Sr. Maria Kostka Logue, SSJ.,who presided as dean when Mount St. Joseph College first opened on September 22, 1924, once told a group of students that Chestnut Hill College “will prepare you to learn how to earn a living, because you must. But you are here to learn how to live.”
Welcome to Chestnut Hill College. It is our hope that you will find the history, legacy and mission of the college one that entices you to join us!
We strive to live into our values and serve the Dear Neighbor of student, faculty, staff, the surrounding community, as well as our global neighbors, without distinction and with love.
Chestnut Hill College, an inclusive Catholic community rooted in and animated by the Mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, is committed to transformative holistic education, just relationships, innovative thinking and responsible action toward a more unified global society and sustainable Earth.
Father Medaille, S.J., founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, asked the Sisters, as they surveyed the streets, to find the needs of the dear neighbor and to ‘circle the city with love'. This inscription can be found in the McCaffery Lounge above the fireplace so that all who enter here may know that our Mission is meant to be lived.
The mission is a testimony to the lives of those who have gone before us and we stand on their shoulders. YOU make the history come alive now and YOU live into the mission and walk the mission on earth now. If we, the Office of Mission and Ministry and Campus Ministry can be of any help to you, please know that we are here.
LENS - Leaders ENgaging in Service
Chestnut Hill College recognizes and values the importance of service to our 'Dear Neighbors,' both here in our College community and in the local community in Philadelphia. It is with this in mind that we have introduced the Leaders ENgaged in Service (LENS) program at Chestnut Hill College. Students accepted into the LENS program come to campus early to participate in a four-day service-immersion in Philadelphia with our community partners and Sisters of St. Joseph sponsored works. Students will participate in community service, along with structured reflection activities, and leadership development. With a focus on social justice, the LENS program uses a model of servant leadership to recognize and respond to issues of social inequality in our society. In addition, LENS students have time to explore the fun things our city has to offer! We build plenty of time into the schedule to discover many of Philadelphia’s social and cultural gems.
The 2023 LENS program will begin on Tuesday, August 22nd, and will conclude on Friday, August 26th, prior to the beginning of new student orientation. The cost of the program is FREE. Learn more about how to apply here!
