The obverse bears perched American Eagle behind Catholic University's coat of arms. Around, THE · CATHOLIC · UNIVERSITY · OF · AMERICA; in coat of arms, DEUS - MEA / LUX - EST
The reverse bears cross. Around, · CORRIGAN · McCORMICK · McENTEGART · McDONALD · KEANE · CONATY · O'CONNELL · SHAHAN · RYAN ·; across, 1889 - 1964 / DIAMOND - JUBILEE; at top, seven papal names, at bottom, three U.S. cardinal names, GIBBONS / CURLEY / O'BOYLE
The medal's edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE.
At the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1866, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops first discussed the need for a national Catholic university. After Mary Gwendoline Caldwell pledged $300,000 to establish it, Pope Leo XIII sent James Cardinal Gibbons a letter granting permission to establish the university on April 10, 1887. Finally, on March 7, 1889 the Pope issued the encyclical Magna Nobis, granting the university its charter and establishing its mission as the instruction of Catholicism and human nature together at the graduate level.
Today, the Catholic University of America is rated one of the best value colleges in America. To help keep it affordable, the American Cardinals Dinner is put on by the residential U.S. cardinals each year to raise scholarship funds.
The medal measures 70mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
References: MACo 1963-054