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Former names | Academy of the New Church College (1877–1997) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Become a Better You. |
| Type | Private college |
| Established | 1877; 148 years ago (1877) |
Religious affiliation | General Church of the New Jerusalem |
| President | Sean Connelly |
Academic staff | 28 |
| Students | 285[1] |
| Location | , Pennsylvania ,United States |
| Campus | Suburban, 130 acres (53 ha) |
| Colors | Red and white |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division III:UEC ACHA:CSCHC (ice hockey, DII, M)[a] |
| Mascot | Lion |
| Website | brynathyn.edu |
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Bryn Athyn College is aprivate Christian college inBryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, United States. It is affiliated with theGeneral Church of the New Jerusalem.
Bryn Athyn College started educating undergraduates after its incorporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1877. Then known as theAcademy of the New Church, in 1890, the academy established a separate organization, theGeneral Church of the New Jerusalem, a religious body based on the teachings ofEmanuel Swedenborg. After receiving an endowment fromJohn Pitcairn and others, the Academy of the New Church expanded from a seminary into a high school and a two-year college. In 1914, it became a four-year college, and by 1922, the college was also conferring Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. In 1997, the Academy of the New Church College adopted a new name:Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.[2]
In August 2008, the college opened several new student residence cottages. A new science center and a new admissions and student life building were completed in September 2009.
As of 2024, the president of the college is Sean Connelly.[3]
The college's original campus and surrounding community ofBryn Athyn were designed in 1893 byCharles Eliot of the firmOlmsted, Olmsted and Eliot. The campus is located in the borough of Bryn Athyn, in the suburbs ofPhiladelphia.
Much of the college's 130-acre (53 ha) campus is undeveloped open land, and the nearby Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust supplements the natural surroundings with eight miles (13 km) of trails following a creek through woods and fields.
Facilities include a performing arts center, a fine arts center, an ice-rink, pavilion, café and social center, as well as historic buildings.
Bryn Athyn College is affiliated withthe New Church, a branch of Christianity based on theBible and the theological writings ofEmanuel Swedenborg. The college offers religious courses, a religion major, and worship services.
Education at Bryn Athyn emphasizes the practical application of truth to life and encourages students to connect their spiritual beliefs to both their studies and their daily lives. Student conduct policies are guided by moral principles, with a particular emphasis on acting honestly, respectfully, and charitably and living a life of useful service.[8]
The college's Mission Statement notes that, "Bryn Athyn College of the New Church serves as an intellectual center for all who desire to pursue a higher education in the liberal arts and sciences, enriched and structured by theOld andNew Testaments and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. The purpose of this education is to enhance students' civil, moral, and spiritual lives, as well as to contribute to human spiritual welfare.".[9][10]
The college's educational philosophy is grounded in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg and the benefits of aliberal arts program. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning.[11]
In the academic year 2020–21, the college had 272 students who were studying across 12 undergraduate programs. The college also enrolled 190 students studying two online courses.[12]
The college operates on a trimester system.
The Bryn Athyn athletic teams were called the Lions. The college was a member of theDivision III ranks of theNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); primarily competing as a member of theUnited East Conference (UEC) from 2023–24 until the end of the 2024–25 academic year. The Lions previously competed as a member of theColonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) from 2018–19 to 2022–23, as well as having a stint in the UEC from 2014–15 to 2017–18, back when the conference was known as theNorth Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), and as anNCAA Division III Independent during the 2013–14 school year under an exploratory basis. Prior to the 2014 season, Bryn Athyn competed as a member of theUnited States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
Bryn Athyn competed in 11 intercollegiate sports teams. Men's sports included basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball; while women's sports included basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and volleyball. It also had a club sports team in men's ice hockey.[13][14]
On March 26, 2025, Bryn Athyn announced that they would be eliminating all 11 of its NCAA sports teams and its club hockey team due to the school's financial instability. The teams will be eliminated at the end of the academic year, and the school will also eliminate athletic staff and trainer positions.[13]
In 2020–21, almost 22% of students participated in an athletic team.[15]
Bryn Athyn student life is largely student-run. Student Government and the Social Committee plan regular activities both on and off campus.
Informational notes
Citations
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40°08′05.45″N75°03′35.80″W / 40.1348472°N 75.0599444°W /40.1348472; -75.0599444
