Ursuline Academy of Dallas History & Timeline

1500s -1700s Angela Merici founds the Company of St. Ursula in Brescia, Italy in 1535.

In 1727, Ursulines from Rouen, France found their first school in New Orleans, still in operation today. The Sisters are the first teaching order to work in the now-known United States. Ursulines from New Orleans will open

Ursuline Sisters arrive in Canada in 1639 and establish a school in Quebec City, which continues today.

The Ursuline Coat of Arms was presented to the Ursulines of Paris by King Henry IV of France in 1607. The Latin phrase Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be Glory) expresses the purpose of every Ursuline Sister.

a school in Galveston, Texas, in 1854.

1870s Annie Lee Rogers

Mother St. Joseph Holly

1874 Ursuline Academy of Dallas is founded.

In response to a request from Bishop Claude Dubuis, and after several weeks of

Holly, to “the little north Texas town, with household supplies and a hundred and forty-six dollars.” * Dallas has a population of 2,063 and 13,300 countywide. * From the Annals of the Ursuline Sisters

Second school building

On February 2, school is opened in a

Seven pupils are enrolled that first day, among them

four-room wooden building on the corner of

Annie Lee Rogers, daughter of the family in whose home

“Realizing that we would never have a first class

Bryan and Masten Streets. This first building

the Sisters stayed the night of their arrival, and who will be

Academy without being chartered, we applied to the

will serve as classroom and living quarters for the

the valedictorian of the graduating class of 1884; and

Texas State Legislature.” * Ursuline receives collegiate

Sisters and boarders, and as a day school after the

Mary Jane Downey, who will be the first postulant to enter

rights and privileges signed March 5, 1877.

Academy is built on Bryan and St. Joseph Streets.

the Dallas community and, as Sister St. Angela, would serve

Enrollment is 200 day students and 40 boarders.

Moved to the new location and extensively

in many positions from 1875 until her death in 1937.

renovated in 1899, it later serves as home for

Father Martiniere, the parish priest, serves as the first chaplain

Father Joseph Martiniere, as the laundry after his

and is a blessing to the young community for 36 years.

* From the Annals of the Ursuline Sisters

death, and finally, with one room removed for a chicken house, as the three-room home for eleven Sisters while the first convent on the Walnut Hill property is built.

1875 The first graduation includes musical and dramatic presentations that set in motion the

careful planning, the Galveston community sends six Sisters, led by Mother St. Joseph

1877

First school building

importance of the school’s Performing, Musical, and Fine Arts Program for future years.

1880s

1882 Ground is broken for the foundation of the Convent and Academy. This central building of gothic structure, designed by noted Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton, will be completed in 1883 with additional wings added in 1890, 1902, and 1907.

1880 In June, the Sisters pay $2,000 for nine acres “of cotton field surrounded by vast waste of country as far as the eye can reach” * bound by Bryan, Haskell, Live Oak and St. Joseph Streets. The property is called Gaston Place and promptly renamed to St. Joseph’s Farm.

It will become what we now affectionately call “Old Ursuline.” * From the Annals of the Ursuline Sisters

1889 Although no specific uniform is required, “all clothing must be perfectly plain: no ruffles or flounces allowed. No jewelry except plain ear-rings and a breast pin. White dress for ceremonies.” * * From the 1889-90 Catalogue of Ursuline Academy

1890s 1899 The Ursuline Alumnae Association,

Silver Jubilee, January 28. Twenty-five years of Ursuline

suggested by Mother Evangelist Holly as a

presence in Dallas is marked with a solemn High Mass

Silver Jubilee gift, is established. In her

celebrated by Bishop Edward Dunne. “Old girls” (Alumnae),

words, it is to be an organization “whose

friends, and well-wishers attend in large numbers.

