Cabrini University
Cabrini University is a private Roman Catholic university in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1957, and was named after the first American naturalized citizen saint, Mother Frances Cabrini. It was one of the first universities in the United States to make community service a graduation requirement for all undergraduates; it now has a core curriculum centered on social justice which includes their signature classes, Engagements in the Common Good, also known as ECG. Due to ongoing financial challenges, the university will close at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year, with ownership of the university's campus passing to Villanova University.[3][4][5]
Former name | Cabrini College (1957–2016) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private university |
| Established | June 7, 1957 |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic (Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) |
Academic affiliations | |
| Endowment | $34.6 million (as of 2022)[1] |
| President | Helen Drinan (interim) |
Academic staff | 605 |
| Undergraduates | 1,650 |
| Postgraduates | 786 |
| Location | , , United States 40°03′18″N 75°22′26″W / 40.055°N 75.374°W |
| Campus | Suburban, 112 acres (45 ha) |
| Colors | Blue and white[2] |
| Nickname | Cavaliers |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division III – Atlantic East |
| Mascot | Cavalier |
| Website | www |
History edit
Pre-history edit
The site of the original Cabrini College was originally the estate of John Thompson Dorrance, inventor of the process of making condensed soup and president of the Campbell Soup Company. It was known as Woodcrest. Dorrance owned a stable with many horses, had social events within the main hall of his mansion, and also had personal servants. The property was purchased by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) in 1953. It was first named "Villa Cabrini" after the organization's namesake, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. At first, Villa Cabrini was an orphanage.[6]
Founding and growth edit
In 1957, Sister Ursula Infante established a school in the villa.[7] Upon opening, it was a female-only school of only thirty-seven students. The orphanage was still a part of the community and they shared the use of the buildings.
The first graduating class was in 1961. Also around this same time period, Cabrini was awarded full accreditation by the Middle States Association.
In the 1950s, Cabrini was only made up of a few buildings. The mansion of the college was the central point of the college, housing the students, providing a cafeteria, classrooms, library, and a chapel. In 1958, they converted the stable house, now known as Grace Hall, to include both classrooms and dormitories.[7]
In 1960, Cabrini finished construction on the Sacred Heart Hall (now known as Founder's Hall), which was a library, cafeteria, gymnasium, and even held science laboratories. The 1960s also saw the construction of a chapel in 1961 and a library in 1965.[7]
Late 20th century edit
The early 1970s were a time of much change for the college. After Infante's ten-year presidency in 1967, three presidents were to follow in only three years. Barbara Leonardo was president from 1967 to 1968. During her time at the college, she was also a dean and taught history. In 1968, Gervase Lapadula became president, but soon had to resign due to health problems.
From 1969 to 1973, Regina Casey was president of Cabrini College. During her presidency, the college was starting to change from a girls-only to a co-educational establishment. Through a program with Eastern University, located next to the college, males started to attend classes at Cabrini. In turn, Cabrini students were offered more courses through both expansion and external courses at Eastern.
Mary Louise Sullivan was president of the institution from 1972 until 1982. During her tenure, the college became completely coeducational.
Sullivan was succeeded by Eileen Currie. During her presidency, political science, social work, and computer science programs were added and Xavier Hall, a 124-student residence hall, was built. The faculty voted to make community service a requirement for all students; and Cabrini was recognized as one of the first colleges in the country, and the first in Pennsylvania, to integrate community service into its core curriculum.
Toni Iadarola was the first lay president of Cabrini College. During her tenure from 1992 until 2008, undergraduate enrollment increased from 732 to 1,700 and the number of resident students tripled. New and renovated buildings in this time included the Dixon Center, Founder's Hall, and the Center for Science, Education, and Technology (now the Antoinette Iadarola Center for Science, Education, and Technology).
Cabrini College garnered national attention when, in the midst of a national economic recession, it announced a tuition reduction of nearly 13%.[8]
Don Taylor became Cabrini College's first male president on July 1, 2014. During his inaugural address on October 25, 2014, Taylor introduced the Cabrini 2020 Roadmap to Growth. This plan is a means to measure the college's progress, as it makes promises that were to have occurred by 2020. The initiative promises to have 100 percent of undergraduate students participating in a Living & Learning Community, pledges all undergraduate students will experience two or more High-Impact Coeducational Practices in their first year, and denotes a commitment to ensuring all students encounter at least four High-Impact practices before they are graduated by the college.[9]
Under Taylor's leadership, Cabrini College changed its name to Cabrini University on July 1, 2016.[10]
The university experienced significant financial troubles beginning in the middle of the 2010s. In 2022, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the university faced a debt of approximately $5 million with a total budget of $45 million. Enrollment had dropped to about 1,500 students from 2,360 in the 2016-2017 academic year. In response to these challenges, the university had repeatedly eliminated staff and restructured; for example, it eliminated the position of provost, reduced the number of colleges from three to two, and laid off several tenured and tenure track faculty.[1]
In a joint statement with Villanova University published on June 23, 2023, Cabrini announced it would cease operations at the conclusion of the 2023–24 academic year.[11] Its land will be incorporated into Villanova University.
