John Carroll University (JCU) is a private Jesuit university in University Heights, Ohio, United States. Located in a suburb of Cleveland, it is primarily an undergraduate, liberal arts institution composed of a college of arts and sciences and business school. The university enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students as of fall 2024.[4] Founded in 1886 as St. Ignatius College, it was renamed in 1923 after John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States.
 | |
Former names | St. Ignatius College (1886–1923) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (Latin) |
Motto in English | For the greater glory of God |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1886 |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic (Jesuit) |
Academic affiliations | AJCU ACCU CIC |
| Endowment | $223.5 million (2019)[1] |
| President | Alan R. Miciak[2] |
Academic staff | 519 (2023)[3] |
| Students | 3,040 (fall 2024)[4] |
| Undergraduates | 2,615 (fall 2024)[4] |
| Postgraduates | 425 (fall 2024)[4] |
| Location | , U.S. |
| Campus | Suburban, 63 acres (25.5 ha) |
| Colors | Blue & gold |
| Nickname | Blue Streaks |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division III – OAC |
| Mascot | Lobo |
| Website | www |
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History
edit
John Carroll University was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus under the title of St. Ignatius College, after Ignatius of Loyola, as a college for men. It has been in continuous operation as a degree-granting institution since that time. Founded as the 19th of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, it is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.[5]
In 1923, the college was renamed John Carroll University, honoring the first archbishop of the Catholic Church in the United States, who founded Georgetown University. In 1935, it was moved from its original location on the west side of Cleveland to its present site in University Heights, a suburb 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown Cleveland. However, the high school section retained the original name and continues to operate on the original site in Cleveland. The city of University Heights had been renamed from "Idlewood" during the construction of the campus.[6]
During World War II, John Carroll was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.[7]
In September 1968, the university made the transition from full-time male enrollment to a fully coeducational institution, admitting women to the College of Arts and Sciences for the first time. In recent years, the university has undergone extensive reconstruction and expansion. In 2003, the university opened the $66 million, 265,000 sq ft (24,600 m2) Dolan Center for Science and Technology, named after alumnus Charles Dolan, founder of Cablevision and HBO, and his wife Helen Dolan. The couple met while attending John Carroll. In 2011, the university completed the removal of the Bohannon Science building and celebrated the Hamlin Quad enhancement project.
Jesuit tradition
editThe university announced in December 2017 that its board of directors had named the school's first non-Jesuit president, Michael D. Johnson. Johnson had been the provost at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He began his tenure on July 1, 2018, and was officially inaugurated on September 6, 2018.[8]
Campus
editMore than twenty major buildings, predominantly Collegiate Gothic in architecture, and sixty landscaped acres make up the John Carroll campus. The administration building, Saint Ignatius Hall, surmounted by the university's landmark Grasselli Tower, bears clear resemblance to the English royal palace Hampton Court.
Academics
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John Carroll University is organized into two schools: the College of Arts and Sciences and the Boler College of Business, each defining its own academic programs under the auspices of the Academic Vice President. The university requires a comprehensive core curriculum for all undergraduate students. Students choose from among classes in the area of Jesuit Heritage, including two philosophy courses, two religious studies courses, and a social justice course. Students also take integrative courses, including a pair of linked courses on one topic, and a course on Engaging the Global Community.[9]
John Carroll University's College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 80 distinct programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors are communications, biology, psychology, education, exercise science, political science, sociology, criminology, chemistry, and English.
On May 15, 2018, The Boler Family Foundation made a challenge gift of $10 million, kicking off the Inspired Lives Campaign, which was bolstered by an additional $5 million in contributions. The university announced the formation of the John M. and Mary Jo Boler College of Business, which will include two new schools: the School of Accountancy and Information Science, and the School of Leadership and Social Innovation.
The university has four merit scholarships including the Presidential Honors Award, the Presidential Leadership Award, the Arrupe Scholars Award, and the Magis Scholarship.[10] Department scholarships are offered by individual departments and include the Castellano Scholarship, usually awarded yearly to one or two freshman applicants who will major in the classical languages (Latin and Greek). This award covers full tuition for four years.[11]
Graduate programs
editJohn Carroll University provides students the ability to continue their education in a graduate studies program. The Boler College of Business offers three graduate programs where students can earn a Master of Science in Accountancy, Full-Time Boler MBA, and Part-Time Boler MBA. In addition, the College of Arts of Sciences offers a variety of graduate programs of study.[12]
International programs
editJohn Carroll has several international programs in which eligible students are able to participate. The university operates several of their own programs and cooperates with other Jesuit universities in operating other programs. John Carroll University's Exchange Programs include the International Student Exchange Program, and programs at Kansai Gaidai University, Nanzan University and Sophia University, all in Japan as well as the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany and University of Hull, England.[13] These programs include the Belfast Institute in Peace Building and Conflict Transformation,[14] the Boler School of Business Semester in London,[15] Italian Studies at Vatican City, the London Liberal Arts Semester, the Jesuit Beijing Center, as well as Casa de la Solidaridad in El Salvador.
