The University of Scranton is a private, co-educational Jesuit university, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the northeast region of the state. The school was founded in 1888 by Most Rev. William O’Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. It was elevated to a university in 1938, taking the name the University of Scranton. The institution was operated by the Diocese, and later the Christian Brothers, from 1888 to 1942. In 1942, Bishop William Hafey invited the Society of Jesus to take charge of the university. Today, the University of Scranton is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Around 25 Jesuits are normally in residence at Scranton.
The University is composed of four colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Kania School of Management, The Panuska College of Professional Studies, and The College of Graduate and Continuing Education (a recent merger of the Graduate School and The Dexter Hanley College).
Areas of Academic Study
The University grants undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) in 57 majors. Students may also utilize many pre-professional concentrations, such as pre-medical, pre-law, and pre-dental. The university also has an Honors Program, and the SJLA (Special Jesuit Liberal Arts) Program in which select students complete courses in moral philosophy, ethics, theology, and the humanities in addition to their normal courseload.
The University also grants graduate degrees (Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Health Administration, Master of Physical Therapy) in 24 fields, among them Accounting, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computing Sciences, Counseling and Human Services, Elementary and Special Education, Health Administration, Human Resources, History, Nursing, Software Engineering, and Theology. The University also offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Curriculum
The university offers a comprehensive liberal arts program. Students are required to take the core courses in public speaking, computer literacy and composition. Students are also required to take two theology courses, two philosophy courses, as well as an elective in one of these two areas. Filling out the general education requirements are 6 credits in science courses, 6 credits in writing intensive courses, 6 credits in cultural diversity courses, 3 credits in a mathematics course, 12 credits in humanities courses and 3 credits in physical education.
National Recognition
The university has been recognized in several national publications; for over 10 years it has been ranked in the top 10 in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of Best Master’s Universites-North. It has also received praise Kaplan’s Publishing, Forbes Magazine, and the Princeton Review. In addition’s the school’s acceptance rates for medical and law schools are well above the national averages. Over 100 of its students have been granted prestigious Fulbright Fellowships for graduate study abroad and Truman Scholarships, recognizing excellent leadership qualities.
The University of Scranton has been featured on the USNews.com’s America’s Best Colleges 2007 list. In the 2004 edition, The University of Scranton ranked sixth among “Universities – Master’s” in the north. Also in the edition, Scranton was included among “Key Criteria in Judging School” having a graduation rate that was among the highest in the north.
U.S. News has included the university in its rankings since the magazine first introduced them 20 years ago in 1983.
Campus Buildings and Landmarks
The University of Scranton is situated on a 58 acre (.235 km²) urban campus in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania. Since 1984, the university has built some 25 new buildings and renovated over 24 others.
- Alumni Memorial Hall, formerly the university library, houses the psychology department as well as offices for the school’s technology administration and computer maintenance center. The Molecular Biology and Medicine Institute is adjacent to Alumni Memorial Hall. A large statue of Dante stands near the entrance.
- Brennan Hall, built in 2000, is named for John E. Brennan, a university alumnus of the Class of 1968 and a large contributor to the project. It boasts 71,000 square feet (7,000 m²) of space of classroom and office space. Included is a 148-seat auditorium and the McShane Executive Conference Center on the top floor, named in honor of former University President and current President of Fordham University, Joseph McShane, S.J. One of the newest academic buildings on campus, it is home to the Kania School of Management (KSOM). (Please see the picture below)
- Campion Hall provides housing for the Jesuit community. Campion Hall is named in honor of Saint Edmund Campion, S.J. Many of the Jesuits teach or hold administrative positions at the University of Scranton or nearby Scranton Preparatory School, a local Jesuit high school. Campion Hall was first opened in 1987 and stands next to the Alumni Green.
