Contact:  Kathy Popielski, popielskik@trocaire.edu

716-821-1210, Ext. 1006

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Trocaire College began its 50^th anniversary celebration commemorating the anniversary of the approval of the College charter granted on June 27, 1958.

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy of Buffalo, the former Sancta Maria College opened with an enrollment of 108 young religious women preparing to be educators.  The faculty consisted of twenty-four Sisters and four members of the clergy.  The first lay women were admitted in 1965 and 1972 saw the first acceptance of male students.  Fifty years later, the college continues to educate and nurture the growth of their students – spiritually, intellectually and morally in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy.

The year-long celebration kicked-off on June 24 with the opening of a time capsule buried in 1998 followed by a reception.  The evening event took the Trocaire community through a look at “Buffalo in 1958,” a talk led by local historian John Conlin, editor-in-chief of WNY Heritage Magazine.  John is an author, teacher, architectural historian and a long-time leader of the historic preservation movement.  This was the first of many special anniversary events that are scheduled throughout the year as Trocaire College highlights its past and celebrates its future.

What began as a college known for educating nurses, Trocaire has grown and established a variety of degree and certificate programs.  “We’ve expanded our programs tremendously through the years to meet the needs of our students and our community,” said Paul B. Hurley, Jr., Trocaire’s 5^th and first lay president. “Through it all, the core of our mission is still the same – to prepare all students with the desire to learn with an entrée into higher education or career preparation, regardless of their backgrounds and other obstacles.”

The college has continued to build upon its signature program, Registered Nursing, by adding additional majors in health care including radiologic technology, massage therapy, surgical technology, diagnostic medical sonography and echocardiography as well as expanding both the nursing and surgical technology programs to include an evening format.  Computer network administration, hospitality and business administration are offered as well.

Trocaire continues to enjoy its 50 year Buffalo presence, expanding the campus in 1997 to accommodate increasing enrollment and additional student services.  Earlier this year the college expanded their reach to include an extension site in Lancaster – the Russell J. Salvatore School of Hospitality & Business – a facility that houses a state-of-the-art culinary art instructional kitchen and a high-tech computer network lab.

The College takes pride in knowing it has adapted to the challenges of the past 50 years and is well positioned for another 50 years of service to the community.  Trocaire College – Proudly Celebrating 50 Years of Reaching Dreams.