Carlow University

Carlow University is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy. Carlow's thirteen athletic teams are the Celtics, a reflection of the university's Irish heritage and roots. In 2017–2018, the student body was 84% women and 16% men.

History

The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Pittsburgh on December 21, 1843. They traveled from County Carlow, Ireland to the Oakland area of Pittsburgh, where they purchased within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. This land became the location of a new motherhouse and Our Lady of Mercy Academy. Some reports state that the site of the current campus was the location of a Civil War fortification named Fort Zug.

In 1929, the Sisters of Mercy opened Mount Mercy College. The first Commencement ceremony for Mount Mercy College was conducted in 1933. The college's seal and motto was also established that year. Aquinas Hall was built to house the library and administrative offices in 1936. Five years later, Trinity Hall opened as the science center for the college. In 1945, men were admitted to the school under the G.I. Bill. One of these men was the late Peter F. Flaherty, who went on to become a two-term Mayor of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Commissioner.

In 1948, Antonian Hall opened with office, classroom, and theater space. Thirteen years later, in 1961, Frances Warde Hall dormitory was opened. Prior to this, students lived in houses or halls in the surrounding area. Mount Mercy College's name was changed to Carlow College in 1969. A year later, Curran Hall was renovated to house the nursing school. In 1975, Carlow's mission statement was drafted. In 1978, Carlow College went where few institutions of higher education had gone - accelerated classes especially designed for working adults.

In 2004, Carlow College officially became Carlow University and a year later appointed its first lay president, Dr. Mary Hines. In 2011, Carlow University was selected for the U.S. President's Community Service Honor Roll.

In the fall of 1983, Carlow began offering coed housing for men on-campus by housing a single male student. In Fall 2012, Carlow began competition in men's and women's cross country, the first male sport offered at Carlow. Carlow announced on March 17, 2014 ( St. Patrick's Day), that it would field a men's basketball team for the 2014–2015 season.

In September 2015, Carlow announced it would add men's soccer and men's and women's golf teams beginning in Fall 2016. In December 2016, Carlow announced that it would add men's and women's track and field teams beginning spring 2018.

Colleges

Carlow University is organized into two colleges:
* College of Arts and Sciences
* College of Health and Wellness

Campuses

Carlow University consists of three campuses, Oakland, Cranberry, and Greensburg. The main campus, the Oakland campus, is a 13-acre lot and consists of 14 buildings.

Frances Warde Hall

Carlow's first "dorm", replacing five large, old houses used for residences for boarders. Frances Warde was one of the original Sisters of Mercy. In 1837, she founded the convent and school in Carlow, Ireland. This "hub" of the university is home to student residence halls, in addition to the Campus Information Center, Student Assembly Room, the office, Art classrooms, Health Services, Campus Ministry and Chapel, Campus Police, Early Learning Center, the University Business Office, Human Resources, and the Office of Student Affairs.

Dougherty Hall

This building is an addition to Frances Warde Hall and was named for Mother Irenaeus Dougherty, co-founder and titular president of Mount Mercy. Most of the building houses students. The popular Franny's Snack Bar, an informal eatery, is located on the 3rd floor.

A.J. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology

The building is located on site that has been called "the Gateway to Oakland," spanning Craft Avenue, between Fifth and Forbes Avenues. Construction was completed in the summer of 1999. The newest Carlow academic building is home to the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. There are several floors of classrooms and labs. Opened in fall 2007, the Celtic Café serves soups, salads, and sandwiches and features a seating area in the lobby.

Aquinas Hall

Sister Aquinas Ragen, the building's namesake, was Mother General when the plans for Mount Mercy College were first proposed. Home to academic departments including: English, Spanish, Theology, History, Philosophy, and Women's Studies, as well as the Patricia Dobler Writing Center, the Dr. Samuel Hazo Graduate Seminar Room, International Studies, and The Critical Point.

Antonian Hall

The building was constructed on solid rock, atop St. Anthony's Park. The theater was named for Rosemary Heyl, a composer, faculty member, and chairwoman of the Music department from 1929 to 1985. Today the building has multiple uses. In addition to the theater, it houses administrative offices, including Financial Aid, Adult Degree Center, Information Technology, University Communications and Community Relations, and Student Accounts. In addition, it holds Academic offices and classrooms reside in the building, including Art (classrooms, studios, and offices), Psychology, Sociology, and Communication.

University Commons

Originally called Grace Library and named for Sister Regis Grace, niece of Bishop Regis Canevin, and co-founder and first dean of the university. The building is currently undergoing an extensive renovation and will re-open in August 2015, when it will not only house the library, but also a cafe, the Bookstore, Mail Room, Student Affairs offices, Career Center, Center for Academic Achievement, Center for Digital Learning and Innovation, Center for Mercy Heritage and Service, Kresge Theatre, and the Office of the President.

Curran Hall

Mother Rose Curran, a nurse and innovative superintendent of Mercy Hospital, served as Mother General and introduced the cooperative degree program between Mercy Hospital and Carlow University. Nursing classrooms comprise most of the building. Nursing faculty offices are located on the upper floors. A Nursing Skills lab, located on the 4th floor, was constructed in summer 2007.

