1941

Mercy College opens with 220 students (114 registered on Outer Drive, 106 in the extension class on East Grand Boulevard) and 29 faculty members, 14 of whom were Sisters of Mercy. First president: Sr. Mary Patricia Garvey, R.S.M.

Tuition: $75

Four academic divisions: Religion & Philosophy; Language & Literature; Social Science, Natural Science & Mathematics.

First academic programs: nursing, medical record library science, teacher education, medical technology, x-ray technology.

The campus, designed by Charles J. Sullivan, consisted of an Administration Building, which also housed the Provincial House; Rose Arbor, which replicated the Lourdes grotto; and a belvedere with room for an orchestra and/or dramatic presentations.

Student newspaper, Outer Echoes, begun.

First degree awarded in sociology.

1942

Teacher education program approved by Michigan State Board of Education.

Medical record librarians program approved.

1943

Clinical laboratory technicians program approved.

Student organizations started:

    Alexandrian Club (philosophy);

    Mendelian Club (biology);

    Mercian Players and Verse-Speaking

    Choir (speech); Journalism Club.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree awarded to seven students; Bachelor of Science degree awarded to one student.

1944

The Reverend William J. Miller, S.J., president of the University of Detroit gave the commencement address on August 30, 1944.

1945

Three-story classroom and laboratory building added with an adjacent auditorium. It became Our Lady of Mercy High School. The 800-seat auditorium was named McAuley Auditorium.

Discussion with University of Detroit President Albert H. Poetker, S.J., regarding affiliation between Mercy and U-D. However, the institutions decided not to affiliate.

Twelve degrees were conferred — four of which were to the first Sisters of Mercy to receive liberal arts degrees.

Chapel redecorated.

1946

College approved to offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees to young women. Majors were offered in: English, history, Latin and sociology. 410 women registered for fall term.

1948

Alumnae Association established, limited to degree students.

Tuition increased to $90; room and board was $250 a semester.

First Honors Convocation held in the Great Hall.

College celebrates 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Michigan (1873-1948).

1949

The Division of Nursing was accredited—the first institution in Michigan to earn this distinction.

Mercy League formed for mothers of the students, alumnae and friends of the college.

1950

The collegiate program of the Division of Nursing was approved by the Board of Review of the National Nursing Accrediting Service.

1951

College accredited by North Central.

Mercy celebrated its 10th anniversary while Detroit celebrated its 250th.

Sr. Mary Lucille Middleton, R.S.M., appointed acting president.

Mercy School of Nursing of Detroit and Mercy College became separate entities.

1952

Mother Mary Carmelita Manning, R.S.M., once more became president of the College Board of Trustees.

1953

College grows to 640 students and 52 faculty members; tuition is $150 a semester.

1954

First separate commencement exercises for Mercy School of Nursing of Detroit and Mercy College.

1955

College became member of AAUP, providing faculty ranking and tenure.

1957

College grows to 571 students with 62 full-time and 41 part-time faculty.

1958

Mercy Honor Society—Sigma Phi Sigma—established. Mercy College was a charter member.

Earl Ward was the first recipient of the Mercy Citation of Merit.

1961

College decides to remain in Detroit.

1962

Decision made to move motherhouse, its novitiate, postulate, juniorate, and high school from Outer Drive to new property at 11 Mile and Middlebelt Roads.

Campus expansion plan developed: Phase I—a student residence hall, a student center and a power plant; Phase II: a library and science building.

1963

First male students registered.

Mercy College changed its name to Mercy College of Detroit.

1966

Sisters not teaching at College move to Farmington Hills site.

First honorary degrees bestowed on:

Mary Regina Cunningham, R.S.M., Mother General of the Sisters of Mercy

The Honorable Martha W. Griffiths, U.S. Representative

Mary Raymond O�Leary, R.S.M., co-foundress of Mercy College

Earl G. Ward and William C. Pine, active members of the first Fathers Club

1971

Merit scholarships initiated.

1972

North Central reaffirms 10-year accreditation.

1973

�Jacques Brel� opens on campus at the Dinner Theatre of Detroit.

1974

Non-credit Continuing Education courses begin.

Women�s basketball team named Southeast Michigan Champion.

1975

College undertakes a $2.1 million fund-raising campaign for the expansion of library and science facilities.

Physician Assistant Program begins, the first in the state.

1978

College initiates Weekend College for working students.