Many women have played instrumental roles in the founding and development of Mount Aloysius College. The origins of the Sisters of Mercy, the religious order behind the college, can be traced back to a remarkable woman named Catherine McAuley. Born in Ireland, McAuley experienced hardship early in life, losing her father at a young age and seeing her family fall into poverty. Despite these challenges, she worked diligently, even as a servant, yet always maintained a spirit of compassion and generosity. Her work for the Callahan family left a lasting impression on them, and when they passed away, they left her their entire fortune. With this legacy, McAuley fulfilled her vision of creating a home for vulnerable girls, offering them safety and a chance for a better future. Many women joined her mission, and so she was advised by her bishop that to ensure the continuity of her world and support of the Church, she should begin a religious order. She agreed, and the Sisters of Mercy were born!
The Sisters of Mercy came to the United States in the mid-1800s. Several decades later, the Sisters came to central Pennsylvania to meet the needs of the working poor here. They set up a school in a tanner’s shop in Loretto, which eventually became an all-girls boarding school. Under the leadership of Mother Mary de Sales (Amelia) Ihmsen, the school was relocated to a more accessible area near the railroad, here in Cresson, which helped attract more students and connect the college with broader communities. Mother Ihmsen purchased the land and built the school utilizing her own resources as well as collaborating with local builders and craftsmen. Along with Mother Mary Gertrude Cosgrave, she officially founded Mount Aloysius Academy. These two women shared leadership responsibilities, guiding the community and shaping the educational experience for many students. Their vision, combined with a strong commitment to the mission of the Sisters of Mercy, helped the academy flourish in its new location.
In the 1930s, Sister Mary de Sales Farley became the headmistress of Mount Aloysius Academy and, alongside Sister Silverius Shields, played a pivotal role in the institution’s transformation. In 1939, Sister Farley envisioned the school expanding its offerings by adding a Junior College program, which would broaden the opportunities for students seeking higher education. After discussions with Sister Silverius, the registrar, they began taking the necessary steps to make this vision a reality. The academy operated as both a high school and a junior college for several decades. It was only in 1961, when the final class of the academy graduated, that Mount Aloysius exclusively became an institution of higher education.
The contributions of these visionary women—Catherine McAuley, Mother Ihmsen, Mother Cosgrave, Sister Farley, and Sister Shields—laid the foundation for Mount Aloysius College’s enduring success. Their dedication to education, compassion, and service shaped the college into the institution it is today, empowering students to lead with integrity and purpose. Their legacy continues to guide the college’s mission of offering accessible, high-quality education to all students, and their impact is still felt as the college fosters a spirit of mercy, justice, hospitality, and service in its academic community.
