Widener University
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Widener University |
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| Motto | Mens Sana In Corpore Sano (Sound Mind in Sound Body) |
| Established | Preparatory school, 1821; College, 1862 |
| Type | Private |
| Endowment | $68.6 million[1] |
| President | Dr. James T. Harris III |
| Faculty | 314 full-time, 283 part-time |
| Students | 6,569 |
| Undergraduates | 3,055 (2,493 full-time, 562 part-time) |
| Postgraduates | 3,514 (1,773 law students) |
| Location | Chester, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Campus | Urban, 108 acres (.44 km²) |
| Athletics | 20 varsity teams, Division III (MAC) |
| Colors | Widener Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Pride (introduced in 2006), formerly the Pioneers and the Cadets (when PMC) |
| Website | www.widener.edu |
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Widener University is a private, metropolitan university located in Chester, Pennsylvania. Its main campus sits on 108 acres (.44 km²), just 14 miles south of Philadelphia. Approximately 3,000 undergraduates and 3,500 graduate students attend Widener among its eight degree granting schools. The university offers associate's, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in areas ranging from traditional liberal arts to professional programs.
Widener was founded in 1821 and has undergone several name changes. In particular, it was known as Pennsylvania Military College between 1892 and 1972 before finally adopting the Widener name in 1972. In addition to its main campus in Chester, the university has three other campuses: two in Pennsylvania (Harrisburg and Exton) and one in Wilmington, Delaware. The Carnegie Foundation classifies Widener as a Doctoral/Research University and a Community Engagement Institution.
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[edit] History
Founded in 1821 as a preparatory school for boys in Wilmington, Delaware, the institution now known as Widener University moved to Pennsylvania in 1862, and was granted collegiate powers and privileges via universal charter by the Pennsylvania legislature in April of that year. It was known from 1892 to 1972 as Pennsylvania Military College, though it had officially become PMC College in 1966 when a nonmilitary, coeducational component was added. In 1972, the name Widener College was adopted after the prominent Widener family of Philadelphia, and the Corps of Cadets disbanded (an Army ROTC program still exists). Graduate programs were introduced in 1966 and the School of Law acquired in 1975.
In recognition of its comprehensive offerings, Widener College became Widener University in 1979. Today, Widener is a four-campus university offering more than 80 programs of study.
[edit] Timeline
| 1821–1846 | The Bullock School for Boys, founded by John Bullock in Wilmington, Delaware |
| 1846–1853 | The Alsop School for Boys |
| 1853–1859 | Hyatt's Select School for Boys
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| 1859–1862 | Delaware Military Academy |
| 1862–1892 | Pennsylvania Military Academy
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| 1892–1966 | Pennsylvania Military College |
| 1966–1972 | PMC Colleges (for Pennsylvania Military College and Penn Morton College, the civilian component)
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| 1972–1979 | Widener College
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| 1979- | Widener University
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[edit] Campuses
Widener consists of four campuses, the main campus in Chester, Pennsylvania, plus campuses in Wilmington, Delaware; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Exton, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1866 after the school moved to Chester, the 108 acre Main Campus consists of 97 buildings and serves all undergraduate day students as well as University College students. It also contains all graduate programs (business, education, engineering, nursing, social work, physical therapy, and clinical psychology) except for the School of Law.
Opening in 1976, the Delaware Campus consists of 16 buildings across 40 acres and is 12 miles from the Main Campus. It contains the School of Law (shared with the Harrisburg Campus) as well as the Legal Education Institute. Some classes for University College students and graduate business students are also held here. The 21 acre Harrisburg Campus, opening in 1989, contains the School of Law (shared with the Delaware Campus) and has graduate programs in nursing and social work. Starting in 2004, the Exton Campus is the newest Widener campus, located in a business park 25 miles from the Main Campus. It primarily serves University College students and contains Widener's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) which provides continuing education programs for retired adults.
