'The Catholic University of America' ('CUA'), located in Northeast
Washington, D.C. in
Brookland, known as "Little Rome" or "The Vatican of the West", with nearly 60 Catholic institutions calling the neighborhood home and its high concentration of chapels in the area. It is unique as the national
university of the
Roman Catholic Church and as the only higher education institution founded by
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops. Established in
1887 following approval by
Pope Leo XIII as a graduate and research center, the university began offering undergraduate education in
1904.
Programs emphasize the
liberal arts, professional education, and personal development. The
American Cardinals Dinner is put on by the residential US Cardinals each year to raise scholarship funds for CUA. It also has a long history of
working with the
Knights of Columbus.
The University
History
Main articles: History of The Catholic University of America
The proposal to create a national
Catholic university in
America reflected the rising size and influence of the nation’s Catholic population and also an ambitious vision of the Church’s role in American life during the 19th century.
In 1882 Bishop
John Lancaster Spalding went to Rome to obtain
Pope Leo XIII's support for the University and persuaded family friend
Mary Gwendoline Caldwell to pledge $300,000 to establish it. The original mission of the university was to teach
Catholicism and
human nature together at the graduate level. By developing new leaders and new knowledge, the University would strengthen and enrich Catholicism in the United States.
Many of the founders of the CUA held a vision that included both a sense of the Church’s special role in United States and also a conviction that
scientific and
humanistic research, informed by the Faith, would only strengthen the Church. They sought to develop an
institution like a national university that would promote the Faith in a context of
religious freedom, spiritual pluralism, and intellectual rigor.
When the University first opened for classes in the fall of 1888, the curriculum consisted of lectures in mental and
moral philosophy,
English literature, the
Sacred Scriptures, and the various branches of
theology. At the end of the second term, lectures on
canon law were added and the first students were graduated in 1889. In 1904, an
undergraduate program was added and it quickly established a reputation for excellence. A survey conducted in 1912 by the federal Bureau of Education placed CUA among the best institutions in the nation at preparing undergraduates for graduate studies.
The presence of CUA attracted other Catholic institutions to the area—including colleges, religious orders, and national service organizations. Between 1900 and 1940 more than 50 international Catholic institutions rented or owned property in neighboring
Brookland which gave the neighborhood the nickname 'Little Rome.' The period after World War II saw the rise of Catholic visibility in America, and particular prominence for CUA. During the first post-war years, Catholic University experienced a dynamic expansion in enrollment thanks to the
G.I. Bill of Rights.
Today there are over 6,000 students on campus from all 50 states and from around the world. The University boasts a world class faculty and in recent years has welcomed King
Abdullah II of Jordan, former
Polish president
Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Supreme Court Justice
Clarence Thomas and actor
Ben Stein to speak.
The Catholic Biblical Association of America, publisher of the
Catholic Biblical Quarterly is located in the Catholic University of America.
Student Life
Gibbons Hall (built in 1911), a residence hall
There are over 100 registered student clubs and organizations at CUA for a wide variety of interests including athletics, academics, social, Greek life, service, political and religious. The office of University Center, Student Programs and Events maintains an up to date
directory of student organizations.
Although the Catholic University states that it does not have any Greek Life on campus it in fact has two social Greek organizations and one service Greek organization.
Catholic University Greek Life includes
Alpha Delta Gamma the National Catholic Social Fraternity- Kappa chapter,
Kappa Tau Gamma the local Christian Social-Service Sorority, and
Alpha Phi Omega the National Service Fraternity- Zeta Mu chapter which is co-ed.