- Martyrs Grove, a stone memorial to victims of a massacre that took place on November 16, 1989, at the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador stands near the entrance to Campion Hall. Just behind Martyrs Grove stands another memorial depicting Christ’s crucifixion, which is a tribute to all deceased alumni of the University of Scranton. Martyrs Grove was formerly dedicated on November 16, 2000, according to the plaque. The memorial remembers the murder of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter. The inscription on the memorial plaque reads, “What does it mean to be a Jesuit today? To commit yourself under the standard of the Cross to the crucial struggle of our time, the struggle for faith and the struggle for justice which that same faith demands. G.C. 32” The names of those killed by Salvadoran soldiers are listed:
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- Juan Ramon Moreno Pardo, S.J.
- Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J.
- Joaquin Lopez y Lopez, S.J.
- Amando Lopez Quintana, S.J.
- Ignacio Martin-Baro, S.J.
- Segundo Montes Mozo, S.J.
- Elba Julia Ramos
- Celina Maricet Ramos
- The Christ The Teacher sculpture stands at the foot of the Commons, near the corner of Linden Street and Monroe Avenue. The statue, depicting Jesus and Mary, was formally dedicated in 1998. It was designed and sculpted by San Francisco based artist, Trevor Southey. This is not Southey’s only contribution to the campus. He is also responsible for thirty-nine panel paintings in the Weinberg Memorial Library’s Heritage Room, on the top floor. Christ The Teacher is popular place for students to meet. However, this did not stop the sculpture from being vandalized in 2005 when the Jesus statue was toppled off its base. The sculpture has since been repaired.
- Ciszek Hall, formerly known as The Center For Eastern Christian Studies was founded and built to promote the study and understanding of Eastern Christianity, specifically the various Orthodox, Byzantine and Coptic Churches. The building, located next to the Wellness Center on Mulberry Street, contains a library with over 15,000 books and a Byzantine Rite chapel. Ciszek Hall also currently houses the Office of Career Services.
- The Estate, the former home of the William Scranton family designed by noted architect Russell Sturgis includes the president’s dining room and offices for the university’s public initiative departments. The university’s catering department is also housed here.
- The lighted Fitzpatrick Field offers a [Sod|turf]] playing surface for soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey.
- Gunster Memorial Student Center, was opened and dedicated in September 1960. Major renovations and expansions took place in 1989 and 1993. The expansions added 19,000 square feet. Gunster currently houses several major University offices including the Offices of University Ministries, Community Outreach, Student Affairs, and Student Activities and Orientation. Gunster also has two food court-style cafeterias. The third floor Pocono Northeast Room offers a salad bar, traditional home-style meals, grilled and cold sandwiches, as well as stir fry and pan geo stations. The second floor Commonwealth Room, renovated in 2004, includes a Quizno’s sub and stations dedicated to Mexican food and grilled items, as well as a convenience store. The basement of Gunster is home to the Wolves’ Den, a large student lounge.
- The University announced plans in early 2006 to construct a new $30 million Campus Center to replace the Gunster Center, which is slated to be demolished for green space upon the new building’s completion in fall 2007. (See entry below)
- The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library was built and completed in 1992. It currently houses 473,830 volumes, over 15,500 electronic journals, 562,368 microform pieces and 1,709 periodical subscriptions, both current and archived. It is also home to the University Archives and Special Collections, which features many rare books, as well as University records. On the first floor is the Pro Deo et Universitate Room, a 24-hour study area with a Java City coffee bar. The library has wireless and wired Internet access throughout the entire building.
- The Houlihan-McLean Center houses the Performance Music Department, with rehearsal space, practice rooms, and offices on the ground floor. It is a large former church, built in 1892, and previously housed the Immanuel Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church congregations. When the University acquired the building in 1986, it was dedicated in honor of Atty. Daniel J. Houlihan and Prof. John McLean, distinguished professors of Accounting in the School of Management. Formally dedicated in December of 1987, it boasts a magnificently restored concert hall (the Aula) and historic Austin symphonic pipe organ. Along with regular performances by the University’s music ensembles, the building also hosts prominent musicians from all over the world, through the University’s Performing Arts Series, as well as many guest speakers and special events.
