Photographic Exhibits

Sr. Annunciata Sohl

1963 to 1968

Sr. Annunciata Sohl was the founding president of La Roche College. Her administration saw the construction of Kearns Hall and the John J. Wright Library, as well as the admission of lay women to the college. She conferred the first degrees on seven graduating seniors. Sr. Annunciata Sohl was also given the Woman’s National Farm and Garden Civic Improvement Award for her work in developing the grounds around the John J. Wright Library.

Dr. Ralph Klinefelter

1968-1969

Dr. Klinefelter helped plan the establishment of La Roche College. Prior to being elected the second president, he was the director of development and public relations; he was also the assistant to President Annunciata Sohl at La Roche College. His presidency saw the transfer of roughly 28,000 books to the new John J. Wright Library.

Sr. De la Salle Mahler

1969-1975

  La Roche College was dealing with financial issues that almost closed the college down when Sister De la Salle became president; the college managed to cut costs under her by raising tuition and reducing the operating deficit. Her presidency saw the admission of men to the college in 1970 and the creation of new social and cultural activities. La Roche College’s first athletic team—a flag football team—was also established during her presidency. Sister De la Salle ultimately had to resign from the presidency in 1975 after being elected General Superior of the Congregation.

Sr. Mary Joan Coultas

1975 to 1981

Before being elected as the fourth president of La Roche College, Sr. Mary Joan Coultas was the dean of students and the director of counseling services. Her presidency saw the campus expand with the construction of two resident halls and the science center; La Roche College’s student enrollment nearly doubled as well. Her administration also saw the establishment of its varsity basketball team, the addition of weekend classes, and the development of La Roche College’s archives.

Sr. Margaret Huber

1981-1992

Sr. Margaret Huber was presented with La Roche College’s first presidential medallion during her inauguration ceremony. She was involved with the development of the college’s career center, computer center, new graduate studies program, and the accreditation of the nursing program. Her presidency also saw the establishment of cultural programs such as the Performing Arts Series and the International Film Series. When she resigned from the presidency, she was the longest-serving president of the colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh area.

Rev. Msgr. William Kerr

1992-2004

Monsignor William Kerr was the first elected president from outside of the La Roche College community who was not a member of the Sisters of Divine Providence Congregation. He established the Pacem In Terris program in 1993; this program brought students from war-torn countries to La Roche College to complete their college education. His administration oversaw the reorganization of the college’s academic structure, the completion of the Kerr Fitness Center, and the establishment of several new majors, including computer science and marketing.

Sr. Candace Introcaso