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'Mercyhurst College' is a Catholic liberal arts college in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.

Contents

History

Today

The Schools of Mercyhurst College

Athletics

Notable alumni

Trivia

External links

References

History

On September 20, 1926, Mercyhurst College opened its doors just a few blocks away from the city's then southern boundary. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy of the Erie Diocese, who were led by Mother M. Borgia Egan, first president of Mercyhurst College. The college received its charter on October 5, 1928.
F. Ferdinand Durang was hired prominent to design the Old Main building. It modeled after the English Gothic design. The iron gates at its main entrance on 38th Street were put up in 1950.
On February 3, 1969, the board of trustees voted to make Mercyhurst a coed college.
Since its foundation to 1972, members of the Sisters of Mercy were presidents of the college. After 1972, college was led by lay presidents.
On March 27, 1991, Mercyhurst purchased the 100-year old Redemptorist Seminary in North East to become a branch campus.
In the past two decades, Mercyhurst has become one of the top comprehensive colleges in the North and the second largest Mercy college in America. Between its two campuses, enrollment has grown to a 4,000 students, full-time faculty members number 168, the endowment has increased to more than $20 million and its budget to more than $80 million.
An $40 million program of buildings and campus renovations has changed the look of Mercyhurst during the past 20 years. Old Main remains the center of a campus that includes more than 50 structures. In fall 2002, the $7.5 million Audrey Hirt Academic Center opened on the southeast edge of campus. The building was funded largely through the college’s $22.8 million capital campaign.
In August 2005, the $5 million Michele and Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building was dedicated at Mercyhurst North East. A $1.3 million residential apartment complex opened in time for the academic year.
In April 2005, the board of trustees authorized the purchase of 400 acres in Girard as the first step towards developing Mercyhurst West, a two-year campus serving west Erie County and northwest Crawford County and northeast Ohio.
The board of trustees elected Dr. Thomas J. Gamble as 11th president of Mercyhurst College. Dr. Gamble, who previously served as vice president of academic affairs at the college, assumed the presidency March 1, 2006, replacing Dr. Garvey who resigned.
The college is no longer run by the Sisters of Mercy, but they Mercy have a motherhouse south of the college and several sisters still work for the college.

Today

Enrollment at Mercyhurst College is nearly 3,500 students. Dr. Thomas Gamble is the current President. The college is one of the few schools in the region on a trimester academic period system.
The College has a campus 18 miles east at North East, Pennsylvania, at the site of the former St. Mary's Seminary, known as Mercyhurst North East.

The Schools of Mercyhurst College

★ The School of Arts & Humanities

★ The Walker School of Business & Communication

★ The Hafenmaier School of Education & Behavioral Sciences

★ The Zurn School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

★ The School of Social Sciences
The school is best known for its programs in archaeology, intelligence (MCIIS & CIRAT), forensics, dance, and music.

Athletics

Mercyhurst College competes in two NCAA Division I and 23 NCAA Division II sports. Mercyhurst, is known as the ''"Lakers"''. The Lakers are currently a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). On July 1, 2008 Mercyhurst College and Gannon University will depart from the GLIAC to become the newest members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). PSAC Adds Gannon University and Mercyhurst College to Membership Around 15 percent of the student body are considered student-athletes.
'''NCAA Division I Sports'''

★ Men's Ice Hockey (Atlantic Hockey)

★ Women's Ice Hockey (College Hockey America)
'''NCAA Division II Sports'''

★ Baseball

★ Men's & Women's Basketball

★ Men's & Women's Cross Country

★ Field Hockey (Independent)

★ American Football

★ Men's & Women's Golf

★ Men's Lacrosse (East Coast Conference)

★ Women's Lacrosse (Independent)

★ Men's & Women's Rowing (ECAC)

★ Men's & Women's Soccer

★ Softball

★ Men's & Women's Tennis

★ Men's Volleyball (Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association)

★ Women's Volleyball

★ Men's & Women's Water Polo (Collegiate Water Polo Association)

★ Wrestling (Independent)
'National Championships'

★ 2004: Women's Rowing - NCAA Division II

Notable alumni

★ John Costello, former Major League Baseball player.

★ Jeff Daisley, 2006-2007, Buffalo Silverbacks (ABA), 2007-Present, Mayas-USA (WBA)

★ James "Buster" Douglas, 1981-1999, Professional Heavyweight Boxer (First to defeat Mike Tyson)

★ David Lee, Major League Baseball player.

★ Mike McLellan, 2005-Present, New York Titans (NLL)

★ Terrance Patrick, Defensive End, 2005-Present, Calgary Stampeders (CFL)

Trivia

"Mercyhurst's City" was a clue in the January 8th edition of Cooper's Gigantic Crossword
Mercyhurst is mentioned in the Movie "That Thing You Do" as the site for the featured band's first real gig.

External links

★ Mercyhurst College Website

★ Official Site of Mercyhurst College Athletics

★ Mercyhurst North East

References