Wheeling Jesuit University

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"WJU" redirects here. For the Northern California University, see William Jessup University.
Wheeling Jesuit University
Wheeling Jesuit University's Seal
Motto: Luceat Lux Vestra
(Let your light shine)
Established: 1954
Type: Private, Liberal Arts
Endowment: U.S. $17.3 million [1]
President: Rev. Julio Giulietti, S.J. (2007-Present)[2]
Undergraduates: 1,200
Location: Wheeling, West Virginia, USA
Campus: Small Town
Colors: Red, Black, and Gold
Mascot: Cardinals
Athletics: NCAA Division II West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Affiliations: Society of Jesus
Website: www.wju.edu

Wheeling Jesuit University is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic university in the United States. Located in Wheeling, West Virginia, it was founded as Wheeling College in 1954 by the Society of Jesus (known as the Jesuits). Today, Wheeling Jesuit University is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Approximately 1,200 undergraduate students attend WJU.[3]

The campus houses two prominent National Aeronautic and Space Administration buildings: Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) and Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies (CET). The CET building is the official home of NASA's Classroom of the Future.

Wheeling Jesuit University competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).

Contents

[edit] History

Wheeling Jesuit University, then Wheeling College, was founded through a partnership of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston with the Maryland Society of Jesus. The college was officially opened September 26, 1955. Overcoming the difficulties of temporary facilities and a faculty of just twelve Jesuit priests and four lay professors, the school has grown considerably[4].

[edit] Academics

Wheeling Jesuit is highly rated for its academics. There is a strong core curriculum that all students must complete. This core, a noted component of Jesuit Universities, is designed to produce a well-rounded person well trained in humanistic pursuits and the liberal arts. Many faculty are published experts in their field, and are consistently well-rated by students. According to the WJU's page on the U-CAN Network [5], the average high school GPA of the freshman class is a 3.5 [6] The school is given a selectivity score of 81 out of 100 by the Princeton Review [7] In 1997, WJU was named as the fourth best educational value in the southeast, and the 15th best college in the region.[8] In addition, the school is ranked 21st best Masters school in the south by U.S. News & World Report.[9]

[edit] The Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality

As a result of a donation from BB&T, WJU in 2006 became home to the Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality. According to its website, the Institute desires to study the roles of capitalism in a free society. The institute also promotes research and essay competitions, forums and debates, and a lecture series. Thus far, the series seems to have taken on a libertarian stance. Lecturers for the 2007-2008 school year included Thomas Woods and Doug Bandow[10].

[edit] Athletics

Wheeling Jesuit University's compete's in the NCAA's Division II, competing in the WVIAC. Wheeling Jesuit has amassed 47 WVIAC titles and 40 Academic All-Americans, which is proof of WJU's success. On Feb. 28th 2009, WJU will be televised nationally on CBS Sports against West Liberty State College in a conference basketball match. Currently, WJU supports 18 sports, including: Men's and women's soccer, men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross-country, men's and women's track (indoor and outdoor), men's and women's swimming, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, and baseball, which was started during the 2005-2006 Academic School year. Competitors participate in their respective sports in WJU's state of the art McDonough Center [11].

[edit] Campus

Wheeling Jesuit University's campus features fifteen buildings[12] - six of which are residence halls[13].

[edit] Academic Buildings

WJU's Donahue Hall

[edit] Acker Science Center

Named for the school's former president Thomas Acker S.J., the center was built in 2002. It is home to classrooms, labs, and the Acker Kiosk, a small restaurant.

[edit] Donahue Hall

The oldest academic building on campus, Donahue Hall was constructed in 1955. Donahue holds faculty offices, labs, and classrooms[14]. The hall is connected to the Acker Science Center via the "Acker bridge."


[edit] Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies

The CET as it is known, is home to classrooms, administration, and the NASA sponsored Challenger Learning Center and the Classroom of the Future.[15] The facility was named for United States Senator Robert Byrd's wife. Byrd paid the CET a visit in September 2007 to celebrate Constitution Day. Byrd's presentation was available online and streamed to schools across the country[16].