Up until May 2007, Catholic University had a Student Government that included the
Undergraduate Student Government with its Legislative, Academic, Judicial and Treasury branches and the
Graduate Student Association. During the spring semester of the 2006-2007 Academic Year, the University Center for Student Planning and Conferences, which oversees the Undergraduate Student Government, declared that the student run government was too inefficient to continue its existence. With the assistance of many students, a committee was formed to think of new ideas for a student government. For the 2007-2008 Academic Year there will be a Transitional Student Government. This government includes a President, treasurers, and class governments and several other positions/departments. Meanwhile, during the academic year the separate committee will help create a permanent Student Body Government planned to be put in place for the 2008-2009 Academic Year. The Graduate Student Government is a separate entity and was not affected by the changes during the 2006-2007 Academic Year. Annual events include weeklong Homecoming celebrations, the Mr. CUA competition and a number of dances including the Beaux Arts Ball, the Mistletoe Ball and the Athletes Ball. In addition to the radio station
WCUA other campus media outlets include CUA-TV, the campus television station,
The Tower, the campus' main weekly newspaper, and
CRUX, a literary magazine.
While the University welcomes students of all faiths, 84% of undergraduates and 59% of graduate students self-identify as Catholic. Campus Ministry has two groups of student ministers, the Resident Ministers who live in residence halls and minister primarily to
upperclassmen and The House members, whose focus of ministry is
freshmen.
The Friday Night Planning Committee works with The House members to plan activities for Friday nights that are alcohol free. Campus Ministry also coordinates university liturgies, plans and runs retreats, provides faith formation including
R.C.I.A., and operates the online
Prayernet.
There are numerous plays and concerts put on by both students and professional artists. The DuFour Athletic Center has hosted
The Alarm,
The Fixx,
Black 47,
Gavin DeGraw,
Brandi Carlile,
The Hooters,
They Might Be Giants,
Howie Day, and
The Ataris. Comedic acts include
Ben Stein and Big Al Goodwin.
The university's
Program Board, which puts on many of the concerts on campus as well as the annual Mistletoe Ball, also provides other great activities for the entire CUA community to enjoy. Previous events include ski trips, advanced screenings of movies,
Noise In The Pryz and the ever popular, Movies on the Mall.
Several off-campus bars and establishments are well-known and loved by alumni and students alike. Johnny K's (formerly known as Kitty O'Shea's and now renamed "The Library" but students still refer to it as "K's"), Colonel Brooks Tavern, Ellis Island, and the new Cardinal's Nest are the four main bars in the neighboring Brookland area.
The campus in recent years has experienced an increase in crime. Dozens of cars are stolen from its lots each year and students have also had to deal with numerous assaults at the local Metro station, as reported by the campus newspaper, The Tower.
[1]
Athletics
The Cardinals were originally known as the Red and Black, after the colors they wore, and came to be known as the Cardinals (often the Flying Cardinals, occasionally the Fighting Cardinals) in the mid-1920s. The first recorded football game was played against Mount Saint Mary's College on November 28, 1895 but records indicate earlier track and field events.
CUA sponsors 21
NCAA Division III sports teams. The school competes in
football in the
Old Dominion Athletic Conference, and in men's
baseball,
softball, women's
volleyball and
field hockey, and both men's and women's teams in
cross country,
soccer,
basketball,
swimming,
lacrosse,
tennis, and both indoor and outdoor
track and field, in the
Landmark Conference. Students also field club teams in sports including
horseback riding,
ice hockey, and
rugby, and row on the club
crew team.
CUA's Mascot, the Cardinal
CUA competed in Division I, where they won a national championship in
boxing (
1938), the baseball team advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament in
1977, and the football team appeared in two major bowl games (the
1936 Orange Bowl, which they won and the
1940 Sun Bowl, which they tied), until the academic year of 1981-82, when they decided to move to Division III.
Since then, the men's basketball team won the
2001 NCAA Division III National Championship and was the only program in Division III to reach the Sweet Sixteen five consecutive seasons, from
1998-
2002. They also reached the postseason in
1993 and
1996. The football team has made three consecutive trips to the Division III playoffs. The track & field team has produced three national champions, while the swimming program has two individual national titles as well. The volleyball team made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2001 and followed it up in 2002, while the field hockey team advanced to the 2001 ECAC Southern Region championship game. The men's swim team has won four Capitol Athletic Conference titles and three National Catholic Division III championships, while women's swimming has won a Catholic Division III title and softball has an ECAC Southern Region title.
