{"id":1043,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-03-04 21:32:05","latitude":41.5070508000000018000719137489795684814453125,"longitude":-81.516109242228736775359720923006534576416015625,"title":"The Sisters of Notre Dame ","subtitle":"A Century of Devotion to Education in Cleveland ","fullsize":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/638eacb9b17ce16e346da058fa6da22b.jpg","address":"4545 College Rd, South Euclid, OH","zoom":15,"creator":["Michael Griffin "],"description":"Notre Dame College, a cornerstone of higher education in South Euclid, Ohio, concluded its 102-year journey in 2024. Founded in 1922 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, the college was renowned for its strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and vibrant campus life. The college's beautiful campus, designed by architect Thomas D. McLaughlin, is a testament to its rich history and commitment to providing a quality education. However, in more recent years, Notre Dame College faced numerous challenges that ultimately led to its closure. Declining enrollment, rising costs, and changing student expectations put significant strain on the institution's finances. Despite efforts to revitalize the college, these challenges proved insurmountable. The closure of Notre Dame College has had a profound impact on the South Euclid community. The college was a major employer, a cultural hub, and a source of pride for the community. Its loss is deeply felt by alumni, faculty, staff, and students.<br /><br />The Sisters of Notre Dame trace their roots back to the Netherlands and Belgium, where the order was founded in 1816. In 1850, they became a separate order and began their mission in Germany. In 1874, the Sisters of Notre Dame arrived in Cleveland to teach at St. Peter’s Church. In 1877, they established Notre Dame Academy for girls, providing young women with quality education. The Sisters also served as the Notre Dame Motherhouse, a convent that housed a mother superior of their community, until 1888, further adding to the prestige and legitimacy of the sisters. The Sisters of Notre Dame and <a href=\"https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/304\">St. Peter’s Church</a> share a deep-rooted connection to the Catholic faith and a common mission of serving the community. Both institutions have been integral parts of Cleveland’s Catholic community for over a century, contributing to the city’s rich history and cultural fabric. <br /><br />One of their most notable contributions was the founding of Notre Dame College for Women in 1922. Initially located in the Notre Dame Academy that had moved to Ansel Road seven years earlier, the college quickly outgrew the space and moved to a forty-acre farm on Green Road in South Euclid, where it built the iconic Administration Building, a five-story structure that has stood as a prominent landmark in South Euclid since its completion in 1927. Its classrooms, spacious halls, and serene chapel provided an ideal learning environment for generations of women. The building's Gothic Revival architecture, with its arches and pointed windows, created an atmosphere of academic strictness and spiritual contemplation. <br /><br />In addition to Notre Dame College, the Sisters went on to provide other educational opportunities, further expanding their commitment to Catholic education. They established Regina High School adjacent to the Notre Dame campus in 1953, Julie Billiart School in Lyndhurst in 1954, and Notre Dame Elementary School in Chardon in 1957. As the educational landscape shifted along with the movement of Catholics to the suburbs, the Sisters sold the old Notre Dame Academy building on Ansel in 1962, and it transitioned into a public junior high school. Notre Dame Academy (now Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School) then relocated to Chardon.<br /><br />Beyond their educational endeavors, the Sisters of Notre Dame have been dedicated to serving the needs of the community. They established Mt. St. Mary’s Institute to care for half-orphans and homeless children, operated a health center for the elderly and ill, and engaged in publishing, early childhood and adult education, and pastoral work. Through their dedication to education, community service, and religious life, the Sisters of Notre Dame have left a lasting legacy on the Cleveland area and beyond. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Notre Dame College experienced significant growth and expansion. The South Euclid campus grew to include multiple buildings and sports fields, providing students with a modern and conducive learning environment. The college offered traditional on-campus learning, expanding to include Weekend College for teachers and non-traditional students in 1978 and eventually online courses. The college's commitment to student-centered learning was evident in its supportive academic centers, which provided resources and assistance to help students succeed. Beyond academics, Notre Dame College offered a vibrant campus life with a variety of arts and athletic programs, eventually competing in NCAA Division II. <br /><br />However, the combination of declining enrollment and rising costs created a perfect storm for Notre Dame College. Despite efforts to cut costs and increase enrollment, the college was unable to overcome these challenges. Notre Dame, a cornerstone of higher education in South Euclid, Ohio, concluded its 102-year journey in 2024. While Notre Dame College may no longer exist, its legacy lives on. The college's alumni continue to make significant contributions to society, carrying forward the values and knowledge they gained during their time at the institution. The former campus, with its distinctive architecture, stands as a reminder of the college’s rich history and its impact on the community. The closure of Notre Dame College serves as a cautionary tale for other small liberal arts colleges. It highlights the challenges they face in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape. As we move forward, it is important to learn from the past and work to ensure the future of these institutions. All-in-all, it is evident that the sisters had such a rich history of education in the area with the college being the main example of their impact.