Seattle University

Seattle University (SU), commonly referred to as Seattle U, is a Jesuit Catholic university in the northwestern United States, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.

SU is the largest independent university in the Northwest US, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools, and is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. In its "Best Colleges 2015" edition, U.S. News & World Report ranked Seattle University the 5th best school in the West, in a category for institutions that offer a full range of programs up to master's degree and some doctoral programs. Seattle University School of Law has the #1 legal writing program in the nation, a rank held for six consecutive years. In 2014, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Seattle University #1 in the nation for macroeconomics.

Among all colleges nationally, Seattle University graduates, with a degree in either the Liberal Arts or Sciences, are the 10th highest paid in the country.

History

In 1891, Adrian Sweere, S.J., took over a small parish near downtown Seattle at Broadway and Madison. At first, the school was named after the surrounding Immaculate Conception parish and did not offer higher education. In 1898, the school was named Seattle College after both the city and Chief Seattle, and it granted its first bachelor's degrees 11 years later. Initially, the school served as both a high school and college. From 1919 to 1931, the college moved to Interlaken Blvd, but in 1931 it returned to First Hill permanently. In 1931, Seattle College created a "night school" for women in order to allow them to attend; becoming coeducational was a highly controversial decision at the time.

In 1948, Seattle College changed its name to Seattle University under Father Albert A. Lemieux, S.J. In 1993, the Seattle University School of Law was established through purchase of the Law School from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, and the School of Law moved to the Seattle campus in 1999.

In 2009, SU completed the largest capital campaign in the university's history, raising almost $169 million and surpassing the original campaign goal by almost $20 million. The campaign has resulted in new scholarships for students, academic programs and professorships, a fitness complex, an arts center and more. The centerpiece of the capital projects is the $56 million Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, completed in fall 2010.

Campus

The Seattle University campus is 50 acres (200,000 m²) and is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, near downtown Seattle, Wash. The SU campus has been recognized by the city of Seattle, the EPA and many organizations for its commitment to sustainability through pesticide-free grounds, a food waste compost facility, recycling program and energy conservation program.

The most well-known building on campus is the Chapel of St. Ignatius, designed by New York architect Steven Holl. The building won a national Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1998. The use of natural lighting and illuminating multi-colored lights at night transforms the chapel into a beacon of multicolored light radiating outward towards the campus.

The campus includes numerous works by well-known artists (including the Centennial Fountain by Seattle artist George Tsutakawaâ€"recipient of an honorary doctorate from Seattle U.â€"and a large glass sculpture in the PACCAR Atrium of Piggot Hall by Tacoma, Washington artist Dale Chihuly, as well as works by Chuck Close, Jacob Lawrence, Gwendolyn Knight, William Morris (glass artist) and David Mach) and several architecturally notable buildings.

Almost half of the overall student body represent diverse groups, in 2009â€"10 the makeup of the university was: 49% Caucasian 19% Asian/Pacific Islander 7% Latino/Hispanic 5% African American 1% Native American 9.7% International Students

Lemieux Library

The Lemieux Library was founded in 1991. As of 2011 it contained 216,677 books and subscribed to 1604 periodicals. It participates in the American Theological Library Association and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

Academics

Seattle University offers 61 bachelor's degree programs, 31 graduate degree programs and 27 certificate programs, plus a law school and a doctoral program in education. The university consists of nine colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Albers School of Business and Economics, the College of Education, the School of Law, Matteo Ricci College, the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, the School of New and Continuing Studies, and the School of Theology and Ministry. A Seattle University education is estimated to cost $150,000, although much of this is covered by financial aid.

Service-learning and social justice are components of the educational experience at Seattle University, which strives to "empower leaders for a just and humane world." Each year students, faculty and staff commit hundreds of hours to service projects and community outreach through the Center for Service and Community Engagement.

Albers School of Business and Economics

Albers School of Business and Economics was ranked 46th in the U.S. and among the Top 25 private universities in the BusinessWeek 2010 rankings of undergraduate Business Schools. Albers' faculty received an "A" rating from students and recruiters ranked Albers as the top school in the nation. The school ranked seventh in the West and was the only private university in the Northwest appearing in the Top 50. The 2009 U.S. News & World Report ranking of undergraduate business programs puts Albers in the top 30% of AACSB accredited schools and one of the top 20 private business schools in the U.S. Albers's part-time MBA program has been recognized as one of the top 50 in the nation, according to the latest issue of U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Graduate Schools 2009." The Executive Leadership Program was ranked by CRO Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine among the top 10 executive training programs in corporate responsibility. In addition, the Albers EDGE program (Education for Global Executives) was honored in 2008 as the only academic institution to receive the President's "E" Award, which recognizes persons, firms, or organizations that contribute significantly in the effort to increase United States exports.

