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| Josefine M. Castán |
"Where there is a will, there is a way" says Josefine M. Castán, professor emerita of Spanish, in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Saint Peter's University. Josefine had the will to initiate and succeed with every project she was tasked with, to give the Magis to everything she did, to respect and live the traditions of the Ratio Studiorum and cura personalis, and to center it all on the students of Saint Peter's University.
Devotee of the liberal arts, Professor Castán made a generous bequest to the University for use in this area, particularly for the romance languages, before she passed on Sept. 2, 2010. Her gift will be used for new program development that builds on the University's strengths in the liberal arts, languages and international relations.
Born in New York City, raised in Madrid, and armed with family values rooted in Catholicism and a Fordham education steeped in the Jesuit tradition, Josefine began her career teaching at the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary in New York City and in Fordham's Graduate School.
With offers from several colleges, she arrived at the all-male University on the Boulevard in 1960 where she became the institution's first female professor. By February 1966, Executive Vice President Rev. Edmund Ryan, S.J., named her the first Dean of Women as Saint Peter's introduced co-education in the day session with 120 young women enrolled. When asked, "Why girls?" Jo replied, "Why not?…The introduction of women into our student body will make Saint Peter's a more realistic reflection of society as it exists today."
Her original academic training was in music. She studied at the Conservatory of Music and Arts in Madrid and graduated from the Liturgical School of Music. An accomplished organist, she played the organ for 30 years at St. Anselm's Church in the South Bronx.
Her lifelong love of music led Josefine to produce the Cuban opera, Cecilia Valdes, during the 1972 Centennial of Saint Peter's University. The cast consisted largely of Saint Peter's students of Cuban heritage. This was the first production of this program in the Eastern United States.
For her excellence in teaching, Professor Castán was the first woman to receive the Rev. George F. Johnson, S.J., Faculty Award in 1972. Champion of the students and knowledgeable about administration, she contributed her insights and vision to countless University committees. Student Affairs awarded her Honorary Cross Keys and she earned the designation of Bene Merenti for her 20 years of devoted service to the University. On June 30, 1993, upon retirement, she was named professor emerita.
In addition, Josefine was named a Danforth Associate of The Danforth Foundation for her dedication to humanizing the educational process. In May of 2000, the Office of Student Affairs established the annual Professor Josefine Castán Award for Social Justice.
Despite her many honors, Josefine always had a great sense of humility and was a very private person. You might hear about her work but rarely saw her name. Her leadership set the standard that persists today.
Josefine left an indelible mark on her colleagues and students. Her enthusiasm for teaching and learning was contagious and her legacy will surely benefit future generations of students.
Learn How You Can Help
If you would like to know more about making a bequest to benefit Saint Peter's or would like to learn about other planned giving options, contact Ana Cravo at 201-761-6104 or acravo@saintpeters.edu today, at no obligation.
This piece was authored by Eileen L. Poiani, Ph.D., special assistant to the president at Saint Peter's University, as a tribute to her dear friend and mentor, Josefine Castán.
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