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Carlow University

Coordinates: 40°26′23″N 79°57′51″W / 40.4397°N 79.9641°W / 40.4397; -79.9641
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Carlow University
Former names
Mount Mercy College (1929–1969)
Carlow College (1969–2004)
MottoAd Superna, non Superba
Motto in English
To the Eternal, not the Perishable
TypePrivate university
EstablishedSeptember 24, 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy
Religious affiliation
Catholic (Sisters of Mercy)
Academic affiliations
Conference for Mercy Higher Education
ACCU
MSA
CIC
PresidentKathy Humphrey
ProvostSibdas Ghosh
Undergraduates1,365
Postgraduates775
Location
Pittsburgh
,
Pennsylvania
,
United States

40°26′23″N 79°57′51″W / 40.4397°N 79.9641°W / 40.4397; -79.9641
CampusUrban, 14 acres (5.7 ha)
ChaplainMark Thomas
ColorsPurple & Gold
   
Sporting affiliations
NCAA – AMCC
USCAA – Independent
MascotCeltics
Websitewww.carlow.edu
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carlow University.

Carlow University is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy. The university’s athletic teams are known as the Celtics, reflecting its Irish heritage. [1] As of 2017–2018, Carlow's student body was predominantly female, with women comprising 84% and men 16% of the student population.[2]

History

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The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Pittsburgh on December 21, 1843. They traveled from County Carlow, Ireland to the Oakland area of Pittsburgh. They purchased 13 acres within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. , where they established a new motherhouse and Our Lady of Mercy Academy.[3]

In 1929, the Sisters of Mercy opened Mount Mercy College, and the first Commencement ceremony was held in 1933. Key campus buildings were constructed during the early years, including Aquinas Hall in 1936 and Trinity Hall in 1941. The college admitted men under the G.I. Bill in 1945, with   Peter F. Flaherty, who went on to become a two-term Mayor of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Commissioner, being among the first male students. [4]

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.[citation needed]

In 2004, Carlow College officially became Carlow University and a year later appointed its first lay president, Mary Hines. In 2011, Carlow University was selected for the U.S. President's Community Service Honor Roll.[5]

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.[6] Carlow announced on March 17, 2014, that it would field a men's basketball team for the 2014–2015 season.[7]

In September 2015, Carlow announced it would add men's soccer and men's and women's golf teams beginning in Fall 2016.[8] In December 2016, Carlow announced that it would add men's and women's track and field teams beginning spring 2018.[9]

Academic

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Academic rankings
Master's
Washington Monthly[10]234
Regional
U.S. News & World Report[11]113

Colleges

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Carlow University is organized into two colleges across three campuses—Oakland, Cranberry, and Greensburg. The main campus in Oakland spans 13 acres and includes 14 buildings, such as Frances Warde Hall, named after one of the founding Sisters of Mercy, and the Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology.

Aquinas Hall houses departments such as English, Theology, and Women's Studies, while Antonian Hall features a theater. St. Joseph’s Hall includes a gymnasium, dance studio, and weight room. The Sisters of Mercy Convent, a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark, remains the motherhouse for nearly 150 Sisters of Mercy.

Carlow University is organized into two colleges:

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Health and Wellness

Campuses

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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. Among them are Frances Warde Hall, Carlow's first dormitory. Frances Warde was one of the founding Sisters of Mercy in Carlow, Ireland. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology is the newest Carlow academic building.

Carlow University Aquinas Hall main entrance

Aquinas Hall is home to English, Spanish, Theology, History, Philosophy, and Women's Studies. Antonian Hall has a theater. St. Joseph's Hall has a gymnasium, dance studio, and weight room.

Carlow University Center for Leadership and Management main entrance

The Sisters of Mercy Convent is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark and motherhouse for nearly 150 Sisters of Mercy.

Carlow University St Agnes 2015

St. Agnes Church, dedicated in 1917, was designed by "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.

