The National Catholic Student Coalition (NCSC) was chartered on March 16, 1982 in New York City by 40 college and university students from across the United States.  The NCSC Vision Statement was written and adopted later that year.  Regional campus ministry groups also began organizing and meeting that year.  The group was a successor to the National Newman Club Federation (1908-1968) and the National Federation of Catholic College Students (1938-1968).

The NCSC held its first conference from January 2-6, 1985 at St. Thomas University in Miami Shores, Florida.  One hundred and eighty students attended the first annual conference "Sharing the Vision."  They represented 26 states and 85 colleges and universities.  At this conference, the NCSC passed a resolution stating its position on refugees and attendees heard Joseph Cardinal Bernadin speak on the pastoral letter on nuclear arms.

In 1986, the second annual leadership conference was held from January 2-6 at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, with 500 attendees from 48 different states.  At the 1986 conference, the NCSC started "Building the Vision" by voicing its position on several social justice issues.  Resolutions were passed on the International Solidarity for Ezekiel Pajibo and the people of Liberia, affiliating with the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS), condemning racism, condemning sexism, and stating our position on Apartheid in South Africa.  That year, the NCSC also passed a resolution challenging its members to put the vision of the NCSC into action.  Additionally, the NCSC passed a position paper on the international years of youth and peace; and study-action projects to work to support the Filipino people's struggle, supporting the rights of refugees, and in support of the boycott of California table grapes led by Cesar Chavez.  The President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) / United States Catholic Conference (USCC) spoke and the pastoral letter on campus ministry was presented.

Bishop Peter Rosazza spoke at this conference and after speaking was asked to serve as the Bishop Advisor to the NCSC. He has been with us ever since.  The NCSC continues to work with Bishop Rosazza and the United States Catholic Conference for Higher Education to ensure the integrity of the organization as well as to ensure that the voice of Catholic college students is heard.

From January 2-6, 1987, the NCSC gathered 400 students at the Hotel Gavez in Galveston, Texas for the third annual leadership conference.  In this year, attendees became "Stewards of the Vision" by passing resolutions on the Synod on the Laity and creating a formal liaison between NCSC and Pax Christi USA.  Additionally, a position paper on the Consistent Life Ethic was presented and accepted.  Faith Mauro, RSM from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry spoke on the theme.

The fourth annual leadership conference was held from January 2-6, 1988, at the Wyndam Franklin Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The NCSC continued to exercise its voice when 655 students joined under the theme, "Roots of the Vision" and passed a resolution in Support for Hunger Cleanup and World Food Day.  Featured keynotes included Mother Anna Brown and Rev. John Bendik, a founding member of the NCSC and the National Association of Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry (NADDCM).

The NCSC started its practice of celebrating New Year's Eve together at the fifth annual leadership conference from December 28, 1988 to January 1, 1989.  Over 300 students joined at the Ramada Broadview Place in Wichita, Kansas.  The NCSC passed a resolution on praying for peace.  Bishop Charles Chaput, OFM spoke on the theme, "Dare to Live the Vision."

The sixth annual leadership conference was held in Denver, Colorado at the Radisson Hotel from December 28, 1989 - January 1, 1990.  Approximately 500 students representing 120 colleges and universities attended.  Sr. Alexandra Korato, SSJ spoke on the conference's theme, "Young & Catholic: Called by Name." The National office was also established in Dayton, Ohio during 1990.

From December 28, 1990 - January 2, 1991, 450 students gathered at the Clarion Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio for the seventh annual leadership conference.  Edwina Gateley, founder of the Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM) spoke on the theme, "Discovering Christ in One Another."  Mother Anna Brown made a second conference appearance urging students to turn it over to Jesus; and Rev. Virgil P. Elizondo, the founder and president of the Mexican-American Cultural Center (MACC) spoke on diversity in the church.  That year, the NCSC passed a resolution calling for a nonviolent solution to the Persian Gulf Crisis and an end to U.S. military aid to El Salvador.

Washington D.C. was the site of the eighth annual leadership conference in which 615 students from 120 schools came to the Grand Hyatt from December 28, 1991 - January 1, 1992 to celebrate "Empowered by the Spirit."  Dr. Monika Hellwig, a Georgetown University professor, spoke on the future of spirituality while James Kelly of Catholic Relief Services spoke on living justly.

Also in 1992, the NCSC co-sponsored a Taize meeting / Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth in Dayton, Ohio from May 21-25.  Two thousand young adults attended the pilgrimage.

