History of the St. Joseph College Alumnae Association

Since Elizabeth Ann Seton opened the doors of St. Joseph Academy on July 31, 1809, thousands of young women and girls went forth from the Valley to take their places as mothers, religious, educators, physicans, nurses, attorneys, corporate executives, administrators and members of the Armed Forces.

For the first 90 years after the founding, many women associated with St. Joseph’s returned to the Valley to renew their friendships and visit their former home. The magnet that drew these graduates was an undeniable spirit, a sacred bond that formed between them and their school.

Recognizing this bond, Sister Augustine Park, the fifth successor to Mother Seton as directress of the Academy, thought that it was time to form an association of graduates and students of the Academy that would link them together in friendship for each other and for the school. Thus, on the afternoon of June 16, 1897, Sr. Augustine initiated the organization of the Alumnae Association with Mary Wade Kalbach, Class of 1871, Elizabeth Keenan White, Class of 1865, and M. Stella McBride, Class of 1868. Acting as co-founders, the three alumnae received the graduates of 1897 as charter members of the new Alumnae Association. A simple constitution was drawn up, and the objectives of the Association, which had been placed under the patronage of Mary Immaculate, were “to keep graduates and former students in close touch with their school and with each other.”

During the Association’s meeting on June 12, 1912, a suggestion was made by Clara Douglas Sheeran, class of 1894, to form “sewing guilds” in various cities and localities where many alumnae lived. The object of the “guilds” was to keep members in touch with each other and current on news from the Academy. The guild would contribute articles made by alumnae to the sisters for use in their hospitals, asylums and homes for the poor. These guilds became chapters and a chairperson became the “regent” for the chapter. The original eight “sewing guilds” begun in 1912-13, grew to 23 clubs spanning the United States.

International Scale

A movement that would grow to international proportions began with the New York Chapter of the Association through the efforts of Clara Douglas Sheeran, Class of 1894, and Clare I. Cogan, Class of 1909, to amalgamate the alumnae of Catholic colleges. The purpose of the federation was to work for the ideals of Catholic womanhood, the preservation of Catholic education, literature and social work, thus improving the educational and social conditions of society. The plans developed by the New York Chapter of the Alumnae Association were submitted to the American Cardinals, Gibbons in Baltimore, Farley in New York, and O’Connell in Boston, for their study and approval. The three cardinals gave their blessing, and the first meeting of the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae was held in New York City in November 1914. Representatives from more than 324 alumnae associations including some from Belgium, Great Britain and France attended. The first president of the IFCA was Clara Douglas Cogan, followed by Clara Douglas Sheeran. This organization, founded through the efforts of two St. Joseph graduates, is still active.

Constitution and By-Laws

As the St. Joseph’s Alumnae Association grew, it became apparent that a constitution and by-laws were necessary and that an application must be made to the Maryland State legislature to charter the organization. The documents were drawn up, and in 1920 the Alumnae Association became a business organization.

The Closing

St. Joseph College flourished for many decades. But in 1971, news that no St. Joseph College graduate ever dreamed possible was communicated in a letter from College President Sister Margaret Dougherty. A decision had been made to close the college in June 1973. The Annual Reunion in June 1971 drew almost 400 alumnae eager to learn what they could do to keep the college open. Unfortunately, the decision, based in large measure on the declining number of religious personnel available to staff the school, was irrevocable.

Today

Thirty-five years later, the SJCAA is still going strong, with more than 2,500 members. In 2009 we celebrate two centuries of women learners in the Valley! Please plan to attend Reunion 2009, April 16-19, 2009, at the Eisenhower Inn and Conference Center, Gettysburg, PA. Get Reunion information >>

Your memories are a large part of what we have left of St. Joseph's! Take a few moments to share your memories or update us on your life through our Class Blog or by contacting us. If you are not already a member, join us in preserving the memory of St. Joseph's.

Alumnae Presidents

1897 - 1906	Mrs. Mary Wade Kalbach (D)
1907 - 1908	Mrs. Kate Thecla Conley
1908 - 1909	Mrs. Nellie O’Brien Seemen
1909 - 1913	Mrs. Mary Wade Kalbach (D)
1913 - 1915	Miss Mary Reilley
1916 - 1919	Miss Clare I. Cogan
1920 - 1925	Mrs. Nary Brennan Gable
1925 - 1928	Mrs. Mary Doyle Morrison (D)
1929 - 1935	Mrs. May O’Brien Hassell
1935 - 1939	Miss Louise Sebold
1939 - 1941	Mrs. Ann Fesenmeir Distler
1941 - 1946	Mrs. Theo Brown Herrle
1946 - 1949	Miss M. Carmel McKiever
1949 - 1952	Mrs. Grace Gloninger Hogan
1952 - 1956	Miss Josephine Doyle ’31 (D)
1956 - 1959	Miss Mary Louise Manning ’34 (D)
1959 - 1962	Miss Ruth Startt ’33 (D)
1962 - 1965	Mrs. Cecilia McIntyre Ratke ’37 (D)
1965 - 1968	Miss Barbara Ann Duffy ’49 (D)
1968 - 1970	Mrs. Peggy Fitzgerald Arcidiacono ’45
1970 - 1974	Miss Barbara Ann Duffy ’49 (D)
1974 - 1977	Mrs. Eileen Rodgers Seaker ’45
1977 - 1979	Miss Margaret M. Troxell ’32 (D)
1979 - 1981	Miss Marie H. Anderson ’37
1981 - 1983	Mrs. Frances Hewes Sedney ’48
1983 - 1985	Mrs. Jane Strum Geipe ’47
1985 - 1989	Mrs. Patricia Grant Chamberlain ’73
1989 - 1993	Mrs. Sally Callahan Sullivan ’65
1993 - 1997	Mrs. Susan Flanigan Conrad ’65
1997 - 1999	Mrs. Patricia Grant Chamberlain ’73
1999 - 2001	Mrs. Chrystie Damico Goles ’64
2002 - 2004	Ms. Mary Anne Kelly ’68
2005 - 2007	Mrs. Ann Wyllie Mulroy ’67
2008 - 2010	Mrs. Jacquie Nemetz Van Meter ’68
D = deceased.

Current SJCAA Board >>