The College, sponsored by the Sinsinawa Dominicans, traces its origins to a charter granted in 1848 by the State of Wisconsin to St. Clara Academy. That Academy became St. Clara College in 1901, and moved to River Forest, Illinois, in 1918. Incorporated as Rosary College, it has become a coeducational institution comprised of undergraduate and graduate divisions. It offers a liberal arts and professional education for commuter students and residents. The three graduate programs are the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, the Graduate School of Business, and the Graduate School of Education.

River Forest is a residential suburb just west of Chicago. Many programs are administered jointly with institutions in the Chicago area, including the John Marshall Law School, McCormick Theological Seminary, Loyola University, and Northwestern University.

Prospective students from all countries are invited to write to the Registrar, Rosary College, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest, Illinois 60305.

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science

Established in 1930 as the Library Science Department, the program at first aimed at satisfying staffing needs of the Chicago area. A Bachelor’s degree was offered until 1949 when the Master’s curriculum was inaugurated. In 1970 the status of “Department” was changed to “School” by action of the Trustees, and the executive officer position was changed from Director to Dean. The Rosary program has been accredited by the American Library Association since 1938.

Sister Reparata Murray was the first Director, followed by Sister Luella Powers (1949–58), Sister Peter Claver Ducat (1958–67), and Sister Lauretta McCusker (1967–82); Sister Anne Schaudenecker was Acting Director on two occasions. Deans of the School have been Tze–chung Li (1982–88) and Michael E.D. Koenig, appointed in 1988.

From modest beginnings, the library school has grown to be one of the largest in the United States. There are twelve resident faculty members and numerous adjunct faculty. In addition to the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science, the School offers a post–MALS program leading to a Certificate of Special Studies, and four combined degree programs with other institutions. Students may pursue advanced work in law librarianship, theological librarianship, music librarianship, and management information systems.