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St. Lawrence University

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St. Lawrence University
Crest of St. Lawrence University
MottoFides et Veritas
TypePrivate
Established1856
PresidentDaniel F. Sullivan '65
Academic staff
167 full-time, 23 part-time
Undergraduatesapprox. 2,100
Postgraduates133
Location
Canton
,
NY
,
USA
CampusRural
ColorsScarlet and Brown
MascotSaints
Websitewww.stlawu.edu

St. Lawrence University is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Village of Canton in Saint Lawrence County, New York. Founded in 1856, it is the oldest coeducational university in the state of New York. It has about 2000 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female. There are also students representing US minorities and more than 32 countries.

History

Bob Dylan performing at St. Lawrence University in November 1963

Though St. Lawrence today is non-denominational, it was founded in 1856 by leaders of the Universalist Church, who were seeking to establish a seminary somewhere west of New England and were enthusiastically courted by the citizens of Canton. The church almost did not place the school in Canton, however; as they felt that students may be exposed to too much "excitement" within the village limits in 1856. The denomination, which has since merged with the Unitarian faith, was part of the liberal wing of Protestantism, championing such ideas as critical thinking and gender equality—attributes that surfaced in the new seminary, which was progressive in its teaching philosophy and coeducational from the beginning.

The University as it exists today was created as a "Preparatory Department" to provide a foundation for theological study. That department became today's liberal arts University, while the seminary closed in 1965 with the Unitarian/Universalist consolidation.

Early in the 20th century, the University's graduate program in education came into being; it has since served hundreds of North Country school teachers and administrators. Following a difficult period during the Great Depression and World War II, the student body increased quickly, and with it the physical plant. A four-building campus serving around 300 students in the early 1940s became a 30-building campus serving 2000 students within 25 years, partly through acquisition of the adjacent state school of agriculture campus when that facility relocated across town. The mid-60s also saw the birth of one of St. Lawrence's nationally known programs: its international programs.

The University has embarked upon another facilities upgrade program that aims to take advantage of the electronic revolution in higher education, as well as a curriculum reform to tailor its educational programs to the demands of the next millennium. The campus Student Center (which has not yet been named), was completed in the Spring of 2004 and serves as the school's hub at the center of campus. The Johnson Hall of Science on schedule to open in the Fall of 2007, and will expand learning and lab space in several science disciplines, notably Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Psychology. The Noble Center, formerly used as a student center, is now undergoing major renovations to douible the space available for the arts. A new Center for Arts Technology opens January 2007.

Academics

In total there are 35 majors available and 36 minors. St. Lawrence has 3+2 engineering programs run jointly with seven other colleges, and a 4+1 MBA at Clarkson University.

The following departmental majors are available: Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, French, Geology, German, Global Studies, Government, History, Neuroscience, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish, and Speech & Theatre. Combined majors are available with the following: African Studies, Asian Studies, and Canadian Studies. The following interdisciplinary majors are offered: Mathematics/Computer Science, Biology/Physics, Economics/Mathematics, Geology/Physics. An Environmental Studies major can be combined with any of the following majors: Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Geology, Government, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology. Self-designed and double majors are also available.

Minors are offered in the following subjects: African Studies, Anthropology, Applied Statistics, Asian Studies, Biology, Canadian Studies, Caribbean & Latin American Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Education, English, European Studies, Film Studies, Fine Arts, French, Gender Studies, Geology, German, Global Studies, Government, History, Mathematics, Music, Native American Studies, Outdoor Studies, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish, Speech and Theatre, Sports Studies & Exercise Science, and US Cultural & Ethnic Studies. Self-designed minors, and double minors are availble.

St. Lawrence offers an extensive Study Abroad program that nearly half the student body takes part in. Abroad programs operate in Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Spain and Trinidad.

Activities

St. Lawrence hosts more than 100 student activities groups. St. Lawrence is home to the second oldest collegiate Outting Club in the nation. The club annually sends students to climb the top peaks of the Adirondacks during "Peak Weekend". St. Lawrence's former WCAD was among the first college radio stations in the United States, and continues today as KSLU.

Established in 1993 as a student-run coffeehouse, the Java Barn is a well-known venue among touring bands on the East Coast. However, due to noise complaints from neighbors, the music venue will no longer be held in its usual location, but instead within the building that formerly housed the University's health center.

The Greek System now consists of four sororities and three fraternities chapters, with one currently under suspension until 2008. In 1997 the school had five sororities and seven fraternities. The current state of Greek participation levels are substantially lower than in past years, due in part to liability issues and school administration and national chapter concerns over various alcohol and other code violations.

Fraternities

Sororities

  • Delta Delta Delta
  • Chi Omega
  • Kappa Delta Sigma
  • Kappa Kappa Gamma

Athletics

The University is a member of the Liberty League Athletic Conference, and has ECACHL Division I Hockey Teams. The Men's team has twice played for Division I national championships (1961, 1988), while the women were runners up in 2001 and finished 3rd in 2004. The Men's soccer program went undefeated at 22-0 to capture the 1999 Division III soccer championship, and the women's basketball narrowly were defeated in the 2002 NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship.