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Notre Dame College has been permanently closed. ","lede":null,"website":null,"related_resources":["Coyne, John P. “College Ready to Shine Notre Dame of Ohio This is Marking its 75th Year.” <em>Plain Dealer</em>. September 9, 1996.","McDonnell, Sean. “<a href=\"https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/02/notre-dame-college-to-close-after-spring-semester.html\">Notre Dame College to Close After Spring Semester.</a>” <em>Cleveland.com.</em> February 29, 2024.","“<a href=\"https://case.edu/ech/articles/n/notre-dame-college\">Notre Dame College.</a>” <em>Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. </em>","“Notre Dame to Be Dedicated Today.” <em>Cleveland Plain Dealer</em>. November 25, 1928.","O’Donnell, Patrick. “Sisters of Notre Dame BBQ One BIG Family Reunion; Fundraiser Marks 50th Anniversary.” <em>Plain Dealer.</em> September 24, 2012.","Oprea, Mark. “<a href=\"https://www.clevescene.com/news/with-small-schools-struggling-notre-dame-colleges-future-in-flux-43319004\">With Small Schools Struggling, Notre Dame College’s Future in Flux.</a>” <em>Cleveland Scene.</em> December 19, 2023.","Peery, Richard M. “Sister Mary Marthe Reinhard, led Notre Dame College 15 years.” <em>Plain Dealer.</em> April 20, 2003.","Rutti, Ronald. “Notre Dame Opens Doors to Men.” <em>Plain Dealer.</em> September 23, 2000.","Salisbury, Wilma. “Notre Dame College Returns to Master Plan.” <em>Plain Dealer.</em> June 3, 1984.","“<a href=\"https://case.edu/ech/articles/s/sisters-notre-dame\">Sisters of Notre Dame.</a>” <em>Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. </em>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/638eacb9b17ce16e346da058fa6da22b.jpg":{"id":12533,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"First Wing of Administration Building","description":"Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | September 26, 1928","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/638eacb9b17ce16e346da058fa6da22b.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/bcd0bcd5aae469349f95ea4ca7be4efe.jpg":{"id":12519,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Notre Dame Academy on Ansel Road","description":"Notre Dame Academy opened in 1877 and moved to Ansel Road overlooking Rockefeller Park and Doan Brook in 1915. Notre Dame College originated as Notre Dame Academy seven years later. Quickly outgrowing its original home, the college acquired a farm in South Euclid to build a new campus in the mid-1920s. The house shown here was part of a campus that included the larger Gothic Revival school building to the left and three smaller structures. Today the main school building is operated by Famicos as apartments. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | ca. 1915","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/bcd0bcd5aae469349f95ea4ca7be4efe.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/590e4068f9df1874c802076e93d72445.jpg":{"id":12431,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"1927 Map of Land Where Future Campus of Notre Dame Will Sit","description":"Cleveland Historic Maps","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/590e4068f9df1874c802076e93d72445.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/18474fcd61d6067ed770f50590e75f29.jpg":{"id":12531,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Architect&#039;s Rendering of Tower","description":"The tower on the new Administration Building was the centerpiece of the campus. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | May 28, 1927","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/18474fcd61d6067ed770f50590e75f29.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/b5071c2648e2f8737cad4294cde5b48c.jpg":{"id":12525,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Architect&#039;s Rendering of New Campus","description":"This rendering shows the Gothic Revival style of Notre Dame College&#039;s South Euclid campus. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | May 28, 1927","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/b5071c2648e2f8737cad4294cde5b48c.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/5f34b64aa2b60fd8da624272aa47e9fc.jpg":{"id":12538,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Cornerstone of First Campus Building","description":"Students Mary Rita Shea (left), Agnes Carroll, and Angela Imburgia examine the cornerstone beside the west entrance of the new administration building. The Latin inscription on the cornerstone reads: &quot;Under the auspices of Mary, this first stone of the Sisters of Notre Dame was laid.&quot; | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | November 23, 1928","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/5f34b64aa2b60fd8da624272aa47e9fc.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/412e9fe135fe9275aefd7da7ffb02b52.jpg":{"id":12532,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Entrance to Administration Building","description":"Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | March 27, 1942 | James Thomas","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/412e9fe135fe9275aefd7da7ffb02b52.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/a65e10f212d76f9cee21f1ce99766c6b.jpg":{"id":12537,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Enjoying a Coca-Cola","description":"Left to right: Katherine Malloy, Jean Stokes, Aurelia Dean, Marie Dean, Reta Whearty | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | May 18, 1939 | John Nash","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/a65e10f212d76f9cee21f1ce99766c6b.