Its roots reach back to 1849 and the establishment of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Beziers, France. Dedicated to serving the poor and needy, the RSHM sisters founded a series of schools throughout western Europe. In 1877 they reached the United States, and in 1917 they expanded their mission to include higher education.
Additional ministries extend from Brazil to Zimbabwe.
Since its dedication in 1950, the Marymount community in Virginia has grown from a handful of students and faculty to a comprehensive, co-educational university nearly 4,000 members strong. The 1999-2000 academic year marks the official observance of our 50th anniversary, a time to reflect on the past, assess the present, and anticipate the future. Please join Marymount's celebration by exploring the links on this page.