the anti-nuclear movement.
#37
Our God With Us
The word Emmanuel means "Our God With Us."
#38
5 Cents
It cost riders 5 cents to take the T when Emmanuel opened in 1919. In 1960, riders paid 15 cents. In 1985, riders paid 90 cents.
#39
Historic President
Sr. Janet Eisner '63, SNDdeN is the longest serving woman president in U.S. higher education history. She was named Acting President in 1978 and inaugurated in 1979. She celebrates her 40th anniversary during the College's Centennial year.
#40
Cutting Curfew
In 1969, resident students voted 91% in favor of setting their own curfews in an intra-dormitory referendum.
#41
Female Saints
The Emmanuel College Chapel windows depict seven women saints—Sts. Anne, Catherine, Elisabeth, Cecelia, Agnes, Theresa and Mary Magdalene—as well as the Madonna and child.
#42
Tiffany
The Emmanuel College Chapel houses a golden crucifix and candlesticks purchased from Tiffany Studios in 1916.
#43
Bill of Rights
Emmanuel students wrote a student "Bill of Rights" in 1970, presenting it to College leadership. A final version was approved by the Board of Trustees on December 9, 1972.
#44
Molasses Flood
Emmanuel College opened the same year as Boston's Great Molasses Flood, when a holding tank burst and sent 2.3 million gallons of the sticky liquid sweeping through the streets of Boston.
#45
One Dozen
Emmanuel College has had twelve presidents—all Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur—since 1919.
#46
Go Sox!
Since Emmanuel College opened its doors in 1919, our neighbors the Boston Red Sox have won four World Series Championships: All within the past 15 years.
#47
Medalist
Two-time Olympic figure skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan earned an associate's degree in business administration from Emmanuel College in 1993.
#48
We've Got Spirit
Emmanuel College was voted "Best School Spirit" in Boston for all five years the Boston A-List awarded the category 2011-2016.
#49
Lights, Camera, Action
Scenes from 2016 movies 'Ghostbusters' and 'Patriots Day' were filmed on the Emmanuel campus.
#50
No Nukes
Emmanuel College hosted a "No Nukes" rally during the 1985-1986 school year.
#51
Golden Snitch
Emmanuel students can create their own registered student organizations—including a Quidditch Team which recreated the famed Harry Potter sport on broomsticks.
#52
Tweet
Emmanuel College first joined Twitter in January 2009.
#53
Dead Man Walking
The author of 'Dead Man Walking,' Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, spoke at Emmanuel College in April 1996.
#54
Founding Mothers
The first Founders Day was celebrated on 2/2/93, an annual tradition that continues on campus 26 years later.
#55
The Web
Emmanuel College launched its first website during the 1994-1995 school year.
#56
Peace
A Catholic Church Peace Conference was held at Emmanuel College in August 1986.
#57
Everything but the Altar Boy
The Tabernacle Society, an Emmanuel student organization during World War II, created Mass kits to send to chaplains stationed overseas. The kits, according to Sr. Claire Julie, SNDdeN contained “everything but the altar boy.”
#58
Focus
Emmanuel's longtime student newspaper, The Focus, was established with a seven-person editorial board in 1948.
#59
Sister Students
Sisters began taking courses with traditional students in 1952, instead of on Saturdays, summer sessions or independent study sessions.
#60
Longwood Nurses
Emmanuel College announced a new undergraduate nursing program in 2018, joining already well-established RN-to-BSN and Master's in Nursing degree programs.
#61
The Feminine Mystique
Feminist, activist and "The Feminine Mystique" author Betty Friedan spoke on campus in 1964.
#62
Emmanuel Day
Emmanuel Day—May 13, 1954—was declared by Boston Mayor John Hynes.
#63
Let There Be Art
The Emmanuel College Art Department was established in 1952.
#64
Food Fight
Student protests of campus cafeteria food in 1961 led to the creation of an on-campus coffee shop in 1962, run by neighborhood favorite Howard Yueh.
#65
Dorothy Day
Social activist and Catholic Worker Movement co-founder Dorothy Day gave a talk on campus about the “Ethics for Peace" in 1964.
#66
Tenure
A formal academic faculty rank (i.e., instructor, assistant professor, associate professor and professor) system was established on campus during the 1967-1968 academic year.
#67
First President
Sr. Superior Adela du Sacre Coeur, SND, became the first president of Emmanuel College in 1919.
#68
Six Hundred and Fifty
Emmanuel College welcomed its largest enrollment of new students—more than 650—in Fall 2018.
#69
Our Bodies, Ourselves
The landmark women's health book "Our Bodies, Ourselves" was born from the work of women who met at a women's liberation conference on the Emmanuel campus in 1969.
