Founders' Day
Seton Hill University's Founders' Day is held annually to honor and celebrate the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, who, under the leadership of Mother Aloysia Lowe, came to Greensburg in 1882 to establish a new community, new ministries and new schools that would eventually lead to the founding of a four-year college for women in 1918. More than 100 years later, Seton Hill has grown into a co-educational university that continues to educate students in the legacy of the Sisters of Charity.
Founders' Day is held each year in March on or around the Feast Day of Saint Joseph, who is the patron Saint of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill.
Founders' Day 2027
The theme of Founders' Day 2027 will focus on the history of Catholic Social Teaching at Seton Hill University.
Founders' Day 2027 will be held on March 17, 2027 and will celebrate the work of Sister Dorothy Jacko, who worked tirelessly at integrating Catholic Social Teaching throughout the curriculum at Seton Hill.
The speaker for the Mary Schmidt Lecture will be Dr. Thomas Groome, a senior Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry. He is a renowned author, an award-winning scholar and teacher, and a recognized expert on Catholicism and religious education. He describes his lifelong work as encouraging Christians to “bring their lives to Faith, and their Faith to life.” Professor Groome was born and grew up in County Kildare, Ireland. He holds an MA in Religious Education from Fordham University and a Doctorate in Theology and Education from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, New York. For many years he was the senior faculty person and then Director of Boston College’s well-known Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (now a Department within Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry, and for which he served for many years as Chair). He is former Director of BC’s Church in the 21st Century Center, and for many years has directed the university’s Ph.D. in Theology and Education.
Join us on Wednesday, March 17, 2027 for Founders' Day. A full schedule of the day's events will be provided soon!
The Opening Prayer for Founders' Day 2027 will feature a celebration of Sister Dorothy Jacko. More information will be provided soon.
Join the Seton Hill community at 7 p.m. in Cecilian Hall for the annual Sister Mary Schmidt Lecture. This year's speaker will be Dr. Thomas Groome, a senior Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry. He is a renowned author, an award-winning scholar and teacher, and a recognized expert on Catholicism and religious education. He describes his lifelong work as encouraging Christians to “bring their lives to Faith, and their Faith to life.” Professor Groome was born and grew up in County Kildare, Ireland. He holds an MA in Religious Education from Fordham University and a Doctorate in Theology and Education from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, New York. For many years he was the senior faculty person and then Director of Boston College’s well-known Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (now a Department within Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry, and for which he served for many years as Chair). He is former Director of BC’s Church in the 21st Century Center, and for many years has directed the university’s Ph.D. in Theology and Education.