Michael Brooks
Georgetown University, founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll, is the oldest Catholic university in the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it is the oldest university in the city and the first federally chartered university in the nation. Georgetown has a rich history, with notable alumni including President Bill Clinton, several Supreme Court justices, and heads of state of over a dozen countries. The university has played a significant role in American history, with its buildings serving as a temporary hospital during the Civil War and housing troops defending the national capital from a potential Confederate attack. Today, Georgetown is a major international research university with nine schools, an affiliated hospital, and highly ranked academic programs, offering a wide range of degree programs to a diverse student body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Georgetown University |
| Location | Georgetown, Washington, D.C., United States |
| Year founded | 1789 |
| Founder | Bishop John Carroll |
| Number of students | 22,000+ |
| Number of schools | 11 |
| Notable alumni | President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, NBA player Patrick Ewing, etc. |
| Athletics | Nicknamed the Hoyas; have a men's basketball team |
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What You'll Learn
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher learning in the United States. It was founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll, who secured a deed for one acre of land on a hilltop in the village of Georgetown, which is now part of Washington, D.C. Carroll was appointed the first head of the Catholic Church in the United States in 1789 and began planning for a new university as early as 1783. Georgetown's congressional charter was signed into law by President James Madison on March 1, 1815, creating the first federal university charter. The university was nearly closed by the Civil War (1861-1865), during which more than 1,000 students and alumni enlisted and several campus buildings were turned into temporary hospitals.
Instruction at Georgetown University began in 1792, with attendance growing to more than 40 students in the first year, some travelling from as far away as the West Indies. The school awarded its first two bachelor's degrees in 1817. By the 1870s, under the leadership of Patrick Francis Healy, the first person of African descent to head a predominantly white American university, Georgetown University underwent significant reforms and expansions. Healy is credited with restructuring the undergraduate curriculum, lengthening the medical and law programs, and creating the Alumni Association. He also oversaw the construction of a major new building, subsequently named Healy Hall in his honour.
Today, Georgetown University is a major international research university with nine schools, an affiliated hospital, and many highly ranked academic programs. The university has more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students taking classes at five locations: Main Campus, Medical Centre, Law Centre, School of Continuing Studies, and the Georgetown Qatar campus. The university offers degree programs in 48 disciplines, enrolling an average of 7,500 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students from over 135 countries. Georgetown's athletic teams are nicknamed the Hoyas and include a men's basketball team, which is a member of the Big East Conference.
Georgetown University has produced several notable alumni, including President Bill Clinton, several Supreme Court justices, National Basketball Association player and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Patrick Ewing Sr., and actor Bradley Cooper.
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Mount St. Mary's University, Maryland
Mount St. Mary's University is a private Catholic university located in the Catoctin Mountains near Emmitsburg, Maryland. Founded by French émigré John DuBois, a French-born Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of New York from 1826 until his death in 1842, it is the oldest Catholic university in America.
In 1805, DuBois purchased land near Emmitsburg, Maryland, on a mountain that Catholic colonists had named "St. Mary's Mountain." He laid the cornerstone for Saint-Mary's-on-the-Hill Church, which was completed in 1807. DuBois first established a boarding school for children. Then, in 1808, when the Society of St. Sulpice closed its preparatory seminary in Pennsylvania, all the seminarians were transferred to Emmitsburg, marking the beginnings of Mount St. Mary's University.
The university has a rich history and has evolved over the years. Mount St. Mary's obtained its first charter as a university in 1830. Until the early 1900s, it continued to function as a boarding school as well. Some remnants of the boarding school, such as Bradley Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus, still stand today. The university was previously known as Mount Saint Mary's College and Seminary until 2004 when it was renamed Mount Saint Mary's University.
Mount St. Mary's University offers a comprehensive range of academic programs. "The Mount" provides over 40 undergraduate majors, minors, concentrations, and special programs. It also offers bachelor's/master's combinations in partnership with other universities, 8 master's programs, and 6 postgraduate certificate programs. The university is committed to providing a well-rounded education and empowering its students to succeed. It offers various support services, including a Career Center that assists students from the moment they arrive on campus throughout their careers after graduation.
The university has a proud tradition of excellence in sports and has achieved notable success in Division I athletics. It also has a diverse student body, with students from 33 states and 13 foreign countries, and a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, allowing for personalized attention. The university's main campus in Emmitsburg is complemented by a satellite campus for adult students in Frederick, Maryland's second-largest city.
