University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut)

The University of Saint Joseph is the premier private university in Connecticut for future in-demand professionals in health care and social services, education, digital media, and the sciences. [4] The University of Saint Joseph is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.[5]

University of Saint Joseph
TypePrivate
Established1932 (1932)[1]
AccreditationNECHE
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic
Endowment$45.38 million (2019)[2]
PresidentRhona C. Free, Ph.D
ProvostMichelle Kalis, Ph.D
Academic staff
63
Students2,132 (Fall 2021), 906 undergraduate students, 157 Doctoral students, and 1069 Graduate Students
Location, ,
United States

41°46′52″N 72°43′50″W
CampusSuburban, 90 acres, 90 acres
ColorsBlue, Gold and White
     
AffiliationsGNAC
Sports15 Varsity Teams [3]
MascotJoey the Blue Jay
Websitewww.usj.edu

At the University of Saint Joseph, you will explore and expand your potential in a welcoming community that offers personal attention and challenging academic programs to individuals who want to succeed and make a difference in society.

History

In 1932, the Sisters of Mercy of Connecticut set out to establish the first college for women in the Hartford area. They were determined to develop a curriculum that balances professional studies with the arts and sciences, is focused on service to others, and is infused with the Catholic intellectual tradition while welcoming students of all ages, races, religions, and cultures.[6]

In addition to undergraduate programs for full- and part-time students (which became fully coeducational in 2018), the University of Saint Joseph has grown to include the following programs of study: graduate master’s and certificate programs (introduced in 1959) and professional doctoral degrees (2011).[6]

Two laboratory schools—the School for Young Children (1936), a nationally-accredited preschool; and the Gengras Center School (1965), a special education program for elementary, middle, and high school students—also serve to train University of Saint Joseph students.[6]

As the University of Saint Joseph has evolved into a vibrant educational complex, it has never strayed from its original vision: a steadfast commitment to preparing students for insightful leadership and service to others.[6]

Professor Pamela Trotman Reid became the first African American President of the university when she was appointed in 2008. She served the university until her retirement in 2014.[7][8]

Rhona C. Free, Ph.D., became the ninth President of the University of Saint Joseph in July 2015. During her time at USJ, she has guided the deliberations that led to the University’s decision to become fully-coeducational and championed the creation of the Women’s Leadership Center. Additionally, she oversaw the University’s successful institutional reaccreditation site visit; the transition from five Schools to three; the start of its Physician Assistant Studies program; the creation of an annual Veterans Day observance; the launch of the Catholic Promise Scholarship program; and the implementation of numerous capital projects to enhance student life, campus accessibility, and classroom spaces. Dr. Free serves as Chair of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges Board of Directors, a member of the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education Board of Directors, and a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Presidents’ Council; she is also a member of the Connecticut Science Center’s Board of Trustees and a Hartford Hospital Corporator. Rhona Free holds a bachelor’s degree from Sarah Lawrence College, and earned both master’s and doctoral degrees in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.[9]

Facilities

The University of Saint Joseph has maintained a distinctive Georgian brick architecture in most of its 19 buildings, including five residence halls, a library, student life building, administration and classroom buildings, and an arts center with a theater and art gallery, among others. The athletic complex features a six-lane pool, two gymnasium, a strength and conditioning center, suspended jogging track, dance studio, fitness center, outdoor track, softball field, and tennis courts.[6]

The buildings are arranged around two tree-lined quadrangles on an 90-acre (360,000 m2)[10] campus designed by the Olmsted Brothers. Approximately 40 percent of the full-time undergraduate students live on campus. There are 906 in undergraduate programs,, 1,226 in graduate programs, which 157 are in a doctoral program (as of fall 2021).

McDonough Hall

The School of Pharmacy is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education; it is located in the XL Center complex in downtown Hartford, CT.