- Hyland Hall, built in 1988, includes the university bookstore and Hyland Cafe on the ground floor, The Hope Horn Art Gallery on the fourth floor, as well as general-use classrooms.
- The John J. Long, S.J., Center and adjoining William J. Byron, S.J., Recreation Complex house the Department of Exercise Science as well as intercollegiate and intramural basketball, wrestling, handball, tennis, racquetball, volleyball and swimming facilities.
- Joseph A. Rock, S.J., Hall previously served as the home of the Reformed Episcopalian Assembly of God Church. It was acquired by the University of Scranton in 1983 and was renovated in 1984. It was officially rededicated with a Mass on October 10, 1984. It contains the University’s main chapel, the Madonna della Strada Chapel, which seats about 300. Student Masses and services are held in the Madonna Della Strada Chapel on Sundays at 11:00am, 7:00 and 9:30pm.
- Leahy Hall, formerly Jefferson Hall, includes an auditorium, single-style upperclass student residence rooms as well as classroom space for the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy departments.
- Loyola Hall of Science was built in 1956 during the major campus building expansion of the late 1950s and early 1960s. It underwent a renovation and expansion in June 1986, as part of a $4.7 million dollar construction project that included the building of nearby Campion Hall. It includes state-of-the-art science laboratories.
- The McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts includes the theatre and English departments, as well as a 300-seat theater with a modified thrust stage and “black box” studio theatre.
- McGurrin Hall is located at the edge of the University on Jefferson Avenue next to Leahy Hall. Construction on McGurrin Hall began in the summer of 1997. The building was opened and dedicated on Sepetmber 11, 1998. McGurrin Hall houses classrooms, laboratories and offices for the counseling and human services, health administration, education, human resources and nursing departments, which form the Panuska College of Professional Studies.
- O’Hara Hall is named for Dr. Frank O’Hara, who was often referred to as “Mr. University.” Dr. O’Hara was a longtime administrator, serving as director of alumni relations and registrar, and briefly in 1942 as Acting President. The building houses the offices for the College of Graduate and Continuing Education as well as other university administrative offices, including the annual fund, public relations and alumni relations. Some programs for the College of Arts and Science are also based in O’Hara Hall, including the Department of Political Science and the Department of Foreign Languages, as well as the Language Learning Center. The building underwent major renovations in 2000 and 2001.
- The Rupert Mayer House was built in 1928 and was once used as a squash court by the Scranton family. Today, the building serves as the University Visitors’ Center. The Quain Memorial Conservatory Greenhouse is located nearby. Also next to the Rupert Mayer House is the Alumni Memorial Rose Garden.
- St. Thomas Hall was built in 1962 and dedicated on September 16, 1962. Its architect was Robert P. Moran of the class of 1925. The building houses many major administrative offices, such as Admissions, Financial Aid, the Bursar and the Registrar. It is also home to the College of Arts and Sciences and its Advising Center, and many departments have offices and classes in St. Thomas, including Communications, Physics, Theology, Philosophy, Mathematics, Computer Science, and History. St. Thomas Hall is also home to the St. Ignatius chapel, the site of daily Masses. Two wings have been added in recent years: the Harper-McGuiness Wing, location of many administrative offices, and the Communications wing, home to the Communications Department and facilities for the University’s radio and television productions.
- Scranton Hall currently houses the Office of the President. It formerly served as a stable for the Scranton Family.
- The Smurfit Arts Center is located one block away from the main campus, on the corner of Vine Street and Madison Avenue. Smurfit was built in 1897 as a church and was formerly home to John Raymond Memorial Church. The building was purchased by the University in 1987 for $125,000 after the church’s congregation had shrunk to approximately ten members. It is currently used by the Art and Music History program for studio art classes as well as offices for the University of Scranton Press.