[edit] Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center

In 1989, the U.S. Congress established the National Technology Transfer Center to link U.S. industry with federal labs and universities possessing the research technologies, facilities, and personnel required to turn research efforts into products. With operations in Wheeling, W.V., and Alexandria, VA., the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) is committed to developing partnerships among industry, academia, and government agencies.

NTTC focuses on providing essential services nationwide for the commercialization of technologies developed by federal agencies and other clients. It also researches the commercial and government marketplace to locate available technologies that meet client needs. Federal research and development (R&D) has provided substantial benefits for the American people by transferring federal research investment into the development of commercial products.

NTTC's professional services include: • Business and manufacturing consulting • Computer information/database development • Engineering expertise • Financial analysis • Graphic design • Intellectual property management • Market analysis • Professional and technical writing/ publications production • Training

The NTTC's client base ranges from small companies to Fortune 500 firms as well as government, corporate, and academic partners.

[edit] Future Plans

WJU is currently in talks with the former Mt. De Chantal Visitation Academy to rent, and eventually purchase the 160 year-old school's facilities and use them as classrooms. The school hopes to expand its graduate and health science programs, in addition to relocating the school's tutoring program (The ARC, or Academic Resource Center) to the building.[17]

[edit] Residence Life

Looking toward Campion and McHugh Residence Halls on WJU's campus

[edit] Campion/McHugh Halls

Campion and McHugh Halls host most of the male students on campus. Campion is adjacent to McHugh and connected via a common stairwell. The halls share a common lounge, kitchenette, and study area. Rooms in each measure 15'5" W by 10'10" L [18]. Despite these similarities, the halls can be differentiated by the fact that Campion is air conditioned, while McHugh is not [19]. In addition, McHugh is three years older than Campion, having been dedicated in 1959[20], while Campion was dedicated in 1962[21].

[edit] Ignatius Hall

Ignatius Hall, dedicated in 1993[22], is a co-educational residence hall for Upperclass students. Rooms are air-conditioned, and have private bathrooms. Each residence floor has laundry facilities and TV lounges, and each room is 12'8" W by 25' L [23].The hall is named after St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

[edit] Kirby Hall/Sara Tracy Hall

Dedicated in 2000, Kirby hall is one of the most recently build Halls on campus. The Hall houses 64 female students in 32 rooms. Each room has a bathroom, and the hall itself has a kitchen, laundry room, and lounge [24].

Sara Tracy Hall, dedicated in 1959 [25], is a residence hall for female freshmen. The hall is divided into smaller hallways, all of which share common laundry facilities. The hall provides quick access to facilities, such as the Chapel of Mary and Joseph, the Mailroom, and the cafeteria [26].

[edit] Thomas More

Thomas More houses upperclass students. Thomas More is a co-ed residential facility. Rooms are divided into "quads." Each "quad" houses 4 to 6 students, has 2 to 3 bedrooms, a lounge and one bathroom. Residents are responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms. Inspections are done doing various university breaks. A typical floor has four "quads," and a community lounge. A laundry room is located the following floors 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Residents of a "quad". Telephone and Cable TV is provided. Thomas More residential environment assist residents in establishing a sense of belonging and community in their "quad," on their floor, and in their building [27].

[edit] Campus Life

[edit] Commitment to Social Justice

As part of the Jesuit philosophy, Wheeling Jesuit University prides itself on its commitment to community involvement and social justice. The Service for Social Action Center (SSAC) coordinates such programs. Arrupe Scholars (named for Pedro Arrupe) receive additional financial aid for completing at least 66 hours of community service a year [28]. Students are also afforded the option of living at Mother Jones house, a house in downtown Wheeling for students especially motivated for community work. The school is also home to other clubs and organizations promoting this message [29]. In addition, the university also works to promote mine safety, and in the aftermath of the Sago Mine disaster sponsors a yearly Mine Safety symposium.[30]

[edit] Student Organizations and Publications

[edit] Organizations

Wheeling Jesuit University students are given an array of opportunities for campus involvement. Student Government and the Campus Activities plan activities each year, in addition to those already put on by clubs. While many of the clubs are service-oriented in nature, there are also political, artistic, and major-related organizations [31].

