Susquehanna University is a four-year, co-educational, private liberal arts university in Selinsgrove, in central Pennsylvania, United States. The university is situated in the Susquehanna Valley approximately 50 mi (80 km) north of Pennsylvania's state capital, Harrisburg.
The academic programs fall into either the School of Arts and Sciences or the AACSB International-accredited Sigmund Weis School of Business. Susquehanna University enrolls more than 2,200 undergraduate students from 33 states and 23 countries, and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Most students are required to live on campus all four years and as of 2012, all students participate in a cross-cultural study away or service learning experience known as the GO Program. Noteworthy alumni include several Pennsylvania political representatives and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
The university was founded in 1858 by Benjamin Kurtz as the Lutheran-based Missionary Institute paired with a sister college, the Susquehanna Female College. When the sister college closed in 1873, the missionary institute became co-educational, and in 1895 it became a four-year school renamed Susquehanna University. The school's 325 acres sit in rural Pennsylvania and house 39 residential buildings, six academic buildings, a library, athletic facilities, a health center, and several administrative buildings.
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Academics
Susquehanna University is a small, liberal arts college based in rural central Pennsylvania and is devoted solely to undergraduate education. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Susquehanna maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 with 90% of full-time faculty holding a doctorate or highest equivalent degree.
The university offers more than 100 majors, minors and programs and gives students the freedom to design their own major. Susquehanna balances its liberal arts education with five pre-professional programs in law, veterinary medicine and teaching, and coordinates with Thomas Jefferson University for allied health, Temple University for dentistry and Columbia University for engineering. In 2016, an average of 96% of graduates were enrolled in graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
Organization and administration
Susquehanna University is split into two main academic departments, the School of Arts and Sciences and the Sigmund Weis School of Business. The School of Arts and Sciences offers the majority of majors, putting an emphasis on a more traditional liberal arts education including science and the humanities. The Sigmund Weis School of Business is geared towards a more technical degree.
Susquehanna University is governed by the president, a governing body of 56 members and a team of administrators.
Rankings
GO Program
The GO Program, as part of a school policy adopted in 2009, requires all Susquehanna students go off-campus for cross-cultural learning. Students have a choice between GO Short programs of 2-3 weeks or semester-long GO Long programs. In 2013, the GO Program was awarded the Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education
Tuition
The total cost of attendance for the 2016-17 year is $57,650 ($43,160 in tuition and fees plus $14,490 for room and meal plan). More than 99% of students receive some form of financial aid. The total amount awarded for the 2016-17 year numbered more than $83 million, and was handed out in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study Program.
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History
Founding and early years
Susquehanna University was founded in 1858 as The Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by Benjamin Kurtz. Having already assisted in the founding of Gettysburg Seminary (now Gettysburg College), Kurtz wanted to create another institution to expand the form of American Lutheranism that he and his contemporaries Samuel Simon Schmucker, founder and first president of Gettysburg College, and Samuel Sprecher, second president of Wittenberg College, advocated.
His mission was to "educate men for the gospel ministry ... who cannot take a full course of training adapted to their age and circumstances; a course so thorough in Theology as will qualify them to be able and faithful ministers of Christ." The American Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania pledged $22,000, 50 students and the provisional use of its church facilities. However, they stipulated that the Missionary Institute be expanded to a junior college and that a sister college, Susquehanna Female College, also be formed. Kurtz's own personal mission was the foundation of the institute's theology department, which he led as the first professor of theology. The school's official description, as read in the official founding charter, was "An American and Lutheran College."
On Wednesday, September 1, 1858, the Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and its sister college Susquehanna Female College were born and legally recognized 23 days later. Benjamin Kurtz was officially recognized as the first president. It had two departments, the theology department headed by Benjamin Kurtz and Henry Ziegler, and the classical department. By 1873, the sister college disbanded and the Institute became coeducational. In 1895, the institute officially became known as Susquehanna University.
20th century
The 20th century brought many changes. The school had just recently transitioned into a full four-year college, offering bachelor degrees and changing its name to Susquehanna University in 1895. Notable benefactors of the university during the turn of the century were Samuel Seibert and Charles Steele, both of whom would have buildings named after them. In 1903, the board approved Susquehanna's colors, orange and maroon.
