A Beacon of Light and Hope: Students Honor Catholic University Luminaries

A graduate student class in Library and Information Science has curated a new exhibit honoring a diverse array of notable figures from the unique academic and cultural history of The Catholic University of America. 

Now on display in Mullen Library, “The Light They Carried – Celebrating Luminaries of Catholic University History,” was designed by Professor Maria Mazzenga’s Public Programming class (LSC 843), with assistance from Special Collections staff. It features items from the University’s Rare Books, Archives, and Museum Collections, as well as the Semitics/Institute of Christian Oriental Research (ICOR) Library.

“I am quite proud of the work the students did to conceive, research, and create the exhibit,” Mazzenga said. “They now have real-world skills to carry into their professional lives, and we also were able to highlight and contextualize treasures from our University Special Collections at the same time.”

The items range from anthropological field notes to illuminated texts, including a rare Ethiopian Codex. All of these items were owned, donated by, or are connected to the people who have made Catholic University a beacon of light and hope in the center of Washington, DC.  

The ten featured luminaries include: 

• Cardinal James Gibbons (1834-1921) — The first University Chancellor
• Henri Hyvernat (1858-1941) — One of the first professors at the University
• Monsignor Arthur T. Connolly (1853-1933) – A patron of learning and art
• Edward John Pryzbyla (1904-2000) — An investor in University culture
• Euphemia Lofton Haynes (1890-1980) — Mathematician and educational reformer
• Regina Flannery Herzfeld (1904-2004) — University professor and one of first female anthropologists in the United States
• Right Reverend Monsignor James A. Magner (1901-1994) — Administrator and world traveler
• Sister Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A. (1937-1990) —  Alumna voice of faith and culture and Servant of God (on path to canonization)
• Gerald Weiner (1941-2025) and Barbara Weiner — Collectors, philanthropists, and cultural bridge-builders

“As a woman and an anthropologist, I felt drawn to learn more about Regina Flannery Herzfeld and her contributions to both Catholic University of America and the larger field of anthropology,” said Sadie Colebank, one of the library sciences students who worked on the exhibit and curated a handful of items that showcase the groundbreaking work of Regina Flannery Herzfeld. “I am in my first semester here, so working on an exhibit themed around University luminaries allowed me to form a deeper connection to this place and its history.”

Amy Glen, another library sciences graduate student, echoed the same sentiment. 

“I have truly appreciated the real-world experience of putting together a physical exhibit,” said Glen. “The LIS program has given me a strong foundation in cultural heritage, collections care, and archives, but this class allowed me to apply those concepts in a practical way.”

“I was very interested in showcasing our rare book collection in the exhibit, and Fr. Connolly was an early donor to that collection,” said Daniel Buck, a Ph.D. candidate in the University’s history program. “As I worked with him, I came to appreciate him as representative of the importance of outside donors and contributors to building up a university. It takes people who are willing to give their time and resources to help…accomplish overall goals.”

This exhibit will run through the 2026 spring semester and is housed in Mullen Library’s May Gallery. For more information, please reach out to [email protected].