Athletics

University of Saint Joseph sports teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. The Blue Jays are a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). Women and Man's sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, softball, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis and volleyball. There are also 15 club sports.[11]

In September 2018, the university made headlines by signing Jim Calhoun, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, as head coach of the newly formed men's basketball team.[12]

In three-plus seasons at the helm of the Blue Jays, Jim Calhoun concluded his tenure at USJ with a record of 47-17 (.734),[13] leading the Blue Jays to the 2020 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament in just the team's second-ever season

Notable Alumni

  • Jahana Hayes,[14] an American educator and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 5th congressional district since 2019.  
  • Barbara Favola[15] American politician from the Commonwealth of Virginia.  
  • Evelyn Mantilla[16] is an American politician from Connecticut who served from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.  
  • Catherine Gentile[17] is an American short story writer.
  • Carolanne Curry,[18] American politician from Connecticut
  • Sharon Palmer[19] is a commissioner of labor in Connecticut.
  • Ann Uccello[20] ’44, H’71, DAA’78 – first female mayor in CT and first female mayor of a US capital city
  • Sister Mary Ellen Murphy[21] ’50, Ph.D., DAA’75, H’12 - She was co- investigator and one of the first women to analyze the "moon rocks" brought back from Apollo 11 space flight in 1969
  • Sheila Horan[22] ’69, DAA’04 – FBI Special Agent from 1973 – 2002. First women assigned to the FBI Headquarters Operational division, Inspections as well as several other first for women in FBI management.
  • Rear Admiral Frances Shea Buckley[23] ’50, DAA’76, H’10 – Named Rear Admiral in 1979 and was the only active real admiral at the time. One of the highest ranked women naval officers
  • B. Catherine Lumpkin Noble ’47, DAA’75, Ed.D. – first African American woman to be promoted to Colonel in the Army Medical Specialist Corp.
  • Dorothy Bosch Keller,[24] M’85, C’97, DAA’99, H’17 (Faculty Emerita) & Deanne Keller, M’74, DAA’05 – leaders in the Arts
  • Charlene Russell-Tucker[25] ’85 – currently serving as the Acting Commissioner of Education for the Connecticut State Department of Education.

References

  1. "History, Mission, & Core Values of University of Saint Joseph | USJ West Hartford, CT".
  2. As of June 30, 2021. "U.S. and Canadian 2019 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2019 Endowment Market Value, and Percentage Change in Market Value from FY18 to FY19 (Revised)". National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  3. http://www.usjbluejays.com/information/about
  4. "University of Saint Joseph | USJ West Hartford, Connecticut". University of Saint Joseph. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  5. Connecticut Institutions – NECHE, New England Commission of Higher Education, retrieved May 26, 2021
  6. "About the University of Saint Joseph - University of Saint Joseph - Acalog ACMS™". catalog.usj.edu. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  7. "APA Profile". American Psychological Association. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  8. "Retirement Announcement". University of Saint Joseph. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  9. "President Rhona C. Free | University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT". University of Saint Joseph. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  10. "Fast Facts of University of Saint Joseph | USJ West Hartford, CT". University of Saint Joseph. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  11. "About Athletics". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. "Jim Calhoun Officially Named Head Men's Basketball Coach". Saint Joseph CT. 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  13. "Calhoun Leaving USJ With 'Different' Sense Of Accomplishment". West Hartford, CT Patch. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  14. "About". Representative Jahana Hayes. 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  15. "★ Barbara Favola". ★ Barbara Favola. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  16. "Evelyn Mantilla", Wikipedia, 2021-11-30, retrieved 2021-12-10
  17. Author, Catherine Gentile. "NEW! Signed copies now available individually or within the 2021 Gift Pack". Catherine Gentile, Author. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  18. "Carol Anne Curry". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  19. "Sharon Palmer". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  20. "Antonina Uccello", Wikipedia, 2021-12-01, retrieved 2021-12-10
  21. "Sister Mary Ellen Murphy - Monday, July 27th, 2015". www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  22. "Celebrating Women Special Agents: Sheila Horan (2012)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  23. "Frances Shea-Buckley", Wikipedia, 2020-12-21, retrieved 2021-12-10
  24. "Professor Dorothy Bosch Keller". Palace Travel. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  25. "Charlene Russell-Tucker". www.ct.edu. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
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