[edit] Publications

The Cardinal Connection is Wheeling Jesuit's student newspaper. The paper is written and edited by WJU students. The school yearbook is known as the Manifest, and the school literary magazine is known as the Jewelweed.

[edit] Jesuits

The Jesuit community is active in the process of education. In addition, the Jesuits are involved in many other academic works, such as the Appalachian Institute on Campus[32]. Members of Wheeling's Jesuit Community reside at Whelan Hall, dedicated in 1955 [33]. The Jesuit community and tradition for critical thinking are reflected in the school's curriculum and mission [34].

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ "Wheeling Jesuit University - College Overview." Peterson's Planner. 15 December 2007. 17 March 2008 <http://www.petersons.com/ugchannel/code/instvc.asp?inunid=9703>.
  2. ^ News Story - Wheeling Jesuit University
  3. ^ USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Wheeling Jesuit University: At a glance
  4. ^ Wheeling Jesuit University - Best 9 News Story - WTOV Steubenville
  5. ^ News Story - Wheeling Jesuit University
  6. ^ U-CAN: Wheeling Jesuit University:: Page 1
  7. ^ Register for The Princeton Review
  8. ^ Wheeling Jesuit University - The 1990's - Wheeling Jesuit University
  9. ^ USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Universities-Master's (South): Top Schools
  10. ^ "The Study of Capitalism and Morality." WJU Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality. Wheeling Jesuit University. 18 April 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/academics/bus/iscm/>.
  11. ^ McDonough Health and Recreation Center - Wheeling Jesuit University
  12. ^ Directions & Campus Tour - Wheeling Jesuit University
  13. ^ Housing and Residence Life - Wheeling Jesuit University
  14. ^ "Donahue Hall." History of Campus Buildings. Wheeling Jesuit University. 18 April 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/donahue.asp>.
  15. ^ .http://www.cet.edu
  16. ^ "Sen. Byrd Returns to Campus for Constitution Day Celebration." Wheeling Jesuit University Chronicle Winter 2008 8. 27 April 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/pdf/chronicle2008winter/2008_Chronicle_campusnews.pdf>.
  17. ^ http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/512124.html?nav=515
  18. ^ "Campion Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. Campus Life. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/campion.asp>.
  19. ^ "McHugh Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. Campus Life. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/mchugh.asp>.
  20. ^ "McHugh Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/mchugh.asp>.
  21. ^ "Campion House." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/campion.asp>.
  22. ^ "Ignatius Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/ignatius.asp>.
  23. ^ "Ignatius Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/ignatius.asp>.
  24. ^ "Kirby Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/kirby.asp>.
  25. ^ "Sara Tracy Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/tracy.asp>.
  26. ^ "Sara Tracy Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 January 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/saratracy.asp>.
  27. ^ "Thomas More Hall." Student Life. Wheeling Jesuit University. 12 October 2008 <http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/thomasmore.asp>.
  28. ^ Arrupe Scholars - Wheeling Jesuit University
  29. ^ SSAC Components - Wheeling Jesuit University
  30. ^ http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=2750&strBack=%2FDefault.asp Mining Health & Safety Symposium: Working to Protect the World's Miners
  31. ^ Wheeling Jesuit University Club and Organizations - Wheeling Jesuit University
  32. ^ Appalachian Institute - Wheeling Jesuit University
  33. ^ House - Wheeling Jesuit University
  34. ^ Value of a Jesuit Education - Wheeling Jesuit University
  35. ^ Wheeling Jesuit University - The 1980's - Wheeling Jesuit University
  36. ^ "MAPQUEST COM INC Annual Report (10-K) Item 10. Directors and Executives of the Company." Edgar Online. 30 March 2000. 12 October 2008 <http://sec.edgar-online.com/2000/03/30/14/0000902561-00-000202/Section19.asp>.
  37. ^ Senator Jason H. Wilson
  38. ^ James T. Smith, Jr., County Executive, Baltimore County, Maryland

[edit] External links

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West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
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Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU)
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Colleges and Universities in West Virginia
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