[edit] Academics
Widener's comprehensive offerings range from liberal arts to professional programs and include over 50 undergraduate majors and more than 30 graduate programs of study. In particular, programs in engineering, computer science, business, nursing and hospitality management have generated the most praise from students according to a survey conducted by The Princeton Review[2]. Widener boasts a undergraduate student to faculty ratio of 12:1 with 93% of the faculty having doctorates or the highest degree in their field.
The university is comprised of the following schools:
- College of Arts and Sciences: The largest undergraduate school at Widener provides 25 majors and 26 minors within its three divisions: Humanities, Science and Social Science. The college is also home to pre-professional programs in law and medicine. All undergraduates within the college fulfill general education requirements in all three divisions as well as take an interdisciplinary values seminar during their junior or senior year. The college mainly consists of undergraduate programs although a few master's programs do exist.
- School of Business Administration: The School of Business Administration provides undergraduate programs in management, accounting, and economics as well as graduate programs in information systems, business administration, financial planning, and human resources. The school has recently revised its MBA program which is accredited by the AACSB.
- School of Engineering: The school offers ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. It has recently introduced a minor in bio-engineering. Master's (MEng) programs exist in all of the same fields in addition to computer and software engineering. A dual MEng/MBA program also exists with the School of Business Administration.
- School of Hospitality Management: One of the earliest schools dedicated to hospitality management, the school provides undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.S.) study in areas such as hotel and resort management, private club management, tourism, and casino and gaming operations. Its facilities include fully equipped production and demonstration kitchens as well as a restaurant, the Heintz Dining Room, open to the public. The Institute for Gaming and Racing, established in 2007, is the latest endeavor and offers research and educational programs for employees in the casino and racing industries.
- School of Human Service Professions: This school is a collection of professional programs in education, social work, clinical psychology and physical therapy. It is comprised of the following academic units:
- Center for Education: The center provides bachelor's, master's and doctorate programs in education within a variety of areas including elementary education, special education, educational psychology and school administration.
- Center for Social Work Education: The center provides bachelor's (BSW), master's (MSW) and doctorate programs (PhD) in social work.
- Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology: Originally founded in 1970 by Hahnemann University's medical school, the program moved to Widener in 1989 and became the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology. The institute houses the second oldest PsyD program in the United States[3]. The PsyD program is accredited by the APA and allows a variety of concentrations including family therapy, forensic psychology, and organizational psychology. The institute is also home to the Neuropsychology Assessment Center and the Biofeedback Clinic and Certification Center which provides services and treatment to the public.
- Institute for Physical Therapy Education: The institute offers a full-time 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The program is available for entry-level students as well as transitional students who are already licensed physical therapists. A pre-physical therapy program exists for undergraduates who wish to pursue the DPT degree.
- School of Law: The school is home to a ABA accredited J.D. program and operates on two campuses, one in Wilmington, Delaware, and the other in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
- School of Nursing: Accredited by the NLN, the school has bachelor's (BSN), master's (MSN) and doctorate (DNSc) programs in nursing. A part-time, evening or weekend BSN program and accelerated programs for RNs are also available.
- University College: The University College serves part-time adult undergraduate students and offers both associate's and bachelor's degrees. Classes are held during the evenings or weekends and focus mainly on professional areas such as nursing, business, education and information systems. The college also contains the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute which provides continuing education classes to retired adults.
[edit] Rankings and classifications
In 2006, Washington Monthly magazine ranked Widener number 52[4] out of all national universities in the country. These rankings are based on how well a university benefits the country including such factors as promoting social mobility, scientific and humanistic research, and service. Widener is also currently named one of the "Best Northeastern Colleges" by The Princeton Review[5].
The 2007 Best Colleges list from U. S. News and World Report classifies Widener as a Tier 3 National University[6]. It also ranks Widener's undergraduate engineering program at number 61[7]. The U.S. News and World Report's 2008 Best Graduate Schools ranks several of Widener's graduate programs: clinical psychology → #145[8], health care management → #49[9], nursing → #141[10], physical therapy → #173[11], and social work → #140[12].
The Carnegie Foundation classifies Widener as a Doctoral/Research University whose undergraduate population is highly residential and selective[13]. It also one of 76 institutions classified as a Community Engagement Institution; only 2 other schools in the Philadelphia region share this classification, University of Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr College[14].
