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Three Generation Alumnae Family HonorS MATRIARCH
WITH GIFT TO THE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE


Pictured above (l.-r.):  JoEllen Vavasour; Kathryn Shanley Vavasour, Dr. Stephen J. Sweeny; and Rosemary Vavasour Richards.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY, June 10, 2004 -- At The College of New Rochelle’s recent 66th Annual Alumnae/i College Weekend at the Main Campus in New Rochelle, four sisters -- all graduates of the School of Arts & Sciences at CNR -- announced a $20,000 gift to mark the 60th reunion of their mother, Kaye (Kathryn Shanley Vavasour SAS ’44), who resides in Rye. The gift will be used to name a seating area in Gill Library after her.  The sisters who made this possible are:

• Mary Kathrynn Vavasour SAS ’72, a Maryland resident who works for the federal government;
• Sheila Vavasour U’Ren SAS ’73, a California resident and freelance producer for NBC;
• Rosemary Vavasour Richards SAS’74, Scarsdale resident, and a 30th Reunion attendee; and
•  JoEllen Vavasour SAS ’76, Larchmont resident and Director of Human Resources at CNR.

“When Mother Irene Gill, a member of the Ursuline order, founded the College in 1904, her goal was to create an institution dedicated to the education of women.  This belief that every young woman has the right to develop herself intellectually, spiritually, and personally for the betterment of the world continues to drive all that we do at CNR,” said Dr. Stephen J. Sweeny, CNR President.  “The fact that three generations of the Vavasour family have turned to us to educate their young women, is a testament to CNR’s mission, vision, and values, and to the wisdom of the Vavasour family.”

The family dynasty started with Kaye’s mother, Rose Cavanaugh Shanley, who graduated in 1920, making her among the earliest graduates at CNR.  Kaye’s two sisters, Eileen SAS ’46 and Betty Anne SAS ’54, are graduates as well.  That makes a total of eight members of the Vavasour family to date who have graduated from CNR!


The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools which admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School.  The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City.  The College maintains six other campus locations in New York City. Visit the College’s website at www.cnr.edu
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