VITERBO UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SR. THEA BOWMAN CENTER; INAUGURAL CELEBRATION WEEK EVENTS MARCH 27–APRIL 1
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University will celebrate the establishment of the Sr. Thea Bowman Center with a week of events designed to honor the incredible legacy of this remarkable woman and candidate for sainthood Sunday, March 27–Friday, April 1.
Sr. Thea Bowman was the first Black member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. After graduating from Viterbo University in 1965, she went on to national prominence as an educator, speaker, evangelist, and advocate for social justice. She was featured on the television program 60 Minutes. In 2018, Sr. Bowman was designated a “Servant of God” by the Catholic Church, the first step toward canonization. She passed away from breast cancer in 1990 at the age of 52.
The mission of the Sr. Thea Bowman Center is to celebrate her life and to advance her legacy of “living in love” by providing resources for education and understanding of human dignity and social justice.
Some highlights open to the public:
Sunday, March 27
- 11 a.m. Celebration Mass – San Damiano Chapel
- 2 p.m. Sr. Thea Bowman Legacy Choral Concert – San Damiano Chapel
Monday, March 28
- Creativity Panel Honoring the Artistry of Sr. Thea Bowman – San Damiano Chapel
Tuesday, March 29
- 7 p.m. Friends of Sr. Thea Bowman Panel – San Damiano Chapel
Wednesday, March 30
- 7:30 p.m. Sr. Thea Bowman Celebration Event with a keynote address by Nola Jo Starling-Ratliff ’74 – Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
For the full schedule of events, complete details about the Sr. Thea Bowman Center, Sr. Thea’s biography, and other information, visit https://www.viterbo.edu/thea.
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