Jacksonville University

Infobox_University
name= Jacksonville University


caption= Jacksonville University
established= 1934
Tagline= "Imagine No Limits"
type= Private
endowment=
budget (2007)= $
endowment= $60.8 million [http://www.nacubo.org/Images/All%20Institutions%20Listed%20by%20FY%202007%20Market%20Value%20of%20Endowment%20Assets_2007%20NES.pdf]
students= 3,100
staff=
faculty = 134+
president= Kerry Romesburg cite web|url=http://www.ju.edu/leadership/president.aspx |title=Office of the President |accessdate=2007-10-14 |last=Papp |first=Daniel |publisher=Jacksonville University ]
Adademic Affairs Vice-President= Lois Becker
undergrad= 2,699
postgrad= 394
doctoral =
residents=
city= flagicon|USA Jacksonville
state= Florida
country= USA
campus= Urban 190 acres
colors= Forest Green and White [Jacksonville University [http://www.ju.edu/unmanaged/greenpages_universityinfo.aspx Jacksonville University Colors] . 2007.] color box|#215E21color box|#FFFFFF
athletics= NCAA Division I
mascot= Duncan the Dolphin
nickname= Dolphins
affiliations= SACS, Atlantic Sun
website= [http://www.ju.edu/ http://www.ju.edu]

Jacksonville University (JU) is a private university located in Jacksonville, Florida, on the shore of the St. Johns River. JU was founded in 1934 as William J. Porter University (actually a two-year college). The school changed its name to Jacksonville Junior College in 1935. The college became Jacksonville University in 1956 after having moved to its current location six years earlier. The current school president is Dr. Kerry D. Romesburg.

JU's colors are forest green and white, with black and gray as tertiary colors. their school mascot is the Dolphins. The school is the first NCAA sports team to have chosen the Dolphin as a mascot. Over 3,000 students attend Jacksonville University from 47 states and 27 different countries.

In 2006, in the U.S. News and World Report list of "America's Best Colleges", Jacksonville University placed in the first tier among more than 150 master’s universities in the South for the fourth year in a row. The category includes colleges and universities that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and provide graduate education, but few, if any, doctoral programs. JU continues to be recognized in the rankings for small classes, a small student-to-faculty ratio, quality faculty, competitive admission policies and rising alumni giving rates.

Academics

Jacksonville University takes an integrated approach to learning by combining aspects of a liberal arts college, a comprehensive university, and a professional college. It offers over 70 majors and programs at the undergraduate level as well as several Master's programs that include the M.S., M.A., M.A.T. and M.B.A degrees. The University is divided into three colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences, which offers a traditional liberal arts education; the College of Fine Arts with its integrated Alexander Brest Museum and Gallery; and the well-funded Davis School of Business. JU is also in the process of constructing a state-of-the-art Marine Science Research Center on campus along the bank of the St. Johns.

Jacksonville University is also known for its unique aeronautics program. JU has joined forces with Delta Connection Academy, owned and operated by Delta Air Lines, to provide high quality flight training to its aviation students. A leader in the regional airline industry, Delta Connection Academy has hiring agreements with the largest regional airlines including Atlantic Southeast Airlines, American Eagle Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines, Comair Airlines, and Trans States Airlines.

In addition, the Jacksonville University Flight Team competes in National Intercollegiate Flying Association Regional and National Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) against other universities. The best team performance came in 2007. The program is the third largest in the nation behind Spartan School in Tulsa, OK and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. Jacksonville University Flight Team placed 10th in the nation at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s. “Among the many trophies JU won, (JU) earned the prestigious Collegiate Aviation Progress Award given to the school that has made the greatest improvements in the nation,” said Juan Merkt, director of JU’s aeronautics program. “Jacksonville University moved from 20th place overall last year to 10th this year, so this is indeed an impressive accomplishment.” JU also placed 10th overall in Flight Events and eighth in Ground Events.