The campus

The 1,000 acre (4 km²) campus is located on the south side of the Village of Canton. The main developed area consists on only 20% of the total campus area, and is centered along Park Street. Most of this area is a "walking campus" that is off-limits to motorized vehicles. Parking lots are locared on the edge of campus and cross campus traffic is limited to Park Street (north-south) and Romoda Drive and University Avenue (east-west). Roads such as Park Street, Hillside Avenue, College Street, Lincoln Street, and Maple Street connect the school to downtown Canton and main roads such as US Route 11, NY Route 68, NY Route 310, and County Route 27. The University maintains 30 academic residential, sports and other buildings.

CAMPUS BUILDINGS

Student Center Opened in January of 2004, the new student center is home to the offices for the Department of Student Life, the Career Services offices, Campus Mail Room, Northstar Pub / Jack's Snack Shop, Student Financial Services, and several student club offices. Also here are a game area, lounge, and the Winston Room (a multi-purpose venue for movies, guest speakers, and other events.)

Owen D. Young Library Built in 1959, expanded in 1980, and renovated in 1999-2000, this is the main campus library. Features include the Munn Writing Center, the "treehouse" study areas, two public computer labs, and a 24-hour study room. Is a member of the ConnectNY interlibrary loan system.

Gunnison Chapel The stone chapel, from whose bell-tower the University bells ring every day at 5pm, was constructed in 1926. It is the site of many religious and spiritual services, and formal assemblies.

Richardson Hall The oldest building on campus, constructed in 1856 when the University was Chartered. It is home to the English Department and the Religious Studies Department. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Herring-Cole Hall The University's original library, this building was built in 1870, and expanded in 1903. Since being replaced as library by ODY Library, this building is now used primarily as a study area and reading room. It is also home to the University Archives, and is the site of some smaller formal ceremonies and guest lectures.

Hepburn Hall Originally built as a science building in 1926, the keynote speaker at it's dedication was Marie Curie. Today, it is home to the departments of Government and Economics. It is also home to an auditorium.

Carnegie Hall Constructed in 1906 with funds from Andrew Carnegie, this building is the home of the International Studies Program, and the Department of Modern Languages.

Atwood Hall Built in 1954, Atwood Hall is home to the Education Department and the University's graduate programs.

Vilas Hall The University's main administration building, built in 1965.

Augsbury Physical Education Complex, Newell Field House and Stafford Fitness Center along with outdoor facilities, comprise one of the best collegiate athletic venues in the nation. All facilities have been built or renovated since 1998.

Appleton Arena is a 3,000-seat multi-purpose arena. It is home to the St. Lawrence University Saints ice hockey team. It was named for Judge Charles W. Appleton, class of 1897, the main benefactor of the arena. It opened January 20, 1951, and was remodeled in the late 1970s and early 1980s to its current configuration

Notable alumni

The University has a number of notable graduates including:

Actors and actresses

Athletes

  • Gregory J. Carvel (1993): an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL.
  • David T. Jennings (1974), All-Pro punter for the New York Giants of the National Football League, now a radio announcer for the New York Jets.
  • Mike Keenan, current GM for the Florida Panthers, managed the 1994 Stanley Cup winning New York Rangers.
  • Jacques Martin, coach of the Panthers. Also an assistant coach of the Gold-Medal winning Canadian men’s hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics
  • “Prince Hal” Schumacher (1933): He signed as a pitcher with the New York Giants while still a student, and enjoyed a long and stellar career with them.
  • Bill Torrey.
  • Gina Kingsbury (2004) won an Olympic Gold medal with Team Canada in Women's Ice Hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Businessmen

  • James W. “Jay” Ireland (1977), President of NBC Universal Television Stations
  • Owen D. Young, Headed General Electric (GE), founded the Radio Corporation of America (RCA)
  • Jeffrey H. Boyd (1978): President and chief executive officer of Priceline.com
  • Holton D. Robinson (1886): Born in Massena, he invented stronger suspension bridge cable, and built such famous spans as the Manhattan Bridge, the San Francisco Bay Bridge,

Musicians

  • J.K. Gannon '24, wrote "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and the school's alma mater[1].
  • Grace Potter, Lead singer of the popular band, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals[2]

Politicians

  • Susan Collins, current United States senator of Maine
  • Richard E. Hecklinger (1965): Former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, current U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
  • Peter Michael Pitfield, Canadian politician. Held several prominent positions in Canadian national government, including Senator, Clerk of the Privy Council (considered second in importance to the Prime Minister) and Secretary to the Cabinet
  • Owen D. Young American industrialist, businessman, lawyer and diplomat at the Second Reparations Conference in 1929.
  • [Ronald Stafford]] New York State senator; Stafford Fitness Center is named after him.

Scientists

  • Albert P. Crary, pioneer polar geophysicist and glaciologist and the first person to set foot on both the North and South Poles. The Crary Mountains (76 degrees 48' S, 117 degrees 40' W) and the Crary Ice Rise in the Antarctic are named for him.

Writers

  • Irving Bacheller, pioneered the idea of newspaper syndication and wrote the first best-seller of the 20th century, Eben Holden, based on his memories of growing up in the Canton/Pierrepont vicinity.
  • Lorrie Moore.
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