This document provides a historical overview of Briar Cliff University from its founding in 1930 by the Franciscan Sisters of Dubuque. In 3 sentences: Briar Cliff was established on a hilltop in Sioux City, Iowa by the Franciscan Sisters and grew from its first building, Heelan Hall, to a four-year liberal arts college over the decades with additional buildings, programs, and the transition to being led by lay leadership. The university has undergone many changes over the years but has maintained its Franciscan values and commitment to community service.

1. A MOST UNLIKELY PLACE
THE STORY OF BRIAR CLIFF AND THE
FRANCISCAN COMMUNITY WHO
FOUNDED IT
1

2. Mount Saint Francis - Dubuque
2

3. Mother
Dominca
Wieneke,
founder of
the college
3

4. Across the state, along highway 20
S.C Dub.
4

5. Bishop
Edmund
Heelan
Second Bishop
of the Diocese
of Sioux City.
1919 -1948
5

6. “A most unlikely place”
6

7. Sister
Servatius
Greenen, first
president of
Briar Cliff
College
1930 -1943
7

8. The hill was cut down 60
feet 8

9. 9

10. Heelan Hall - 1930
10

11. Heelan Hall from the bottom of the
hill
11

12. Heelan Hall
12

13. Cornerstone laid March, 1930
13

14. Located on
the south east
corner of
Heelan Hall
14

15. Young sisters were also sent to BC
to help enlarge the first class.
15

16. Briar Cliff was
a junior college
until 1937-38
when upper
division
courses were
added and it
became a four
year college
16

17. 1930’s: A time of growth and
development
17

18. Tennis courts
Today occupied by the library
18

19. 19

20. WPA project to create cement drains
20

21. Original steps
up the south
hill of the
property
21

22. Current steps,
plus foliage
and trees
22

23. 23

24. Cost of original
building: $235,290
24

25. Noonan Hall: 1968
25

26. 1978: four apartments are built for sisters
and the rest of building is given to BC for
offices, classrooms, clerical services
26

27. Sisters here in Fall of 1988
27

28. Impact of WW II
on Briar Cliff
Expansion put
on hold
28

29. Sister Jean Marie
Kann, president
when Briar Cliff
first made
application to
North Central for
accredidation
29

30. Telegram announcing successful
accreditation - 1945
30

31. Heating plant + second floor = North Dorm
Now second floor houses the art dept.
31

32. East wing: major addition to Heelan Hall
32

33. October
22, 1955
BCC
celebrates
its Silver
Jubilee
33

34. Interaction of sisters with young women
34

35. Developing future leaders
35

36. Late 1950’s: two new buildings
36

37. 37

38. 38

39. Briar Cliff chapel located where
IT center is now located.
39

40. No it’s not graduation.
Every Friday students who attended
Mass dressed in cap and gown.
40

41. Chapel of Our Lady of Grace - 1958 41

42. Chapel of Our Lady of Grace Cross
42

43. Chapel of Our Lady of Grace 43

44. St. Francis Court
44

45. Briar Cliff
alumnae paper
called
Horizons
October, 1965
article tells of
including lay
people on the
Board of
Trustees
45

46. 1964-65: The Educational Policies Committee
laid the groundwork for three-term calendar.
At this historic meeting were: Leo Frommelt, Sister
Francis Joseph, Bill Tucker, Sister Margaret Francis,
Sister Jordan, Robert Barford, Roman de la Campa,
Donald Langr and Sister Benigna
46

47. BC newspaper article
about 3 term schedule.
Golden Hour—noble
experiment; Classes
ended early so students
could study intensively. . . 47

48. Great Issues
program begins
Forerunner of liberal
arts program
48

49. This headline speaks for itself!!
49

50. This series of
pictures
appeared in the
Cliff News
50

51. Toller Hall
Dormitory for
male students
until recent
movement to
coed residence
halls.
51

52. Sisters here in Spring 2011
Back: Sr. Mary, Sr. Grace Ann, Sr. Jean, Sr. Shirley
Front: Sr. Ruth, Sr. Mary Jane, Sr. Janet, Sr. Kathy
52

53. Cliff News,
May 17, 1968
Briar Cliff did
not escape
the activism
of the 60’s
53

54. October
25, 1968
54

55. Sioux City
paper
announces
Moratorium
Day
55

56. Briar Cliff
and
Morningside
join forces to
march for
peace
(Vietnam
War)
56

57. Local resident
questions
Briar Cliff’s
allowing the
Moratorium
Day.
Nov. 11, 1969
57

58. Another 1960’s
phenomenon
The Coffee House
58

59. BC’s long history of
community service.
The formation of
the “Cliff Corps” as
an official service
organization
59

60. More service
articles in Cliff
News
60

61. Another educational innovation
November 6, 1980
61

62. Stark Student Center - 2000
62

63. The Assisi Look
63

64. 2010-2015 Strategic Plan
64

65. Heelan Hall Renovation - 2011
65

66. Semesters/J-Term – 2011
66

67. iPads
67

68. Franciscan Core
68

69. Heelan Hall, 1930
69

70. Heffernan Mall
70

71. 71

72. 72

73. 73

74. Celebrating Community
74

75. Celebrating Community
75

76. 76

77. 77

78. A Most Unlikely Place
78