s. jane hassett

60th Jubilee

Sister Jane was born in St. Louis, Mo. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1951 and was received into the novitiate in 1952 as Sister Mary Barat. She received a bachelor’s degree in history from Maryville College in 1949; a master’s degree in history from St. Louis University in 1960; and a doctorate in history from St. Louis University in 1967.

In the 1950s Sister Jane began her career in education at Rosati-Kain High School in St. Louis and St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City.

In 1960, after serving at numerous other elementary and high schools in St. Louis and Texas, she began teaching at Fontbonne College. 

In 1972, after working for the Office of Education in Washington D.C> and completing her doctoral studies, she became president of Fontbonne, serving in that position for 13 years.

In the 80s and 90s, Sister Jane served as the executive director of Sisters’ Energy Conservation Program and as the administrator of Our Lady of Life Apartments.

In 1997 Sister Jane returned to Fontbonne University in the Advancement Office as records researcher, writer and archivist. She has recently retired.  

Sister Jane had the opportunity to spend a year in Paris, France doing research for her dissertation. She is also the author of two books on Fontbonne University history: As Strong As the Granite and A Decade of Growth.