purpose will be to foster and perpetuate your own schoolgirl friendships, to preserve and strengthen ties with your Alma Mater. I do not know of any institution in the South that has such an association; you may take the lead.” * In honor of the occasion, the Alumnae present a gift of the stained glass window of the Five Wise Virgins for the chapel. The window, representing the founders of Ursuline in 1874, was designed by the renowned Franz X. Zettler and produced by the Franz Mayer Company in Munich, Germany for a total cost of $1,000. * From the Annals of the Ursuline Sisters

1900s - 1930s 1917 Uniforms are introduced. “Materials and patterns must be purchased from the Academy as regulation

1914

dress is obligatory. Red ties and hair ribbon for both summer and winter. Common sense shoes. No silk hose.” *

February 2, Founders Day. The Alumnae Association inaugurates the yearly reception for the Alumnae. In October, a plan to devote dues collected on Founders Day for an Alumnae Scholarship is discussed for the first time.

* From a school guidebook

1918 A kindergarten, one of the first in Dallas, opens.

Hundreds of Dallas women and men have happy memories of “Miss Lucille” Putnam ’15, their loving teacher for many years, and of Sister Emmanuel Shea

1915

who carried on as kindergarten teacher until the Montessori years.

World War I restrictions present special challenges. Meetings are curtailed and scholarships and prizes are funded by war stamps and bonds.

Class of 1935

1940s

1945 Snow Ball 1950

The blue and gold bow system is introduced. A gold

1941 During World War II, with the difficulties

bow is awarded to a student for outstanding academic

1948

achievement. The blue bow is awarded for “impeccably

The first Snow Ball is held –

good conduct.” The blue-gold bow represents excellence

a tradition that continues today.

Laying of the cornerstone at the new school building under construction

in both areas. These small ribbons are worn on the white

of shortages, students do not wear uniforms.

at 4900 Walnut Hill Lane

uniform blouses with pride. The lasting impact of this system is evident when, at its twenty-fifth reunion, the

1949

Class of 1951 awards each member a blue-gold bow.

November 13. The Founder’s Day Farewell Silver Tea is the last one held at “Old Ursuline.” Bricks from the old building are sold as souvenirs, the proceeds to help with the building fund. Within a few years there are no visible landmarks of the old school on Bryan and St. Joseph Streets.

“On Sunday afternoon, November 20, was witnessed the scene of an impressive 1949 Diamond Jubilee Graduates

1947

Class Day Picture

Tschoepe blessed the ground and lifted the first spadeful of earth on the site where the new Ursuline Academy will be built. ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, they

The post war uniform is a navy blue serge suit, white

labor in vain that build it,’ quoted the Chaplain, Reverend W. J. Smythe, in a

blouse, white socks, and navy blue saddle oxfords. Dress

brief address. Pupils representing the five Ursuline schools of Dallas – (Ursuline

uniform adds a string of white pearls, a hat, white gloves,

grade school, Ursuline Academy, St. Patrick’s, Sacred Heart Cathedral, and

and high heels. Changes in the 60s replace the navy jacket Merici High School

ceremony – the Ground Breaking on our new building site. Reverend Thomas

Christ the King) – accompanied by the Jesuit High School Band, formed the

with a white or blue blazer. The navy skirt remains.

procession from the Merici grounds to the new site. After the Ground Breaking,

1942 Twenty-eight acres, including an estate at 4800 Walnut Hill Lane, are purchased from A. A. Jackson for $50,000. The residence houses the high school department, Merici High School, for eight years. The grade school remains on Bryan Street for another eight years.

each of the forty-two Ursuline Nuns turned a spadeful of earth.” *

1948-1966 A dramatic part of the Ring Ceremony occurs as each recipient walks through a six-foot ring (sometimes silver, sometimes gold) and the class ring is placed on her finger by the Reverend Mother.

* From the Annals of the Ursuline Sisters

1950s -1960s 1950 In December, the entire Academy is relocated to the new school building at 4900 Walnut Hill Lane. The Merici residence remains the boarders’ residence until the boarding school is closed in the late 1960s.

1956 Construction begins on

1963

Braniff Gymnasium, the

Five acres, including a two-story house and pool,

first major addition to the

is purchased from the Sailer family for $125,000.

