Click through the slides to see the online display of the Spring 2024 display "Remembering the Past, Building the Future".
Sister Servatius Greenen served as Briar Cliff's 1st President from 1930 to 1943.
Completed in 1930, Heelan Hall was the only building on campus when the first 25 women started classes on September 22, 1930, under the presidency of Sister Servatius Greenen. This iconic of photo of Heelan Hall (c. 1930) shows the construction of Briar Cliff's first building.
Students lounge in front of Heelan Hall underneath the flagpole (undated image).
Posing in front of Heelan Hall's welcoming portico in snowy 1965 are two students and two Sisters.
An undated aerial photograph of campus highlighting Heelan Hall. Seen in the background are the Bishop Mueller Library, Toller Hall, and the drive leading up the hill to campus.
Sister Matilda Adams served as Briar Cliff's 3rd president from 1956-1962.
"The shape of the new library is beginning to emerge as the workmen prepare to put a new roof over their heads. Picture was taken on July 1 [1958]."
On March 31, 1958, ground was broken for the building of Briar Cliff’s new library. Completed in 1958 and blessed in 1959, the Bishop Mueller Library remained unnamed until spring of 1982.
The Bishop Mueller Library stands in the background behind brightly colored tulips (undated image).
Sisters Mary Matilda and Sister Mary Jordan examine the blueprints of the Chapel. The original caption of the photograph reads: "Examining the blueprints of the chapel Dream-Come-True are Sister Mary Matilda, O.S.F., president of Briar Cliff, and Sister Mary Jordan, O.S.F., College Treasurer. Alumnae of Briar Cliff, both have taken undergraduate work there, the Sisters hold the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Saint Louis University - Sister Matilda in Education and Sister Mary Jordan in Economics."
The main entrance of Our Lady of Grace Chapel shortly after the completion of construction (1959). Seen in the photo is the Bell Tower, which was removed in the late 1980s.
Our Lady of Grace Chapel Welcomes students back to campus. Seen at the back of the photo is the Bell Tower, which was removed in the late 1980s.
Sister Jordan Dahm served as Briar Cliff's 4th President from 1962 to 1972.
Named for Mount LaVerna in Italy, and completed in 1965, Alverno Hall houses both men and women. The first major renovation was in 1971, and in late fall of 2023, the newly renovated Alverno Hall was reopened to students for Spring 2024. Sister Matilda Adams, Briar Cliff’s 3rd President from 1956-1962, helps place the Alverno Hall Cornerstone on July 21, 1964.
Taken at the groundbreaking of Alverno Hall in 1963, this image shows a gathering of the Briar Cliff community during the ceremony.
Alverno Hall is easily identified by its unique angled front wall. This undated photograph is during the construction of Alverno Hall.
An undated aerial photograph of campus highlighting Alverno Hall. Seen also in the photograph is the Bishop Mueller Library and Toller Hall.
Originally named West Hall, Toller was completed in 1967 and renovated in 1971. This residence hall houses first-year students. This photograph shows Toller Hall under construction (c. 1965). Alverno Hall, built in 1965, is seen in the background.
A finished exterior of Toller Hall shows it was a Residence Hall for the newly admitted men at Briar Cliff. Co-education was formalized in 1966, opening up Briar Cliff to men for the first time.
The Briar Cliff Theatre was originally built as a gymnasium in 1966 before being renovated to the Theatre. This image is an aerial view of construction during 1966.
Noonan Hall was original built as a Sisters’ residence and was completed in 1968. The hall was renovated in 1978, and in addition to the Sisters’ residences, it also houses student dorms and Briar Cliff’s administrative offices. Taken in 1967 while under construction, you can see Noonan Hall taking shape.
A undated photograph of a finished Noonan Hall is seen with cars parked along the front and bottom parking lot.
Taken during her first year as President of Briar Cliff in 1987, Sister Margaret Wick stands in front of Heelan Hall’s main entrance. Sister Margaret Wick served as Briar Cliff's 7th President from 1987-1999.
Completed in 1988, the Baxter-DiGiovanni Living Learning Center consists of apartment-style living suites consisting of a living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms. The construction of the cement bridge leading to the front doors of Baxter-DiGiovanni is seen in the photograph.
Showing the image of the proposed finished building of the Baxter-DiGiovanni Living Learning Center, the groundbreaking shovel is propped against the Architect's sketch for the dedication and groundbreaking ceremony.
The Chronical of Events of Briar Cliff College was written by the Sisters during their time at Briar Cliff. Click on the image to read through the Chronicle to learn of the day-to-day history of Briar Cliff.
Contact the Archives
Phone: (712) 279-1771 | Email: alexis.becker@briarcliff.edu | Hours: By Appointment
Briar Cliff University Archives | 3303 Rebecca Street | Sioux City, IA 51104-2324