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 roughly 2000 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female.

History

Gunnison Memorial Chapel

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 was completed in the Spring of 2004 and serves as the school's hub at the center of campus. The Johnson Hall of Science opened in the Fall of 2007, and expanded learning and lab space in several science disciplines, notably Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Psychology. Johnson Hall received LEED Gold certification for its sustainable design; it's the only Gold science building in New York State. The Noble Center, formerly used as a student center, is now undergoing major renovations to double the space available for the arts. A new Center for Arts Technology opened in January 2007.

Academics

In total there are 36 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, Conservation Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, French, Geology, German, Global Studies, Government, History, Neuroscience, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Performance and Communications Arts, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish. 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, Performance and Communication Arts, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish, Sports Studies & Exercise Science, and US Cultural & Ethnic Studies. Self-designed minors, and double minors are available.

International Studies

St. Lawrence University has a strong commitment to the values of cross-cultural academic opportunities. Off-campus study, whether international or domestic, permits students to expand their academic experience in diverse settings. St. Lawrence offers approved international programs in Australia, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Russia, Spain and Trinidad. In addition, the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) allows students to study at any of 100 universities on six continents. In the U.S., students can study in Washington, D.C., or at Fisk University, a distinguished, historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee. Some of these programs extend over a full year, others a semester. All programs foster cultural immersion, usually through homestays and language study, and where possible through internships or community service.

Libraries

The Owen D. Young Library (ODY) is a spacious research environment offering a multilevel facility of 96,000 square feet, characterized by an abundance of natural light and a variety of seating for individual and group study. A six-million-dollar renovation of the library was recently completed; the renovations prepare ODY for the twenty-first century. It includes more than 500,000 volumes, over 3700,000 government documents, 1986 periodicals, 550,000 microtext units, recipient of 10,000 to 20,000 reports and documents annually and access to over 70 databases through Internet.

In addition to ODY, which houses the college?s major collections in the social sciences and humanities, the J. Harold and Ruth C. Launders Science Library opened in January 1994. Home of the major science and technology collections at St. Lawrence, the Launders Science Library occupies the upper two floors of Madill Hall, and triples the space available for science resources and services.

The library?s wonderful collection of primary scholarly resources may be viewed and used in the beautiful new Frank and Anne Piskor Special Collections Reading Room, located directly across the atrium from the main entrance of ODY. Each semester the special collections staff offer instruction to classes from a variety of academic departments and programs, including fine arts, French, English, history, environmental studies, economics and the outdoor studies program. In addition, the special collections program includes a book arts collection and a laboratory press. Highlights of St. Lawrence?s special collections include the William Rose Benet Collection of American Poetry, the Milburn Collection of Hawthorniana, the Edwin Arlington Robinson Collection, the Frank P. Piskor Collection on Robert Frost. Other special collections include manuscripts devoted to Frederic Remington, the Adirondacks, the St. Lawrence Seaway and other aspects of northern New York history.

Campus Life

Arts and Cultural Offerings

The opportunities described below are augmented by frequent concerts, exhibits, performances and shows provided by outside performers.

Music

The music department supports three vocal and two instrumental ensembles. Laurentian Singers, an undergraduate chorus that tours each spring, University Chorus and the Early Music Singers provide vocal opportunities for St. Lawrence students. Instrumentalists may choose between participation in the Early Music Ensemble and Special Productions. The Early Music Ensemble uses the Emily Romer Collection of medieval and Renaissance instruments to perform music of the 12th through 18th centuries. Each semester the department offers a Special Production, focusing on a particular repertory. Recent productions have included a Latin Dance Party, Music for Louis XIV and Traditional Irish Music. Private instruction is available in voice and on keyboard, guitar, brass, woodwinds and strings. Two informal student-directed a cappella groups, The Saints and The Sinners, are active both on and off campus. A student-directed pep band performs during the hockey season.

Theatre

The Speech and Theatre department stages annual faculty-directed productions in Gulick Theatre, a proscenium theater seating 511. In addition, the flexible 85- to 100-seat Edson Miles Theater (better known as the Black Box) is used for experimental and student productions. Guest artist workshops that address all aspects of theater are offered for interested students. Though some production work is associated with classes, for many productions it is not necessary to be a major, or even currently enrolled in Speech and Theatre classes, to participate.

