The Elizabeth Morrissy Honors Program at College of Notre Dame of Maryland is designed for Women’s College students of outstanding academic ability and high motivation. Named in honor of Elizabeth Morrissy, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of history, political science and economics at Notre Dame for 40 years, the program provides opportunities for students to experience the kind of excitement in learning that Dr. Morrissy inspired.

The Honors Program offers both general education and interdisciplinary seminars. It supports learning through experience with internships, service-learning, directed research and honors conference presentations. The Elizabeth Morrissy Honors House provides welcoming study areas, a seminar room for classes as well as individual and group activities, and a comfortable lounge where students interact with other honors students and faculty.

Morrissy Photo Gallery

Morrissy Scholars embrace many exclusive opportunities—from studying and gathering in the charming, cozy Morrissy House, to visiting our sister college in Tokyo. They are intellectually curious honor students, active learners and global citizens.

Experience the Morrissy program through our photo gallery:

• The Morrissy Experience
• Japanese Cultural Exchange
• Japanese Visit to Notre Dame

Activities and Events for Morrissy Scholars

• Film series: The Morrissy Program sponsors an occasional film series on campus.
• Financial supporty for study tours abroad. 
• Director’s Night Out: dinner and activity with the director of the Honors Program for incoming students.
• Participation in national, regional and Maryland honors conferences: In October 2008, a Morrissy Scholar will present a research poster at  the National Collegiate Honors Council  Conference in San Antonia, Texas.  Morrissy Scholars will also attend the annual conferences of the Maryland Collegiate Honors Conference in Towson, Maryland in March 2009, and the  North East Regional Honors Conference in Annapolis, Maryland in April, 2009.
• In the past the Elizabeth Morrissy Honors Program  hosted the Maryland Collegiate Honors Conference (March 2-3, 2007) and Morrissy Scholars attended and participated in national, regional, and state honors conferences in such places as New Orleans, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Providence., as students attended from colleges and universities throughout the state.
• The Elizabeth Morrissy Honors Program sponsors dinners and other social activities in the Morrissy Honors House.
• Cultural outings in Baltimore: Center Stage, Baltimore Symphony, Baltimore Opera, Walters Art Gallery, among others.

Benefits to Morrissy Scholars

• Students participating in the honors program receive Notre Dame’s largest and most prestigious merit scholarships.
• Honors courses are designated on student transcripts.
• Morrissy Scholar” is noted on transcripts, diplomas and at Commencement (for those who complete the required 18 credits of honors courses).
• Scholars are recognized publicly at Notre Dame’s annual fall Honors Convocation.
• The Morrissy Honors Club, with student officers elected annually, works with the director to plan activities.
• Students may have opportunities to present outstanding research papers and posters at a spring symposium at Notre Dame and at state, regional and national conferences.
• Exclusive off-campus activities enrich students’ Notre Dame honors education.
• The Morrissy Honors Wing in Doyle Hall provides peer mentoring and expands the Morrissy experience to residence life.

Who was Dr. Elizabeth Morrissy?

Elizabeth Morrissy, Ph.D. was a popular teacher of history and economics at College of Notre Dame of Maryland from 1920 through 1963. She was renowned for her intelligence, wit and commitment to moral justice and had a profound influence on students and colleagues alike. Upon her death in 1981, scores of admirers contributed to establish the Elizabeth Morrissy Endowed Lecture Series to bring prominent speakers in the fields of economics, history or sociology to campus each year.

Beyond Notre Dame, Dr. Morrissy was well-respected for her wisdom, knowledge and judgment. A book about her life, Character, Decency & Joy: The Life of Elizabeth Morrissy, outlines these achievements: “An advisor to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, a member of the school board of the City of Baltimore when Brown v. Board of Education was decided by the Supreme Court, she was also one of the few people ever awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal by the Pope for outstanding contributions to the Catholic Church.” (Preface, 1998)

Dr. Morrissy cast a critical vote while on the school board in 1954 which resulted in Baltimore becoming the first school district in the country to desegregate.

Today, students in the Morrissy Program both represent and emulate the exceptional level of scholarship and leadership exemplified by Dr. Morrissy.

Honors Councils

The College maintains membership in the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC), the Northeast Regional Honors Conference (NE-NCHC) and the Maryland Collegiate Honors Council (MCHC).