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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Bridget Honan Loughney |
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February 27, 1997 |
202-884-9711 |
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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY IN 1997
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Trinity College in Washington, D.C., one of the nation's first Catholic liberal arts college for women, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding this year. The Centennial commemoration "A Century of Women Leading the Way" will be marked by various special events scheduled throughout the year. "We are ready to celebrate the achievements of Trinity and her graduates during the last 100 years, while preparing to seize the opportunities that will continue to inspire our mission in the new Trinity century, the first century of the Third Millennium," announced President Patricia A. McGuire. Founded in 1897 by the Sisters of Notre Dame as the nation's first Catholic liberal arts college for women, Trinity College has a rich tradition of academic excellence, specializing in preparing women for leadership roles and service. Today, with a diverse enrollment of nearly 1,500 students in its undergraduate and coeducational graduate programs, Trinity is a nationally recognized leader among the nation's women's colleges and in the education of adult women. Since welcoming its first students in November 1900, Trinity has offered degrees at the baccalaureate level in the liberal arts. A new undergraduate curriculum introduced in 1992, the "Foundation for Leadership Curriculum" integrates practical experience and a professional focus to the liberal arts. In 1966, the College implemented a graduate program, which today offers masterÌs degrees to both women and men in the areas of education, counseling, health promotion and administration. In 1984 Trinity instituted the Weekend College program, designed to provide working women the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree during weekend classes, thereby accommodating their family and professional responsibilities. In addition to its degree programs, Trinity also educates thousands of students each year through its non-degree and affiliated programs, including Graduate Workshops for teachers, Washington Very Special Arts, Upward Bound, Education for Parish Service, Notre Dame Education Center and Elderhostel. Recently named one of the nation's "Best Colleges" and "Best College Values" by U.S. News and World Report, this past fall Trinity welcomed its largest freshman class in a decade. Total enrollment has increased more than 30% in the past five years. Trinity is the only college to claim two female members of the U.S. House of Representatives as alumnae: Congresswomen Barbara Kennelly '58 and Nancy Pelosi '62. Other notable graduates include: Maggie Williams '77, assistant to President Clinton and chief of staff to the First Lady; Cathleen Black '66, president of Hearst Magazines and former publisher of USA Today; Leila Gonzalez Sullivan '65, president of Essex Community College in Maryland, and the former president of Middlesex Community College in Connecticut; and Trinity's president, Patricia A. McGuire '74. Centennial celebration highlights include a variety of events planned throughout the year, including Founders'Day, April 15; Commencement, May 18; Centennial Alumnae Reunion for all alumnae, May 30-June 1; Centennial Festival and Concert, August 20; Symposium on Catholic Women's Colleges, September 19-20; and the National Centennial Gala Weekend, October 3-5 in Washington, D.C., and other locations around the country. Trinity will continue to celebrate its Centennial era through the year 2000, when the College will mark the arrival of its first students in November 1900. |
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