Art

The University art collection contains nearly 7,000 objects that are frequently displayed in the Richard F. Brush Art Gallery or used for tours and classroom discussions. While the collection dates to the University?s founding, its most vital growth has taken place in recent years. Twentieth-century works on paper, such as photographs, prints, drawings and portfolios, are the strength of the collection. Paintings and sculptures by Frank Stella, George Segal, Louise Nevelson, Isamu Noguchi, Milton Avery and Frederic Remington are among the collection?s highlights.

Activities

Bob Dylan performing at St. Lawrence University in November 1963

Journalism and Communication Organizations

The University provides opportunities for several kinds of experience in journalism and communication:

The Hill News?the campus newspaper.

Gridiron?the annual yearbook.

The Northern Light and The Laurentian periodic literary magazines.

Ujamaa?periodic publication of the Black Student Union.

KSLU?a student-operated cable FM radio station. KSLU was formerly known as WCAD and among the first college radio stations in the United States.

North Country Public Radio a campusbased National Public Radio affiliate, which occasionally offers internships or work experience to students.

Established in 1993 as a student-run coffeehouse, the Java Barn is a well-known venue among touring bands on the East Coast. In 2006 the music venue moved to the former Winning Health Center, where it now maintains a more central location on campus.

The Student Government is also very active on campus. The Thelomathesian Society was founded in 1863 by Vasco P. Abbott who became its first President. The Thelomathesian Society, or Thelmo as it is often called, serves as the governing body of the St. Lawrence University Student Body, and is a forum for students to voice their opinions on issues presented by the Administration, Faculty, and Student Body. Thelmo debates and votes on a wide variety of issues, ranging from University policies to St. Lawrence University Student Activities Funding (SLUSAF) requests for different campus groups and organizations.

Theme Cottages were a popular housing option at St. Lawrence. The Women's Resource Center was organized to raise awareness of gender issues on and off campus. WRC members, or "Dub Girls", are trained as sexual assault advocates and create education programs to promote safe sexual practices. The Pink Triangle theme cottage, established in 2003, is an LGBT resource center. This cottage is works to end discrimination of LGBT students, to combat heterosexism, and to provide safe-space for LGBT and LGBT-questioning students. The Greenhouse is home to many environmentally conscious students. Students in the Greenhouse live in an environmentally responsible manner. The Habitat for Humanity theme cottage houses students that activily work with the local chapter and national office of Habitat for Humanity. The theme cottages often organize campus-wide "theme parties", such as an "80s prom" or an "anything-but-clothes" party.

The Greek System now consists of four sororities and one fraternity chapter, 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 national chapter concerns over various alcohol and code violations.

Fraternities

Current:

• Alpha Tau Omega, 1882-Present. Irving Bacheller is an Alpha Tau Omega alumnus.

Past:

• Beta Theta Pi, 1879-2005 (chapter suspended in 2005 until 2008)
• Phi Kappa Sigma, 1959-2006
• Phi Sigma Kappa, 1902-2004. Daniel Sullivan, current University President, is a Phi Sigma Kappa alumnus.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon, ????-1999
• Sigma Chi, ????-1998
• Sigma Pi, 1931-2002

Sororities

Current:

• Delta Delta Delta, 18?? - present
• Chi Omega, 1981-Present
• Kappa Delta Sigma, 1969-Present
• Kappa Kappa Gamma, 18?? - present

Past:

• Pi Beta Phi, ????-1994
• Alpha Delta Pi, ????-1982

Residential Life

St. Lawrence is a four-year residential university; the residential experience is integral to the educational process. Students are required to live in University residence halls, theme cottages or Greek chapter houses during each semester at the University. Living in residence halls, students gain experience in self-governance, individual and social responsibility and tolerance of different lifestyles and values. The residential program seeks to provide an enriched environment conducive to the personal growth of each student. Each residential area has a residential coordinator (RC) who aids in the development of community. RCs provide supervision, leadership and support for the residents in their units and perform administrative duties pertaining to their buildings. Resident assistants (RA) and college assistants (CA) are undergraduate students who assist RCs.