Mount St. Mary's University has a strong alumni network, and its graduates have gone on to make an impact in various fields, including business, medicine, and nonprofits. With a proud history, a focus on academic excellence, and a dedication to empowering its students, Mount St. Mary's University has established itself as a leading Catholic institution in the United States.
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Saint Louis University, Missouri
Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private Jesuit research university in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, it is one of the oldest Jesuit universities in the United States. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has been providing students with a rigorous, excellent Catholic education for over 200 years.
SLU offers a truly personalized experience with nearly 100 undergraduate and 140 graduate programs, as well as many minors, concentrations, and certificates. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Spending and Doctorate Production". In the 2023–2024 academic year, SLU had an enrollment of 15,204 students, including 8,502 undergraduate and 6,702 graduate students, representing all 50 states and 96 countries.
The first building on campus, DuBourg Hall, began construction in 1888, and the college officially moved to its new location in 1889. The university has maintained a campus in Madrid, Spain, for over 50 years. The Madrid campus was the first freestanding campus operated by an American university in Europe and the first American institution recognized by Spain's higher education authority.
SLU has a rich history and has played a significant role in the development of education and Catholicism in the West. It was the first institution of higher learning west of the Mississippi River, offering the first graduate programs, medical school, and school of law in the region. In 1944, it became the first university in Missouri to establish an official policy admitting African-American students. Additionally, SLU was one of the first Catholic universities to give laypeople more power over the affairs of the school, with the board shifting to an 18 to 10 majority of laypeople in 1967.
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Saint Mother Theodore Guerin founded Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Indiana
Georgetown University in Washington, DC, is the oldest Catholic university in the United States. It was founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll as a school for students of "every religious profession". Georgetown is also the nation's first federally chartered university.
In Indiana, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has been operating since Saint Mother Theodore Guerin founded it in 1840. The college was established to provide Catholic education for women in the state. Mother Theodore Guerin was a nun and educator who travelled from France to the United States to establish the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, a religious congregation dedicated to educating young women.
Mother Theodore Guerin's vision for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College was shaped by her own experiences as a teacher and leader in the Catholic Church. She believed that education was a powerful tool for empowering women and promoting social change. The college offered a holistic curriculum that included traditional academic subjects as well as practical skills such as agriculture and domestic arts.
The establishment of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College faced several challenges, including financial difficulties and opposition from those who disagreed with the idea of women's education. However, Mother Theodore Guerin's determination and strong leadership helped the college persevere and grow. She was known for her unwavering commitment to her students and her ability to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Today, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College continues to thrive as a liberal arts college, offering a range of academic programmes and extracurricular activities. The college has a strong focus on community engagement and social responsibility, reflecting Mother Theodore Guerin's legacy of service and dedication to empowering women through education. The college also holds a rich history and has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Catholic education in the United States.
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Sacred Heart University, Connecticut
Sacred Heart University (SHU) is a private, Roman Catholic university in Fairfield, Connecticut, founded in 1963 by Bishop Walter W. Curtis of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The university is the second-largest Catholic university in New England, behind Boston College, and offers a wide range of academic programs to a diverse student body.
SHU provides over 80 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs to more than 8,500 students, with a student-faculty ratio of 16:1. The university is committed to experiential learning and encourages students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings through internships, clinical placements, and independent study opportunities. SHU also boasts a strong athletic program, with nearly 800 students participating in 33 athletic teams and over 500 students involved in 23 Club Sports.
The main campus is located in suburban Fairfield, Connecticut, just 50 miles (80 km) northeast of New York City. In recent years, the university has expanded its campus by purchasing additional land and constructing new academic buildings, dormitories, and a hockey rink. The campus also features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern learning labs and classrooms, as well as the Linda E. McMahon Student Commons, which houses dining facilities, lounge spaces, and a bookstore.
SHU has been recognized for its academic excellence, ranking #231 in National Universities according to U.S. News & World Report. The university is also home to several notable alumni and faculty members, including former American ambassador and Diplomat Thomas Patrick Melady, who served as president of the university from 1976 to 1986. SHU continues to shape higher education in the 21st century, offering a blend of traditional liberal arts education and innovative, forward-thinking curricula.
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Frequently asked questions
Georgetown University, founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll, is the oldest Catholic university in America.
Georgetown University is located in Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University was founded by Bishop John Carroll, who was appointed the first head of the Catholic Church in the United States.
Mount St. Mary’s University, founded in 1808 in Emmitsburg, Maryland, is the second-oldest Catholic college in America.