By the 1920s, student enrollment skyrocketed, accommodations were refurbished and the campus expanded, academic departments and offerings enhanced, and new benefactors such as Charles Fischer and Martin Hassinger emerged, both of whom also have buildings named after them.
Campus
The Susquehanna University campus spans 325 acres (132 ha) in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. There are more than 50 buildings on campus, two of which, Selinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The campus buildings are primarily in the style of Georgian architecture.
Students are guaranteed housing all four years, and nearly all students live on campus. Students can choose from traditional corridor-style halls, suites, townhouses, apartments and family-style houses, each requiring no more than a 10-minute walk to class.
Selinsgrove and Seibert Hall
Selinsgrove Hall is a 3 1/2-story brick structure constructed in 1858 in the Italianate style. The roof features a wooden cupola and the structure was previously featured on the university logo. Seibert Hall is a 2 1/2-story brick structure constructed in 1902 in a restrained Colonial Revival style. Both buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Natural sciences center
The newest addition to the Susquehanna campus is a $32-million complex that houses Susquehanna's biology, chemistry, and earth and environmental science programs. The building received Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m2) building was dedicated on October 23, 2010.
Student life
Susquehanna University offers more than 150 student clubs and organizations, a variety of honor societies and professional organizations, and 11 Greek Life organizations.
Traditions
First-Year Students' Move In Day welcomes first-year students by sending orientation team members out to carry all new students' belongings into their dorm rooms. Many faculty and staff will also assist with the move-in process.
Thanksgiving Dinner is held prior to students leaving for Thanksgiving vacation. Students are served a turkey dinner by faculty, staff, and the University President.
Christmas Candlelight Service is one of Susquehanna's most cherished traditions. Held in Weber Auditorium in early December, the service includes songs, readings, and prayers and finishes with everyone in attendance holding a lit candle.
Twas the Night Before Christmas read by President Lemons. Students come to the campus center dressed in their pajamas and indulge in cookies and cocoa while enjoying a reading of the classic Christmas tale.
Clubs and organizations
Academic interest
There are a variety of academic interest clubs and organizations in the fields of business, education, music, sciences, foreign languages, and communications.
Publications and media
- Writing majors have publication opportunities in the student-run Essay Magazine (for non-fiction) and Rivercraft (for fiction, poetry, and art) in addition to the writing departments' annual magazine, The Susquehanna Review, which seeks submissions from undergraduate writing majors internationally.
- Topic specific student publications include Sanctuary, a literary magazine that features sci-fi and fanatasy; Flagship, a publication that features creative work and photography that focuses on students' GO program experiences; and The Squirrel, a student-run newspaper that offers a humorous, critical, and constructive perspective on the news.
- The university's student-run newspaper, The Quill, covers campus events, activities, and athletics, and provides a forum for the opinions of members of the campus community.
- WQSU, The Pulse, is the college's 12,000-watt radio station, making it the third most powerful college radio station and the tenth most powerful non-commercial radio station in Pennsylvania. Broadcasts can be heard at a 70-mile radius, which is approximately one-third of the state of Pennsylvania. The station is operated by students, faculty and staff as well as community volunteers, and features a wide variety of music and talk programs including regularly scheduled Associated Press news broadcasts.
- The Lanthorn is Susquehanna's yearbook that is available to students in hard copy in addition to being archived online.
Performing arts
In addition to the student-run clubs and organizations that focused on music and dance, many ensembles are university sponsored and count toward major or elective credit requirements.
The University Choir, Chorale, and Chamber Singers are the three vocal performance groups open to all students by audition, and the instrumental offerings (many of which are also open to all students through an audition process) range from small ensembles to pep bands to the University Symphonic Band.
The theatre department also holds performances throughout the year with four large and several small productions a year.
Religious life
There are eight religious life organizations at Susquehanna. In addition, students as well as the general public have the opportunity to attend Lutheran services held Sunday mornings on campus.
Special interest
Susquehanna students have more than 30 special interest organizations to choose from with focuses ranging from Shakespeare to gaming, crafting to the paranormal. Students have the option to come before the SGA with a proposal for a new organization if they have an interest in starting a club.
Volunteering/service
There are 10 clubs and organizations that focus on volunteering or service.
