Library | Ursuline - Liberal Arts College in OH

Opened in 1985 and named for a trustee and cherished friend of the College, the Ralph M. Besse Library provides a welcoming space to learn, study, research, and collaborate.

An enormously successful businessman, Besse was also strong believer in the value of higher education. His fierce commitment to Ursuline College began in the early 1960s, when he helped raise the necessary funds to make Ursuline’s then-new Pepper Pike campus a reality, and it lasted through his many years on the college’s Board of Trustees, all the way up until his death 2002.

In countless ways, Besse’s essence is stamped into the very fabric of the library, but that is far from the only thing that makes Ursuline’s library unique.

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Join us in celebrating International Women's Day. This year's theme is “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

We celebrate Henrietta Lacks during Black History Month and every day for her important contribution to science. She was the source of the HeLa cell line, which has led to many medical breakthroughs.

In 1951, at just 30 years old, Henrietta was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Without her knowledge, doctors took samples of her cancerous tissue while she was receiving treatment. Her cells were unique; they multiplied rapidly, doubling every 24 hours, making them the first human cells to grow indefinitely in a lab. Sadly, Henrietta’s health continued to worsen, and she passed away at 31.

For more than 70 years, Henrietta's cells have been used in research for many purposes, including studying the effects of radiation and developing the live polio vaccine. In the 1980s, scientists discovered that her cells contained a strain of the HPV virus, which helped establish the connection between HPV and cervical cancer.

Learn more about Henrietta in our collection by searching for her on URSearch.

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We celebrate Henrietta Lacks during Black History Month and every day for her important contribution to science. She was the source of the HeLa cell line, which has led to many medical breakthroughs. In 1951, at just 30 years old, Henrietta was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Without her knowledge, doctors took samples of her cancerous tissue while she was receiving treatment. Her cells were unique; they multiplied rapidly, doubling every 24 hours, making them the first human cells to grow indefinitely in a lab. Sadly, Henrietta’s health continued to worsen, and she passed away at 31. For more than 70 years, Henrietta's cells have been used in research for many purposes, including studying the effects of radiation and developing the live polio vaccine. In the 1980s, scientists discovered that her cells contained a strain of the HPV virus, which helped establish the connection between HPV and cervical cancer. Learn more about Henrietta in our collection by searching for her on URSearch.

Sometimes, faculty and students need a change in scenery. Thank you Dr. McVay and Dr. Trostel for using the library as an alternative space to your classroom today.

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Sometimes, faculty and students need a change in scenery. Thank you Dr. McVay and Dr. Trostel for using the library as an alternative space to your classroom today.

Ursuline College is going Virtual at 4pm today. The library will close at 5 pm. A librarian will be available online until 7pm. On Wednesday the library will be closed and all staff will be available virtually for assistance.

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Ursuline College is going Virtual at 4pm today. The library will close at 5 pm. A librarian will be available online until 7pm. On Wednesday the library will be closed and all staff will be available virtually for assistance.

Congratulations to our very own Breyana Martin!! If you have been into the library this school year you have likely seen Breyana at the Service Desk.

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Congratulations to our very own Breyana Martin!! If you have been into the library this school year you have likely seen Breyana at the Service Desk.

Celebrating all our Arrows working towards their science goals.

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Celebrating all our Arrows working towards their science goals.

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Staff of the Library Commons are sharing exciting news, intriguing stories, and more in the new ArrowDynamics newsletter.

During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military pilots and support crew in the United States Army Air Forces. They were known for their successful combat record protecting American bombers from enemy fighters. The Tuskegee Airmen were trained at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), which was the only school for training Black pilots until it closed in 1946. There were 922 Tuskegee pilots during the war years. Their success helped pave the way for the desegregation of the military after World War II.

Learn more about these heroes by doing a search in URSearch!

