We are ... Mercyhurst University
It’s official. Mercyhurst College is now Mercyhurst University.
In announcing what is largely considered the biggest change impacting the institution since going co-ed in 1969, Mercyhurst University stands at the threshold of a new era.
Embracing the moment with pride and anticipation, Mercyhurst University President Tom Gamble noted that: “Over the last couple of years we have been talking about a birth at Mercyhurst College, the birth of a diverse and vibrant Catholic University in the Mercy spirit. Yesterday, the signature of the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education made it official. We are Mercyhurst University.”
After more than a year of navigating the application process, Mercyhurst received word from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) of its favorable decision Jan. 23. Today the college assumes its new name and unveils its new look in the form of the Mercyhurst University logo.
The logo, done in the traditional colors of blue, green, black and white, incorporates the college shield; the Mercy Cross, which symbolizes the founding Sisters of Mercy; and the Carpe Diem motto and date of founding.
Changing from a college to a university is an ongoing process with hundreds of little details, from stationery to signage, to be addressed in the months ahead. This May’s commencement marks the official kickoff of what Mercyhurst is calling “The Year of the University.” Mercyhurst will launch a new website, christen a new academic building, unveil a history of Mercyhurst, and engage the community in its yearlong celebration of this historic event, details of which will be forthcoming.
While the change from a college to a university marks an important milestone in Mercyhurst’s 86-year history, the transition in status won’t be evident in the overall function of the institution. Many colleges that adopt university status are quick to make programmatic changes. Such is not the case with Mercyhurst, which is already widely recognized as a university in practice.
In general, a college has one emphasis, typically offering four-year baccalaureate degrees, while a university has many. In the past two decades, Mercyhurst has added a number of programs not usually offered by a traditional residential baccalaureate college. It is home to more than 1,000 associate degree students and hundreds more in its adult and graduate programs. It also offers online and off-site graduate certificate programs. That diversified growth has resulted in both the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and U.S.News & World Report moving Mercyhurst from the category of “baccalaureate colleges” to “master’s universities.”
Changes that will become apparent in the days ahead are focused primarily on the college’s structure. Mercyhurst University will incorporate three colleges: the college of baccalaureate studies located on the hill in Erie; the college of associate degrees headquartered in North East but with sites in Girard, Corry and at the Booker T. Washington Center; and the college of graduate studies.
Going forward, Gamble said the traditional baccalaureate enrollment on the Erie campus is not expected to grow in size, but the university looks forward to further enhancing its reputation as a high-quality liberal arts college at the heart of a top-tier Catholic university. Mercyhurst does anticipate expansion in its two-year, graduate, adult and online programs. Thus, taken as a whole, Mercyhurst University aims to become bigger and better.
“While we’ve long known and celebrated who we are, Mercyhurst can now officially tell its students: You are getting the best of both worlds – a university-quality education with the personal attention and flavor of a liberal arts college,” Gamble said.
