History of the Office

Founded in 1924, Nazareth has a proud history of strong, dynamic leadership. As the College moves decisively into the 21st Century, we look back at the deans and presidents who have left behind them a Legacy of Excellence.

 

1924-1939

Nazareth's first president is Mother Sylvester Tindell, the mother superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester. Much of the day-to-day work of running the college, however, falls to Sr. Teresa Marie O'Connor.

 

 

 

 

 

1924-1949

Sr. Teresa Marie O'Connor, one of the five founding sisters, Nazareth's first dean and, essentially, the College's first CEO.

 

 

 

 

 

1939- 1951

Sr. Rose Miriam Smyth, another one of the college's intrepid founders and head of the Chemistry Department, is named president. A poet and chemist who did her doctoral thesis on perfumes, she once spent a St. Patrick's Day chemistry class instructing her students on the creation of green dye.

 

 

 

 

 

1949-1972

While not a president, Sr. Rose Angela Noonan, the college's second dean, is a force to be reckoned with. She is, declares the 1958 yearbook, "The guardian of the essence of Nazareth." Like Sr. Teresa Marie before her, she handles day-to-day operations of the College, while the presidents she works with also handle all the responsibilities of a growing and vital congregation of sisters, in addition to the needs of the young college.

 

 

 

1951- 1960

Mother M. Helene Garvin becomes the college's third president. It is under her guidance and administration that Nazareth's superb library became a reality. Books, the sisters believe, were more precious than gold to their young charges -- and they willingly forego other expenses so that they may purchase library books.

 

 

 

 

 

1960- 1972

Sr. Helen Daniel Malone, head of the Department of Speech and Drama, is named fourth president. With her appointment, the office of mother general of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the office of president of Nazareth College are separated for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

1972-1976

Dr. Alice L. Foley ('30) is named the fifth president of Nazareth College, and is the first lay person to hold the role. She had spent the previous year directing Nazareth's Continuing Education Department, and had herself graduated from the College forty years earlier with a degree in English.

 

 

 

1976-1984

Mr. Robert Kidera is the first male president of Nazareth. In recognition of his stalwart support of the College's sports programs, the gymnasium in the Shults Center is later named in his honor.

 

 

 

 

 

1984-1998

Dr. Rose Marie Beston became the seventh president of Nazareth College. Dr. Beston is responsible for Nazareth's first capital campaign, which raised more than 12 million dollars in support of college initiatives.

 

 

 

 

 

1998-2005

Dr. Robert A. Miller is named Nazareth's eighth president. His tenure was marked by an unprecedented period of planned growth for Nazareth College, culminating in an expanded campus and increased student body.

 

 

 

 

2005- present

Mr. Daan Braveman is inaugurated as the ninth president of Nazareth. Mr. Braveman brings with him an impressive body of scholarship and a deep commitment to the idea of making a difference -- both as something we do for our students, and as something our students do in the world around them.

 

 

 

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