McAuley Hall

Named for Mother Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland. Once housed the offices of the Sisters of Mercy Leadership team and also include residential space for the sisters. It is now used as administrative offices.

Tiernan Hall

Built in honor of Sister Xavier Tiernan, the first American and Pittsburgh Sister of Mercy. Dining room for University students is on the ground level. The Campus School of Carlow University is located on the upper floors.

St. Joseph's Hall

Was originally constructed to house an indoor pool, gym, and reception rooms. Today "St. Joe's" is used for the gymnasium, dance studio, and weight room, and is home to Wellness Center. It also houses offices for the athletic department including all coaches.

Center for Leadership and Management

Formerly, the building served as the St. Agnes church rectory. Totally refurbished, the "CLAM" is home to the Departments Accounting, Fraud, and Forensics; Business Administration; and Management.

Sisters of Mercy Convent

According to Sister M. Jerome McHale's book, On the Wing, construction for St. Mary's Convent, Mount Mercy began in 1906. The sisters moved in on February 10, 1909. The only other building on the campus at the time was a chateau-style building on "the green" purchased in 1894 from the Ursuline Sisters. It housed Our Lady of Mercy Academy. When the chateau burned down in 1923, classes were held on the first and third floors of St. Mary's Convent until Tiernan Hall could be built. In 1929, Mount Mercy College started using the parlors of the convent as classrooms. Today, the Convent of Mercy, as it is known, is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark and motherhouse for nearly 150 Sisters of Mercy.

Trinity Hall

The "trinity" is a core mystery of the Church, which teaches the unity of God in a communion of three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Campus School of Carlow University occupies the building with Early Childhood, Montessori preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten classrooms.

St. Agnes

The former St. Agnes Church has been restored with respect to its spiritual, artistic, and cultural heritage. The building was dedicated in 1917, and is the location of a Pennsylvania Historical& Museum Commission marker its "nationally influential church-architect," John T. Comes. Masses are celebrated in the center on special occasions, such as the opening of a new academic year. The space is also used for presentations and receptions throughout the year. In 2010, the basement was reopened as a new gym for students and athletes.

Athletics

The Carlow athletic teams are called the Celtics. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC; formerly known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) until after the 2015–16 school year) since the 2012–13 academic year. They are also a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The Celtics previously competed as a member of the American Mideast Conference from 2001–02 to 2011–12 (when the conference dissolved).

Carlow competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading.

The mission of the Department of Athletics at Carlow University is to provide every student-athlete with a supportive environment that encourages leadership, integrity, responsibility, sportsmanship, and respect for others by promoting the balance between academic and athletic excellence.

Move to NCAA Division III

In July 2022, Carlow was invited to join the Division III ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and as a provisional member of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC), starting in the 2023–24 academic year.

Basketball

After a brief hiatus in intercollegiate competition, the Carlow women's basketball program sprung back into action in 1990. The team competes in at least 26 competitions per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference.

The Carlow Celtics play their home games in Oakland Catholic High School. In addition, the Celtics have been recognized for academic success and have been ranked the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) for academic success, placing in the NAIA's top 20 on numerous occasions while also earning individual honors as NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Men's basketball began in Fall 2014.

Golf

Carlow University fielded its first men's and women's golf team in the fall of 2016.

Soccer

Carlow University women's soccer team started competition in 1999–2000 and made a playoff appearance in 2000–2001. The team competes at Founders Field and at least 18 contests per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference. The 2016 season was the first for men's soccer.

Softball

Carlow University women's softball began as an intercollegiate sport at Carlow in 1997. The team entered its first year of American Mideast Conference competition in 2001. Although the team conditions year round, Carlow's official spring training begins in March when the team typically travels south to locations in Florida or South Carolina. Home games are played at Fairhaven Park or nearby Mazeroski Field. The team competes in at least 17 competitions per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference.

Tennis

Intercollegiate women's tennis competition has a long-standing history at Carlow. The program started in the 1980s which makes it Carlow's second oldest athletic program. The team competes in at least 10 competitions per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference. The tennis team play their home matches on the courts at Washington Landing.

Track & Field

Carlow fielded its first men's and women's track and field teams in the Spring of 2018.

Volleyball

Carlow University women's volleyball is the longest standing of Carlow's athletic programs. The team competes in at least 24 contest dates per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference. The Carlow Celtics volleyball team play their home games in St. Joseph Hall.

Notable alumni

* Peter Francis Flaherty, 54th Mayor of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (D), 1970–1977

Notable faculty

* Jan Beatty, American poet and host of Prosody, a weekly radio program featuring the work of national writers.
* Claudia Pinza Bozzolla, American soprano and voice teacher of Italian origin
* Marylouise Fennell, president from 1982 - 1989

References

See also

* Victoria Nalongo Namusisi (awarded an honorary doctorate)

External links

Official website

Official athletics website

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Former women's universities and colleges in the United States
Educational institutions established in 1929
Catholic universities and colleges in Pennsylvania
Sisters of Mercy colleges and universities
Universities and colleges in Pittsburgh
Liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania
USCAA member institutions
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
River States Conference
1929 establishments in Pennsylvania