The Program in Medieval and Byzantine Studies, established in 1969, brought together the talents of a strong cohort of medievalists from throughout the various departments and Schools of The Catholic University of America.  Under the directorship of Professor Elizabeth Kennan, the program initially offered only a graduate certificate; the B.A. and M.A. degrees were added in subsequent years. In 1979, as a result of a national search, Professor Uta-Renate Blumenthal was brought in to direct the growing program. Under her leadership, a Ph.D. program, designed by Prof. Frank A.C. Mantello, was approved in 1988, creating one of the few medieval programs in North America to grant this degree.

Ten years later, in 1998, the Program was transformed into the Center for Medieval and Byzantine Studies. Under the guidance of a director and an interdepartmental Steering Committee, the Center oversaw and administered graduate and undergraduate programs in Medieval Studies. These programs were significantly redesigned in 2010 to align them with the ever-changing standards and interests of the field of medieval studies. Designated as one of the Centers of Excellence on campus soon after its inception, the Center long served as the intellectual heart of medieval studies on campus. It promoted interdisciplinary interests through the sponsorship of public lectures, conferences, seminars, workshops, public programming, and occasional visiting scholars. Our location in the nation’s capital enabled the medievalist community at Catholic University to build strong relationships with Dumbarton Oaks, the Hellenic Center, the Library of Congress and the Kluge Center, the National Gallery and the Center for Advanced Study of the Visual Arts, the Smithsonian Institution, the Folger Institute and Library, and the Walters Gallery of Art.  Not least, the Center’s calendar of scholarly and public events promoted ties with our colleagues at the numerous local universities, research institutions and cultural institutions. Its energetic mission continues now within the Department of Ancient and Medieval Studies.