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Former names | Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (1858–1895) Susquehanna Female College (1858–1973) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Achievement, Leadership, Service |
| Type | Privateliberal arts college |
| Established | 1858; 167 years ago (1858) |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
Academic affiliations | Annapolis GroupAAC&UACECICCURNAICU |
| Endowment | $206 million (2021)[1] |
| President | Jonathan D. Green |
Academic staff | 226[2] |
| Undergraduates | 2,239[3] |
| Location | , Pennsylvania ,United States |
| Campus | Smallcollege town 297 acres (120 ha) |
| Colors | Orange and maroon |
| Nickname | River Hawks |
Sporting affiliations | NCAADivision III -Landmark Conference |
| Mascot | Benny the Hawk |
| Website | www |
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Susquehanna University is a privateliberal arts college inSelinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States.[4][5] Its name is derived from the originalSusquehannock settlers of the region. Founded in 1858 as a missionary institute, it became a four-year liberal arts college in 1895. It is affiliated with theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. In addition to an arts and sciences focus, Susquehanna has abusiness school,master's degrees in education and joint-degree programs inengineering and for aMaster of Business Administration.
The academic programs are within the four schools of theArts,Humanities,Natural andSocial Sciences, and theAACSB International-accredited Sigmund Weis School ofBusiness. Susquehanna University enrolls more than 2,200 undergraduate students from 33 states and 23 countries,[6] and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.
The institution was founded byBenjamin Kurtz, its first president. Having already assisted in the founding ofGettysburg Seminary, Kurtz wanted to create another institution to serve American Lutheranism.
Kurtz's mission was to "educate men for the gospel ministry ... who cannot take a full course of training adapted to their age and circumstances." The American Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, provided 50 students, pledged $22,000, and offered the provisional use of itschurch facilities.[7] However, they stipulated that the institute be expanded to ajunior college and that asister college for women also be formed.[8]
On September 1, 1858, theMissionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church andSusquehanna Female College were established and legally recognized 23 days later. It had two departments: the theology department and theclassical department. In 1873, the sister college disbanded and the institute becameco-educational.
The institute officially became known asSusquehanna University in 1895.[9]
The 20th century brought many changes. The institution had recently begun offeringbachelor degrees and changed its name to reflect that.[10] In 1903, the board approved Susquehanna’s colors, orange and maroon.[11]
By the 1920s, student enrollment skyrocketed, accommodations were refurbished and the campus expanded, and academic departments and offerings were enhanced.[12]
Susquehanna University is devoted primarily toundergraduate education. It is accredited by theMiddle States Commission on Higher Education.[13] Susquehanna has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 with 93% of full-time faculty holding a doctorate or highest equivalent degree.[14]
The institution offers more than 100majors, minors and programs[15] and allows students to design their own major, complete adouble degree, or start undeclared.[16] Susquehanna offers pre-professional programs inpre-law,pre-veterinary medicine and teaching, and coordinates degrees with several other universities.[17][18][19] In 2016, an average of 96% of graduates were enrolled in graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.[20]
Susquehanna University consists of four schools: School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural and Social Sciences, and the Sigmund Weis School of Business.
| Publication | Rank | Year | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Street Journal | 191st best college in the United States | 2026 | [21] |
| U.S. News & World Report | 96th best liberal arts college in the United States | 2026 | [22] |
| U.S. News & World Report | 38th best value school in the United States | 2026 | [23] |
| Forbes | 25th best private schools with generous aid in the United States | 2026 | [24] |
| New York Times | 71st top U.S. college for students’ economic diversity | 2024 | [25] |
| Money | Best Colleges in America | 2025 | [26] |
| Princeton Review | "Best 391 Colleges" in the United States | 2026 | [27] |
| Princeton Review | "Best Green Colleges" in the United States | 2025 | [28] |
| Princeton Review | "Best Mid-Atlantic Schools" in the United States | 2026 | [29] |
The GO Program, as part of a school policy adopted in 2009, requires all Susquehanna students go off-campus for cross-cultural learning. Students have a choice between GO Short programs of 2–3 weeks or semester-long GO Long programs.[30] In 2013, the GO Program was awarded theAndrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education[31]
The Susquehanna University campus spans 297 acres (120 ha) in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. There are more than 50 buildings on campus, primarily in the style ofGeorgian architecture. The campus has four buildings that areLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council: two residence halls, the Natural Sciences Center, and the Admission House.[32]
Students are guaranteed housing all four years, and nearly all students live on campus.[33][34]
