Presidents of NDNU: Sister Catherine Julie Cunningham, SND

Catherine Daley Cunningham, a child of a comfortable Irish-American family was born October 22, 1910 in San Francisco. Having attended Notre Dame elementary and high school, she was drawn to the spirit of the sisters and shared her desire to enter the convent with her family.

At the suggestion of her mother, Mary McCarthy Cunningham, she attended college and completed her studies with a BA from Berkeley’s University of California in history.

Following her entrance into the congregation of sisters and several teaching assignments, she completed her masters in history and philosophy at the Catholic University of America. She then continued with teaching and principal assignments in Alameda, San Jose and Belmont until her appointment as President of, then, College of Notre Dame in 1956.

As president she became a builder in many ways. To her, CND owed the expansion of courses, development of the evening and alumni divisions, the admission of men, and the development of the board and faculty programs to the growing CND community. Her constant struggle to fundraise at a time when small Catholic colleges were not at the top of the list of corporations or single donors and the initiation of the graduate school were tasks Sister Catherine Julie took the initiative to spearhead.

These steps were just the beginning of her efforts to professionalize the college. As a builder she erected the apartments, St. Joseph’s residence hall, the expansion of the dining facilities, the Toso Residences, the Library and the star of her heart, the Memorial Chapel.

Sister Catherine Julie’s warmth of personality, her quiet depth of spirituality, openness of person and huge sense of humor attracted persons such as Norman Cousins, United Nations Chief Adebo, William Buckley, and Shirley Temple Black. At her retirement, a chair of education was established in her honor to bring outstanding academicians to CND/ NDNU. Her last efforts were as Chancellor of the College with a special care of Ralston Mansion.

She died in her own home of Namur Hall on October 15, 1984, surrounded by such persons as Father Xavier Harris, OFM, her Sisters of Notre Dame and a few friends – all of whom loved her dearly. She had presided over CND for twenty-four years and had seen many of her visions realized.

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