Entrance to Walsh University's Westgate
Walsh University is a private non-profit, 4-year,
Roman Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio, USA. In
2014, there were approximately 2,864 students.
It was founded in 1960 by the Brothers of Christian
Instruction,[2]
initially as a liberal arts college. Walsh College
became Walsh University in 1993. The University offers more than 50
majors, and five graduate programs including a Doctorate of
Physical Therapy. Walsh has satellite campuses in Medina, Canfield, Springfield
Township, and its newest campus in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. It is endorsed by
The Newman
Guide to Choosing a Catholic College.
History
The school's namesake is Bishop Emmett Michael Walsh of the Roman Catholic Diocese
of Youngstown.[2]
Walsh University was first founded as LaMennais College in
Alfred, Maine in 1951 by the Brothers of Christian
Instruction on an idea by Ferdinand Waldo Demara,[3]
who was then posing as a monk, to educate young men as brothers and
teachers. LaMennais College continued in Alfred, Maine from 1951
until 1959. Because of a chance 1957 conversation between Brother
Francoeur of La Mennais College and Monsignor William Hughes of
Youngstown, Ohio about the Brothers' wish to
move LaMennais College from Alfred, Maine, Bishop Walsh invited the
Brothers to choose Canton, Ohio as the new location. Bishop
Walsh donated $350,000 to the Walsh College project.[4]
In 1959 the present location of Walsh University began as 50 acres
(20 ha) of farm land on which two buildings were constructed,
College Hall (Farrell Hall) and LaMennais Hall which continues to
house the Brothers and international priest-students.[4]
Throughout the school's history, the Brothers have played an
active role, serving as faculty during the original years and
playing a part in the growth and development of facilities and
programs. Several have served as President.[5]
On July 12, 2010, Walsh University was notified that it had been
approved for the Division II membership process in the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The move to the NCAA
was a multiple-year process that included a two-year candidacy
period followed by a one-year provisional season, in which the
Cavaliers were not allowed to advance into NCAA postseason
play.[6]
Following the successful transition, the university became a full
member of the NCAA DII in 2013.[7]
Walsh was previously competed in the National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a member of
the American Mideast Conference,
while its football team competed in the Mid-States Football
Association.
Campus
The university campus is made up of 22 buildings on a 136-acre
(55 ha) campus. The Walsh University Peace Pole has had visitors including Willy Brandt, Coretta Scott King, Mother Teresa, and Elie
Wiesel who came to Walsh University to advocate for
peace.[8]
Organization and
administration
Walsh's current president is Richard Jusseaume ('67).
Academic
profile
Walsh University offers the following graduate degrees:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy
(DPT); Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP); Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed);
Master of Business
Administration (M.B.A.); Master of Arts in Counseling and Human
Development; and a Master of Arts in Theology. In addition, Walsh
offers three post-bacalaureatee programs: Certificate in Healthcare
Management; Grade 4/5 Endorsement; and a LEAD Teaching
Licensure.[clarification
needed]
The university offers 60 majors, five graduate programs, and
accelerated degrees for working adults, including an RN-BSN program
for registered nurses with an associate degree, or another type of
diploma, who want to earn a bachelor's degree.Undergraduate degrees
offered include: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.); Bachelor of Science (B.S.); Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S. in Ed.);
Bachelor of Science in
Nursing (B.S.N.); Associate of Arts
(A.A.); and Associate of Science in Computer Science
(A.S.C.S.).[citation
needed]
About one-third to one half of the student body live on campus
in one of nine residence halls.[citation
needed]
While both are Catholic educational institutions of the same
name and close location, Walsh is unaffiliated with (and sometimes
confused with) nearby Walsh Jesuit High School in
Cuyahoga
Falls.[citation
needed]
Walsh University is the owner of North Canton's Hoover Park,
which was formerly owned by the Hoover Company.[9]
The Hoover Historical Center is located there.
Accreditation
Graduate
School
Walsh University offers graduate programs in Counseling,
Education, Business, and Theology; a clinical doctorate in Physical
Therapy; and an online Doctorate of Nursing Practice. As a graduate
student at Walsh University, students pursue the mastery of a
subject and the understanding of its relationship to kindred
subjects as the form and substance of graduate work. The programs
seek further to impart special skills in research, sharpened powers
of independent thought and delivery of professional
services.[citation
needed]
Several of the graduate programs are offered in accelerated
format so that working adults may pursue their degrees at their
preferred pace.[10]
Walsh offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy
program. It is a three-year post-baccalaureate degree.[citation
needed]
Study
abroad programs
Walsh University has four regular study abroad programs led by
Walsh faculty:[11]
Students may study and visit Rome's cultural and current
locales.[citation
needed]
Rome Summer - students explore the city's history, art, and
culture, with an added focus on communication and
theology.[citation
needed]
Uganda Experience - Using a sociological lens,
students examine Ugandan history, traditions, social institutions,
and present challenges for development in this service and
reflection-oriented immersion experience.[citation
needed]
Tanzania - Students and faculty in this program explore the
state of healthcare and nursing education in Tanzania while working
alongside Tanzanian nurses and nursing students in this practical,
cross-cultural experience. In addition to visiting hospitals and
clinics, the group explores life in town of Moshi, and the hills of
Mt.
Kilimanjaro.[citation
needed]
In addition, Walsh University has run faculty-led programs to El
Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Israel, England, France,
Spain and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Further, Walsh has cooperative
agreements with agencies such as CCSA and CAPA, allowing Walsh
students to experience studies and/or internships
abroad.[citation
needed]
Athletics
Walsh competes in the National
Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level as a
member of the Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.[citation
needed]
The mascot is the "Cavaliers." School colors are maroon and
gold.[citation
needed]
Champtionships include:
- The men's basketball team won the 2005 NAIA
National Championship.[12]
- The women's basketball team won the 1998 NAIA National
Championship.[citation
needed]
- The men's baseball team advanced to the 2007 NAIA World Series
for the first time in school history.[citation
needed]
The university's football team play their home games at
Tom Benson Hall of Fame
Stadium in Canton, Ohio.[citation
needed]
Notable
people
Alumni
Faculty
- Bob
Huggins, basketball coach at Walsh from 1980-1983. He led the
Cavaliers to a perfect 30-0 regular season. (They finished 34-1
overall).[17][18]