[edit] Notable programs
Cooperative education
A co-op program is available as an option for all undergraduate students within the School of Engineering and School of Business Administration as well as computer science majors in the College of Arts and Sciences. This allows a student to still earn their degree in 4 years while gaining 1-year of work experience. All students in the School of Hospitality Management are required to enroll in a co-op for a single semester (16 weeks) during their junior or senior year. The co-op work is full-time and counts as course credit. The school also has its own restaurant, the Heintz Dining Room, which is open to the public and run by the students.
Undergraduate research opportunities
All undergraduates students in engineering and computer science are required to complete a year-long research and design project during their final year. The projects are usually done in teams with a faculty advisor and culminates in a final presentation and demonstration. Other science majors (particularly biology majors) have the option to participate in research with faculty members. This research is often presented at local or national conferences as well as published in scientific journals.
Honors program
The Honors Program consists of approximately 200 undergraduate students and provides smaller, seminar courses that fulfill the university's general education requirements. Students in the program must take at least 5 'honors' courses and also attend certain cultural events held on campus or in Philadelphia. Students who complete the program are awarded a Certificate of Honors in General Education at graduation. Admission to the program is based on the student's SAT scores, high school GPA and ranking.
[edit] Athletics
Widener has 20 varsity teams (10 for men and 10 for women) participating in Division III within the Middle Atlantic Corporation (MAC). Formally known as the Pioneers, their mascot changed to the Pride in the Fall of 2006 based on a student poll[15]. Widener sports teams include:
- Men's and Women's varsity: basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field
- Men's varsity: baseball, football, and golf
- Women's varsity: field hockey, softball, and volleyball
- Club sports: men's ice hockey, men's volleyball, men's rugby, women's rugby and cheerleading.
[edit] Athletic facilities
The Schwartz Athletic Center is home to basketball, swimming, indoor track and volleyball. It houses a championship size 8-lane swimming pool, squash/racquetball courts and administrative offices for the athletic department. Schwartz is also home to the new Wellness Center, opened in April 2006 to provide the faculty, staff and students with additional recreational and fitness opportunities. In addition to exercise equipment, the Wellness Center provides fitness classes and a 24-foot climbing wall.
Opening in 1994, Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium seats over 4,000 people and has a turf playing field surrounded by an 8-lane track. The stadium houses the football, soccer, men's lacrosse, and outdoor track & field teams. In addition, Edith R. Dixon Field, opening in 2005, houses the women's field hockey and lacrosse teams. It sports an artificial turf, lighting and a scoreboard. The field is also used for the intramural teams.
[edit] Athletic achievements
The football team has had recent success winning the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl[16] and the ECAC Southwest Bowl in 2006[17]. Its greatest success has been winning the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1977 and 1981 and reaching the semi-finals in 1979, 1980, and 2000.[18] Additionally, Widener football has won 16 MAC championships, the most of any team in the conference. Billy "White Shoes" Johnson played for Widener in the early 70s. He went on to be an all-pro NFL player and was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team as well as the College Football Hall of Fame.
The men's basketball team has won 13 MAC titles and appeared in the NCAA Division III Tournament 15 times, advancing to the "Sweet 16" in 1987 and 2006, the "Final 4" in 1985 and the championship game in 1978.[18] The men's lacrosse team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 5 times since 2000 and has won 9 MAC titles between 1996 and 2006.[18]
[edit] Student life
WDNR is the student-run campus radio station playing a variety of music including hip-hop, rock, metal and punk. It also broadcasts local football games. Other media outlets include the weekly newspaper, The Dome, a student literary journal and a television station.
[edit] Greek life
Widener has 7 fraternities and 3 sororities. Approximately 10% of all undergraduates are members[19]. Widener's Greek organizations include:
- Fraternities: Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha Psi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Lambda Phi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Theta Chi
- Sororities: Delta Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Sigma Sigma Sigma
[edit] Community
Widener is one of only 22 colleges that is a member of Project Pericles, an organization promoting social responsibility and addressing civic apathy among students. It is also one of only 76 institutions classified as a Community Engagement Institution by the The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Only two other schools in the Philadelphia region share this classification - University of Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr College. [14]
Since 2004, Widener has sponsored the Philadelphia Speakers Series which has had such notable speakers as Henry Kissinger, Walter Cronkite and Dave Barry.