Wally Pipp, A.B. 1914, played for the
New York Yankees and lost his position as starting firstbaseman to
Lou Gehrig at the beginning of Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! once featured Edward Lynch, LL.B. 1924, for making 98 tackles in a single football game.
Campus
The CUA campus is located in the residential community of
Brookland in Northeast
Washington, DC; its main entrance is located at 620 Michigan Ave., NE. The campus is bound by Michigan Avenue to the South, North Capitol Street to the West, Hawaii Avenue to the North, and John McCormick Road to the East and is 3 miles north of the
U.S. Capitol Building.
The tree lined campus is 193 acres in size.
Romanesque and modern design dominate among the university’s 55 major buildings. Between McMahon and Gibbons Halls and along side the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception runs The Mall, a large strip of grass that is often the site of kickball games and sunbathers.
Conte Circle is in the middle of Centennial Village, a cluster of 8 residential houses.
The
Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center was opened in the spring of 2003, bringing student dining services, the campus bookstore, student organization offices, an 800 person ballroom, a convenience store and more student services all under one roof. The John K. Mullen Library completed a $6,000,000 renovation in 2004, significantly improving the lighting and aesthetics of the interior and allowing the classical architecture to better shine through.
The
Columbus School of Law is located on the main campus and is self contained in its own building with mock courtrooms, a library, chapel, classrooms and offices. On the Pryzbyla Center side of the building is the Law School Lawn, where the Ultimate Frisbee team can often be found. Theological College, the United States' national seminary, is located across Michigan Avenue from the main campus and sits between the
Dominican House of Studies, a seminary for the
Order of Preachers, and offices for the
Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
In April of 2004, the University purchased 49 acres of land from the
Armed Forces Retirement Home. The parcel is the largest plot of open space in the District and makes CUA the largest university in DC by land area. There are currently no plans for the parcel other than to secure the property for future growth.
In 2007 the University unveiled plans to expand the campus by adding three new dorms to the north side of campus.
[2] Groundbreaking for the first building, Opus Hall, was held in March, 2007 and actual construction will begin in the summer of 2007.
[3] Construction is set to be finished before the 2008-2009 school year. Opus Hall will house 420 upper-class students and will be 7 stories tall, making it the largest dorm on campus. The three new dorms, when completed, are set to replace the two still functioning dorms on the southside of campus, Conaty and Spellman.
The Campus is served by the
Brookland-CUA station on the
Red Line of the
Washington Metro.
Union Station,
Capitol Hill and the
Smithsonian museums are only a few minutes ride away. Nearby campus is the
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, the
Franciscan Monastery,
Trinity University and the offices of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
A
map is available to locate the buildings on campus. Also see the
List of buildings at The Catholic University of America.
Academics
Catholic University has
11 schools and the Metropolitan College in addition to 21 research centers and facilities. The 11 schools offer
Doctor of Philosophy degrees (or appropriate professional degrees) in
41 programs and
Master's Degrees in
90 programs.
Undergraduate degrees are awarded in
83 programs by six schools:
architecture and planning,
arts and
sciences,
engineering,
music,
nursing and
philosophy.
Undergraduates combine a liberal arts
curriculum in arts and sciences with courses in their major fields of study. Metropolitan College provides programs for adults who wish to earn
baccalaureate degrees or participate in continuing education and certificate programs.
Catholic University is the only U.S. university with an
ecclesiastical faculty of
Canon law and is one of the few U.S. universities with ecclesiastical faculties of
philosophy and
sacred theology. Theological College, the university
seminary, has prepared men for the
priesthood in many
dioceses of the United States.
Over 98% of professors have doctoral or terminal degrees and 74% teach undergraduates. Of the full time faculty, 59% are Catholic.
Faculty experts regularly appear in the
news media.
