Seton Hill University

This article is about the college in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. For the New Jersey school with a similar name, see Seton Hall University.

Seton Hill University

Former names	Seton Hill Schools (1885–1914) Seton Hill Junior College (1914–1918) Seton Hill College (1918–2002)
Motto	Hazard Yet Forward
Type	Private university
Established	1885
Religious affiliation	Catholic Church (Sisters of Charity)
President	Mary C. Finger
Undergraduates	1,676
Location	Greensburg, Pennsylvania , U.S.
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Crimson and gold
Nickname	Griffins
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II – PSAC (West)
Mascot	Griffin
Website	www.setonhill.edu

Seton Hill University is a private Catholic university in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Originally a women's college, it became a coeducational university in 2002 and enrolls about 2,200 students. ^[1]

History

The school was founded in 1885 by the Sisters of Charity. ^[2] It is named for Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821), who founded the Sisters of Charity and who, after her death, was canonized as the United States' first native-born saint. ^[3] (Seton Hall University and Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey are also named after Elizabeth Ann Seton.)

In 1914, Seton Hill Junior college was opened by the Sisters of Charity. With the approval of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Seton Hill College was created four years later. ^[2]

In 1946, 40 male World War II veterans were accepted as students at Seton Hill. ^[4] During the 1980s, men were regularly admitted to many programs at Seton Hill College, including music and theater. In 2002, Seton Hill was officially granted university status by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. ^[5]

Seton Hill University received widespread public attention ^{[6] [7] [8]} after announcing a technology plan that includes providing an iPad to all full-time students, as well a 13" MacBook to all incoming freshmen. Upon graduation, students keep both devices. ^[9] Beginning in the fall of 2013, new full-time students will receive an iPad Mini and new full-time freshmen will be provided with a MacBook Air. ^[10] Seton Hill University is recognized as an Apple Distinguished School.

Academics

Seton Hill divides its undergraduate programs into six schools: Business, Education & Applied Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural & Health Sciences, and Visual & Performing Arts. In addition to their major, all students take liberal arts core classes in arts, mathematics, sciences, culture, history, and writing. The university also offers twelve graduate programs. Subjects include art, writing, education, therapy, business, orthodontics, and physician assistant studies.

The typical class size for courses in the major is about 20–25. Liberal arts core classes tend to be larger, at 30-45 students.

LECOM at Seton Hill

LECOM, one of the largest medical schools in the United States, entered a partnership with SHU and extended its LECOM Erie campus to the university in 2009. ^[11] LECOM at Seton Hill added an additional 104 medical students to the first-year class, and, now, it has graduated more than 1,000 physicians since the first graduating class of 2013.

SHU is also one of LECOM's EAP (Early Acceptance Program) affiliates, allowing qualified high school seniors to apply for its combined BS/DO program and get accepted to LECOM before entering SHU or while studying in the underclassmen years at SHU. ^[12]

Campus

The Seton Hill University Administration Building, with a statue of Elizabeth Ann Seton

Administration Building (1889)

The building was built in a Romanesque style by prominent Pittsburgh architect Joseph Stillburg. Seton Hill Then and Now states, "Mother Aloysia had supervised every step, insisting at every turn on the best materials and workmanship – to the point that she and the Sisters became known for sitting or standing on any inferior materials delivered to the site to keep them from being used by the builders." The building wasn't finished until the spring of 1889. ^[13]

Saint Joseph's Chapel and Cecillian Hall (1896)

It was the first permanent chapel the Sisters had. It is housed in Cecillian Hall which was built at the same time as the chapel. This hall continues to serve Seton Hill as a venue for special events, performances, ceremonies and lectures. ^[13]

Maura Hall (1908)

The hall was originally named Saint Mary's Seminary because it was used to house the boys of Saint Mary's School. The hall is connected to 3 floors of the administration building and housed the boys until 1914. ^[13]

Lowe Hall (1920)

In 1920, the 1st residence hall was built and was named after Mother Aloysia Lowe. In June the first junior class started the ivy planting and tree planting. The ivy would grow up the side of the Lowe building. This tradition was discontinued due to the ivy ruining the building but the juniors still do the tree planting. ^[13]

Saint Joseph's Hall (1921)

This new residence hall was built for the Sisters of Charity. This building was once called Saint Joseph's Dormitory and is now called Saint Joseph's Hall and now contains faculty offices. ^[13]

Canevin Hall (1924)

This new residence building was named after the Bishop of Pittsburgh at the time, Archbishop J.F Regis Canevin. The Archbishop supported and encouraged the sisters in their pursuit of chartering Seton Hill as a college. ^[13]

Sullivan Hall (1929)

A picture of Sullivan Hall at Seton Hill University.

The building wasn't officially named until 1947 and is named after the 4th president of Seton Hill, Rev. Daniel Richard Sullivan. This building is known as the castle building because of its Norman Chateau style. This building contained a gym, swimming pool, and then a bowling alley. The building now contains student lounges, athletic offices, cafes, and the university's bookstore. ^[13]

Ennis Hall (1944)

It was used as a residence hall and had one large classroom. Now this building is used exclusively by the Sisters of Charity. ^[13]

The Child Development Center (1951)

The Seton Hill Then and Now states, "The nursery school was opened at Seton Hill under the direction of the chair of the Psychology Department, Sr. Maurice McManama, and the chair of the Home Economics Department, Sr. Rose Angela Cunningham." ^[13]

Havey Dorm and Reeves Library (1958)

The dorm building is named after the 1st president of Seton Hill, Mother Mary Joseph Havey. Also in 1958, the Reeves Library was built. The library is named after the 5th president of Seton Hill, Rev. James A. Wallace Reeves. The library building also houses Reeves Theatre and Harlan Gallery. ^[13]

Brownlee Hall (1965)

The residence hall was named after the 1st dean of students Sr. Francesca Brownlee. ^[13]

The Clay Frick Lynch Science Hall (1970)

A picture of The Clay Frick Lynch Science Center at Seton Hill University.