#70
Residential Campus
For the first time, during the 1966-1967 academic year, more residential (60%) than commuter (40%) students attended Emmanuel College.
#71
50,000
80% of Emmanuel College students participate in community service during their time on campus, completing more than 50,000 hours of service annually.
#72
Grape Boycott
Emmanuel College students joined other area college students in 1967 to aid migrant farmers’ struggle for unionization by supporting the grape boycott, led by Cesar Chavez, who later spoke on campus in 1969.
#73
Placement Bureau
A Placement Bureau was established to provide alumnae guidance in entering the professional working world in 1935. The Bureau was a forerunner to today's Career Center which serves students and alumni.
#74
Opening Day
Emmanuel College opened with 29 students as a day college on 9/19/1919.
#75
11 Acres
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur first purchased 11 acres in the Fenway Area in 1912.
#76
Clambake
The end-of-year clambake—now called the Clam(less) Bake—has been a tradition since at least the 1970s.
#77
Alumnae Association
The Alumnae Association was founded on June 8, 1923 with the guidance of Sr. Helen Madeline Ingraham, SNDdeN.
#78
Diversity & Inclusivity
The Black Student Union and allies marched to the President's Office and read a list of demands on 11/23/15 to address issues of racial insensitivity. The College responded with the creation of the President's Commission on Diversity & Inclusivity.
#79
Pomp & Circumstance
Emmanuel graduated its first class with A.B. and BLitt. Degrees on June 7, 1923.
#80
Baby Day
Early Emmanuel College students in the 1920s and 1930s celebrated Baby Day—a day where first-year students dressed as young children and were led around by a Junior nurse.
#81
Lapis Lazuli
The original Emmanuel College class ring was designed by Tiffany and featured a lapis lazuli stone set in gold.
#82
450,000
450,000 bricks were used to build the new 18-story residence hall, which opened in Fall 2018.
#83
Resident Nuns
St. James Hall was built as an extension to the west end of the Administration Building in 1957 to accommodate resident nuns.
#84
$3 Bleacher Seats
Class of 1983 seniors could grab bleacher seats at Fenway Park for $3.
#85
Expanding the Board
In 1967, the first lay members of Emmanuel College Board of Trustees, Henry W. Leen and John E. Sullivan, Jr., were elected.
#86
Explosive Courses
In 2017, Emmanuel students could register for courses titled "Pirates, Rascals and Scoundrels" and "Chemistry of Fire and Explosives," among more traditional offerings.
#87
'Til Tuesday
'Til Tuesday—with lead vocalist Aimee Mann—performed at the 1984 Clambake.
#88
Stroke of Midnight
Class of 1968 alumnae remember 7:30 p.m. curfews on weeknights and midnight on weekends for resident students.
#89
Isabella
Emmanuel's first students used to cut through Isabella Stewart Gardner's yard on their way to campus. The famous Bostonian would sometimes invite them to sit and chat, or would shout out the Red Sox score as they dashed past.
#90
Hispanic Women's Conference
A Higher Education and Hispanic Women Conference was held on the Emmanuel campus in 1985.
#91
Sign Out
In the 70's, residence halls had metal racks in their entries with cards upon which resident students "signed out," listing their destination and when they planned to return.
#92
Mystic River
Dennis Lehane, bestselling author of novels including 'Gone Baby Gone,' 'Mystic River' and 'Shutter Island' gave the 2009 Commencement Address.
#93
Square Root of Murder
Physicist and novelist Camille Minchino '58 has written a number of popular science and mathematics mysteries, including the Professor Sophie Knowles series.
#94
Ground Control
A number of Emmanuel College grads have worked at NASA, including Bertha Ryan '50, Janis Stoklosa '68 and Maura Hagan '75.
#95
Sweet Sixteen
Emmanuel College has 16 NCAA Division III athletic teams, including basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, track & field and more.
#96
27.1
Campus was hit with 27.1 inches in the Blizzard of ‘78.
#97
Fulbrights
2018 marks the eighth consecutive year Emmanuel College has had a student Fulbright recipient. The College was also named a "Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars" in 2016 for its number of Fulbright faculty scholars.
#98
2,710
2,710 members of the Emmanuel community gave $4.7 million to support the College during the 2017-2018 academic year.
#99
12 Hours
The Emmanuel College Dance Marathon has raised $593,071.23 for Boston Children's Hospital in its seven years as a student organization. Students dance for twelve straight hours straight overnight.
#100
Kennedys
Senator Edward "Ted" M. Kennedy gave the 1969 Emmanuel College Commencement Address. His wife, lawyer Victoria Reggie Kennedy gave the Commencement Address in 2010.