Sister Alberta Dieker, OSB, a member of Queen of Angels Monastery in Mount Angel, was awarded
the Christus Magister medal from the University of Portland during their annual commencement ceremonies on May 5.
She received the honor for her lifetime service to the three central tenets of the University of Portland’s mission – teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership.
Sister Alberta entered Queen of Angels Monastery in 1939, and professed her vows in 1942. Her teaching career spanned 45-years, and ranged from elementary school to college. In addition to serving as prioress,
she was also a history professor at Eastern Oregon College and served as dean and president of Mount Angel College.
She later served as archivist for her Benedictine community. In 2007, her book, A Tree Rooted in Faith: A History of Queen of Angels Monastery, was published. Sister Alberta also was president and a founding member of the Oregon Catholic Historical Society and executive secretary of the American Benedictine Academy.
Sister Alberta was a recipient of the Bishop Francis Leipzig award, given to her in recognition of her contributions to the study of Catholic history in the Pacific Northwest. She was also awarded the
Pro Eccelesia et Pontifice award by Pope Benedict XVI for her contributions to the Archdiocese of Portland.
“I thank God, my sisters, and my family each and
every day,” said Sister Alberta. “Whatever I’ve done has been for the love of God, my sisters, and the Oregon Catholic church.”
