Many alumni know Nancy Gorevin Costello (’71)—at least by name, if not personally. 
Costello has been a staple of the Cabrini community through her time as a student, as a Director in Institutional Advancement, and now as a Cabrini Trustee and Communication Director with the Stella Maris Province of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSCs).
Recently, Costello reflected on her time as a student, and how everything came full circle for her at Cabrini.
Even in its infancy, Cabrini provided an environment that nurtured student advocacy, and Nancy Gorevin Costello (’71) quickly adopted this culture through her own student activism.
When she arrived at Cabrini in 1967, Costello met Sister Ursula Infante, MSC, who would conclude her presidency at Cabrini just six weeks later.
“I have vivid memories of meeting Mother Ursula that first day, and she was much in the model of Frances Cabrini. She was dynamic and bright and really had a mission. She wanted you to be the best that you could be.”
The Missionary Sisters had a large presence on campus at the time. Some served as Resident Assistants whom the students called “Dorm Mothers,” and others taught or served in administration.
Nancy Gorevin in 1971
Colleges were in loco parentis (acting in place of parents) when Costello attended Cabrini, so the College imposed a curfew and other practices that extended beyond what you’d find at colleges today. For instance, before a student could go out on a date, it was protocol that students would introduce their dates to the Dorm Mother.
“The Dorm Mothers made sure you had a dime in your shoe so you could call back to campus if something didn't go well on a date,” Costello said.
While Costello and the other students felt reassured by the sisters’ presence, with the passage of time, they also felt that some of the College’s policies were outdated. They discussed their concerns with Sister Barbara Leonardo, MSC, who served as interim president in 1967–68.
“Sister Barbara Leonardo was so responsive and really listened to us, not just as students, but as women standing up for what we believed in. I felt, as a young woman, empowered by the MSCs,” Costello said.
Sister Barbara Leonardo was succeeded by Sister Regina Casey, MSC, who was president from 1969 to 1972. During this time, Costello was president of the Student Government Association, giving her an opportune platform to advocate for her fellow classmates.
“I led several demonstrations,” she said. “We had candlelight sit-ins when we went to the Mansion courtyard and stood under Sister Regina’s window with candles until she’d come out and talk to us about our concerns about curfews and parietals (banning members of the opposite sex in residence hall rooms).”
(L-R) Executive Board Members of the Student Government Association in 1971: Pat Hom Howe '71, Marge Grilli '71, Toni Guerra Riley '71, Nancy Gorevin Costello ’71, Michele Waldron Daly '72, and Mary McLaughlin Fischer '71
“I was Sister Regina's nemesis," Costello joked. In an interesting twist of fate, nearly three decades later, Costello succeeded Sister Regina as the Provincial Director of Mission Integration for the MSCs.
“Sister Regina became my mentor and my dear friend,” Costello said.
“We often joke about my college days. When introducing me to others, she never fails to tell the story of my student advocacy.”
Sister Regina and Costello shared their desire for progressive changes at the College, even if they had different ideas of how to achieve their vision. (Under Sister Regina’s leadership, Cabrini became a coeducational college in 1970.)
“Looking back, I appreciate how wise and understanding Sister Regina was in her role as president,” Costello said. “She understood our need to express ourselves, realizing that we were finding our own voices.”
Costello has never ceased to be an advocate for Cabrini. Her first days advocating for her peers transformed into her current experience advocating for Cabrini students as both an alumna and Trustee.
She works alongside the faculty and leaders who had provided her with a distinctive Cabrini education and the confidence that she could make a difference in the world.