Welcome to the Parents Place

Dear Alvernia Parent,

"The roots that were to become Alvernia College 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. Thirty-two years later, in 1958, the institution was expanded into a four-year liberal arts college"(http://www.alvernia.edu/about/history.htm).  True to its Franciscan heritage and mission motto: To Learn, To Love, To Serve, Alvernia's Franciscan values have shaped its character and history since its founding. Today we still uphold the values of service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation, and collegiality. 

We began celebrating our 50th Anniversary this spring with our Spring Commencement, held on May 17 at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center in Reading, Also to begin the celebration there will a 50th Anniversary Alumni Picnic in June, a special themed issue of the Alvernia Magazine in July, a Founders Day/Opening Mass of the Academic Year, and a 50th Anniversary Campus Festival in September, plus many other activities and events throughout the academic year in celebration of our Franciscan heritage and the 50th Anniversary of Alvernia College. Please check the College's web site calendar of events for more information.
 
In this guide to student life at Alvernia, you will find information to help you understand Alvernia’s values, mission, and policies. You also will get a glimpse of what your student’s experience will include and learn what it means to be the parent of an Alvernian.

We make a great effort to communicate regularly with our parents.  In addition to mailings to the homes of students and their families, the College has a special News and Events section on our web site and Dr. Flynn, College President, posts his Flynn Files and Newsletters on the President’s web site. 

Alvernia strives to provide an environment that is appropriately challenging, welcoming, and as safe as possible. Through our educational and student life programs, student judicial process, and positive mentoring, we work to influence behavior and strengthen character.  Our goal is to assist students to strike a balance between individual freedoms and civic responsibilities.

The Alvernia experience nurtures engagement through campus activities, community service, service-learning projects, professional internships and study abroad. This engagement prepares our students for success in their chosen professions. It also makes the difference between a good college experience and an extraordinary one.

We encourage you to talk to your son or daughter about taking full advantage of Alvernia’s opportunities.

Please contact us if you need assistance. And I hope to see you on campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend!

Sincerely,

Kristél Pfeil Kemmerer, EdD
Dean of Students