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/41634a65b5de67889f6c2439e1ecc44c.jpg":{"id":12535,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Notre Dame College Soccer Team","description":"The team poses in front of the goal on the campus&#039;s athletic field. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | October 23, 1942 | Glenn Zahn","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/41634a65b5de67889f6c2439e1ecc44c.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/cb9c5cf9ad9254dae12ec0690725821b.jpg":{"id":12541,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Canned Food Drive for the Netherlands","description":"The 246 students of Notre Dame College staged a canned food drive that collected 6,424 cans to donate to the Notre Dame convent in the Netherlands for distribution to the needy. The average donation was 26 cans per student, and the Class of 1949 (sophomores) won the contest to see which class collected the most. They collected an average of 48 cans per student. Pictured (left to right) are sophomores Mary Smith, Dorothy Wager, and Bobby Burns. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | December 11, 1946 | James Thomas","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/cb9c5cf9ad9254dae12ec0690725821b.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/2e670fec4be57d5b43fd40a9e922acab.jpg":{"id":12429,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"NDC Aerial View, 1951","description":"Cleveland Historical Maps ","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/2e670fec4be57d5b43fd40a9e922acab.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/af2650638c5d84ccfc0257207fdc0b7b.jpg":{"id":12521,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Harks Hall Under Construction","description":"This new $1.4 million dorm was built to house 100 women, enabling them to move out of their fourth-floor rooms in the Administration Building, which is intended for faculty use.  | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | November 18, 1954","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/af2650638c5d84ccfc0257207fdc0b7b.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/1ea5ec0b7eeaa1082d34df8344653342.jpg":{"id":12527,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Completed Harks Hall","description":"This new dormitory was completed in 1955. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | May 17, 1955 | Bernie Noble","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/1ea5ec0b7eeaa1082d34df8344653342.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/a270b68a8e85ced83de3e58306f6dca3.jpg":{"id":12539,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Hoop Race","description":"Students participate in a hula-hoop relay race on the quad in the middle of campus. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | November 10, 1958","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/a270b68a8e85ced83de3e58306f6dca3.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/20c1d7bf26e73b4ed02ce86c7d407bbb.jpg":{"id":12428,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Regina High School","description":"The original building for Regina High School, an all-girls private high school, opened in 1954 and later turned into a building for classes on the campus of Notre Dame College.","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/20c1d7bf26e73b4ed02ce86c7d407bbb.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/3e3d7b4813a769b63045940111c5a39e.jpg":{"id":12524,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"New Wing on Administration Building","description":"More than three decades after its tower and east wing were built, the Administration Building was finally completed with the addition of a west wing. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | September 14, 1961","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/3e3d7b4813a769b63045940111c5a39e.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/aa14265e96f912d6b0cffe920e55acb7.jpg":{"id":12523,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Bible Enthronement Ceremony in Chapel","description":"Notre Dame College held a service to mark the Roman Catholic Church&#039;s new emphasis on Scripture. Pictured here are Rev. Fr. Warren Werwage holding the open Bible, along with students Fran Mercurio and Barbara Way (right). Fr. Werwage taught theology at the college.  | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | October 9, 1964 | Bill Nehez","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/aa14265e96f912d6b0cffe920e55acb7.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/a3cec7f500e07ec7484bb0d624492c1f.jpg":{"id":12540,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Student at &quot;Be-In&quot;","description":"A student plays the bagpipes at a &quot;be-in.&quot; Be-ins were countercultural gatherings that became common after the first one occurred in San Francisco&#039;s Haight-Ashbury district to usher in the &quot;Summer of Love&quot; in 1967. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | February 29, 1968 | Tom Prusha","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/a3cec7f500e07ec7484bb0d624492c1f.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/e21f89844d58a342b25aac4e986dbd9e.jpg":{"id":12534,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Computer Math Class","description":"Sister Teresemarie (left) with students Anna Lee Carling of Sandyville, Ohio, and Karen Carr of Parma. | Cleveland Press Collection, Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections at Cleveland State University | October 11, 1974 | Bill Nehez","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/e21f89844d58a342b25aac4e986dbd9e.jpg"},"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/362582d0b7f57fd958e294bf550e56b5.jpg":{"id":12430,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"NDC Aerial View, 1979","description":"Cleveland Historic Maps ","thumbnail":"https://www.clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/362582d0b7f57fd958e294bf550e56b5.jpg"}}}