About Us - Education - Saint Mary's College

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana

Throughout its history Saint Mary’s College has educated women “to make a difference in world, Church and society.” The college community – faculty, students, administration, parents, staff and alumnae – have committed themselves to growth in faith and Christian service, as well as scholarship. They are active in movements that work for justice and educational opportunity for the disenfranchised.

Saint Mary’s College, Le Mans Hall

Three Saint Mary's students participate in a college service project.

Throughout the history of theological education, graduate schools of theology were open to men only. In 1943, Sister Madeleva Wolff, president of Saint Mary’s College, established the first graduate school of theology for women. This “School of Sacred Theology,” besides offering academic studies in the field of theology, focused on training women for leadership in the Church and society at large.

Today, Saint Mary’s continues to develop innovative programs that guide and support a student’s discovery of her gifts, and the ways these gifts can be of service to others. Three program centers of national distinction – the Center for Spirituality, the Center for Academic Innovations and the Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership – exemplify the college’s enduring values of “well-roundedness”: holistic formation, academic excellence, diversity, and Catholic intellectual tradition.

~From reports by Sister Louisita Welsh, CSC, assistant to vice president for mission, and Sister Rose Anne Schultz, CSC, vice president for mission

SMC students Cat Guengue, Mary Braun and Jodie Badgely wash paint brushes after a day of rehabilitating houses for local residents while participating in the college’s Fall Appalachia Service Project.
“During my first experience in Appalachia, I became aware of my sheltered ignorance. I will never forget the moment when I realized I was painting a house in old $70 designer jeans. For me, they were out of style and worthless. To the family I was helping, they represented food on the table and clean water. At that moment, my values began to change.” ~Jodie Badgely '04