Selinsgrove Hall is a3+1⁄2-story brick structure constructed in 1858 in theItalianate style. The roof features a woodencupola and the structure was previously featured on the institution's logo. Seibert Hall is a2+1⁄2-story brick structure constructed in 1902 in a restrainedColonial Revival style.[35] BothSelinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall, were listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1979.[36]
In 2017, the institution dedicated a $7 million space to welcome prospective students and families. According to the Susquehanna's website, Admission House was funded through contributions from the board of trustees.[37] Unlike most other buildings on campus, the Admission House has a white facade instead of a naturally red-brick exterior. The 15,500-square-foot (1,440 m2) building was designed by architect Peter Bohlin ofBohlin Cywinski Jackson as a modern take on abarn.[37]
The Natural Sciences Center is a $32-million academic building that houses Susquehanna’sbiology,chemistry,earth and environmental science,neuroscience,ecology, health care studies, and pre-professional programs.[38] It received Silver LEED certification.[38] The 81,000-square-foot (7,500 m2) building was dedicated in 2010.[39]
In 2018, Susquehanna University completed a 14-acre (5.7 ha) solar array withWGL Energy to supply 30 percent of the institution's electricity. At the time, it was the largest college- or university-sponsored solar array in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest solar projects in the Commonwealth. The 12,000-panel array is estimated to produce over 5,300 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year.[40]
Susquehanna University offers more than 150 student clubs and organizations, a variety of honor societies and professional organizations, and 13 Greek Life organizations, including 4National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Sororities, 1National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sorority, 1 National Interfraternity Music Council fraternity for woman, 4Interfraternity Council (IFC), 1National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)fraternity, 1 National Interfraternity Music Council fraternity andAlpha Phi Omega co-ed service fraternity.[41]
First-Year Students' Move In Day welcomes first-year students by sending team members to help carry new students' belongings into their dorm rooms. Many faculty and staff assist.[42]
Thanksgiving Dinner is held prior to students leaving for Thanksgiving vacation. Students are served a turkey dinner by faculty, staff, and the president.[43]
Christmas Candlelight Service is held in Weber Auditorium with songs, readings, and prayers.[44]
'Twas the Night Before Christmas sees students come to the campus center dressed in their pajamas and indulge in cookies and cocoa while enjoying a reading of the classic Christmas tale.[45]
There are a variety of academic clubs and organizations in the fields of business, education, music, sciences, foreign languages, and communications.[46]
In addition to the student-run clubs and organizations that focused on music and dance, many ensembles are sponsored and count toward major or elective credit requirements.[54]
The University Choir, Chorale, and Chamber Singers are the three vocal performance groups open to all students by audition, and the instrumental offerings (many of which are also open to all students through an audition process) range from small ensembles to pep bands to the University Symphonic Band.[55]
There are eight religious life organizations at Susquehanna. In addition, students as well as the general public have the opportunity to attend Lutheran services held Sunday mornings on campus.[56]
Susquehanna competes in 23varsity sports inDivision III of theNCAA. All sports compete as part of theLandmark Conference with otherNortheastern colleges.[57]
Susquehanna is also a member of the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference.[58]Cheerleading is Susquehanna's 24th varsity team.[59]
The athletics complex includes a 51,000-square-foot (4,700 m2) field house, 3,500-seatAmos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium, Douglas Arthur '49 Field, Clyde H. Jacobs Fitness Center, 1,100-seat Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium, anatatorium with a 25-yard swimming and diving pool, tennis courts, racquetball courts, and Sassafras Softball Field and a multipurpose field.[60]
| Men's sports | Women's sports |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Cross Country |
| Cross Country | Field Hockey |
| Football | Golf |
| Golf | Lacrosse |
| Lacrosse | Soccer |
| Soccer | Softball |
| Swimming | Swimming |
| Tennis | Tennis |
| Track and Field† | Track and Field† |
| Volleyball | |
| † – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor. | |
In 2022, Susquehanna won the Landmark Conference President's Trophy for the best overall athletics program, which is based on conference regular-season and postseason competition. It was the fifth time Susquehanna won the trophy, tying it withMoravian University, as one of two conference teams to most often win the trophy since it was created in 2008.[61]
The football team competes in two annual trophy contests. The Goal Post Trophy goes to the winner of the annual football game with rivalJuniata College.[62][63] Susquehanna football also playsLycoming College for The Stagg Hat Trophy.[64]
In October 2015, Susquehanna University's board of trustees elected to replace the Crusaders nickname and mascot.[65] On April 2, 2016, the University announced River Hawks as the new nickname.[66] “Benny the Hawk” was introduced on October 29, 2016 as the new mascot.[67]
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