[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16250-16251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MADONNA UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 27, 2011

  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Madonna 
University, located in my hometown of Livonia, Michigan, upon the 75th 
anniversary of the school's founding by the Felician Sisters.
  In 1937, the Felician Sisters established Presentation Blessed Virgin 
Mary Junior College on what had been sprawling farmland. As

[[Page 16251]]

a teaching college with a staff of 18 Sisters committed to providing 
higher education to area Catholic schools, the school grew to include 
service-oriented majors such as nursing, hospice, sign language and 
criminal justice.
  After 10 years of rapid growth, Presentation Blessed Virgin Mary 
College expanded to a baccalaureate institution and was renamed Madonna 
College. In 1965, the main Academic Building and Residence Hall were 
dedicated. Madonna launched its first master's program in 1982, and in 
1984 dedicated a new library and Kresge Hall. Madonna became a 
University in 1991 and currently offers more than 50 undergraduate 
majors toward associate and bachelor degrees as well as 22 masters 
programs in clinical psychology, business, criminal justice, education, 
history and health professions. The year 2009 brought the University's 
first doctoral program in nursing and the dedication of the Franciscan 
Center for Science and Media. The Franciscan Center has been awarded 
Gold Status for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by the 
United States Green Building Council. The Ford Motor Company Technology 
Wing offers opportunities for students to work collaboratively on class 
projects. From its humble beginnings Madonna University has been at the 
forefront of academic excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, for 75 years Madonna University has been true to its 
mission and Franciscan values. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
commending Madonna University and the Felician Sisters for their 
commitment to furthering education and their positive influence on our 
community and our country.

                          ____________________