Seattle University's Albers School of Business and Economics, started in 1945, was named after the Albers family. George and Eva Albers were generous donors to the university and in 1971 Eva bequeathed $3 million to the school. Their daughter, Genevieve Albers, attended SU and also sponsored a business forum, established an eponymous professorship, and donated funds to create scholarships. In 1967, the business school added an MBA program, which by 2010 has grown to be a highly ranked, nationally accredited evening program for working professionals in the Pacific Northwest. BusinessWeek ranked Albers's Part-time MBA Program #25 in the nation and the undergraduate program in the top 50 in 2010. Both the Leadership Executive MBA Program and the part-time MBA Program are recognized among the Top 25 in their categories by "U.S. News & World Report's 2010 America's Best Graduate Schools." US News also ranks the Albers School among the top 10% of undergraduate business schools nationwide. The Albers School is accredited with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business AACSB.

College of Arts and Sciences

The Seattle University College of Arts and Sciences in Seattle, Washington is the oldest and the largest undergraduate and graduate college affiliated with Seattle University, the Northwest's largest independent university. The College focuses on academic excellence, service to the community, and global engagement. The College offers 41 undergraduate majors, 36 undergraduate minors, 6 graduate degrees, and 1 post-graduate certificate. In the College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University's graduate program in psychology is notable as one of the few schools in the country to focus on existential phenomenology as a therapeutic method. Seattle University also has a notable Communications Department consisting of Strategic Communications, Journalism, and Communication Studies majors. The Communication Department's website also features a menu listing internship opportunities for students enrolled under this department.

Matteo Ricci College

The Matteo Ricci College was founded in 1973 and named after Italian Jesuit missionary, Matteo Ricci. The program allows high school students from the affiliated Seattle Preparatory School and other area high schools to graduate with a bachelor's degree in humanities or teaching after as little as three years in high school and three years in college. It also provides students the opportunity to obtain a second bachelor degree in any other discipline with only one more year of study.

School of Law

The Seattle University School of Law is the largest and most diverse in the Pacific Northwest. The School of Law was founded in 1972 as part of the University of Puget Sound (UPS) in Tacoma, Wash. In 1993, the University of Puget Sound and Seattle University agreed on a transfer of the law school to Seattle University; in August 1994 the transfer was completed, and the school physically moved to the Seattle University campus in 1999. The 2012 U.S. News & World Report Law School rankings lists the school at number eighty-two in the nation overall, adding that the school has the number one legal writing program in the nation, as well as top-twenty rankings for its part-time program and its clinical programs.

College of Nursing

Seattle University's College of Nursing celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010. It is housed in the completely renovated Garrand building, the site of the original Seattle College and the oldest building on campus. The 19,000-square-foot (1,800 m²) "state of the art" Clinical Performance Lab is located in the James Tower of Swedish on Cherry Hill, a few blocks away from the main campus. Undergraduate and Graduate students use this lab to practice skills necessary for clinical nursing. The BSN program attracts students who begin as Freshmen as well as transfer students from community colleges and those with degrees from other universities. The MSN program welcomes registered nurses with Bachelor's degrees. The Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion program (MSN) offers an accelerated program for those with a Bachelor's degree in another field. Specialties available in the MSN program are Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery and Advanced Community/Public Health Nursing.

College of Education

The College of Education was founded in 1935 and offers programs that include a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Masters in Adult Education and Training, Counseling, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Administration, Literacy for Special Needs, Master in Teaching, Master in Teaching with Special Education Endorsement, Special Education, Student Development Administration, and Teaching English to Students of Other Languages. Educational specialist degree programs include Educational Administration â€" Principal Preparation, School Psychology, and Special Education and Certificate programs offered include Superintendent, Principal, and Professional Development.

The College of Education is accredited by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education and the National Association of School Psychologists and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists.

College of Science & Engineering

The College of Science and Engineering focuses on basic sciences, mathematics and their applications. Students can major in basic science disciplines, computer science or one of the engineering departments â€" civil and environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer and electrical engineering. Students may also obtain an interdisciplinary general science degree, or prepare for graduate work in the health professions.

The College of Science and Engineering is ranked among the top 50 in the nation as one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (2008 edition). The college is ranked second in the nation in terms of the percentage of women faculty members, according to Prism, a publication of the American Society for Engineering Education.

School of Theology & Ministry

The School of Theology and Ministry is an ecumenical program with relationships with 10 Protestant denominations and the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. It is committed to social justice and addressing the needs of an increasingly multicultural church. The school offers a number of master's degrees and certificates, including a Master of Divinity.

School of New and Continuing Studies

Established in 2014, the School of New and Continuing Studies seeks to broaden access to Seattle University's transformative education and to meet the future workforce needs of the Puget Sound region through the delivery of baccalaureate degree completion programs for adult/post-traditional students, by the creation of continuing education opportunities, and the exploration of innovative approaches to continuing education. The school will offer its first baccalaureate degrees in 2015, and currently offers a year-long web development certificate program.

