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AJCU Institutions Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries of Women On-Campus

September 25, 2009

Deanna Howes, AJCU Manager of Information Services
202-862-9893   dhowes@ajcunet.edu

Students at Marquette, 1930

Students at Xavier, date unknown

During the 2009-2010 academic year, Marquette University and Xavier University will mark their 100th and 40th anniversaries, respectively, of enrolling women as undergraduate students.  The two Jesuit institutions will host events throughout the year to celebrate decades of women’s achievements on-campus.

Marquette also marks its centennial as the world’s first Catholic university to become co-educational.  In 1909, former Marquette President Rev. James McCabe, SJ chose to accept women at a time when Catholic schools across the country sought teachers with advanced degrees to better educate their students.  His decision was not met without controversy and required final approval from the head of the Society of Jesus in Rome.  After receiving his approval in 1912, the university was officially recognized as an academic institution for both men and women.

In the early 20th century, women were permitted to attend evening programs and the law school at Xavier, but were not accepted as day students in the undergraduate program.  At the time, the majority of female students were religious and enrolled in the institution’s teaching college.

In 1963, the university filed a petition to the regional Jesuit Provincial for permission to enroll women as undergraduate students.  After six years, the university became officially coeducational.  In the fall of 1969, 52 women enrolled in the first class and the university welcomed its first Dean of Women and first temporary female faculty member.

Marquette students, 1949

Xavier students, date unknown

According to AJCU, women at both Marquette and Xavier currently comprise more than half of each institution’s total population.  Both universities feature women in administrative positions, including dean and vice president.  Women are supported on-campus through the Xavier Women’s Center and challenged academically through the Women’s and Gender Studies academic program at Marquette.

Marquette and Xavier both feature commemorative websites for their anniversaries that offer photos and chronologies of women’s history at the institutions, as well as listings of events scheduled throughout the year.  This fall, Marquette will honor Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ with an honorary degree and Xavier will host an awards dinner to recognize the accomplishments of its women alumni.

Students and alumni at both Marquette and Xavier are invited to share their thoughts and memories on women’s legacies at their campuses on the commemorative websites.  For more information, please see http://www.marquette.edu/women100 and http://www.xavier.edu/celebratewomen.

Marquette University's Office of Marketing and Communication and Xavier University's Office of Public Relations contributed information and photos to this article.