Sister Francis Mary Dunn

Biography:

Sister Francis earned a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO and a master’s and Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America Washington, DC.

In 1959, just 8 years after Presentation Junior College opened in Aberdeen, SD, Sister Francis Mary Dunn arrived to teach, develop, and prepare young women for life. During her tenure at the College, Sister Francis Mary has served as teacher, college president, English faculty member, provost, councilor and assistant professor of English. Five decades later, Presentation College bestowed the prestigious honor of emeritus status on Sister Francis Mary.

Sister Francis Mary’s passion for helping others, friendly smile and soft voice were well known throughout the campus. While she has left lasting impressions on many at Presentation College, according to her it is the people she will always cherish.

“It’s the students whom we teach and advise, it’s the administrators, faculty, staff, secretaries, housekeeping and maintenance personnel, who perform their duties so conscientiously,” she said. “It’s the Board of Trustee members, who give generously of their time and expertise for the benefit of the college, it’s the Presentation Sisters, who have so faithfully supported the college, it’s all the friends and benefactors who have contributed to the growth of the College, and it’s all the wonderful people whom I have been privileged to know and remember gratefully that have made this place so special to me.”

1959-1962 - Presentation Junior College, Aberdeen, SD - English Faculty
1962-1963 - St. Mary, Willmar, MN - Third and Fourth Grade
1967-2014 - Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD - Teacher, President, Provost, Councilor, Assistant Professor of English