Carlow University Campus aerial view

Athletics

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The Carlow athletic teams are called the Celtics. The university is a member of NCAA Division III, competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) since the 2023-2024 academic year.[12] They are also a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Prior to the 2023-2024 academic year, the Celtics competed in the NAIA. They were affiliated with the American Mideast Conference from 2001–02 to 2011–12 (when the conference dissolved) and the American Rivers Conference from 2012-2013 to 2022-2023.

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.

Move to NCAA Division III

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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.[13]

Basketball

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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.

Soccer

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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.[14]

Softball

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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

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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

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

Volleyball

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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.

Facilities

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Carlow University’s urban campus spans 15 acres in the culturally diverse Oakland area of Pittsburgh, neighboring the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The campus includes:

  • University Commons
  • St. Joseph’s Athletic and Fitness Center
  • Residence Halls: Frances Warde Hall and Dougherty Hall
  • CREATE Lab
  • CSCIL
  • Hopkins Lab
  • Mailroom
  • A.J. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology: Home to STEM labs, science laboratories, and classrooms
  • Curran Hall: Houses facilities for clinical studies, including simulation labs
  • Antonian Hall: Built in 1948, it houses the Heyl Theater, art studios, a student lounge, Student Hub, IT Help Desk, and Communications Department.
  • Sisters of Mercy Convent: The Mother of Mercy Chapel offers daily and Sunday Masses. Students, staff, and faculty are always welcome.
  • Dining locations: A variety of dining options are available in Tiernan Hall, Frank's Cafe, Celtic Market, Franny's Cafe, and Celtic Cafe.

Madwomen in the Attic writing program

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Since 1979, the Madwomen in the Attic program at Carlow University has valued and empowered women writers by creating a space for writing, the exchange of ideas, and the publication of women’s literature. The program offers workshops, publishing opportunities, mentorship, and readings.

Workshops are directed by Sarah Shotland, a novelist and Carlow professor, and taught by various established writers. They include semester-long creative writing workshops open to undergraduate students and community writers (women ages 18-99) and classes held on weekday evenings on-campus and online, limited to 12 writers.

Other opportunities for writers include:

  • MadBooks: Chapbook publishing series
  • Madwomen Mentorship: Peer mentorship program
  • Madwomen Reading Series: Featuring nationally acclaimed poets and writers
  • MadFridays Reading Series: Featuring Madwomen students and teachers
  • Voices from the Attic: An annual anthology that reflects the diversity and depth of the Madwomen workshops, featuring poetry, fiction, and nonfiction
  • Patricia Dobler Poetry Award: An annual contest open to women writers over 40 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have not published a full-length book of poetry, fiction, or non-fiction

Notable alumni

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Notable faculty

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Welcome to Carlow University". Carlow.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  2. ^ "Carlow University - Pittsburgh, PA". Carlow.edu. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Fortifying Pittsburgh in 1863". Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  4. ^ "Obituary: Pete Flaherty dies at 80". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2018-06-27.
  5. ^ "Welcome to Carlow University". Carlow.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  6. ^ "History of Carlow University: A Timeline". Carlow University. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  7. ^ Men's basketball program in the fall at Carlow University, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; accessed December 30, 2017.
  8. ^ Carlow University Adds Men's Soccer, Men's and Women's Golf to Fall 2016 Sports Lineup Archived 2020-08-11 at the Wayback Machine, Carlow.edu; accessed December 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "News". www.carlow.edu. Archived from the original on 2018-06-27. Retrieved 2018-06-27.
  10. ^ "2023 Master's Universities Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "2023-2024 Best Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 18, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  12. ^ "AMCC ADDS CARLOW UNIVERSITY AS NEWEST MEMBER INSTITUTION". 2022-07-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ Carlow comes from NAIA to AMCC - D3sports
  14. ^ "Press Releases". Carlow.edu. Archived from the original on 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  15. ^ Karlinchak, Stephen (May 20, 1988). "Carlow Chief Looks Back on Years as Head of College". Pittsburgh Catholic. p. 1. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
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