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During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military pilots and support crew in the United States Army Air Forces. They were known for their successful combat record protecting American bombers from enemy fighters. The Tuskegee Airmen were trained at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), which was the only school for training Black pilots until it closed in 1946. There were 922 Tuskegee pilots during the war years. Their success helped pave the way for the desegregation of the military after World War II. Learn more about these heroes by doing a search in URSearch!

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Have a safe and relaxing Spring Break. Here are the library hours starting today.

Institute for Women, Wellness, and Work: A Critical Time for Women in the Workforce

Angela - Ursuline Student Athlete

STUNT Ursuline_College

Ursuline College in suburban Cleveland is now recruiting athletes for STUNT, one of... more

STUNT Ursuline_College

Ursuline College Mural Installation

Valerie - Student Testimonial

Nursing student Valerie shares what attracted her to Ursuline College and what she... more

Valerie - Advice for Nursing Students

Nursing student Valerie shares advice for students considering nursing school. more

Valerie - Getting Involved at Ursuline

Nursing student Valerie shares more about the largest student organization, Student Nurses of... more

Nadia - Why Ursuline?

Psychology student Nadia shares what she thinks makes the Ursuline College experience distinct. more

Nadia - Student Testimonial

Psychology student Nadia shares what she has enjoyed most about her Ursuline College... more

Jocelyn - Being a Commuter Student

Alumna Jocelyn shares her experience of being a commuter student at Ursuline College. more

Jocelyn - Ursuline on the Road

Alumna Jocelyn shares her experience of Ursuline on the Road, a program through... more

Jocelyn - Student Testimonial

Alumna Jocelyn shares what makes an Ursuline College education unique. more

Hannah - Ursuline on the Road

Hannah shares her experience with Ursuline on the Road, a program through the... more

Hannah - Residence Life

Hannah shares what she enjoyed most about her experience as a first-year resident... more

Hannah - Student Athlete

Hannah, a member of the Arrows' Division II Volleyball team, shares her experience... more

Euneata - Internship Experience

Euneata, an Art Therapy and Psychology double major, shares her excitement for an... more

Euneata - Student Testimonial

Euneata shares what attracted her to Ursuline College and what she has enjoyed... more

Cyli - Ursuline on the Road

Cyli shares her experience with Ursuline on the Road, a program through the... more

Student Testimonial - Cyli

Cyli shares what she enjoys most about being a student at Ursuline College. more

Carlie - Student Testimonial

Biology major Carlie shares what she has enjoyed most about being a student... more

Carlie - Getting Involved at Ursuline

Carlie, a commuter student, shares her experience of getting involved at Ursuline College... more

#UrsulineCollegeGives 2018

Ursuline's 2nd annual giving day, #UrsulineCollegeGives, kicks off at noon on Tuesday, November... more

Message from Sister Christine De Vinne, O.S.U., PhD '73

Alumni Profile: Emily Adkinson '17

#UrsulineCollegeGives Announcement

#UrsulineCollegeGives

Move-In Day 2017

Videography by Seamus Leahy more

Ursuline Christmas Wish 2016

We at Ursuline College wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2017.... more

Celebrating 50 Years in Pepper Pike

Ursuline College was founded in Cleveland in 1871 but moved to its current... more

Merry Christmas from Ursuline College - 2015

Merry Christmas from Ursuline College - 2015 more

Ursuline College an Architectural History & Closing Remarks

Jessica Beam, Karl Brunjes, Ashley Hardison, Gail Peabody, Tara Carlson more

Bre-Anna Carruthers

Green Housing in Cleveland more

Scott Plescia

Effects of the Flipped Classroom on Student Achievement more

Jennifer Miroglotta

Reaching Reading Potential: The Effects of Assistive Technology on Struggling Readers more

Bravina Talia Trovato

Hatching Bluebirds on Campus: The Story Behind Ursuline's New Eastern Bluebird Trail more

Michelle Cochran

Oncology Nursing Compassion Fatigue: Art Therapy for Self Awareness and Self Care more

Stephanie Erin Dumperth

Patriarchal Colonialism: Examining How this Phenomenon has Affected the Indigenous People of the... more