Student programs
Susquehanna's on-campus, student-run night club is TRAX. The facility offers a stage for live bands, comedians and other performers as well as a dance floor, bar, pool tables, an outside patio, and a DJ booth.
Susquehanna University also has Charlie's Coffeehouse, a student-run café on campus named after the university's benefactor, Charles Degenstein. Students work as baristas, while the management team consists of five students who are responsible for the coffee shop's finances, marketing, programming, stocking, and managerial duties. This non-alcoholic venue offers a variety of programming every night of the week. Charlie's also works in partnership with the student activities committee to bring in outside entertainers and host movies before they are released to the general public.
Greek life
There are four NPC sororities: (Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta, Sigma Kappa and Zeta Tau Alpha); five NIC fraternities: (Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi, Pi Kappa Phi and Phi Mu Delta); and two NPHC organizations: (Sigma Gamma Rho and Phi Beta Sigma).
Safety
College Prowler gives Susquehanna University a B- for health and safety. The University's 2013 Clery Report lists one stalking incident, seven burglaries, two robbery incidents and two sex offenses.
Athletics
Susquehanna competes in 23 varsity sports in Division III of the NCAA. Most sports compete as part of the Landmark Conference with other Northeastern colleges. Susquehanna competes in the Centennial Conference for football and women's golf and the Empire 8 for men's golf. Cheerleading is Susquehanna's 24th varsity team.
Susquehanna offers intramural sports that are free of charge to all students.
The Goal Post Trophy goes to the winner of the annual football game with rival Juniata College.
Susquehanna also plays Lycoming College for the Amos Alonzo Stagg's hat (bronzed) trophy.
Susquehanna University was the focus of attention when it suspended 11 athletes from their teams after they produced an "internet parody video". based on the "Harlem Shake." The students were given a plan of action outlining the pathway to reinstatement to their teams.
In October 2015, Susquehanna University's board of trustees elected to remove the Crusaders nickname and mascot. On April 2, 2016, the University announced River Hawks as the new mascot and nickname. Other finalists included Bobcats, Explorers, River Otters, and Phoenix.
Notable alumni
- Roger Blough - former chairman and CEO of U.S. Steel
- Claude A. Buss - U.S. diplomat, professor at University of Southern California and Stanford University
- Richard Caruso - founder and chairman of Integra Life Sciences
- David Day - longest serving Lutheran missionary in Liberia
- Tommy Dempsey - head men's basketball coach, Binghamton University
- Malcolm Derk - Snyder County Commissioner
- Richard Dorman - President of Westminster College
- Puella Dornblaserp- temperance activist
- Rep. Adam Harris - 82nd District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 2003-present
- Jay Feaster - current general manager of the Calgary Flames
- Benjamin K. Focht - Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and the Pennsylvania State Senate
- H. B. Galbraith - former head football coach at University of Arizona
- James Jordan - writer and conductor
- Dick Kauffman - professional baseball player
- David T. Little - American composer and drummer
- Camilla Luddington - actress
- Jackie McKeever - Tony Award-nominated singer and actress
- Harold Norman Moldenke - botanist and taxonomist
- Bob Mosher - television and radio script writer
- Bill Muir - former American football coach
- Paul Musser - professional baseball player
- Rep. Merle Phillips - 108th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1980-2010
- John Strangfeld - chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial
Notable faculty and administration
- Tom Bailey - Author, editor, and former creative writing professor.
- Gary Brown - Former professional football player and former offensive coordinator of Susquehanna University football team
- Scot Dapp - Former head baseball coach at Susquehanna University
- Jim Garrett - Former head football coach at Susquehanna University, former college football player, NFL player and assistant coach/scout. He is the father of Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.
- Jim Hazlett - Former head baseball and football coach
- Ralph Mitterling - Former head football coach at Susquehanna University
- William M. "Rocky" Rees - Former head football coach at Susquehanna University
- Glen Retief - South African author and English and creative writing professor
- Amos Alonzo Stagg - Former head football and basketball coach at Susquehanna University
- Amos Alonzo Stagg, Jr. - Former head football and basketball coach at Susquehanna University
- Edgar Wingard - Former head football coach at Susquehanna University
References
External links
- Susquehanna University official website
- SusquToday.com - Susquehanna News and Entertainment
Source of article : Wikipedia
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