The start of 2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of Chatham University opening undergraduate programs to all genders. Former President Esther Barazzone announced the change to ensure the institution’s financial stability. 

As Chatham University continues down the path of coeducation, it is important to reflect on the history of the University. While the Chatham community remains connected to its roots, the atmosphere of campus was different as a women’s college. But what was this atmosphere like and how is Chatham remembered today? 

Alum Lee Ann Munger graduated from Chatham College in 1984 with a degree in history and philosophy. Munger shared that immediately after learning about Chatham, she fell in love with it, though she never intended on going to an all-women’s college. 

“I thought it was cool that it was all women, but it ended up being such a blessing to me and really put me on the path for my career that I just would never have anticipated,” Munger said.

Munger now works for United Way, a nonprofit organization that works to address community issues through building relationships and connecting people with resources. She manages the program Women United, which functions as an affinity group for major donors who identify as women. 

“My whole career has been about lifting up women… I really believe that I am on this path, or have been on this path because of my experience at Chatham,” Munger said.

Even prior to joining the professional workforce, Munger recalled that the experience of being on a campus with exclusively women students was an impactful journey as she came of age. 

“It was just really, really special to be immersed in these beautiful relationships, all with women, and the way that we supported one another,” she said. 

Vanessa Thompson graduated from Chatham University in 2012 and now works as a federal government contractor. She additionally serves on a variety of boards, including the Women and Girls Foundation, the Pittsburgh Promise and the Chatham University Alumni Association. 

Though similarly to Munger she never intended on enrolling in an all-women’s college, Thompson knew her decision after visiting campus and participating in an overnight stay. 

“Those moments of seeing upper-class women empowered in their classes to speak their minds and speak up for change made me know I needed to attend Chatham. It was so magical,” Thompson stated via an email interview. 

Over the years, more and more women’s colleges started to make the change to coeducation, a fact that was noted by students. It was only a few years after Thompson graduated that Chatham University became an all-gender institution. 

“My initial attitude towards Chatham switching to co-ed was not a positive one at all. It was here that I found my voice and my individuality while feeling safe to express myself and change as many times as I needed to without the worry of men being around,” Thompson said. “Fortunately, the university has put in efforts to ensure that our women-focused history is highlighted in the day-to-day activities.”

Harold Schmidt, proclaimed Chatham history buff and prior Office of Admissions counselor, has spoken to many alums at his time at the University. He elaborated on what the change meant for many people. 

“[The students] understood that you have to open up as it’s a small college in Pennsylvania. At the time of its founding, and for the longest time, women couldn’t really attend any college they wanted to, so it was super important to have an all women’s option available,” Schmidt said. 

While many students expected the University to become coeducational and understood the reasoning behind the decision, many people were also upset and voiced their opinions at various town halls held by Barazzone. 

“People were going to the microphone and sharing from a very deep, personal emotional level the trauma that they were feeling around this decision,” Munger recalled, who was an alum at the time. 

Regardless of the switch, Chatham’s history remains rich and deep with the lives of those who crossed the same paths as us years ago, once finding themselves in similar positions. 

“It was just really, really special to be immersed in these beautiful relationships, all with women, and the way that we supported one another… It just was a really wonderful place to come of age and to be doing it together,” Munger said. “When I drive up Woodland Road, you get that warm feeling because it just was such a fantastic, meaningful time.”