About Sister Vivien Jennings, O.P.
Sister Vivien's life and legacy at Caldwell College was marked by numerous accomplishments. She led the college to become coeducational in 1985, expanded the athletics program and academic offerings, and ultimately doubled the student population. She was the first director of the EOF program, the director of Continuing Education, started the Fanjeaux study abroad experience, and was a professor of English.
Her influence was felt not only at the college. She was a Dominican sister for 66 years. She was elected Major Superior of the Caldwell Dominicans in 1969 at the age of 35. Since Canon Law sets the minimum age for Major Superiors at 40, an exception had to be made by Rome. Sister Vivien served two terms from 1969-1979. She also started Project Link Educational Center in Newark in 1969.
Sister Vivien served as Caldwell's sixth President from 1984 to 1994. During her presidential Convocation Address on September 12, 1984, Siser Vivien expressed her vision of growth for the college including by the year 2000: a diverse student body of 800-900 students, Caldwell as a co-educational institution, the inclusion of graduate programs, and an expansion of the library. She proclaimed, “The library will be the heart of the campus, enlarged, automated, and constantly in use.” It was only fitting that the library was later dedicated in her honor. The dedication ceremony took place on April 17, 1994 following the completion of an expansion of the library, and the new library became known as the Jennings Library.
Following her tenure as President of Caldwell College, Sister Vivien was principal of Saint Dominic Academy in Jersey City for 7 years from 1999-2006.
She has been awarded many honors including the Governor's Albert Einstein Award for lifetime commitment and accomplishment, the Veritas Alumnae Award for excellence in leadership and education, and was posthumously honored by the New Jersey General Assembly citation.
Sister Vivien Jennings passed away on May 5, 2018 at the age of eighty three.
Special thanks to Rita Menz and Sister Elaine Keenan, O.P. (Director of Archives, Sisters of St. Dominic) for their contributions to this exhibit.