Wheeling Jesuit University

Infobox University


name=Wheeling Jesuit University
motto=Luceat Lux Vestra
("Let your light shine")
established=1954
type=Private, Liberal Arts
endowment=U.S. $17.3 million ["Wheeling Jesuit University - College Overview." Peterson's Planner. 15 Dec. 2007. 17 Mar 2008 .]
president=Rev. Julio Giulietti, S.J. [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=2320&strBack=%2FDefault%2Easp News Story - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] |(2007-present)
city=Wheeling
state=West Virginia
country=USA
undergrad= 1,200
campus=Small Town
colors=Red, Black, and Gold
mascot=Cardinals
athletics=NCAA Division II West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
affiliations=Society of Jesus
website= [http://www.wju.edu/ 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. [ [http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3831_brief.php USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Wheeling Jesuit University: At a glance ] ]

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).

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 [ [http://www.wtov9.com/best9/12167715/detail.html Wheeling Jesuit University - Best 9 News Story - WTOV Steubenville ] ] .

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 [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=2549&strBack=%2FDefault%2Easp News Story - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] , the average high school GPA of the freshman class is a 3.5 [ [http://members.ucan-network.org/wju U-CAN: Wheeling Jesuit University :: Page 1 ] ] The school is given a selectivity score of 81 out of 100 by the Princeton Review [ [http://princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/generalinfomore.asp?listing=1023635&ltid=1&intbucketid= Register for The Princeton Review ] ] In 1997, WJU was named as the fourth best educational value in the southeast, and the 15th best college in the region. [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1990s.asp#1997 Wheeling Jesuit University - The 1990's - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] In addition, the school is ranked 21st best Masters school in the south by U.S. News & World Report. [ [http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1univmas_s_brief.php USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Universities-Master's (South): Top Schools ] ]

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 ["The Study of Capitalism and Morality." WJU Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality. Wheeling Jesuit University. 18 Apr 2008 .] .

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. 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 [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/history/bldgs/mcdonough.asp McDonough Health and Recreation Center - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] .

Campus

Wheeling Jesuit University's campus features fifteen buildings [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/directions_tour.asp Directions & Campus Tour - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] - six of which are residence halls [ [http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/residencelife/ Housing and Residence Life - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] .

Academic Buildings

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.

Donahue Hall

The oldest academic building on campus, Donahue Hall was constructed in 1955. Donahue holds faculty offices, labs, and classrooms ["Donahue Hall." History of Campus Buildings. Wheeling Jesuit University. 18 Apr 2008 .] . The hall is connected to the Acker Science Center via the "Acker bridge."

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 [.http://www.cet.edu] . 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 ["Sen. Byrd Returns to Campus for Constitution Day Celebration." Wheeling Jesuit University Chronicle Winter 2008 8. 27 Apr. 2008 .] .

Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center

Named for Senator Byrd, the center is home to federal offices, school offices, and the business department [ [http://www.nttc.edu National Technology Transfer Center ] ] .

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 [http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/512124.html?nav=515] .

Residence Life

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 ["Campion Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. Campus Life. 15 Jan 2008 .] . Despite these similarities, the halls can be differentiated by the fact that Campion is air conditioned, while McHugh is not ["McHugh Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. Campus Life. 15 Jan 2008 .] . In addition, McHugh is three years older than Campion, having been dedicated in 1959 ["McHugh Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 Jan 2008 .] , while Campion was dedicated in 1962 ["Campion House." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 Jan 2008 .] .

Ignatius Hall

Ignatius Hall, dedicated in 1993 ["Ignatius Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 Jan 2008 .] , 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 ["Ignatius Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 Jan 2008 .] .The hall is named after St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

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 ["Kirby Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 Jan 2008 .] .

Sara Tracy Hall, dedicated in 1959 ["Sara Tracy Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 Jan 2008 .] , 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 ["Sara Tracy Hall." Wheeling Jesuit University. 15 Jan 2008 .] .

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. .] .

Campus Life

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 [ [http://www.wju.edu/ssac/arrupe.asp Arrupe Scholars - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] . 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 [ [http://www.wju.edu/ssac/components.asp SSAC Components - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] . 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 [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 ] .

tudent Organizations and Publications

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 [ [http://www.wju.edu/studentlife/clubs.asp Wheeling Jesuit University Club and Organizations - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] .

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.

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 [ [http://www.wju.edu/ai/ Appalachian Institute - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] . Members of Wheeling's Jesuit Community reside at Whelan Hall, dedicated in 1955 [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/jesuits/house.asp House - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] . The Jesuit community and tradition for critical thinking are reflected in the school's curriculum and mission [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/jesuited/default.asp Value of a Jesuit Education - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ] .

Notable Alumni

*John Beilein, (1975), Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
*Lionel Cartwright. (1982) Country Musician [ [http://www.wju.edu/about/history/1980s.asp Wheeling Jesuit University - The 1980's - Wheeling Jesuit University ] ]
*Michael Mulligan, former MapQuest CEO [http://sec.edgar-online.com/2000/03/30/14/0000902561-00-000202/Section19.asp]
*Tim Murphy, (1974), U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 18th District
*Jason H. Wilson, (MBA) Ohio State Senator [ [http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_30.html Senator Jason H. Wilson ] ]
*James T Smith, (1964) Baltimore County, MD County Executive [ [http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bco/html/msa11769.html James T. Smith, Jr., County Executive, Baltimore County, Maryland ] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.wju.edu/ Wheeling Jesuit University's Website]
* [http://www.wju.edu/athletics/ Wheeling Jesuit Athletics]
* [http://www.cotf.edu/ Classroom of the Future]
* [http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3831_brief.php US News.com Wheeling Jesuit Quick Facts]