Also see the
List of Schools and Academic Programs at The Catholic University of America.
Research Centers and Facilities
★ Center for Advanced Training in
Cell and
Molecular Biology
★ Center for Advancement of
Catholic Education
★ Center for American Catholic Studies
★ Center for
Catalan Studies
★ Center for
Irish Studies
★ Center for
Medieval and
Byzantine Studies
★ Center for
Pastoral Studies
★ Center for the Study of
Culture and
Values
★ Center for the Study of
Early Christianity
★ Center for the Study of
Energy and
Environmental Stewardship
★ Center for Ward Method Studies
★ Homecare and
Telerehabilitation Technology Center
★ Institute for
Biomolecular Studies
★ Institute for Christian Oriental Research
★ Institute for Communications Law Studies
★ Institute for
Sacred Music
★ Institute for
Social Justice
★ Institute of
Musical Arts
★ Latin American Center for Graduate Studies in Music
★ Life Cycle Institute
★
Vitreous State Laboratory
Academic freedom
The University has made a general statement of policy that the academic freedom of its faculty and students will be respected.
[Statement on Academic Freedom] It considers academic freedom a "fundamental condition for research and dissemination of information."
[ ] The policy sets forth its respect for the right and responsibility of its faculty and students to (i) conduct research, (ii) publish their findings, and (iii) discuss ideas according to the principles, sources and methods of their academic disciplines.
[ ] The University further "sanctions" the investigation of "unexplored phenomena, advancement of knowledge, and critical examination of ideas, old and new" and "accepts the responsibility of protecting both teacher and student from being forced to deny truth that has been discovered or to assert claims that have not been established in the discipline."
[ ] However, the University specifically provides that "theologians" in the University are "expected to give assent to the teachings of the magisterium in keeping with the various degrees of assent that are called for by authoritative teaching."
[ ]
AAUP censure
In 1990, the
American Association of University Professors first censured the Catholic University of America due to its failure to adhere to the AAUP's Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, and that it found that "unsatisfactory conditions of academic freedom and tenure have been found to prevail" at the Catholic University of America.
[4] As of today, the Catholic University remains on the list of censured institutions.
[5]
Speaker Policy
The University as a policy does not allow outside guests to speak on campus to any audience if they have previously expressed an opinion on abortion rights (as well as other issues) that conflicts with the Catholic Church's official position. That policy in 2003 prevented District of Columbia Delegate
Eleanor Holmes Norton from speaking in the University bookstore, after she had been invited.
[6] In 2004, CUA came under fire for forbidding
Stanley Tucci from presenting in a seminar about Italian cinema (after he was already scheduled to do so), because he had lent past support for
Planned Parenthood, a pro-choice organization.
[7]
In a letter to the campus that next month, CUA President
David O'Connell wrote:
I consider any pro-choice advocacy — whether deliberate or accidental, whether presented under the guise of academic freedom or right to free speech — as incompatible with that fidelity and not worthy of The Catholic University of America. [1]
The next year, in 2005, the school was criticized for initially rejecting an application for a student chapter of the NAACP; one of the reasons officials cited in its rejection was the national organization's pro-choice stance
[8]. In 2006 the CUA administration barred a student-run on-campus performance of
Eve Ensler's
The Vagina Monologues. The Editorial Board of the student newspaper ''The Tower,'' in supporting the decision to ban the production, stated that "as much as we love variety, diversity and open-mindedness, this University is not the best place for that to flourish."
[9]
In the News
Besides the school's independent newspaper,
The Tower, Catholic University is frequently mentioned in many newspapers, television news channels (both local and national) and other internet based news organizations. The university is most notably represented in the news when it comes to Catholic and Social Justice issues. When
Pope John Paul II died in 2005, members of the Catholic University administration and other school officials were frequently interviewed by multiple news organizations.
In 2007 the school received lots of press from local news organizations due to the fact that a partially decomposed body was found on the edge of the school's softball field.