All international programs, including those for international students who study at John Carroll, are managed by the university's Center for Global Education.[16]
Reputation and rankings
edit| Academic rankings | |
|---|---|
| Master's | |
| Washington Monthly[17] | 66 |
| Regional | |
| U.S. News & World Report[18] | 3 |
| National | |
| Forbes[19] | 424 |
In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report college rankings, John Carroll University was ranked third out of 165 regional universities in the Midwest. The university has been ranked within the top ten of this category since 1988.[20] The university was also ranked third (tied) for undergraduate teaching, third for "most innovative" schools, and 23rd as a "best value" school.[20]
John Carroll was chosen as one of Forbes' Best Value Schools of 2016.[21]
The John M. and Mary Jo Boler School of Business was ranked first nationwide in Bloomberg Businessweek's 2016 “Best Undergraduate Business Schools” employer survey for the graduates best prepared for work in their fields. It was ranked 30th among all business schools.[22]
Student life
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John Carroll is a primarily residential campus, with over 60% of all students living on campus in one of seven residence halls; 90% of freshmen and sophomores live on campus.[23] There are over 100 student-led organizations at John Carroll, many of which have the underlying goal of providing service to the community – be it the community of the local Cleveland area or the global community at large.
Fraternities and sororities are approved by the John Carroll University Office of Student Activities and governed by the rules of the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils.[24]
The Center for Service & Social Action facilitates activities related to social justice as course components, and as voluntary one-time or semester-long experiences. The Center for Service and Social Action offers a variety of service opportunities for students looking to get involved and give back to the community. Many John Carroll University students take advantage of service opportunities during their undergraduate studies.[25]
Athletics
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John Carroll fields 23 varsity sports teams. The official colors are blue and gold, and teams compete under the nickname Blue Streaks. John Carroll teams compete in NCAA Division III. The university has been a member institution of the Ohio Athletic Conference since 1989.
The university plays football, lacrosse and soccer in Don Shula Stadium, named after the winningest coach in NFL history, who had studied at John Carroll between 1947 and 1951. Shula contributed to the stadium's construction, as did former Washington Redskins star and JCU alumnus London Fletcher '98.
In 1974–75, the wrestling team won the NCAA Division III national championship. In addition, three teams have qualified for the national semifinals in team sporting events: the 2002 football team, the 2003–04 men's basketball team, and the 2016 football team. On November 12, 2016, John Carroll defeated the University of Mount Union 31–28, snapping the program's college football record of 112 straight regular season wins.
There have been 22 individual national champions: 16 in wrestling, two in men's outdoor track & field, one in men's indoor track & field, one in women's outdoor track & field, one in women's diving, and one in men's swimming.
The Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving team has won 7 straight OAC championship titles (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), the men's tennis team won six straight OAC titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021). The Men's Lacrosse program has won 6 straight OAC championships since joining as a varsity sport in 2013.
The JCU men's basketball team won the OAC regular season and tournament titles in 2018. Since joining the OAC in 1989–90, John Carroll has won twice as many regular season titles (11) in men's basketball than any other school (5) over that span of time.
In club sports, the 2017–18 club rugby team qualified for the national championship. The ACHA division 1 club ice hockey team qualified for the national tournament in 2022.[26]
Notable people
editSee also
edit
References
edit- ^ As of June 30, 2019. "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 19, 2020.
- ^ "John Carroll University Announces Leadership Transition". jcu.edu (Press release). May 3, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Fast Facts 23-24 Final" (PDF). John Carroll University. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "JCU 101". John Carroll University. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ "History of the Biology Department of John Carroll University". Ohio Journal of Science. Retrieved October 3, 2006.
- ^ "John Carroll University". About, Inc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2006.
- ^ "Veterans Program". University Heights, Ohio: John Carroll University. 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ McCafferty, Rachael Abbey (December 11, 2017). "John Carroll University names new president". Crain's Cleveland Business. Detroit MI: Crain Communications, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ "University Core Curriculum – College of Arts & Sciences". Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "Merit-Based Awards". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2008.
- ^ "Castellano Scholarship". John Carroll University. Retrieved February 21, 2008.
- ^ "JCU Quick Facts". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- ^ "The Center for Global Education – Studying Abroad". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on September 3, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2006.
- ^ "Belfast Institute in Peace Building and Conflict Transformation". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on September 7, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2006.
- ^ "The Boler London Semester". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on September 1, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2006.
- ^ "Center for Global Education". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on November 27, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ "2024 Master's Universities Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "2023-2024 Best Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 18, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "America's Top Colleges 2024". Forbes. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "John Carroll University". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Peterson-Withorn, Chase. "The Full List Of Forbes' Best Value Schools 2016". forbes.com. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
- ^ Levy, Francesca; from, Jonathan Rodkin. "These Are the Best Undergraduate Business Schools of 2016". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved February 2, 2017 – via www.bloomberg.com.
- ^ "John Student Affairs – Residence Life for First Year Students". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on September 4, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2006.
- ^ "JCU Campus Life – Fraternity & Sorority Life: Fraternities". John Carroll University. Archived from the original on December 28, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
- ^ "Mission". sites.jcu.edu. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Men's Challenge Cup". NSCRO.
External links
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