Manor College at 75: A Written History

Fall light cascades through the windows of the Basileiad Library in 2021.

Manor College has been blessed to have so much history occur during a 75 year period. Did you know, for example, that the Ukrainian President came to Manor College in the early 1990s? Or that Manor College wasn’t the first name of our institution?

Take a quick look through Manor College’s history!

St. Macrina Hall, where the first classes of Manor College (then known as St. Macrina College) took place.

1947: Manor College (Originally called St. Macrina College) was founded by the Ukrainian Sisters of St. Basil the Great as a four-year liberal arts college.   Mother Josaphat Theodorowych, OSBM, Foundress  

1947-1950: Mother Marie Dolzycka, OSBM, becomes the first President of Manor College. Manor is affiliated with the Catholic University of America during her tenure.

1950-1951: Mother Eusebia Bilas, OSBM, becomes President.

1951-54: Sister Jerome Roman, OSBM, President becomes President.

1954-64: Sister Euphrosyne Gewetchka, OSBM becomes President.

1959: Manor College is officially chartered and incorporated by the higher education system of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to grant associate’s degrees.

1961: Mother of Perpetual Help Hall Opened (Academic Building)

1964: Manor College is recognized and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction. 

1964-70: Sister Jerome Roman, OSBM, becomes President of Manor College.

1964: St. Josaphat Hall opens. The hall holds the first dormitories on campus complete with kitchens and common areas.

1967: Manor attains Middle States Association accreditation 

The Basileiad Library as seen when it first opened in 1969.

1969: The Basileiad Library opens on campus.

1970-1976: Sister Olga Kish, OSBM, becomes President

1972: The evening division of Manor College is established. The division welcomes Manor College’s first male students. 

1976-1985: Sister Miriam Claire Kowal, OSBM, becomes the sixth President.

1976: Establishment of the Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Program (Originally called the Dental Program) 

1977: Opening of Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center 

1979: Dental Center opens on campus

Sister Cecilia is pictured with current Manor College President Dr. Jonathan Peri.

1985-2015: Sister Mary Cecilia Jurasinski, OSBM, President

1987: Establishment of Veterinary Technology Program (Originally known as Animal Science) 

1988: Establishment of Paralegal Program 

1988: Manor becomes a coeducational institution as men are admitted into the day classes at the college.

1996: Establishment of Dental Hygiene Program 

2015: Brother Joseph Burke, FSC, Ph.D., becomes the interim president of Manor College.

2015: Jonathan Peri, J.D., Ph.D. chosen as Manor’s First Lay President.

2018: Manor authorized to award Bachelor’s Degrees by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.