[10] The local NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC stations all reported on the find for several days. Before the body was found, the police had been alerted to a head found in a
7-Eleven dumpster, located near the school. A search, including three K-9 Units followed the next morning, after several hours of searching the body was found. Parts of the campus were closed off to reporters and students were escorted away from the area.
In early 2007,
Antonella Barba, junior Architecture major at Catholic University made it to the top 13 on the sixth season of the popular FOX show,
American Idol.
[11] Controversy arose when pictures of her posing with a wet t-shirt on in the
World War II Memorial located in
Washington, D.C. [12] Other nude pictures of her appeared on the internet soon afterward. Although she was frequently criticized by the judges, she was able to make it so far in the show thanks to the
Vote for the Worst campaign. She was voted off of the show before they made it to the top 12 contestants.
The school also received a lot of press after pictures of the women's lacrosse team were put onto the internet "allegedly showing a male stripper at an off-campus freshman initiation party."
[13] The story was reported around the world by
ESPN and other sporting news organizations.
Additionally, the school is commonly reported on by the local news organizations concerning safety. The school is located in an area of D.C. that is prone to much crime. Over the years many students have been mugged and cars are commonly reported as being stolen. However, due to increased security during the 2006-2007 school year, the rate of crime has significantly dropped.
On August 30, 2007, The Catholic University of America, (with the Opus Prize 2004 Foundation, affiliated with The Opus Group), announced that it will award on November 8, a $1-million and two $100,000
Humanity prizes to finalists organizations which contributed to solve most persistent social problems: Father
John Adams (of SOME (''So Others Might Eat''), which serves the poor and homeless in
Washington, D.C.); Brother Stan Goetschalckx, F.C., (founder and director of AHADI International Institute in
Tanzania, which educates
refugees from
Congo,
Rwanda and
Burundi); and
Vincentian priest Rev. Norberto Carcellar,
C.M., (of the Homeless People’s Federation Philippines, wich helped
squatters in Payatas,
Quezon City,
Philippines living on
garbage dump). Victor Nakas of the
Catholic University of America, an Opus Prize Foundation partner, said that The Opus Prize is the 1953 vision of founder Gerry Rauenhorst. The 2007 Opus Prize will officially be handed at Catholic University's Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.
[14][15]
Notable Faculty
★ Margaret Martin Barry,
Columbus School of Law,
Fulbright Scholar
★
Clyde Cowan, co-discoverer of the
neutrino
★ Monsignor Brian Ferme, dean and professor in the School of Canon Law, has served as a consultor for
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 2000. He also serves as a consultor for the
Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts and a referendarius of the
Apostolic Signatura.
★ Katharine L. Jensen, Professor of History,
Fulbright Scholar
★ Sister Rose McDermott, S.S.J., associate professor of canon law, has served as a consultor for the
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and
Societies of Apostolic Life.
★ Rev. Paul McPartlan, Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecumenism, in 2004 was appointed to the
International Theological Commission, which advises the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
★ Nelson Minnich, School of Theology and Religious Studies, a member of the
Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences
★
Oleg Kalugin, former KGB spy
★ Monsignor Robert Trisco, professor emeritus of theology and religious studies, a member of the
Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences.
★ Very Rev.
David M. O’Connell, C.M., university president, consultor to the
Congregation for Catholic Education.
★ Daniel Saalfeld, English lecturer,
Fulbright Scholar
★ Sharon Christman (School Of Music- Voice Chair), Former Metropolitan Opera Star.
Notable alumni
''For a more comprehensive list of alumni, see the
List of notable CUA alumni.''
There are many notable alumni of The Catholic University of America, particularly in the arts, in the
Church and in public service. Graduates include numerous
cardinals,
bishops,
priests and
nuns.
Members of the
United States House of Representatives and
Senate,
ambassadors,
governors,
state legislators,
mayors, and
judges have also attended CUA. Additionally, many notable
actors,
playwrights, and
columnists are alumni in addition to
film,
theatrical and
television producers. Others include
CEOs, scholars and university presidents.
