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University of San Diego

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The University of San Diego, frequently referred to as USD, is a Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. The university consists of six schools, namely: the School of Business Administration, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the School of Law, the School of Nursing & Health Science, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies (currently under development).

Contents

History

Immaculata Parish Church at USD showing the architectural style of the campus.
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Immaculata Parish Church at USD showing the architectural style of the campus.

Chartered in 1949, the University opened its doors to its first class of students in 1952 as the San Diego College for Women. Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy, then bishop of the Diocese of San Diego and Rev. Mother Rosalie Hill, RSCJ superior vicar of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, chartered the institution from resources drawn from their respective organizations on a stretch of land known as "Alcalá Park," named for San Diego de Alcalá. In 1954, a separate school for men, then known as San Diego University was chartered on the same campus. For nearly two decades, both schools co-existed on Alcalá Park, but merged in 1972 to form the University of San Diego. Since then, the University has grown quickly and dramatically increased its assets and academic programs with the financial capital coming primarily from the student body. The community, including local patrons and businesses, has also been integral to the University's success.

Arguably, the most dramatic growth since the 1972 merger has occurred in the past decade. In 1998, Joan B. Kroc, philanthropist and wife of McDonald's financier Ray Kroc, and a strong advocate for World Peace, endowed USD with a gift of $25 million for the construction of the Institute for Peace & Justice. USD further benefited from the general trend of yearly, unprecedented tuition increases among private Universities, as well as multi-million dollar gifts from weight-loss tycoon Jenny Craig, inventor Donald Shiley, investment banker and alumnus Bert Degheri, and an addition $50 million Mrs. Kroc left the IPJ upon her passing. These gifts made possible, respectively, the Jenny Craig Pavilion (an athletic arena), the Donald P. Shiley Institute for Science and Technology, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, and the Degheri Alumni Center. Consequently, USD has been in the media spotlight hosting the West Coast Conference (WCC) basketball tournament in 2002 and 2003, and has been able to host prestigious functions such as the Kyoto Laureate Symposium at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice. Shiley's gift has provided the University with some of the most state-of-the-art teaching laboratories in Southern California. In 2005 the university broke ground on an expansion of the Colachis Plaza from the Immaculata parish along Marian Way to the east end of Bishop Leo T. Maher Hall, which effectively closes the east end of the campus to traffic. Also in 2005, the student body approved plans for a renovation and expansion of the Hahn University Center made possible by a $30 million gift from an anonymous alum.

Environment and location

The Alcalá Park campus sits atop the edge of a mesa overlooking San Diego, California. The school's founder believed that studying in beautiful surroundings could improve one's educational experience. The university's buildings are designed in the Spanish Renaissance architecture style, paying homage to San Diego's Spanish Catholic heritage. Many students and faculty choose to live on campus and immerse themselves in the university's architectural beauty and idyllic setting.

The University of San Diego is located approximately two miles north of downtown San Diego, on the north crest of Mission Valley in the community of Linda Vista. From Alcalá Park the San Diego communities of Mission Hills, Old Town San Diego, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Bay Park, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach can be seen. Also, incredible vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Mission Bay, San Diego Harbor, the Coronado Islands, and La Jolla are also prominent throughout the campus.

Administration

Though a Catholic University, the school is no longer governed directly by the Diocese or any religious order. Today, a secular board of trustees oversees the University's operations. The Bishop of San Diego, currently Most Rev. Robert H. Brom, is a permanent member of the board of trustees.

Academics

The University of San Diego offers more that 60 degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. USD is divided into six schools and colleges. The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law are the oldest academic divisions at USD; when it is opened the Kroc School of Peace Studies will be the university's newest school. USD offers a honors program at the undergraduate level, with approximately 300 students enrolled annually.

Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious academic honor society in the United States. The university is also a member of Mortar Board national honors society for college seniors, and participates with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in recognizing the superior academic achievements of first and second year students. Fulbright, Truman, Goldwater and Strauss finalists and scholars have earned their undergraduate degrees at USD.

Law

The School of Law is a member of the Order of the Coif, an honor society of that includes 80 of the top 190 ABA-accredited law schools. Legal educators ranked USD law 22nd in the nation in a 2003-04 survey. In San Diego, one out of every four practicing lawyers graduated from USD law.

Nursing and Health Science

The Philip Y. Hahn School of Nursing & Health Science is among the top ten percent of graduate-level nursing programs according to the U.S. News & World Report. USD Nursing was the first Ph.D. nursing program in California, and today is one of only

Leadership and Education Sciences

The School of Leadership & Education Sciences established the first American doctoral program in leadership over 25 years ago. The school was acknowledged by the state of California as an "early adopter" of the 2042 teaching standards.

Business administration

The School of Business Administration is one of only a handful of schools with AACSB business program accreditation and ABET engineering degree accreditation. The School is also home to the Ahlers Center for International Business, one of the few private endowments for international business in the world.

Peace Studies

The Kroc School of Peace Studies is currently underdevelopment. The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice was established thanks to Mrs. Kroc's gift of $75 million in-all "to not only teach peace, but make peace". The first master’s level graduate students enter the Kroc Institute in 2002.

Athletics

right USD athletes compete in the West Coast Conference at the Division I level of the NCAA. The football program does not offer scholarships, and competes at Division I-AA in the Pioneer Football League. The women's softball program competes in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference, and in 2004-05 the women's swimming and diving teams began to compete in the Western Athletic Conference. USD athletes and teams are known as the Toreros, which is Spanish for "Bullfighters". Team uniforms and jerseys are in university's colors: navy blue, columbia blue, and white. Facilities include the Jenny Craig Pavilion, McNamara Fitness Room, Varsity Weight Room, Erg Rowing Room, Sports Center Gym and Pool, East and West Tennis Courts, Torero Stadium, Cunningham Baseball Stadium, Torero Softball Complex, USD Mission Bay Boathouse and two IM fields. The student spirit club is referred to as The Bull Pit.

Notable alumni

Greek life

The University Of San Diego has been host to many Greek organizations. A small percentage of the undergraduate male student body and a larger percentage of the female student body are active in Greek life. In 2000, nearly a quarter of the undergraduate student body belonged to a fraternity, sorority, or coeducational Greek house. First semester students are not allowed to join Greek organizations. The [Interfraternal Council], [Panhellenic Council] and [greek system] have their own websites that explain policies and much more in detail.

right Fraternities and sororities that have been chartered at the University of San Diego:

Sororities

Fraternities

Other

External links

References

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