Sister Joel Read, President Emerita of Alverno College, has been honored with the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C Award for her outstanding contributions and extended service to Catholic Higher Education by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. The Hesburgh Award is the oldest award given by the ACCU, and it was presented at their annual meeting in Washington, DC on Jan. 28.

Sister Joel, a School Sister of St. Francis, was Alverno College’s longest-running president, serving from 1968 – 2003. During that time, Alverno launched one of the first internship programs in the country (1971), instituted its unique ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education (1973), created its first masters degree program (1973), and began its Weekend College, the first of its kind in Wisconsin (1977).

“Sister Joel led a teaching and learning revolution here at Alverno,” said Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D., and president of Alverno College. “Her legacy is one that lives on in all that we do.”

The Hesburgh Award is named for the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. Considered one of the most influential figures in higher education, Rev. Hesburgh led Notre Dame for 35 years. During his tenure, Notre Dame’s enrollment went from 4,979 to 9,600, faculty increased from 389 to 950, the endowment went from $9 million to $350 million, and research funding grew from $735,000 to $15 million.

About Alverno College

Alverno College, a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women, exists to promote the personal and professional development of its students. Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, the college has earned accolades and respect internationally for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, and has consulted with three U.S. presidential administrations on accountability and outcomes in higher education. For two years in a row, Alverno College has been ranked first in the Midwest for doing “the best job of educating undergrads” by U.S. News & World Report. Educators from throughout the world visit Alverno to learn about its proven, student-centered teaching methods.

Alverno offers more than 35 major program areas of study, including graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology and business that are open to women and men.  For more information about Alverno, visit our Web site at www.alverno.edu or call 414-382-6100.