S. Nivelle Berning (1916-2007) Science Teacher, College Faculty, Dean of Students
Sister Nivelle (Lucina) Berning was born April 4, 1916, to Hubert and Veronica (Hackenmueller) in St. Michael, MN. She attended St. Albert grade school in Albertville, MN, and Saint Benedict’s High School. She entered the community in 1936. She earned a B.A. degree in biology and minors in mathematics and English in 1944. She received her M.S. in biology in 1962 from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and further studies at the University of Minnesota and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
Sister Nivelle had a long teaching career, interrupted only once by a three-year term as assistant administrator at St. Benedict’s Hospital in Ogden, Utah. She taught at St. Bernard’s Grade School, St.Paul; St. Boniface High School, Cold Spring; Cathedral High School, St. Cloud; St. Cloud Hospital School of Nursing; the College of Saint Benedict, and St. Anselm College in 1968 in Manchester, N.H.
She was one of the founding Superiors at St. Anselm, where she played a role in the introduction of co-education at the college.
At St. Anselm's, she taught in the Science and Humanities Department and served as Assistant Dean of Students and Dean of Women. A residence hall was named in her honor at St. Anselm's, Nivelle Hall, in 2000.
In retirement, she worked in the Campus Center for Volunteers at St. Anselm's Always affirming the work of others, her presence would support campus activities, whether sponsored by students or faculty.
