College of Saint Mary
Milestones 1996-2023

College of Saint Mary compiled these major campus events, recognitions and milestones from 1996-2023.

1996
Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, inaugurated as president on October 13.

1997
Campus is completely wired using $1.7M Federal Strengthening Institutions program grant.
Transforming CSM Fundraising Initiative launched to begin campus renovations.

1998
CSM celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Walking Woman sculpture arrives on campus and is adopted as the campus symbol.
Spirit of Service Day initiated.

1999
Dianne Seeman Lozier Tower dedicated.

2000
Implements Mothers Living & Learning program in Walsh Hall.
Spellman Child Development Center opens.
National Award for Colleges that Encourage Character Development.

2002
Renovation of Walsh Hall begins. Air conditioning added.
CSM implements Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) pathway through the Higher Learning Commission for Accreditation.
Athletic Hall of Fame initiated.

2003
Grant from Alegent Health to start bi-lingual PN program and Medical Interpreting Certificate.
Grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support rural nursing initiative.
Annual Latina Summer Academy enrolls rising 10th-11th grade girls in week-long residential camp studying STEM topics.

2004
Great Conversations annual author event begins.
Occupational Therapy and Organizational Leadership graduate programs begin.
$25M Capital Campaign to add Mercy Road entrance, remove smokestack, build student commons and renovate science labs goes public.
Our Lady of Mercy Planned Giving Society inaugurated.

2005
Iconic smokestack at 72nd and Cedar is removed.

2006
Doctor of Education, Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Education gain accreditation.
Men are welcomed into graduate programs.
Hixson-Lied Commons addition dedicated.
Address changes to 7000 Mercy Road with new entrance.
Chorus sings at Carnegie Hall.

2007
Campus goes completely wireless.

2008
CSM becomes first college in Nebraska to ban smoking.
Science building is renovated with new chemistry and biology labs.
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report for diversity among Midwest baccalaureate colleges.

2009
$25M Capital Campaign reaches goal.
Archbishop Elden Curtiss annual lecture on Catholicism in the World initiated.

2010
CSM signs American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
Embrace of Hope crucifix installed.
CSM acquires adjacent Heritage Park.

2011
CSM acquires all seven volumes of the St. John’s Illuminated Bible.
Dual credit courses with regional high schools begin.
Faculty Teaching/Learning Center dedicated.

2012
Madonna Hall dedicated for Mothers Living & Learning program.
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as top-tier Midwest university.

2013
Nebraska Native Fish Aquarium installed.
CSM eliminates all fees and sets one undergraduate tuition.

2014
Annual Africa/African-American Summer Academy enrolls rising 10th-11th grade girls in week-long residential camp studying STEM topics.
Nursing and Occupational Therapy simulation labs completed.

2015
Online Doctor of Education begins.
Flames Athletics joins the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC).
Mercy Hall (Enrollment Services, Warde Conference Center and Dining Hall) renovated.

2016
President Stevens joins Senator Deb Fischer at Pope Francis Address to Congress.
Physician Assistant Studies program granted provisional accreditation.
8-body cadaver lab opens.
On-campus housing expands to Maryview at the Villa.
President Maryanne Stevens, RSM, celebrates 20 years as president and 50 years as a Sister of Mercy.
CSM launches Access & Affordability initiative by resetting undergraduate tuition by 33%.

2017
Exercise Science, Kinesiology and Health Sciences programs announced and launched.
Celebrates first Physician Assistant White Coat Ceremony.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D) program moves online.
Full-time enrollment hits record-high of 1,014 students.

2018
Celebrates first-ever Physician Assistant completion ceremony.
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership moves online.
Full-time enrollment hits record-high of 1,037 students.
CSM named “Best Value College” for 2018-19 by University Research & Review.

2019
CSM launches occupational therapy doctoral program.
Announces launch of blended-learning Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

2020
Announces plans for multimillion-dollar wellness and athletic center.
Doctor of Physical Therapy program launches, granted candidacy status.

2021
CSM receives $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to continue funding Marie Curie Scholarship program.
CSM opens $18 million state-of-the-art Lied Fitness Center Fieldhouse.

2022
Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, announces her retirement.
CSM launches the Josie Harper Nursing Scholarship after receiving $2 million challenge grant from the Harper Family Foundation.
CSM purchases 13.7 acres of land currently owned by the Sisters of Mercy.
Madonna School signs letter of intent to purchase a portion of the Mercy property from CSM at the corner of 72nd and Pine streets.
CSM adds Graduate Housing. 

2023
CSM production of "The Adivina is Never Wrong" performs at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Region 5, in Des Moines, Iowa, receives regional and national awards.
Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, receives the Distinguished NEBRASKAlander Award.
Heather A. Smith, MBA, is named the eighth president of CSM.