Sister carol
A lasting legacy
Beginnings
A path guided by faith
A child of a military family and a natural leader from the start, Sister Carol developed numerous interests throughout her youth. From swimming, horseback riding and tennis to writing, nature and theology, there was little that didn’t captivate her attention. This passion for all things is core to her being and it has permeated every nook and cranny of the Chestnut Hill College community.
A singular moment
Raised Episcopalian, Sister Carol once joined her Catholic neighbors for Easter Mass. Just an eighth-grader, she felt something: the profound experience of God. By 17, she became a Catholic and after a year of college, she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Twists and turns
Not long after entering the convent, Sister Carol left it. She worked as a technical writer for a defense systems corporation. She wanted to marry.
Soon thereafter, just before Holy Week, she woke in the middle of the night to a presence. “Come back,” she heard. At Holy Week services, again: “Come back.”
So she attempted to do just that and became the first Sister of Saint Joseph ever to return.
A dedicated teacher
Through Catholic faith and education, Sister Carol has touched thousands. After decades teaching at the elementary and high school levels, she developed her administrative experience and earned her doctorate from Fordham University in 1990.
Two years later, she became the sixth president of Chestnut Hill College.
CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE
Thirty years of resilience personified
It is impossible to comprehensively catalog Sister Carol’s achievements during her 30-year term as president of Chestnut Hill College. It is even more difficult to capture the impact she has had on thousands of students, educators, parents and the community at large. Nevertheless, we will try!
CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE
Thirty years of resilience personified
It is impossible to comprehensively catalog Sister Carol’s achievements during her 30-year term as president of Chestnut Hill College. It is even more difficult to capture the impact she has had on thousands of students, educators, parents and the community at large. Nevertheless, we will try!
COME TO THE EDGE
A sentiment for all
In the late 90s, Sister Carol began sharing a poem with the incoming class. Simple, direct and heartfelt Come to the Edge resonates still to all willing to hear.
Hear it in Sister Carol’s words
“Come to the edge,” she said.
“We can’t, we’re afraid!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” she said.
“We can’t, We will fall!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” she said.
And so they came.
And she pushed them.
And they flew.
LEGACY
Hope, inclusivity, leadership, enthusiasm, innovation
As Sister Carol departs the office, she leaves the Chestnut Hill College community with not just the tools and know-how, but with the will.