Antonine O'Brien Papers

Collection

Identifier: UA-03-A04

Staff Only

The collection is predominantly correspondence, including letters from alumnae, students, employees, and other Catholic and educational organizations. These materials are mainly from O’Brien’s presidency, but some materials date after her term as president was ended. Of note, there are letters with signatures from Senator Eugene McCarthy and President Hubert Humphrey.

Other items in the collection include publications and speeches, newspaper clippings, and conference materials. There is also a single set of minutes from the Vietnamese Catholic Student Association and a single photograph of O’Brien.

Dates

1916 - 1987

Creator

O'Brien, Antonine, CSJ, 1895-1987 (Person)

About Sister Antonine O'Brien

Sister Antonine O’Brien, CSJ was the fourth President of the College of St. Catherine from 1949 to 1955. O’Brien earned her bachelor’s degree in 1926 from St. Catherine and went on to study at the University of Minnesota. Afterwards, she traveled with Sr. Maris Stella to England and studied at Oxford University. Upon returning from Oxford in 1929 she began teaching at St. Catherine as an assistant professor of English. By 1933 she had earned her Masters of English. O’Brien took the position of Dean of the college in 1937, which she held until becoming President.

During O’Brien’s term in office, the debate over the liberal arts verses professional fields was starting to change the nature of higher education. She saw the development of liberal Catholic degree and an increased focus on education studies. O’Brien also saw the college programs expand through technological developments and enter the information age. As part of these changes, she opened the first language lab on campus and oversaw the construction of St. Joseph Hall in 1955. O’Brien was a great supporter for cooperative ventures, helping to establish programs such as Area Studies (Russia, Middle East, Africa), interlibrary cooperation, and inter-campus class attendance with St. Thomas.

After her term as president, O’Brien served as director of juniorates (recently professed Sisters) for the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1955 to 1958. Following that position, she was the province director from 1958 to 1964 and the religious superior of the CSJs from 1964 to 1970. Finally she founded and operated a province archives from 1970 to 1978.

Sister Antonine O’Brien retired in 1978 and died October 24, 1987.

Extent

0.7 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence and other records of Sister Antonine O’Brien, the fourth president of the College of St. Catherine, relating mainly to her role as President of the College.

Organization

The collection is arranged into two series.

Missing Title

Series 1: Correspondence
Series 2: Subject Files

Related Materials

Additional letters to O'Brien from later St. Catherine presidents (1958-1964) may be found in the Board of Trustees records (box 592). A history of the CSJs and St. Catherine as told by O'Brien is in tape box 63.

Additional information on Sister Antonine O'Brien is in the the archives of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province.

Separated Materials

Correspondence and other documents from Sister Antonine's time as Dean (1937-1949) were removed from this collection and placed with the Academic Dean's records.