- The Roche Wellness Center stands at the corner of Mulberry Street and Webster Ave. It is a 2,000 sq. ft. facility used as a student health clinic with four medical exam rooms and a reception area. The building, which is actually the former Hazzouri Pharmacy building, was purchased by the University at a government auction in December 1992. The Wellness Center officially opened for student use in March 1996 after extensive renovations.
Conference and Retreat Center at Chapman Lake
- The site originally had one old retreat house. The old house featured several bedrooms upstairs, each with bunkbeds, used by students on retreats. There was a small chapel on the second floor. There was a main room with a fireplace, a kitchen, and dining area featuring some very large, comfortable old couches downstairs. The original building was eventually closed in 2004 because of safety concerns.
- In 1999 a second retreat and conference center was completed at Chapman Lake. It was designed by Fr. Thomas “Bat” Masterson, S.J. The new building featured a large dining room, a meeting room nicknamed the Lake Room and five or six “small group rooms” to be used on some of the university’s popular retreat programs. There are several floors of shared bedrooms upstairs with private bathrooms.
- A groundbreaking ceremony for an addition to the 1999 building was held in the fall of 2005. The addition includes bedrooms, meeting rooms and a chapel. It was completed in the fall of 2006.
- Retreats offered at Chapman Lake are usually offered and run by staff and students from the University of Scranton’s Office of University Ministries. They are very popular with the student body and are usually held several times a year, with around 40 students participating at a time. The Freshman Retreat and the Search Retreats are among the most popular and are held multiple times each semester. The Senior Retreat is usually held once a year during the Spring Semester for graduating seniors.
Student Housing
- The university has 13 traditional residences, housing mostly for freshmen. Francis E. Redington Hall and John R. Gavigan Hall provide housing for upperclassmen students. The university owns over 20 additional houses and apartment buildings in the areas surrounding the campus, offering over 30 housing options for students, including Mulberry Plaza and Madison Square, two townhouse-style complexes featuring air conditioning, full kitchens, living areas and bedrooms.
Lower Quad
Freshman housing only
- McCourt Hall - Freshman co-ed, Home of the Cura Personalis program
- Fitch Hall - Freshman co-ed
- Martin Hall - Freshman male
- Casey Hall - Freshman co-ed
Upper Quad
Freshman housing only
- Hafey Hall - Freshman male
- Denis Edward Hall - Freshman female
- Lynett Hall - Freshman male
- Hannan Hall - Freshman co-ed. Home of the Wellness floors
Lavis Hall, Gannon Hall, McCormick Hall
Freshmen Housing Only
- Three adjoining residence halls opened in 1991. They were built on an open area of the campus unofficially called “Nevils Beach” by students, since it was overlooked by Nevils Hall. Today the open area around the dorm that was preserved is called the Freshman (or GLM) Patio. Concerts and movies nights are often held in this area during warmer months.
- All three buildings currently house female residents only, although Lavis Hall has been used to house male students in the past. Lavis Hall was used as a male dorm from the time it was built in 1991 until 2003, when it was converted into a female residence. University President Fr. Scott Pilarz currently maintains an apartment in Gannon.
- Also known as GLM
Linden Street Apartments (Linden Plaza)
3 dormitory buildings with Linden Plaza. They were purchased from Lackawanna Junior College in 1999.
- Dorothy Day House
- Elizabeth Ann Seton House
- Katherine Drexel House
Mulberry Street Apartments
Opened in the Fall of 2000 - Mulberry Plaza located in the center
- Keating House
- Timlin House
Madison Square Apartments
- Opened in Fall 2004
- Architecturally very similar to the Mulberry Street Apartments across the street.