Walnut Hill Lane campus.

The residence is now St. Joseph’s Hall, housing offices for the President, Advancement, Alumnae, and volunteers.

The estate and property that housed Merici is sold.

Intramurals in the 1950s

1957 Growing enrollment necessitates the construction of a separate building for the grade school.

The Cultural Series includes the review of Camelot, The Miracle Worker, A Sense of Woman, an illustrated art lecture, modern dance, and a musical recital.

1970s

1976 The Elementary School closes at the end of the school year in May, after 102 years in operation. This change comes about as a result Sister Emmanuel Shea, O.S.U.

1971

Beloved Ursuline educator

The legendary plaid skirt is introduced. Since then, there

Alumnae Association for

have been many changes with the jackets, sweaters, blue

many years

and moderator of the Ursuline

shirts for seniors, long socks, tights, sweatshirts and other variations, but the plaid skirt remains.

1974 The new Convent and new Chapel are dedicated. On February 3, a Centennial Mass of Thanksgiving is held at Moody Coliseum on the SMU Campus. Three thousand participants fill the floor-level seating around the central altar. A canopy with a red letter “U� is suspended over the raised altar. Banners hang all about. The concelebrants are all priests who were taught by the Ursuline Sisters. The celebrant, Bishop Thomas Tschoepe, is assisted by five Episcopal dignitaries.

At the offertory procession of one hundred, each person represents one year of Ursuline service to Dallas. Each carries a long-stemmed red rose which is placed on the altar. Ninety-nine of these people are students or graduates. The hundredth is a 101-year-old gentleman, the brother of an 1878 graduate, Annie Shannon.

The stained glass window of the Five Wise Virgins, the first major gift of the Alumnae, is donated to the Dallas Historical Society as the Ursuline Centennial gift to the city.

of the growing high school enrollment and the decreasing number of teaching Sisters.

1980s

1983 The Sister Emmanuel Courtyard is dedicated and blessed by Bishop Thomas Tschoepe during Homecoming. The dedication plaque reads: “The Ursuline Alumnae Association dedicates this courtyard to Sister Emmanuel Shea, O.S.U. and to all the Ursuline Sisters for their years of

1980

1985

loving care to the Ursuline students of Dallas, April 17, 1983.”

The Beatrice M. Haggerty Library

A financial agreement is reached between Ursuline

is completed.

Academy and the Ursuline Alumnae Association.

For the first time the Alumnae Office becomes a budgeted department on the Academy books, giving the Association financial stability.

1984 Haggar Center, a student center/ dining hall/arts complex, is completed.

Science classrooms are renovated

1981

and computer science classrooms

The shield and Serviam insignia, which become popular at Ursuline Academy in the ’80s, symbolize the essence of an Ursuline education: Serviam, I will serve. The field of stars in the Ursuline shield represents the Little Bear – Ursula.

are constructed.

Soon after personal computers are introduced, six personal computers are being used at Ursuline Academy, five in computer math classes and one in journalism.

1986 Two historic changes occur in this period: the expansion of the Ursuline Academy Board of Directors to include two members of the laity, and the selection of the first lay person to serve as Academy principal.

1997

1990s

Ursuline formalizes a unique partnership for educational

1991 The first annual Mardi Gras Ball benefiting the Ursuline Scholarship

and cultural exchange with Huaxia Girls’ Academy of Beijing,

In 1997 Ursuline receives accreditation

the first school for girls to open in Beijing, China,

from the Independent Schools

after the Cultural Revolution.

Association of the Southwest (ISAS),

1996

a non-profit voluntary membership

Ursuline is one of the six schools in the U.S.

Association includes schools in Arizona,

and the only school in Dallas to pioneer the

Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico,

Anywhere Anytime Learning laptop program.

Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico.

association of independent schools. The

Fund is held on February 3 at the Fairmont Hotel.

