Nazareth College's Seventh President Rose Marie Beston Passes Away
Nazareth College is saddened to report that former President Rose Marie Beston has passed away. Beston served the College as Nazareth's seventh president for 14 years from 1984-1998. She died in Australia after a long battle with cancer.
Former President Beston played a key part in instituting new academic programs including physical therapy, art therapy, and music education on the graduate level. Applications for admission as first-year students increased 75 percent during her presidency to nearly 1,400 students, and the college endowment grew from $9.5M to $36.8M. She also continued the College's founding mission of community service, with more than 80 percent of the College's undergraduates volunteering their time.
Beston earned her bachelor's degree at St. Joseph's College, Maine, and her master of arts at Boston College. She received her doctorate in English from the University of Pittsburgh. She later studied at Harvard University where she earned her certificate of advanced study in administration, planning, and social policy.
Beston earned the 1988 Athena Award, sponsored by the Women's Council of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. She was active on many Rochester area boards during her Nazareth presidency including the former Genesee Hospital, Urban League of Rochester, Rochester Museum and Science Center, Boy Scouts, Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Red Wings, and the Industrial Management Council. In 1997, she received recognition from the Monroe County Legislature for her efforts to promote multicultural diversity on the Nazareth campus.
Beston was precedeased by her husband of 47 years, John Beston, Ph.D. who died in early 2018.
The Nazareth College Catholic community Mass has been postponed until further notice.
For More Information
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | 585-389-2456 or jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
Dr. Rose Marie Beston was Nazareth College's seventh president. (Pictured in 1984)