Early Beginnings

By 1918, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill had made a name for themselves educating local young women through St. Joseph's Academy. These same young women yearned for the opportunity to continue their Catholic education as undergraduates under the auspices of the Sisters of Charity. Sister Francesca Brownlee, directress of the Academy, responded to this call. 

In March of 1917, Sr. Francesca and her colleague, Sr. Clementine Oler, departed for Harrisburg to begin the process for establishing a college. A charter was needed and it would be hard won. 

A College and University Council was required to evaluate the school property, equipment, classrooms, curriculum, and teachers. The Council found that Seton Hill was lacking the essential endowment and they required improvments in the science laboratories and the library. 

With support from generous friends, the Sisters of Charity were able to improve the library and science classrooms. The Council was hesitant to grant the charter because they did not see a great need for a Catholic women's college. The Council kept the Sisters in waiting for more than six months. In addition, the Sisters were advised to consider the sum of their real estate holdings as equivalent to the endowment. Sister Francesca was slowly bridging the gap. 

On April 18, 1918, Sr. Francesca, Mother Mary Joseph Havey, and their attorney attended the final meeting of the Council. Although initially unfavorable to the application, the Council finally approved the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill to confer degrees in Art, Music, and Home Economics.

The final decree was authorized June 3, 1918 by the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas.

The wide and generous network of friends and supporters of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, as well as the unwavering fortitude and leadership of Sr. Francesca Brownlee, heralded a new era. An era of higher education for young women in the Catholic tradition. An era of progress and exchange of ideas. An era of community growth. 100 years later, we look back in awe at the foresight and vision of the characters involved in the beginning of this story, but its many ensuing chapters have developed a depth and richness indicative of Mother Seton’s wish for the world.   Hazard, Yet Forward!

Dig deeper into the story on our blog post, A Dream Incapable of Realization, 100 Years Later.