Ursuline students on an exchange visit in the mid-2000s

1998 Ursuline installs a wireless network for connecting student laptops to the school network and to the Internet.

1994 with the history and traditions of Ursuline Academy of

1992 The student literary Magazine

Esse receives the highest award from the National Council of English Teachers.

On January 24, a joyful crowd gathers at the Westin

Computerworld Smithsonian Awards names Ursuline Academy a

Ballroom to celebrate the Silver Centennial. A video

Laureate as an “innovative user of information technology.” The case

presentation of the 125-year history sets the stage for

study becomes part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Permanent

the solemn and deeply moving liturgy.

Research Collection on Information Technology and Society.

Heritage Days, a program to acquaint freshman students

1999

May 15. The Alumnae Association celebrates its

For the fifth time in ten years, The Meadows Foundation

one-hundredth birthday. A seated tea is held honoring

recognizes Ursuline for outstanding community service.

the Silver Centennial graduates, and they are formally

Dallas and with St. Angela and her order of religious

inducted into the Association. Continuing an 85-year

women, begins.

tradition, the Alumnae Association scholarships for 1999-2000 are awarded and a lively and strikingly

A million-dollar technology grant from the William H.

original presentation of Ursuline history is enacted by

Gates Foundation places Ursuline at the cutting edge

seniors from the drama department.

of the electronics information age, making it possible for Ursuline to build the infrastructure for a school-wide wired network.

Ursuline Academy becomes a member of The North American Ursuline Educational Service, a network of Ursuline schools including the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

1996 The Jane Neuhoff Athletic Center is completed, providing state-of-the-art facilities for Ursuline sports and physical education programs.

Ursuline acquires a two-acre parcel of land at the corner of Walnut Hill Lane and Inwood Road at a total price of $1.2 million.

2000s

2008 Ursuline Sister School Partnerships begin with Instituto Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil; Colegio Santa Ursula in Lima, Peru; and Colegio Santa Ursula Vitacura in Santiago, Chilé.

2005

Ursuline becomes a member of the Ursuline

The Ursuline community opens both hearts and homes

Educational Services (UES) network which

to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Academy enrolls 34

serves over 40 Ursuline schools in the USA,

students from the New Orleans area tuition-free. Students

Canada, Mexico, and other countries.

volunteer their services to the Red Cross, collect over four

2000 The Ursuline Center for Performing

tons of clothing, bottled water, canned goods, and other

2006

needed items, and raise more than $4,300 in cash

The Convent is renamed St. Ursula Hall and converted

donations for Catholic Charities Hurricane Relief.

in January.

2002

The French Family Science, Math, and Technology Center

to classrooms and offices following the move of eight Ursuline

Arts (UCPA), located in the renovated Braniff Gymnasium, is dedicated

2009

Ursuline welcomes eight international exchange students

and the Music Building open. Both are built to Leadership

Sisters who take up residence in several locations in the city.

in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification

this school year from Chilé, France, and Germany.

standards. Major renovations of Cass Hall and

The Ursuline Bears win five state championships:

Lower Main Hall are completed.

Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, and Tennis.

Ursuline becomes a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). NAIS represents

The Ursuline Academy of Dallas

approximately 1,400 independent schools and associations

Foundation Inc. is established.

in the United States and affiliates worldwide.

2010 On January 5, 2006, Ursuline announces a grant

2004

Ursuline’s Soccer Team wins the State

of $5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates

Title for the 20th consecutive year.

Foundation for science, math, and technology

A second generation wireless network

education, including construction of The French

On May 7, The French Family Science, Math,

is implemented at the Academy.

Family Science, Math, and Technology Center. The

and Technology Center is formally dedicated,

gift is the largest contribution ever received in the

with the Blessing offered by Bishop Kevin J.

history of the Academy. In 2007, the Foundation

Farrell, D.D.; greetings from the City of Dallas

awards an additional grant of $2 million to further

by Mayor Tom Leppert, and keynote remarks

fund new construction and campus renovations.

by Melinda French Gates ’82.

The Ursuline Bears soccer team poses for a championship photograph (circa 2000).