Academics edit
Cabrini University offers 40 undergraduate majors, additional minors, and specialized tracks.[12] The institution also offers part-time graduate degrees in accounting, biological sciences, data science, education, and leadership.[12] In 2016, it started two new part-time doctoral programs for working professionals: EdD in Educational Leadership and PhD in Organizational Development.
Faculty edit
The university's faculty includes 35% full-time professors.[13] 65% of the faculty members are adjunct professors (part-time), well above the nation's average.[14]
The core curriculum: Justice Matters edit
All undergraduate students participate in the university's core curriculum, Justice Matters, in which, the university asserts, "students learn skills that will advance their careers and that can be used for the benefit of their communities, linking theory to practice in the world, preparing them for professional careers through a rigorous liberal learning experience."[15] The curriculum drives to raise awareness of social problems, involve students hands-on in social justice issues, to teach students to see themselves as participating in value-driven decision making, and to develop liberally educated persons.[15]
Community service requirement edit
Cabrini University was one of the first universities in the United States to make community service a graduation requirement for all undergraduates.[16]
Rankings edit
Cabrini is ranked 122nd in the Regional Universities (North) category by U.S. News & World Report for 2018.[17]
Student life edit
Radio Station: WYBF-FM edit
Cabrini University has its own student-run variety radio station.[18]
School newspaper: The Loquitur edit
The Loquitur has been the student-run newspaper of Cabrini University since 1959. The paper is now printed on a monthly basis, featuring on and off campus news, lifestyles, sports and perspective pieces. The Loquitur celebrated its 60th anniversary during the 2018–19 academic year.
Woodcrest (magazine/literary journal) edit
Woodcrest serves as the literary journal at Cabrini University. The magazine has seen many forms over the decades, and has been online since 2012. Advised by faculty and edited by students from the Department of Writing and Narrative Arts, Woodcrest is a national publication with roots in the literary arts. Faculty advisors have included editors and writers such as Seth Frechie, Amy Persichetti, and Bret Shepard.
Athletics edit
Cabrini University has 19 varsity teams[19] and various recreational sports clubs.[20] The teams compete in the NCAA Division III, ECAC and the Atlantic East Conference (AEC). Cabrini is known for their men's lacrosse team which won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2019 against Amherst College at Lincoln Financial Field.[21]
Notable alumni edit
- Fredia Gibbs, an American former professional martial artist, kickboxer, and boxer
- DiAnne Gove, a Republican member of the New Jersey General Assembly
- Jordan A. Harris, a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Tyheim Monroe, an American basketball player
- Jamie Santora, a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Larry Tukis, a retired American soccer goalkeeper
- Patrick Zipfel, an American basketball coach and former college athletics director
- Kylie Kelce
References edit
- ^ a b Snyder, Susan; Brubaker, Harold (October 28, 2022). "With a mounting deficit, Cabrini University eliminates academic leadership positions, including the provost". Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Cabrini Cavaliers - Cabrini Cavaliers Athletic Highlights". Cabriniathletics.com. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
- ^ "Villanova to acquire lagging Cabrini University in merger of 2 Catholic schools - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ "Closing of Cabrini University sends shockwaves through community - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. June 27, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ Moody, Josh. "Cabrini University Will Close". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ . CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on September 14, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2012. Note: This includes Martha W. Dale and Beverlee Burnes (August 2008). (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 10, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
- ^ a b c . Cabrini College. April 27, 2007. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ Andriotis, Annamaria (February 12, 2012). "6 Colleges Cutting Tuition". SmartMoney. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ . Cabrini College. October 25, 2014. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ "Cabrini College to become a university". Philly.com. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ Albright, Amanda (June 26, 2023). "Villanova to Take Over Campus of Struggling College Next Door". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "40+ Undergraduate Majors - Cabrini University". www.cabrini.edu.
- ^ "Cabrini University Overview". www.collegefactual.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ "Faculty Composition for Cabrini University". www.collegefactual.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ a b . Cabrini College. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ . Cabrini College. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ "Rankings". www.usnews.com. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ . WYBF-FM. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ "The Official Website of the Cabrini University Cavaliers". www.cabriniathletics.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Cabrini College - General - Cabrini University Recreation". cabrinirec.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Cabrini Announces Formation of Atlantic East Conference". Retrieved May 4, 2018.
External links edit
- Official website
- Official athletics website