Intro & Courtney Jackson

The Journey for Equality: African-Americans' Use of Music to Battle Discrimination more

Innovations '15 Sneak Peak

Sneak Peak of Ursuline College's fashion show, Innovations. This year's show is on... more

Ursuline College - Student Research Symposium

Ursuline College - Student Research Symposium more

VIBE

All Campus Student Exhibition Opening more

Book Tree 2014

Sr. Diana Stano speaks on Founders Day

Founders Day Brunch 11-16-2014 more

Jack Newman speaks on Founders Day

Founders Day Brunch 11-16-2014 more

Metz for Residents

Metz Dining Services for Non-Residents

'Holy Women Icons' by: Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber

W.E.A.V. Presents: 'Holy Women Icons' by: Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber more

URSA virtual tour: Academic Support Center

Meet some of the URSA staff more

Banned Book Week 2014

Ursuline celebrates 3rd annual Banned Book Week Video by Molly Carroll Special Thanks to: Comic... more

Best Closet in Cleveland Exhibition Set-up

Avery Friedman Human Rights Scholarship - $100K Celebration 8-7-14

Avery Friedman Human Rights Scholarship - $100k Celebration 8-7-14 more

Math Alumnae Jessica Korkosz '09, MBA '13

#UCGrad14

‘Words of Wisdom’ for this year’s grads from faculty and staff. more

Innovations '14

Performed by Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix) For information go... more

URSA Virtual Tour: Academic Support Center

Academic Support Center staff explain tutoring, accommodations, testing and the FOCUS program Video by... more

URSA Virtual Tour: Student Success Office

Sr. Virginia discusses academic orientation, student advising and programs such as UCOACH, LEAD,... more

groundbreaking

This video is about groundbreaking more

Celebrating Poetry Month

Video by Molly Carroll, Media Center Ursuline's Faculty and Staff share their favorite poems more

Best Closet in Cleveland: 30th Anniversary of the Historic Costume Collection

Fashion Promo

The students of Ursuline College’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies Fashion Program... more

Transnational Perspectives on Women's Rights as Human Rights

15th Annual Faculty Lecture Series: Best Closet in Cleveland

With over 3,500 pieces of 20th Century American fashion donated by Greater Clevelanders,... more

Ceremonial Demolition 3-25-14

O'Brien Ceremonial Demolition 3-25-14 - Opening Remarks

Ursuline College education alumna working to change lives of Cleveland youth

Most people remember forever one teacher that made an impressionable difference in their... more

Biology Alumna Anna Grinberg '01

OFIC-UrsulineCollege

Rachael Smith

Olivia Koch

Ginger McGhee

Happy Birthday

Small Private College + Friendly Students and Profs = An Ursuline Marketing Communications

Uniquely housed in the Business Department, the degree program in public relations and... more

Graduate Fast with a 4-year Degree! Try Ursuline's Accelerated Marketing Communications Degree

Uniquely housed in the Business Department, the degree program in public relations and... more

Want an Affordable, Private Marketing Communications Degree? Transfer to Ursuline College

Uniquely housed in the Business Department, the degree program in public relations and... more

Want a Marketable Communications Career? Combine a Business Degree with Public Relations at Ursuline College

Uniquely housed in the Business Department, the degree program in public relations and... more

What I Like About Ursuline Studies

What I Like About Ursuline Studies more

Ursuline College | Founder's Day Brunch

Ursuline College | Founder's Day Brunch more

Support Ursuline College - 'Get Involved'

Support Ursuline College - 'Get Involved' more

Ralph M. Besse Library

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Library News

Ursuline awarded prestigious Teagle Foundation grant

Library receives Ted Sande's collection of historic preservation books

Ursuline’s Besse Library expands capabilities with membership in new consortium

Events

Senior Art Exhibition 2025

Transfer Welcome Wednesday

Transfer Welcome Wednesday

St. John College Reunion Luncheon