Founding our Future: Barry's Living History

During Barry's 75th anniversary year, we are pleased to present personal interviews of 25 Adrian Dominicans who represent Sisters who served as faculty, administrators and presidents from 1940 to the present. These short feature stories capture the spirit of the University as told through the Sisters' experiences, and illustrate who we are and how we became Barry University.

Launched in 2011 by Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD, Barry's Founding our Future living history project emerged from a partnership with the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, Barry's Department of Communication and Office of Mission Engagement. Our hope is to preserve these stories as we honor our Adrian Dominican heritage and the Sisters' contribution to making Barry what it is today.

Sister Peggy Albert, OP, MSW, '82, PhD, '88
Sister Peggy Albert, OP, MSW, '82, PhD, '88

Administrator 1982-2006

Sister Mary Arnold Benedetto, OP
Sister Mary Arnold Benedetto, OP

Faculty;
Academic Dean 1952-2011

Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, BS, '62, PhD
Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, BS, '62, PhD

Administrator 1969-1978; 1981-1986;
President 2004-2019

Sister Beverly Bobola, OP
Sister Beverly Bobola, OP

Faculty 1974-1982

Sister Sarah Cavanaugh, OP, BS, '56, MS, '59
Sister Sarah Cavanaugh, OP, BS, '56, MS, '59

Administrator 1989-2007

Sister Mary Frances Coleman, OP, PhD
Sister Mary Frances Coleman, OP, PhD

Faculty;
College Treasurer, 1953-1962

Sister Sara Fairbanks, OP, PhD
Sister Sara Fairbanks, OP, PhD

Faculty 1990-present

Sister Rosemary Ferguson, OP, BA '52 DMin
Sister Rosemary Ferguson, OP, BA '52 DMin

Board of Trustees 1972-1974

Sister Mary Frances Fleischaker, OP, DMin
Sister Mary Frances Fleischaker, OP, DMin

Faculty 2006-present

Sister Nadine Foley, OP, PhD
Sister Nadine Foley, OP, PhD

Faculty;
Board of Trustees 1959-2006

Sister John Karen Frei, OP, MBA, '82, PhD
Sister John Karen Frei, OP, MBA, '82, PhD

Faculty;
Dean 1964-2012

Sister Myra Jackson, OP, BA '68, MBA '78
Sister Myra Jackson, OP, BA '68, MBA '78

Administrator 1971-present

Sister Attracta Kelly, OP, BA, '67, JD
Sister Attracta Kelly, OP, BA, '67, JD

Board of Trustees 2014-present

Sister Lorraine Morin, OP
Sister Lorraine Morin, OP

Staff 1986-2011

Sister Nancy Murray, OP, BA, '72
Sister Nancy Murray, OP, BA, '72
Sister Joanne O'Connor, OP, BS '44
Sister Joanne O'Connor, OP, BS '44

Faculty 1945-1955

Sister Marie Joannes O'Donnell, OP, PhD
Sister Marie Joannes O'Donnell, OP, PhD

Faculty 1958-1996

Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, OP, PhD
Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, OP, PhD

President 1981-2004;
Chancellor 2004-2009;
President Emerita 2009-present

Sister Maura Phillips, OP, PhD
Sister Maura Phillips, OP, PhD

Faculty 1951-1963

Sister Maria Riley, OP, BA '57, PhD
Sister Maria Riley, OP, BA '57, PhD

Faculty;
Board of Trustees 1970-1979

Sister Corinne Sanders, OP, MS '86, EdD
Sister Corinne Sanders, OP, MS '86, EdD

Administrator;
Board of Trustees 1995-2014

Sister Rita Schiltz, OP
Sister Rita Schiltz, OP

Faculty 1957-1963

Sister Patricia Siemen, OP, JD
Sister Patricia Siemen, OP, JD

Administrator 2006-present

Sister Agnes Louise Stechschulte, OP, PhD
Sister Agnes Louise Stechschulte, OP, PhD

Faculty 1960-2002

Sister Paul James Villemure, OP, PhD
Sister Paul James Villemure, OP, PhD

Faculty 1959-2013