Community Investment

Investing and partnering with Seattle and the SU neighborhood are part of the Jesuit Catholic mission of education for service and social justice. More than 3,000 studentsâ€"three out of every fourâ€"take part in at least one for-credit "service learning" class by the time that they graduate; nearly 45 percent participate in a service-learning class in any given year. This translates to 185,000 hours, the equivalent of more than 80 full-time workers or $6 million. By comparison, on a national level only about one-third of college students volunteer, according to the Corporation for National & Community Service.

The number of service learning courses at SU has nearly doubled since 2004. One-third of service-learning students continue their community work even after their class has ended and they've earned a grade. Many students continue serving after graduation through an SU program called Magis:Alumni Committed for Mission. In the past two years, nearly 100 alumni have participated in Magis efforts such as the Alumni Mexico Mission Trek and the annual Serve Seattle project. And in each of the past three years, at least a dozen graduates have gone into full-time service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, the Peace Corps and Teach for America.

One way that students become involved in the surrounding community is through the Seattle University Youth Initiative. Launched in 2011, the Seattle University Youth Initiative brings together students of the University and surrounding community members to help families in the area escape poverty. SUYI works with University students to place them into volunteer positions in the community best suited to their skills and interests.

Because SU is part of Seattle's urban hub, students have easy access to a number of areas that offer a wide variety of service learning opportunities, including the Central District, the International District and Pioneer Square.

The economic impact of SU in the Seattle area in 2008 was $580.4 million. This figure is drawn from the total spending by the university, its students and visitors.

Environmental Sustainability

Among Seattle University's many environmental undertakings, there are projects ranging from composting initiatives to water conservation. There are also solar panels on buildings, and a central recycling yard with an extensive recycling program. The university has been composting since 1995, and in 2003 it built the first composting facility in the state on an urban campus. The University's Grounds Department is committed to fostering an organic, sustainable and environmentally friendly campus that functions as an urban wildlife sanctuary.

SU received the Sustainability Innovator Award in 2007 from the Sustainable Endowments Institute for SU's pre-consumer food waste composting program and the Green Washington Award in 2008 from Washington CEO Magazine for SU's sustainable landscape practices and pre-consumer food waste composting program. The Princeton Review's 2009 Green Rating gave the school a 97 out of a possible 99.

SU's move to a pesticide-free campus began in the early 1980s when Ciscoe Morris, now a local gardening celebrity, was head of the SU Grounds Department in the 1980s. He put a halt to chemical spraying and in its place released more than 20,000 beneficial insects called lacewings to eat the aphids that had infested trees on campus. It worked and that led to a whole host of pesticide-free gardening practices. Ciscoe began a transformation that has made the university a model for ecological gardening.

Athletics

Between 1950 and 1971, Seattle University competed as a Division I independent school. In the 1950s, the basketball team was a powerhouse with brothers Johnny and Eddie O'Brien, who led Seattle University as one of the few teams in history to defeat the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. In 1958, future NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor paced a men's basketball team that advanced to the Final Four and defeated top-ranked Kansas State University before losing to the University of Kentucky. Seattle University was also a leader in the area of racial diversity, with an integrated squad known as "the United Nations team."

The success of men's basketball, in addition to men's golf and baseball, continued into to the 1960s with players Eddie Miles, Clint Richardson, and Tom Workman, all of whom went on to successful careers in the NBA. The 1966 basketball squad led Texas Western University to its only defeat in a championship season celebrated in the film Glory Road. In the course of the 1960s, Seattle University produced more NBA players than any other school.

During that time women's tennis star Janet Hopps Adkisson was the first female to be the top-ranked player for both the men and women nationally. In women's golf, Pat Lesser was twice named to the Curtis Cup in the mid-1950s and was later inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame.

Before 1980, more than 25 SU baseball players went on to play professionally in both the major and minor leagues. Men's golf and a Tom Gorman -led tennis team were also very strong national programs. Gorman went on to lead the US Davis Cup team, where he captained a record 18 match wins and one Davis Cup title (1972) as a player and two more Davis Cup championships as a coach (1990 and 1992).

SU joined the West Coast Conference in 1971. In 1980, SU left the West Coast Conference and Division I membership and entered the NAIA, where it remained for nearly 20 years. In the late 1990s, President Fr. Sundborg started restoring the university's NCAA membership. The athletic program moved into Division II in the fall of 2002.

The school is reclassified from Division II to Division I from 2009-2013. In 2009, the university hired men's basketball coach Cameron Dollar, former assistant at University of Washington, and women's coach Joan Bonvicini, former University of Arizona coach and one of the winningest women's college basketball coaches. In 2013 Coach Bonvicini led the Redhawks to the regular Western Athletic Conference champions.

In 1938 the mascot switched from the Maroons to the Chieftains. The name was selected to honor the college's namesake, Chief Seattle. In 2000 the university changed its mascot to the Redhawks.

In June 14, 2011, Seattle U accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference and will be a full member for the 2012â€"2013 season.

Notable alumni

Notes

External links

• Official website
• Seattle University Alumni Relations
• Seattle University Athletics
• Seattle University's official student newspaper, The Spectator
• Seattle University Redhawks Shop
• Seattle University's Student-run radio station