Sister Victoria Marie Gribschaw, S.C., Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Division of Social Sciences at Seton Hill University, celebrated her Golden Jubilee with the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill on January 2, 2011.

In her 50 years as a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill, Sister Victoria Marie touched many lives. Since 1974, she has been influencing students at Seton Hill University. Sister Victoria Marie teaches courses in family and consumer sciences, including the introductory and capstone seminars in the major; housing; physical, social and economic environment; consumer in our society and family financial and resource management courses. She serves as the advisor for the Family and Consumer Sciences Club as well as the Kappa Alpha Gamma chapter of the Kappa Omicron Nu honor society. In 2000, Sister Victoria Marie was recognized with the Professor of the Year Award.

Sister Victoria Marie believes that her teaching and research is inspired by a quote from Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “…I would wish to fit you for the world in which you are destined to live.”

In addition to her work with Seton Hill University, Sister Victoria Marie is active at state and national levels in her field. She is a member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, serving as secretary of the Board of Directors for the organization from 2005-2007, and Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, serving as the current vice president for internal relations and president from 2003-2004 and 2006-2007.

In 2008, for her work with the Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Sister Victoria Marie received the Outstanding Professional Award.

From 2005-2008, Sister Victoria Marie served on the National Advisory Committee to develop criteria for the revised Praxis II: Family and Consumer Sciences Tests by Educational Testing Service Praxis Licensure Development. This exam is designed for prospective teachers of family and consumer sciences in middle through senior high schools and assesses subject knowledge as well as methodology applicable to teaching family and consumer science.

Reflecting upon her life as a Sister of Charity, Sister Victoria Marie noted, “I have been surprised by the twists and turns in God’s plan for me. I have experienced loss, grief, sadness and joy, with many new experiences of life and beauty, higher levels of expectations and feelings of gratitude and love.”

Sister Victoria Marie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from Seton Hill University and her Master of Science degree in family resources/home economics education from West Virginia University. She continued her education career and obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree in consumer and family economics from Ohio State University.

In the tradition of the Catholic Church, the word “Jubilee” is used to designate an anniversary year. Historically, the 50th anniversary of religious life, the Golden Jubilee, is considered the most significant. Special reverence is held for the Golden Jubilee as it signifies a strong vocation and commitment of giving one’s life to serve God and others.