Mission, History, Values and Vision
The College Mission Statement
Guided by Franciscan values and the ideal of “knowledge joined with love,” and
rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, Alvernia is a rigorous,
caring, and inclusive learning community committed to academic excellence and
to being and fostering
broadly educated, lifelong learners; reflective professionals and engaged citizens;
and ethical leaders with moral courage.
“
To Learn, To Love, To Serve”
History
The roots that were to become Alvernia University were planted in 1926 when the
Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis established a Teacher’s
Seminarium for the education of the Sisters. Francis Hall was the first building
on “campus”, originally an orphanage and later becoming a girl’s
high school. In 1958, the institution was expanded into a four-year liberal
arts college.
Since that time, the College has grown in both educational opportunities and enrollment. Beginning as a college for the Bernardine Sisters, Alvernia soon opened its doors to female students from the laity; the first male students were enrolled in 1971. Alvernia’s student population has grown from 23 freshmen and eight sophomores in 1958 to a current enrollment of over 2750 student men and women. Alvernia University received its charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1961.
1960’s
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1960: Francis Hall renovated to accommodate a chapel, library, dining room,
classrooms, small gym, science and education labs, administrative offices,
lecture hall and a wing that served as a dormitory for women.
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1961: Alvernia received its Charter from the State of Pennsylvania and the
first lay women were accepted as students.
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1961: First international student, from Liberia, was accepted.
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1965: Veronica Hall opened as a women’s dormitory.
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1967: Middle States Accreditation Board grants provisional accreditation.
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1969: Bernardine Hall constructed as a science and classroom facility.
1970’s
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Six majors were added to the curriculum, in addition to education.
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Enrollment quadrupled to 860 students.
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Greenhouse converted into art studio; music department moved to Francis Hall.
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Construction of Nursing Resource Center.
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Growth of athletic programs to include membership in Keystone Athletic Conference
and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
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1971: First male students admitted.
1980’s
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Installation of private office telephone system.
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Enrollment climbs to 1100 with 26 baccalaureate programs and three associate
degree programs.
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1983: Alvernia University celebrated its 25th anniversary.
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1985: Development of CE/ED (Continuing Education Evening Division) program.
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1987: Completion of physical education and recreation center.
1990’s
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First lay president, Dr. Daniel DeLucca, was inaugurated as the fourth college
president.
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Introduction of community service requirement.
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Completion of Frank A. Franco Learning Resource Center (library).
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Alvernia admitted into NCAA Division III athletics.
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Revision of core curriculum to include Service Learning and the College Honors
Program.
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1992: Townhouses constructed.
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1997: Introduction of internet access, email and the college web page.
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1997: Construction of Student Center
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1998: Development of masters programs
2000+
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Alvernia expands to include satellite campuses in Pottsville and Philadelphia
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Graduate and Continuing Education are located in new building, the Upland Center,
expanding the borders of campus
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International and Domestic Service Learning immersion trips expand to include
Santo Domingo, El Salvador, Baltimore, and the city of Reading
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Alvernia strengthens its commitment to diversity, multicultural initiatives,
and social justice concerns with increased emphasis on recycling and green
initiatives
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Police Academy rents space at Alvernia; cadets invited to collaborate with
CJ programs
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Bernardine Franciscan Sisters open a new Conference Center on campus with expanded
facilities for meetings and events sponsored by the college and greater Reading/Berks
community
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2005: Dr. Thomas Flynn inaugurated as 6th president of Alvernia University; launches
comprehensive Campus Master Plan, Strategic Plan for the next decade, and a
Capital Campaign to usher in Alvernia’s 50th Anniversary
Core Franciscan Values
The mission statements of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and Alvernia University
are the sources of the five core values of the Franciscan tradition — service,
humility, peacemaking, contemplation, and collegiality. To call these values “traditional” to
the Catholic, Franciscan view of the world does not imply that they are merely “old” or
without relevance to contemporary society. On the contrary, these basic values
have continued, throughout the centuries, to inform a way of life, a view
of the world, and a definition of men’s and women’s relationship
to their Creator that is perhaps more relevant in today’s world than
ever before. These values are, then, very much alive at Alvernia. Together
they form the foundation for decision-making, for program development, and
for our relationships with each other in the pursuit of our personal, communal
and educational goals. They are what make an education at Alvernia University
unique. As members of the Alvernia University community, each of us, no matter
our role, willingly proclaim common ownership of these core values.
Alvernia University Vision
The vision of Alvernia is to be a distinctive Franciscan university, committed
to personal and social transformation, through integrated, community-based,
inclusive and ethical learning.
Integrated Learning. Combining liberal arts and professional education, and blending rigorous inquiry, practical experience and personal reflection in the classroom, on campus, and in society;
Community-Based Learning. Engaging the local, regional and global communities as partners in education and service;
Inclusive Learning. Welcoming people of diverse beliefs and backgrounds; responsive to the educational needs of recent high school graduates, working adults and established professionals, and senior citizens; respectful and self-critical in our dialogue about differences in values and perspectives;
Ethical Learning. Challenging individuals to be values-based leaders by developing
habits of the mind, habits of the heart, and habits of the soul.