75 Years: Moments In Time

On June 29, 1948, Stonehill College was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross and was officially dedicated on October 12, 1948.

The Science Building—the first building constructed by the College—opens in 1949.

Men’s basketball is Stonehill’s first venture into athletics in late fall of 1948. 

First issue of The Summit is distributed on campus on November 3, 1949.

Boxing begins at Stonehill in 1950. Richard Gallery ’55, who fought the last heavyweight bout, recalled, "We won many more than we lost."

In 1951, Stonehill becomes coeducational as 19 women enroll. 

The first Commencement was held in 1952. The next year, the tradition of holding Commencement outside begins, and Luice Moncey ’53 is the College’s first female graduate.

A student excavation on lower campus in 1957 leads to the discovery of relics from late 17th century, era of King Philip, Chief of the Wampanoag Indians. 

A ticket for admission to the Jester's Ball in the Stonehill gymnasium, one of the monthly dances held in 1957. 

Cairn, Stonehill's first literary magazine, is published in 1960. 

Stonehill was considered a commuter college until O'Hara Hall opens as a men's residence in 1961. 

In February 1965, Stonehill established its own radio station, WSTO 640 AM. After a dial change, the radio station becomes  WSHL 91.3 FM in February 1974.

In response to the Kent State University shootings and other national crises, Communiversity is held during the last two weeks of the semester in May 1970. 

On September 14, 1970, the Evening College opens with 181 students. Classes are offered four evenings per week over a 15-week semester.  

Since 1949, Stonehill's theatre arts groups have showcased superb productions. After undergoing a renovation in 1973, the Hemingway Auditorium turns into a 267-seat theatre. In the spring of 1974, the new Hemingway Theatre opens as part of Stonehill's 25th anniversary celebration.

The Chapel of Mary, also housing a human resources center, opens in 1978.

The historic blizzard of  1978 dumps 27 inches of snow on the Eastern Seaboard over two days. Building and Grounds plows to keep roads and fire lanes open. 

In 1980, Stonehill becomes a founding member of the NCAA Division II Northeast-7 Conference, which in 1987 became the Northeast-10 Conference.

On a Saturday afternoon in 1986, a hot air balloon ride over Donahue, sponsored by the junior class, is offered to those who bought a $5 ticket. 

Joseph W. Martin Jr. Institute opens in 1990 to serve Southeastern Massachusetts and as a repository for Congressman Joseph Martin's papers.

In 1992, Jean Hamler pioneers student diversity efforts on campus and works with the College's international students as the first director of Intercultural Affairs.

Founded  in 1992, Into the Streets sponsors students who volunteer at social service agencies. 

Women's basketball, led by Coach Paula Sullivan, competes in the Elite Eight tournament in 1994 and in the Final Four in 1995. 

Professor of Chemistry Louis Liotta establishes the Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) in 1996. The program pairs student researchers with faculty mentors for eight to 10 weeks each summer, across a variety  of disciplines, to conduct publishable research. 

The clock on the quad, donated by the Class of 1996, has become a signature feature of Stonehill's campus.

In 1997, Campus Ministry launches a service immersion program, H.O.P.E.—Honoring our neighbor, Organizing for justice, Practicing peace, Encountering God. 

The MacPháidín Library opens in 1998. The headline in The Summit from September 24 reads, "Unveiling Stonehill's New Centerpiece."

The Class of 2002’s senior class gift is a 9/11 Memorial flagpole in remembrance of those who died in the September 11 attacks.

In 2002, the Pillar Society, the College's 50-year club, is established for those who graduated more than a half-century ago. The name reflects the prominence of the pillars that distinguish Donahue Hall and the Class of 1952's position as the pillar on which much of Stonehill tradition rests. Each year at Reunion, Pillar Society members are invited back to campus to gather and celebrate.

Women’s lacrosse captures Stonehill’s first two NCAA National Championships in 2003 and 2005, highlighting a run of nine-straight NE10 regular season championships, including eight undefeated seasons, and eight-straight NE10 Tournament crowns. Stonehill’s 2003 title [pictured] is won on campus with a 9-8 triumph over Longwood University.

W.B. Mason Stadium opens in 2005. "Ace" the Skyhawk, is unveiled as Stonehill's mascot.

The Thomas and Mary Shields Science Center opens in 2009, housing the biology, chemistry, physics and psychology departments.

An illustrated map from 2009 shows the new road that leads around campus as well as the location of the new Science Center.

The Farm at Stonehill is established in 2011. Since then, it has donated more than 95,000 pounds of organic produce to community partner organizations.

Corey Thomas ’13 earns the first individual NCAA National Championship by a Skyhawk, headlining a dominant decade for cross country and track & field, under the direction of Coach Karen Boen.

In 2013, Integrating Democratic Education at Stonehill (IDEAS) is introduced. The interdisciplinary, student-centered program encourages engagement, collaboration and active learning by creating an environment where students share their passions, wisdom and knowledge with one another.

In 2013, Stonehill roads are named after Congregation of Holy Cross priests who devoted most of their lives to the College.

In 2017, Stonehill announces the creation of two schools—the Thomas and Donna May School of Arts & Sciences and Leo J. Meehan School of Business. The May School of Arts & Sciences and Welcome Center opens in 2018, and the Meehan School of Business opens in 2019. Professors Peter Ubertaccio and Debra Salvucci are named the founding deans, respectively. 

Stonehill transitions to virtual learning amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alumni Hall turns into a testing center.

Stonehill rises to the NCAA Division I Northeast Conference [NEC] in 2022. "As the College approaches its 75th anniversary, this move to the Northeast Conference and NCAA Division I athletics signals that Stonehill is prepared to achieve its fullest potential both athletically and academically in years to come," says President John Denning, C.S.C. 

The Navigation Center for Student Success, bringing together Career Development, Tutoring, Academic Advising and Accessibility Resources, is launched in 2022.

Stonehill's TO BE BOLD campaign raises a record $77.3 million—exceeding its $75 million goal—for student scholarships, academic programs and new facilities.