Other Residence Halls
- Driscoll Hall - Freshman/Sophomore
- Nevils Hall - Freshman
- Gavigan Hall - Sophomore
- Redington Hall - Sophomore
- Leahy Hall - Sophomore
- Herold Hall - Graduate
- Condron Hall - Set to be completed in the fall of 2008, this building will provide sophomore housing.
The University Houses
- Blair House
- Cambria House
- Fayette House - also known as the Spanish House
- Gallery House - Residence Life Office
- Gonzaga House - “United Colors”
- Hill House
- Liva Arts House-Liva Performing Arts
- Luzerne House - Cura Personalis upperclass
- McGowan House - formerly known as Westmoreland House
- McKenna House
- Montgomery House-Commonly Referred to as “MoHo”
- Wayne House
Scranton Athletics
Scranton athletes compete at the NCAA Division III level. In 2007, Scranton joined the new formed Landmark Conference which ended a long history with the Middle Atlantic/Freedom Conference.
The school offers 19 varsity sports.
Student Life
Office of Student Activities and Orientation
The mission of Student Activities and Orientation is to strive to be a center of excellence in providing experiential opportunities for students to learn and develop through leadership and event planning programs. Keeping the care of the whole person and the magis at the forefront, Student Activities and Orientation is a resource that emphasizes a welcoming environment to support a free flow of ideas to empower and challenge students and support their development while continuing the tradition of “men and women for others”.
The University of Scranton Programming Board (USPB)
The University of Scranton Programming Board is an organization dedicated to providing the students with quality programs throughout the school year. The Board consists of an Executive Chairperson, two Vice Chairs, and the following committees heads: Coffeehouse (Now also in charge of Battle of the Bands), Comedy, Mission & Identity, Movies, Novelty/Variety: Specials, Novelty/Variety: Traditions, Publicity, Senior Programming, Technology. These are appointed positions, yet any student may become a member of a committee.
USPB plans event such as: Battle of the Bands, Family Weekend, the Royal Ball, Pet Therapy, the Spring Concert, and Senior Events. In addition we host performers, movies, bus trips and provide educational and service programming.
The Board’s website can be found at http://www.scranton.edu/uspb
Executive Board
The USPB executive board is comprised of three students. There is a Chair of the board who is charge of requesting contracts from agents and maintining all aspects of the board especially Senior Activities . The other two executives are Vice Chair of Special Events who oversees the two Novelty Variety Committees, Mission and Idenity and assists in the spring concert. The other executive is Vice Chair of Series events who oversees coffeehouse, comedy, movies, Battle of the Bands and the spring concert.
Orientation
Orientation assists all new students, freshman and transfer, with their transition to life at the University. The program is the link between the admissions process and students’ arrival at the University for their first semester. The emphasis is on scheduling, academic and social integration and providing a natural connection to the strong sense of community at the University.
Leadership Development Programs
The University of Scranton leadership development program mission is to facilitate, educate and motivate students to seek out opportunities to make a significant difference when serving their current and future communities.
The University of Scranton Student Government
History of the Student Senate
The Student Senate came about in the spring semester of 2002 with the ratification of its Constitution. On May 3, 2002 the first Student Senate meeting was held in the Office of Student Activities. Today, the Student Senate assembles for regular sessions on a biweekly basis and for emergency sessions as necessary.
The Student Senate is the main avenue of governance for the students. The Student Senate deals with pertinent issues that affect the day-to-day lives of students at the University of Scranton. The Senate is chaired by the Vice-President of Student Government who votes only in the case of a tie. The other Executive members of Student Government are the President, a nonvoting member with veto authority, as well as the Secretary and Treasurer, both non-voting members. The body of the Student Senate is made up of four equal representatives from each class, two commuter representatives, two off-campus representatives, and two resident representatives for a total of 26 members, 22 of which have voting rights.
There are five standing committees formed out of the Senate: Ignatian Awareness, Safety and Crime Prevention, Residence Life and Dining Services, Academic Affairs, and Appropriations. Proposed legislation is sent to the appropriate committee for re