History of Newman

Ice Cream Social Marks a Small Beginning.
next >

Sixty years ago, Northern Illinois State Teachers College had an enrollment of 1,008 and 79 faculty members. At the time, there was no established Catholic ministry on campus. In 1941, Dr. Marguerite O’Connor, a Catholic faculty member, approached Fr. Charles Quinn, a pastor of St. Mary’s parish, and requested permission to begin a Newman Club. Dr. O’Connor wanted to provide an organization where Catholic students could socialize and be supported in their faith. Fr. Quinn was very positive about this idea, so a meeting was set up at St. Mary’s rectory. Twelve students attended the first meeting and the Newman ministry was born. In effect, this was Newman’s first “ice cream social”, with Fr. Quinn supplying two quarts of ice cream and Dr. O’Connor providing two home-baked cakes.