Building Excellence
Brothers of the Society of Mary (Marianists) brought Catholic education to San Antonio in 1852 when they opened St. Mary’s Institute. Continuing the legacy, St. Mary’s University, an outgrowth of the brothers’ first educational undertaking, is committed to the Marianist ideals of academic excellence, ethical commitment and service to the community.
The Marianists who established St. Mary’s are members of a religious order known as the Society of Mary, founded in 1817 by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, a French priest who nurtured an idea of forming lay and religious societies that would re-energize the Christian faith in the post-French Revolution era. Four French Marianist missionaries travel to Texas to open a school at the behest of Galveston Bishop John Mary Odin. In May 1852, three of the brothers — they will later be joined by the fourth — all dressed alike in black suits with starched white collars, step off the Indianola stagecoach to get a glimpse of downtown San Antonio, where they will establish their school.
On This Page
Characteristics of Marianist Education
Throughout time there has been many changes to the St. Mary’s campus, but one thing that has always stayed the same is our firm foundation rooted in the values and mission of the Marianist.
Formation in Faith
Integral Quality Education
Family Spirit
Service, Justice and Peace
Adaptation and Change
1852-1884
Establishment of St. Mary’s Institute
- St. Mary’s Institute started with Bishop Oden’s plea for religious communities five teachers Brothers Laignoux, Koenig, Mauclerc, Edel and O’ Neill found themselves answering the call.
- Brothers of the Society of Mary brought Catholic education to San Antonio by opening St. Mary’s Institute in 1852. It was a small day and boarding school with only 12 students.
- Under Brother Andrew Edel’s leadership, the Institute rapidly grew, reaching over a hundred enrolled students before the first year was halfway over.
- New school doors open in 1853 to accommodate the growing student population. Students would have to use a row boat or other methods to cross the river and attend class.
- In 1860, students could spend the summers on the Mission Conception property, which was owned by the Marianist at that time, joining in swimming, fishing and hunting activities.
- In 1882, St. Mary’s Institute was renamed St. Mary’s College.
St. Mary’s Institute
1885-1944
Expansion, Relocation and Change
- Sports were increasing in popularity and in 1889 the first organized game was played with St. Mary’s emerging victorious. This marked the beginning of Intermural Sports.
- Due to the growing student population, St. Louis College was established on 75 acres of land in 1894.
- In 1911 the Society of Mary gave Mission Conceptión back to the Bishop of San Antonio.
- Oyster Bake starts as a small St. Mary’s alumni gathering in 1916.
- In 1923, St. Mary’s College relocated to the new location renaming St. Louis College to St. Mary’s College.
- Football was added to the line up in 1925 with an official coach but the program was discontinued in 1931.
- In 1927, St. Mary’s College was renamed St. Mary’s University.
- In 1932, St. Mary’s University shifted its focus from teaching elementary, high school and collegiate levels to teaching college curriculum only.
- St. Mary’s takes to the skies in 1939 with its highly successful Civilian Aeronautics training program.
- The San Antonio Bar Association’s School of Law which had been operating since 1927, is added under the care of St. Mary’s in 1934.
1945-1960
Post-War Growth and Accreditation
- Post-war, the University’s enrollment reached 2,300 in 1947.
- In 1948, students and Marianists built the first free-standing library, which is now the Center for Life Directions building.
- New dorms are added to the campus, including Charles Francis, Garni, Chaminade and Marian Hall.
- Adding to the growing development of the campus, more buildings begin development and fields are laid out.
- In 1950, St. Mary’s underwent an intense evaluation of the plant, administration, curriculum, guidance program and pupil activity, emerging with a superior rating in all phases of educational development.
- St. Mary’s continues on it’s path to a modern university with changes in the governance allowing for a more proficient structure.
1960-1980s
Modernization and Coeducation
- St. Mary’s became fully coeducational in 1963. Previously women could only attend the St. Mary’s School of Law. With St. Mary’s becoming fully coeducational women could now attend the University.
- Dougherty Hall becomes the first residence hall for women.
- Expands academic offerings, including engineering and graduate education.
- The St. Mary’s School of Law moves from its location downtown to the St. Mary’s campus.
- In 1974, Oyster Bake is recognized as an official Fiesta event as attendance and popularity continues to soar.
- Enrollment reaches 3,600 by St. Mary’s 125th anniversary in 1977.
- St. Mary’s achieves full accreditation and gains recognition for its School of Law.
- St. Mary’s offers a Ph.D. program in 1989 leading as the first San Antonio university to do so.
1990-2019
Transformation and Strategic Initiatives
- The continued rise in student enrollment has led to more residence halls being built on campus.
- Experiences historic growth, introduces new programs, and enhances facilities.
- Appoints its first lay president Charles L. Cotrell, PhD., in 1999, signifying a shift in leadership.
- Enrollment continues to rise, growing beyond 4,000 students.
- Focuses on enhancing Catholic and Marianist identity, improving facilities and strengthening community partnerships.
- St. Mary’s students receive national recognition for their dedication and commitments to civic engagement and service
- Notable additions include the Bill Greehey School of Business and initiatives for community revitalization.
2019-present
Recent Developments and Future Plans
- Renamed the School of Humanities and Social Sciences to College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences in 2019 as part of a strategic plan.
- Ongoing efforts focus on high-impact educational practices, community-supportive research, diversity and career opportunities within the Catholic and Marianist traditions.
- The newly established Department of Nursing at St. Mary’s University offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which enrolls its first class in Fall 2024.
- Continuing to flourish in 2025, St. Mary’s embarks on a new chapter under the leadership of our new president, President Winston Erevelles. With a bright future ahead St. Mary’s will continue to grow and thrive.
St. Mary’s Traditions
St. Mary’s University is full of traditions, customs and events that date back to our beginnings. Learn what makes St. Mary’s so unique, from our start on the banks of what is now the River Walk to our beautiful current 135-acre campus on San Antonio’s West Side.
Founders Day at St. Mary’s University
Founders Day is a time when St. Mary’s celebrates its rich past and its promising future. The very first classes gathered on August 25, 1852, and the University has been changing the lives of thousands of students ever since.
Historic University Resources and Photos
Historic Photos
Explore our collection of historical photos to see the early days of our now vibrant and expansive university. Witness the evolution of St. Mary’s University and imagine its beginnings.
St. Mary’s University Yearbook Collection
The Diamondback is the yearbook for St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Previous issues have been digitized and are viewable in the Portal to Texas History.
Interactive Timeline
Click through our interactive timeline to read the highlights of St. Mary’s University’s rich and storied history, from our early days in the 1850s through today.