The hall is more commonly known as Lynch Hall. This building houses labs, faculty offices, and some of LECOM s lecture rooms. ^[13]

Bayley Hall (1976)

The hall is located adjacent to Lowe Hall and it became the new economics building. It was named after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her maiden name was Bayley. ^[13]

The National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education (1987)

It was built after Pope John Paul II said that we need to recognize the significance of the Holocaust. ^[13] Pope John Paul II wrote “The very magnitude of the crime raises many questions. Historians, sociologists, political philosophers, psychologists, and theologians are all trying to learn more about the reality of the Shoah and its causes. Much scholarly study still remains to be done.” ^[14]

The National Education for Women in Business (1992)

It was renamed in 2006 and became the E-Magnify. ^[13]

2001 Renovations

In 2001, the Administration building was re-opened after 3 years of renovations. During the renovations 11 new classrooms were built and seminar rooms were constructed. ^[13]

Farrell Hall and The Center for Family Therapy (2004)

The residence hall was named after former president Eileen Farrell. Also in 2004, Seton Hill opened the Center for Family Therapy in downtown Greensburg. ^[13]

Athletics

Seton Hill Griffins logo

Seton Hill athletics teams are the Griffins. The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) since the 2013–14 academic year. ^[15] The Griffins previously competed as a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) from 2006–07 to 2012–13; and in the American Mideast Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1999–2000 to 2006–07. During the 2006–07 school year, Seton Hill had dual membership with both the NAIA and the NCAA as part of the transition.

Seton Hill competes in 19 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, lacrosse, soccer, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, equestrian, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

History

After president JoAnne Boyle formalized the school's new status as a university, the teams' nickname was changed from "Spirits" to "Griffins," and several men's athletics teams were added, including football. In 2006, Seton Hill announced it was transferring to NCAA Division II and joining the WVIAC as a provisional member (with full WVIAC competition in 2007–08). Prior to that, they had belonged to the NAIA and in the American Mideast.

As of July 1, 2013, following the breakup of the WVIAC, along with the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, also from the WVIAC, Seton Hill joined the PSAC. ^[16]

In 2005, 60% of the entering class was male, due to an influx of male students who were interested in new sports programs such as football. In 2008, the football team had a 10–3 record. The football team and the men's soccer team each won the inaugural West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's team sportsmanship award in 2008. ^[17]

In 2006, the baseball team received a berth to the NAIA World Series in the program's third year of existence.

In 2014, the baseball team had its most successful season; winning the PSAC, the Atlantic Regional, and advancing to the College World Series. The team ended up finishing top six in the country.

In 2022, Seton Hill created their first Esports team. The team is co-ed and includes about 25 students. ^[18]

Notable alumni

• Eileen DeSandre, actor
• Ronne Froman, Rear Admiral and Commander of Navy Region Southwest
• Patricia A. Gabow '65, CEO of Denver Health
• Maureen O'Connor, '73 and sixth woman to serve as an Ohio Supreme Court justice.
• Kameron Taylor, professional basketball player
• Stephanie M. Wytovich editor, novelist and poet

References

1. "About Seton Hill University". Seton Hill University. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
2. "Seton Hill University - A Leading Catholic Liberal Arts University in Greensburg Pennsylvania". Setonhill.edu. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
3. Knight, Kevin. "St. Elizabeth Ann Seton". Catholic Encyclopedia. New Advent. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
4. "Seton Hill University, Then & Now". Seton Hill University. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
5. "PittsburghLIVE.com - Seton Hill to be university". Archived from the original on April 26, 2002. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
6. Sande, Steve (March 30, 2010). "And so it begins... Seton Hill University to give all students an iPad". TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog). Retrieved August 12, 2012.
7. "Seton Hill University hands out iPads to students". Engadget.com. March 30, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
8. Carr, David (March 31, 2010). "And an iPad in Every Backpack". The New York Times. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
9. "iPad for Everyone!". The Griffin Technology Advantage. Seton Hill University. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
10. "Mobile Learning @ the Hill · Seton Hill University". Setonhill.edu. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
11. "LECOM History". Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
12. "Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) (B.S./D.O.)". Seton Hill University. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
13. "Seton Hill Then and Now". www.setonhill.edu/.
14. ""we Remember - A Reflection On The Shoah" | John Paul II - The Millennial Pope | FRONTLINE | PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
15. "Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Expands". Seton Hill University. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
16. "Media Relations · Seton Hill University". Setonhill.edu. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
17. "West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference". Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
18. Napsha, Joe (October 29, 2021). "Seton Hill to launch coed esports program". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.

External links

• Official website
• Official athletics website

40°18′32″N79°33′22″W / 40.309°N 79.556°W / 40.309; -79.556