Saint Josephs University
Saint Joseph's University is a private Jesuit Catholic university with campuses straddling the Philadelphia-Lower Merion border, founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus to provide Catholic higher education in the Jesuit tradition. The university's commitment to Jesuit principles of cura personalis (care for the whole person), men and women for and with others, and the magis (excellence in all things) shapes programs serving approximately 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The 2022 merger with University of the Sciences expanded Saint Joseph's into a comprehensive university with significant programs in pharmacy, health sciences, and science alongside traditional arts, business, and education offerings.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]The Society of Jesus founded Saint Joseph's College in 1851 to serve Philadelphia's growing Catholic population, offering classical education grounded in the Jesuit ratio studiorum tradition. The institution developed through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, adding professional programs while maintaining Jesuit educational philosophy emphasizing rigorous inquiry, ethical development, and service to others. Achievement of university status in 1978 recognized growth in graduate programs and academic scope.[1]
The 2022 merger with University of the Sciences, founded in 1821 as the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, combined Saint Joseph's strengths in business, education, and liberal arts with the sciences' programs in pharmacy, health sciences, and natural sciences. This combination created a comprehensive university with distinctive profile—Jesuit mission joined with science and health professions traditions. The merger preserved both institutions' legacies while creating stronger combined institution.[1]
Academic Programs
[edit | edit source]Saint Joseph's Erivan K. Haub School of Business maintains strong reputation for undergraduate and graduate business education, with particular strengths in food marketing, pharmaceutical marketing, and finance. The Haub School's experiential emphasis includes consulting projects, internships, and study abroad that connect classroom learning with professional practice. The College of Arts and Sciences offers liberal arts and sciences programs grounded in Jesuit educational traditions while preparing students for diverse careers and graduate study.[1]
Programs acquired through the University of the Sciences merger include pharmacy (offering the PharmD degree), physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and natural sciences. The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy within Saint Joseph's continues traditions dating to 1821, making it the oldest pharmacy school in North America. These health professions programs expand Saint Joseph's reach while benefiting from integration with the university's broader resources and Jesuit mission.[1]
Campus
[edit | edit source]Saint Joseph's main campus straddles the Philadelphia-Lower Merion border, with portions in both the city's Wynnefield neighborhood and Montgomery County's Lower Merion Township. This unusual geography reflects campus expansion across municipal boundaries, creating a unified institution with different regulatory contexts. Historic buildings including Barbelin Hall anchor the campus while newer construction has added academic, residential, and athletic facilities.[1]
The University City campus, former home of University of the Sciences, provides additional settings for pharmacy and health sciences programs in West Philadelphia near other academic medical institutions. This second campus extends Saint Joseph's geographic footprint while housing specialized facilities for science and health professions education. Shuttle services and coordinated programming connect campuses that offer different settings and resources.[1]
Athletics
[edit | edit source]Saint Joseph's competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference across twenty varsity sports, with basketball traditions including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and the legendary rivalry with Villanova. The Hawks' basketball history includes players like Jameer Nelson and the celebrated 2003-04 team that went undefeated in the regular season before losing in the Elite Eight. The Hawk mascot, which flaps its wings throughout every game, symbolizes institutional spirit that "the Hawk will never die."[1]
Athletic facilities include Hagan Arena for basketball and volleyball, Sweeney Field for baseball, and various venues for other sports. The university's competitive success in basketball has provided visibility that extends beyond typical mid-major exposure, while other sports offer opportunities for student-athletes in a Division I environment emphasizing academic-athletic balance.[1]
Jesuit Mission
[edit | edit source]Saint Joseph's Jesuit identity shapes institutional culture through programs, traditions, and expectations that distinguish it from secular peers. Campus ministry, service immersion trips, and social justice education reflect Jesuit emphasis on faith and service. The Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support exemplifies Jesuit commitment to those in need through specialized programs serving individuals with autism and their families.[1]
Jesuit education's emphasis on rigor, reflection, and formation shapes pedagogical approaches across disciplines. Students engage questions of meaning and purpose alongside professional preparation, developing capacities for leadership and service that extend beyond career success. Saint Joseph's participation in the network of Jesuit colleges and universities provides connections to resources and traditions extending far beyond a single institution.[1]
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Society of Jesus
- University of the Sciences
- Jesuit Education
- Big 5 Basketball
- Wynnefield, Philadelphia