Widener opened a Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center in 2006 to provide consulting and educational programs to local small businesses and entrepreneurs. It is one of only 18 in the state and one of 3 in the Philadelphia region (the other two being Temple University and University of Pennsylvania).
[edit] Charter school
In 2006, the university established a new charter school near the Main Campus in Chester to serve local residents from kindergarten to grade 5. Named the Widener Partnership Charter School, the school utilizes the university's programs in education, social work, nursing and clinical psychology. This collaboration involves the participation of Widener faculty and students to not only provide educational support but also provide additional assistance outside of school through counseling and health services.
Classes in the charter school started in September 2006 enrolling 50 students in both kindergarten and grade 1. The school plans on adding a new grade each year until grade 5 and an enrollment of 300 students is reached.
[edit] Notable alumni or attendees
As of 2006, there are 53,966 total living alumni, 10,867 of which are School of Law alumni.
- David J. Brightbill, Pennsylvania state senator from 1982 to 2006
- Tom Deery, College Football Hall of Fame inductee (1998)
- Cecil B. DeMille, legendary Hollywood director
- Joe Fields, New York Jets all-pro center
- Robert Franklin, Morgan Franklin Inc.
- Max Gayer, 1965, noted Philadelphia businessman, radio and TV personality
- John Lance "Jack" Geoghegan, 1963, Vietnam War hero, recipient of the Bronze Star
- Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, 1974, NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, College Football Hall of Fame inductee (1996)
- Jack Klotz, Class of 1955, NFL lineman
- Phil Martelli, St. Joseph's University Head Basketball Coach, 1995-today
- Matthew McGrory, world's tallest actor
- Patrick J. Murphy, U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania.
- Burt Mustin, TV & Movie Actor, created the role of Gus the Fireman on Leave it to Beaver
- Leslie C. Quick Jr., founder Quick & Reilly Inc.
- Pat Quinn, former NHL Coach and General Manager
- Colonel Wesley Combs Smith, 1943
- Brent Staples, 1973, New York Times editorial writer and author of Parallel Time
- Bill Stern, newsreel and sports commentator
- Brian Tierney, publisher of the The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News
- William John Wolfgram, 1943, World War II hero, recipient of the Bronze Star
[edit] External links
- Widener University
- Widener University School of Law
- Widener MBA Program
- WDNR 89.5 FM - student run radio station
- PMC Museum
[edit] Notes
- ^ 2006 NACUBO Endowment Study
- ^ Widener University: What Widener Students Say About Academics. The Princeton Review. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ The degree that almost wasn't: The PsyD comes of age. APA Monitor on Pyschology. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ The Washington Monthly College Rankings: National Universities. Washington Monthly. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ The Best Northeastern Colleges. The Princeton Review. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ America Best Colleges 2007: National Universities. U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
- ^ America Best Colleges 2007: Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Clinical Psychology. U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved on March 30, 2007.
- ^ America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Healthcare Management (Master's). U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved on March 30, 2007.
- ^ America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Nursing (Master's). U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved on March 30, 2007.
- ^ America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Physical Therapy. U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved on March 30, 2007.
- ^ America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Social Work (Master's). U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved on March 30, 2007.
- ^ Institutions:Widener University-Main Campus. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.
- ^ a b Carnegie Selects Colleges and Universities for New Elective Community Engagement Classification. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ Widener University Announces New Mascot. Widener University. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.
- ^ Widener Wins ECAC South Atlantic Championship Bowl. Eastern College Athletic Conference. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ Widener Tallies 14-7 Victory for Southwest Championship. Eastern College Athletic Conference. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ a b c Conference Champs and Postseason Appearances. Widener University. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
- ^ Widener University: Welcome to Greek Life. Widener University. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
