The Dedication of
Welcome Center and Clubhouse
November 10, 2000

The dedication of the Welcome Center and new Clubhouse on November 10, 2000 ceremoniously opened the door to the realization of the Master Plan. Students, alumnae, faculty, staff and Board of Trustee members gratefully acknowledged the generosity of Colleen and Jim Ryan for their gift of the Welcome Center, as well as members of the Parents Council, both past and present, who provided funding for the Clubhouse.

The beautiful Tudor-style Welcome Center stands on the Avenue at the gateway to campus, providing the first opportunity to showcase for visitors the hospitality of Saint Mary’s and the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

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The Welcome Center houses a historic collection of photographs, letters and other College memorabilia dating back to the institution’s founding in 1844.

The Welcome center was built with the generous donation of Colleen and Jim Ryan who are the parents of three Saint Mary’s daughters, Molly '95, Maggie '97, and Kate who graduated in 2000. 

At the dedication ceremony, the Ryans described the positive impact Saint Mary’s College had on their daughters and how grateful they were to have the opportunity to extend to future Saint Mary’s women and their families the warm welcome they and their daughters have received.

The Clubhouse replaces the “Pine Grove Clubhouse” built in 1923 on the riverbank near Holy Cross Hall.  Like the first building, the new structure is distinctly dedicated as social space for students.  In 1991, at the initiative of Peggy Abood ’92, and with financial support from the Parents Council, the Clubhouse became the site of Dalloway’s Coffeehouse.

 
The coffeehouse offers a specialty coffee menu, soups, sandwiches, and desserts.

The name of the Coffeehouse was selected from the Virginia Wolfe novel, Mrs. Dalloway, about a woman with a modern view. It is the new social hub and is open to the general public.

The Parents Council

The Parents Council was established in 1966 and is currently composed of 16 couples.  The Council enriches student life by bringing parents’ perspectives and support to issues facing the College.  The Parents Council has raised funds for numerous campus projects, including improved lighting, endowment of the Presidential Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence Fund and construction of the new Clubhouse.

For more information about the Parent's Council visit their website

For more information about the Master Plan please contact: