Alverno College to rename building in honor of Sister Joel Read

October 4, 2012

Alverno College has announced it will rename its Teaching, Learning and Technology Center the Sister Joel Read Center in honor of its longest-serving president. The renaming ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 6 as part of the college's 125th anniversary homecoming celebration.

“Sister Joel's vision, passion and leadership helped shape Alverno College into the internationally-recognized institution it is today,” said Mary J. Meehan, Ph. D., president of Alverno College. “This honor is only fitting, as her legacy will live on in each of our students for generations to come. For all she has done for Alverno, we are truly blessed.”

Read served as president of Alverno from 1968 through 2003, and remains one of the most notable educational reform advocates in the nation. During her tenure, Alverno developed its distinctive abilities-based curriculum; pioneered one of the first internship programs in the country; launched its Weekend College, the first of its kind in Milwaukee; and introduced its Digital Diagnostic Portfolio, a patented web-based system that enables students to follow their learning progress throughout their college career. Earlier this year, Read was honored with the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C Award for her outstanding contributions and extended service to Catholic Higher Education by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

The renaming ceremony will take place from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, in conjunction with a dinner for honored Alverno College alumnae.