Jacksonville University also has a renowned nursing program, dance program, marine science program, as well as the second-largest NROTC program in the nation. The Davis Student Commons center opened October 2006, and the long-dormant Swisher Theatre opened to much fanfare in January 2007, and the school had received some of the highest faculty-student ratio markings from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In addition, brand new apartment-style residence halls have been opened on campus. The school plans to renovate other residence halls on the campus as well.

Athletics

JU sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (I-AA for football) in the Atlantic Sun Conference, except for football, in which they compete in the Pioneer Football League. The only team not to participate in the Atlantic Sun Conference is the JU Rowing Team, which competes exclusively in NCAA Division I competitions across the country.

JU has been noted for its basketball program, which has produced professional stars such as Artis Gilmore, Otis Smith and Dee Brown. In 1970, JU became the smallest school (by enrollment) to ever make it to the Final Four. After defeating St. Bonaventure in the national semi-finals, the team that starred Gilmore, Pembrook Burroughs and Rex Morgan, lost to Sidney Wicks, Curtis Rowe, and UCLA in the National Championship Game. The following year, JU became the first school to average 100 points per game but could not repeat their miracle run in the tournament.

JU is also noted for its Rowing program after taking the overall FIRA Cup (States) in 2007. Recently JU has expanded its rowing program with the addition of the Negaard Rowing Center. The JU rowing program has happily celebrated over 50 years of success around the world and has competed from the shores of the Nile River to the icy water's of England's Henley Royal Regatta.

In 2008, the school announced that they will add a men's lacrosse program during the 2009-2010 academic year. This makes JU the first Florida school to field a division I lacrosse program.

Greek and Student Life

The school's Greek system, consisting by some estimates of 69% of the school, includes the Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, FIJI,and Sigma Nu fraternities and the Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Delta Pi, and Gamma Phi Beta sororities.

53 percent of all students live on campus in one of five different residential halls and eight different apartment style housing. Most residence halls provide academic and social events as well as host programs that acclimate incoming students to the college experience.

While Greeks do offer some social events, many residence halls host their own events, though alcohol policies are strictly enforced. The school has one of the lowest number of binge drinking documentations in the country, but does not restrict alcohol on campus.

The student center of the University (The Davis Student Commons Building) includes a state-of-the-art fitness center overlooking the St. John's River, a sports-themed dining facility named Nellie's (after the school mascot), a game room for all campus community members, and serves as a focal point for campus life. The facility opened in October 2006.

Student life at Jacksonville University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Besides fraternities and sororities, there are multicultural groups, arts groups, political and social action groups, service and professional groups, religious groups, sports and recreation groups, academic and professional groups, and special interest groups. Campus media organizations include the student newspaper (The Navigator), the campus radio station (WFIN), the literary and arts magazine (The Aquarian), and the yearbook (The Riparian). The Student Government Association also serves the needs of the students through the 26 senators elected from each class at the school. In addition, the Florida Leader magazine ranked JU as the third-best positive student life experience out of the 28 private colleges and universities in the state, citing the small campus size, peer and faculty relationships, and the close-knit campus community that JU has to offer.

In 2007, the film “Slow Motion Sickness”, produced by four JU students and Sigma Chi brothers, was named Best Picture at the Campus MovieFest Florida finale April 5 in Orlando. The film came in 3rd place at the national finale in Atlanta, GA. The film was also awarded the Golden Tripod Award for best special effects.

Notable Alumni

*List of Jacksonville University Alumni

ee also

*Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida [http://www.campusmoviefest.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/IdeaFlow.woa/1/wo/2tW5FrH1RJCOKAMfu7muUw/9.0.5.1.6.6.4.0.0.5]

References

External links

* [http://www.ju.edu/ Official website]
* [http://judolphins.collegesports.com Official Athletics website]
* [http://www.jacksonvilleu.com/ Jacksonville University Online]