St. Mary's College, Indiana, (College History Series) »

These photographs were collected and cherished by the very women whose lives were profoundly shaped by their experiences at Saint Mary's College. Authors Amanda Divine and Colin-Elizabeth Pier, alumnae of St. Mary's College, have chronicled not only the history of this unique college and the women who attended it, but also the history of women over the past 150 years.

Saint Mary's College compiles nearly 200 engaging images from the extensive Saint Mary's College Archives to create the first exclusively visual history of the college's prestigious 150 years. The images in this work illustrate the story of one of the first Catholic women's colleges in Indiana from shortly after the Sisters of the Holy Cross arrived from Le Mans, France in 1843 to present day. Envisioned by these women of faith as a place to enrich the minds and spirits of the girls of the frontier, Saint Mary's began its tradition of pioneering education for women. This original mission enabled the college to adapt to the contemporary needs of its students and continue to grow and become a regional leader in science, education, and the arts. As the number of students increased, and the community and world around the campus changed, Saint Mary's College evolved by continuing to honor tradition. The pictures reflect the evolution of the student body, campus, and academic life.