University Rectors and Presidents
# Bishop
John J. Keane (
1887–
1896)
# Bishop
Thomas J. Conaty (1896–
1903)
# Bishop
Denis J. O’Connell (1903–
1909)
# Bishop
Thomas J. Shahan (1909–
1927)
# Bishop
James Hugh Ryan (
1928–
1935)
# Bishop
Joseph M. Corrigan (
1936–
1942)
# Bishop
Patrick J. McCormick (
1943–
1953)
# Bishop
Bryan J. McEntegart (1953–
1957)
# Bishop
William J. McDonald (1957–
1967, last Rector)
#
Clarence C. Walton, Ph.D. (
1969–
1978, first President)
#
Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D. (1978–
1982)
#
Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. (1982–
1992)
#
Brother Patrick Ellis, F.S.C. (1992–
1998)
#
Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, C.M., J.C.D. (1998–present)
Board of Trustees
''See main article
Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America.''
CUA was founded by the nation's bishops, and they continue to have a strong presence on the Board of Trustees to this day. Of the 51 trustees (includes
President David M. O’Connell) 24 of them are
bishops and 8 are
cardinals. In addition, there is one
nun and two
priests making a majority of the board comprised of clergy or religious.
External links
★
The Catholic University of America – official site
★
Undergraduate Student Government – represents 3,050 undergraduate students
★
Selected Images and Prints of The Catholic University of America - Online images of CUA
★
Campus Ministry – CUA Campus Ministry
Student Media:
★
''The Tower'' – Independent Student Newspaper
★
''CRUX Magazine for the Creative Arts'' – literary magazine
★
WCUA Radio – Internet radio station (CUA's Student Organization of the 2004-2005 Year)
★
The Cardinal – Undergraduate Student Yearbook
Student Government:
★
Graduate Student Association – advocates for 3,150 graduate and law students
★
Undergraduate Student Government – represents 3,050 undergraduate students
Student Organizations
★
CUA College Republicans – Catholic University's College Republican Chapter, the group motivates students to vote republican, help campaign for republican candidates, etc. Helps secure internships and other types of opportunities for students.
★
CUA College Democrats – Represents and provides opportunities for students interested in Democratic Politics
★
CUA Knights of Columbus Council #9542 – CUA Knights of Columbus #9542
★
CUA Program Board – Program Board
References
1. http://media.www.cuatower.com/media/storage/paper225/news/2006/03/10/News/On.Campus.Assault.Robbery.Carjacking.Reported.Last.Week-1684115.shtml
2. http://media.www.cuatower.com/media/storage/paper225/news/2007/02/09/News/campus.Gothic.Dorm.Set.For.Spot.Near.Flather-2711250.shtml
3. http://media.www.cuatower.com/media/storage/paper225/news/2007/03/16/News/Construction.Begins.For.Opus.Hall-2778566.shtml
4. AAUP, ''Censured Administrations'', http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/protectrights/academicfreedom/censuredadmins.htm (last visited June 27, 2007).
5. ''Id.''
6. Washington Post, January 21, 2005
7. Washington Post, September 17, 2004
8. The Tower, April 22, 2005
9. The Tower, February 3, 2006
10. http://media.www.cuatower.com/media/storage/paper225/news/2007/03/16/News/Body-Found.Near.Softball.Field-2778557.shtml
11. http://media.www.cuatower.com/media/storage/paper225/news/2007/02/16/News/Barba.Will.Continue.On.In.American.Idols.final.24-2730808.shtml
12. http://media.www.cuatower.com/media/storage/paper225/news/2007/03/09/News/Barba.Eliminated.From.Idol.After.Photo.Controversy-2771801.shtml
13. http://www.nbc4.com/news/9237806/detail.html
14. Multi-Housing News, Opus Group Announces Finalists of M Humanity Prize
15. PrNewWire, Million Opus Prize Finalists Announced
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