A Notre Dame College alumna and emerita faculty member has published a visual time capsule of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Northeast Ohio.
Sr. Eileen Quinlan, SND, Ph.D., a 1974 graduate of Notre Dame and professor emerita of English at the College, is the author of “Sisters of Notre Dame of Cleveland.” The Arcadia Publishing book in the Images of America series uses archival photographs to tell a visual story of the Sisters of Notre Dame since their arrival in Cleveland in 1874.
“It’s a story of the Sisters being aware of God’s call and God’s goodness and provident care, and feeling the need to share that, primarily through education and now with children at risk and women at risk,” she said.
According to Quinlan, the College site in South Euclid has played a role since the early years of the order’s presence in United States, including as a “fresh air” recuperation space for Sisters recovering from sickness in the 1920s even before it helped extend the Sisters’ tradition of professional education for women from Europe to America.
“There are more images of Notre Dame College in the book than of any other single ministry of the Sisters. From the beginning of the congregation in Cleveland, diploma teacher-training was part of the formation of young Sisters,” Quinlan said.
The College then developed out of the need for professional educators to meet Ohio’s new teaching licensure requirements in the 1920s.
The book traces the 125-year history of the Sisters from their start in downtown Cleveland in the late 1800s teaching in parish schools and caring for orphans, to their attending people in prisons and supporting women in human and sex trafficking, among other ministries, in 2019.
“Watching the Sisters as they look at this book, it is like a family album for them,” Quinlan said. “It’s a time capsule of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon for the people who know and love us and an introduction for those who don’t.”
The 126-page book published in September 2019 is available from Quinlan (equinlan@ndc.edu) or can be purchased on the Arcadia and History Press website for $21.99.
November 2019
About Notre Dame College
For almost a century, Notre Dame College has educated a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College has grown strategically to keep pace with the rapidly changing needs of students and the dramatic changes in higher education. But it has never lost sight of its emphasis on teaching students not only how to make a good living but also how to live a good life.
Today, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. Notre Dame College offers NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic programs for men and women and is located in a picturesque residential neighborhood just 25 minutes from the heart of Cleveland. Hallmarks of the Notre Dame experience include stimulating academics, personalized attention of dedicated faculty and staff, and small class sizes.
Notre Dame College is located at 4545 College Road in South Euclid. For further information contact Brian Johnston, chief communications officer, at 216.373.5252 or bjohnston@ndc.edu.