The ninth annual leadership conference was held from December 30, 1992 - January 3, 1993 at the Holiday Inn - Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  Under the theme, "The Challenge," 450 students attended.  Juanita Duenez-Lazo of Texas Women's University spoke about Hispanic laywomen in the church.  Rev. Danny Martin, the director of the International Coordinating Commission on Religion and the Earth, spoke about gathering around our one earth.  Sr. Jose Hobday, OSF, a Native American sister of Seneca-Iriquois descent, talked on the spirituality of diversity.

Later in 1993, the NCSC helped to promote World Youth Day 1993, an international gathering of young adults in Denver, Colorado from August 11-15.

The NCSC brought students from 85 schools together in Portland, Oregon at the Portland Hilton from December 28, 1993 - January 1, 1994 to participate in the tenth annual leadership conference, "Creating Compassionate Communities."  Fr. Kenan B. Osborne, president of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA spoke on the sacramental and scriptural aspects of community.

The next year, NCSC students from 105 schools joined students of other faiths for the National Gathering of Student Christian Conferences from December 28, 1994 - January 1, 1995 in St. Louis, Missouri as part of the eleventh annual leadership conference.  Together they embraced the theme, "Celebrate. Gathering at the Crossroads."

The twelfth annual leadership conference was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Pittsburgh Hilton from December 28, 1995 - January 1, 1996.  Again, students from 105 schools attended.  Dr. Greer Gordon, director of the office for Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston spoke on the theme, "Ask me Why I'm Catholic."  Most Rev. Rembert G. Weakland, the Archbishop of Milwaukee spoke in regards to his role on the Commission on Catholic Social Teaching and on the dialogue between Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox.

The Milwaukee Hilton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was the site of the thirteenth annual leadership conference from December 28, 1996 -January 1, 1997.  Most Rev. Richard Sklba, Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee, spoke to 350 attendees on the theme, "Living in Christ on Campus."

Later in August of that year, the NCSC national office moved to Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  From August 6-8, 1997, Roland Ranaivoarison, representing the International Movement of Catholic Students, visited the United States and the NCSC national office.

Over four hundred people attended the fourteenth annual leadership conference from December 28, 1997 - January 1, 1998 at the Adam Marks Hotel in Denver, Colorado.  Dominican priest, Rev. Jesse Cox called us to become "Spirit Powered Leaders" by being a witness to Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  Resolutions were passed supporting the Catholic Common Ground Initiative and the Catholic Campaign Against Landmines.

The fifteenth annual leadership conference, "Journey to Our God" was held December 30, 1998 - January 3, 1999 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.  Approximately 500 students, campus ministers, and vocation directors were in attendance. Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ spoke about her prison ministry and what NCSC students could do to help.  The musical group Not by Chance performed; and Diana Hayes, the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in Sacred Theology, spoke about the role each of us is called to serve in the church.  Resolutions were passed calling for a ban on partial birth abortions, an end to the School of the Americas, and Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Around 350 students braved Y2K and ushered in the Jubilee year in style while attending the sixteenth annual leadership conference, "By the Power of Three, We Become One," in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Doubletree Hotel from December 30, 1999 - January 3, 2000.  Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, Bishop of Las Cruces, and theologian Tom Beaudoin both reflected on the Trinity.  Resolutions were passed in support of the East Timorese, for enactment of the Youth Gun Crime Enforcement Act, and for abolishment of the death penalty.

In February of 2000, Budi Tjahyono, President of the International Movement of Catholic Students visited the United States and attended a Northeast regional team meeting in Newark, Delaware.

The seventeenth annual leadership conference, in conjunction with the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA) and the National Association of Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry (NADDCM) to celebrate the Great Jubilee in Louisville, Kentucky from December 28, 2000 - January 1, 2001.  Keynote speakers included Most Rev. Robert Morneau: "Faith: This World is Not Conclusion," Dr. Diana Hayes: "The Many Faces of God," Msgr. Joseph Champlin: "Unique Rainboy Moments: Meeting the Heavenly Christ Present Through Early Signs," Mr Terry Hershey: "Jesus in Skin: Leaders for a New Millennium," Most Rev. Peter Rosazza: "The Social Justice Teaching of the Church: A Well Kept Secret," and Sr. Catherine Betrand, SSND: "If you Have a Vocation, Raise your Hand."  A position paper was passed on the cancellation of world debt.

Approximately 350 people gathered in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the eighteenth annual leadership conference from December 28, 2001 - January 1, 2002.  The keynote speakers for, "Dare to Believe" were Sr. Nancy Sylvester, IHM and Mr. Gene Scapanski.  Conference attendees passed resolutions on solidarity with Africa and solidarity with the ecumenical movement.

