Sister Mary James O'Hare, R.S.M. was born on October 30, 1888 in Lincoln, RI. She attended St. Xavier Academy and later received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College and a Master of Arts and PhD from Boston College. Between 1907-1909, O'Hare entered the Sisters of Mercy, devoting her life to the religious order and serving as an educator within various educational institutions; most notably as the principal of St. Charles Junior High School in Woonsocket, RI from 1926-1932 and later for St. Xavier Academy from 1936-1947. In 1947, O'Hare became the first Academic Dean of Salve Regina University where she greatly advanced the development of a robust curriculum for the academic community. Such initiatives as the creation of the Division of Nursing, the emergence of Salve Regina College Alumnae Association and the Salve Regina College Guild were greatly due to the strong leadership and dedicated spirit of Sister Mary James O'Hare. O'Hare died on December 4, 1953, leaving behind a strong legacy of professional achievements and a solid educational framework for the University.
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Records are arranged alphabetically; and in some cases, refined to reflect alphabetical order.
[Identification of item], in RG6.1.1: Sister Mary James O'Hare papers, [Box 1, Folder #], Salve Regina University Archives, McKillop Library, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
The records of the Academic Dean, Sister Mary James O'Hare document the leadership activities and work of Sister Mary James O'Hare as an educator and the first Academic Dean for Salve Regina University. Such activities as the development of the University's academic curriculum in conjunction with the Catholic University of America and the process for approval of foreign students were greatly represented within the body of records. In addition, there are dedications and tributes; most notably, the dedication of O'Hare Academic Center in memory of Sister Mary James O'Hare. Formats of the records include: correspondence, clippings, a single photograph, a single musical composition, and pamphlets.
Processed by Michaela Sheerar, Volunteer. Arrangement of file folders was refined on the basis of alphabetical order.
Records were transferred to the Archives sometime prior to 2014.
File includes newspaper clippings pertaining to the appointment of Sister Mary James O' Hare as Academic Dean of Salve Regina University, obituaries, tributes, and dedications related to Sister Mary James O'Hare.
File largely consists of correspondence between Roy J. Deferrari, Secretary General of the Catholic University of America to Sister Mary James O'Hare. Such topics include but are not limited to the development of course curriculum's pertaining to concentrations, the need for approval by the New England Association, and the affiliation between Salve Regina University and the Catholic University of America.
File consists of various letters of correspondence between Sister Mary James O'Hare, Bishop Frances Keough, Bishop Russell McVinney, and Vice Chancellor Reverend Louis W. Dunn. Such topics include the following: Our Lady's Sodality, Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, approval of Forty Hours Devotion.
File largely contains correspondence pertaining to the process of approval for foreign students to study at Salve Regina University. Also included is a petition of approval of school for immigrant students. There is considerable information regarding the process for sponsoring foreign students from China.
File contains miscellaneous correspondence; most notably, there are meeting minutes from the American Red Cross Executive Committee that note the need for a Social Welfare Aide course for Salve students to become accredited Red Cross Social Welfare Aids.
File consists of dedications and tributes to Sister Mary James O'Hare in the form of a single typed tribute written by Gertrude A. Miley and a musical composition written by Marilyn S. Mattox.
File consists of a typed tribute in memory of Sister Mary James O'Hare and two pamphlets pertaining to the Dedication of O'Hare Academic Center at Salve Regina University.
File contains a single photograph of Sister Mary James O'Hare in her office at Ochre Court dated November 1947 and taken by Sister Mary Albina Campbell.
File consists of two typed speeches. One speech pertains to the graduating Class of 1954 and the other by Sister Mary Mercedes entitled, "Paper Read At St. Mary's, Pawtucket February 25, 1956."