In July of 2002, young Catholics from all over the world joined with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II in Toronto, for World Youth Day.  As part of the event, the NCSC sent twenty-five students to represent the NCSC and to help IMCS and the IMCS movement in Canada, the Canadian Catholic Students' Association organize two of the official events of World Youth Day.  From July 22-26, the NCSC helped organize the University Café, an open forum where students at World Youth Day could gather for coffee, music, testimonies, social justice, and fun.  The NCSC also helped IMCS on July 24 with the University Day, one of the main events focusing on how "Students interact with the Marginalized of Society," drawing close to five thousand people to hear Mr. Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche, singer Tony Martinez, and the rock band Critical Mass.

In November of 2002 the National Office moved to the St. Thomas More Oratory at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.

The nineteenth annual leadership conference was held from December 28, 2002 - January 1, 2003 in conjunction with the Council for Ecumenical Student Christian Ministry (CESCM).  NCSC students joined together at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico with students of various Christian denominations to reflect on the theme "CELEBRATE! Weave Us Together."  Speakers included Paula McGee, Dee Baker, and Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity.  The members of the NCSC present passed a resolution commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.

Sunny Orlando, Florida was the host of the NCSC's twentieth annual leadership conference. From December 31, 2003 - January 4, 2004 students gathered at the Rosen Centre Hotel to answer the question "Ask Me Why I'm Catholic."   Over 300 students joined together for informative workshops, service projects, and to listen to keynote speakers Nancy Streitmatter, M.D. FACC and Matt Smith, from MTV's The Real World.  Students accepted a position paper supporting the United Nations and passed a resolution recognizing the importance of integral education.  This year also marked the first annual Discernment Days retreat providing a follow-up to the conference with an extended period of time to discern God's call in our individual lives.

Over 250 students gathered in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., to celebrate the twenty-first annual leadership conference from December 29, 2004 to January 4, 2005, held at the Capitol Hilton.  Students engaged in the rich history of our nation and had the opportunity to visit Catholic landmarks in the area including the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the John Paul II Cultural Center.  Guests were invited to reflect on the theme of "Ask Me Why I Serve the Church" with keynote speaker Patrick Donovan.  Conference attendees also passed a resolution commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Empowered by the Spirit.

The twenty-second annual leadership conference was held in Chicago, IL from December 28, 2005 to January 1, 2006.  Participants were encouraged to reflect on the theme, "Be the Flame: Ask Me Why I Share My Faith!" with keynote speaker Father Mike Deeb.  Students were given the opportunity to participate in an inner-city Chicago Emersion Experience Sponsored the Claretians.  The NCSC’s Annual Pennies for Peace drive donated its proceeds to campus ministries affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The twenty-third annual leadership conference was held in conjunction with the Council for Ecumenical Student Christian Ministry (CESCM) Celebrate! At the River, conference in New Orleans, LA.  Keeping in line with the conference theme, “Waters of faith, deltas of change,” participants were given the opportunity to hear the testimonies of those who were impacted firsthand by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, and to offer a helping had in various service projects rebuilding the city of New Orleans.  During Conference Denominational Time, members of the NCSC came together to discern new leadership and vote on a proposed vision statement for the year 2007 as described in a position paper expressing the importance of dialogue.

During the twenty-fourth annual leadership conference, participants took part in reflecting on the theme, "Our Catholic Faith, Our World in Need," from December 28, 2007 through January 1, 2008.  Guests were able to hear from the University Programs Advisor at Catholic Relief Services, Kevin Kostic.  Students raised money in the Pennies for Peace challenge for Invisible Children.  Conference attendees were also given the opportunity to go out and do service projects in Los Angeles.

The twenty-fifth annual leadership conference was held in Atlanta, GA from December 31, 2008 to January 4, 2009.  Participants reflected on the theme, "Our Catholic Faith, Our Nation in Need," with keynote speakers Jill Rauh of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and Paul George from ADORE Ministries.  Students raised money for the CCHD through the Pennies for Peace drive and assembled care packages for the Community Homeless Outreach Program.

From December 31, 2009 to January 3, 2010, students from across the country gathered at the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern, PA for the twenty-sixth annual leadership conference.  Under the theme, "Be the Voice," participants heard keynote speakers Marie Dennis of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns and the Co-President of Pax Christi International and Mike Hayes of Busted Halo Ministries speak about how to be the voice of justice, of Christ, and in their communities.  The Pennies for Peace drive raised nearly nine hundred dollars for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  Also at the conference, NCSC passed a vote to revise its mission statement and passed three resolutions: Freedom of Choice Act, Calling for an End to the Genocide in Sudan, and High Unemployment Rates due to the Economic Downturn.

The NCSC is recognized as the official national organization of Catholic students by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the International Movement of Catholic Students - Pax Romana, the International Young Catholic Students, the Catholic Campus Ministry Association, and the National Association of Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry.

Updated 01/2010