The First-Year Program (FYP)

All first-year students live in residential colleges of the FYP. These are buildings or wings of buildings where approximately 50 students live together and enroll in a common course. Most of the rooms are doubles. The residential environment and the course reinforce one another to create a broad educational experience. A professional RC and upperclass CAs provide supervision.

Upperclass Residential Program

All upperclass students live in one of three housing options: residence halls, cottages or Greek chapter houses. The majority of upperclass students live in residence halls, where most floors are coeducational. Singles, doubles, triples and quads are available and there are suites in a two-building complex. Room assignments are made on a class year priority. Theme suites and cottages are available for groups with special common interests. Groups must apply in the spring semester for the following year. The International House is available to residents who have studied or plan to study abroad, have interest in international affairs or are foreign students studying at St. Lawrence. The Intercultural House is a living learning center devoted to engaging faculty and students in the study of cultural diversity and the critical practices that are promoted.

The Theme Houses on campus include:

The Hub

The Outing Club

Black Women's Residence

Commons College

Coffee House

Artist Guild

Greenhouse

Habitat for Humanity

Ray Ross

La Casa Latina

Alma Mater

The St. Lawrence Alma Mater is "Alma Mater". The words and music were written by J. K. Gannon class of 1926.

Alma Mater, Old St.Lawrence,

We are singing now of thee,

May thy fair name dwell forever

In our fondest memory.

And when college days are over,

From this Hill we?ve wended down,

We will love thee yet,

We?ll ne?er forget the Scarlet and the Brown.

Hail Alma Mater!

To thee our heads bow down.

We will sing thy praise through the endless days,

To the Scarlet and the Brown.

Athletics

The University is a member of the Liberty League Athletic Conference, and has ECACHL Division I Hockey Teams. The Skating Saints Men's team has twice played for Division I national championships (1961, 1988), while the women were runners up in 2001 and made it to the Frozen Four in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Men's soccer program went undefeated at 22-0 to capture the 1999 Division III soccer championship, and women's basketball narrowly was defeated in the 2002 NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship. The Men's Squash team was the 2007 Summers trophy winner at CSA Nationals. The Men's Swim team won the 1976 D-3 National Championship. The St. Lawrence University Wrestling Team won the Division III NCAA Championship in 1988. The wrestling team was discontinued in 1995. The University sponsors teams for Men's Football and Baseball, Women's Field Hockey, Volleyball and Softball, and Men and Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Crew, Ice Hockey, Riding, Alpine and Nordic Skiing, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis and Track and Field.

Athletic Facilities: Indoor facilities include a field house with an artificial turf infield, track and three tennis courts; two regulation basketball courts; competition swimming and diving pool; six squash courts; fitness center and weight room; climbing wall; ice arena; equestrian arena. Outdoor facilities include competition and practice fields for soccer, softball, baseball, football, lacrosse and field hockey along with a lighted artificial turf field; six lighted tennis courts; lighted all weather track and lighted football/track stadium; 18-hole championship golf course and a boathouse on the St. Lawrence River in Waddington. Recreation facilities include jogging/walking trail, cross country/mountain bike trails, intramural fields, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.

The campus

Sykes upperclassmen residence hall

CAMPUS BUILDINGS

Student Center Opened in January 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. Its larger stained glass windows depict scenes and academic majors at St. Lawrence, and the smaller, head-height, windows depict historical figures who have influenced the university and world in some way, including Emily Dickinson and Gandhi. The largest of all stained glass windows is in the rear of the chapel, over the entrance and reads a famous quote from one of the school's founders: "We have lit a candle in the wilderness that will never be extinguished."

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.

Piskor Hall Originally owned by SUNY Canton, the St. Lawrence obtained this building in the 1980s. It too is listed on the National Reigster of History Places and is named after Frank P. Piskor, one of St. Lawrence's most beloved Presidents. This building is currently home to the History, Philosophy, Anthropology and Sociology Departments.

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 the site of some smaller formal ceremonies and guest lectures.

Hepburn Hall Originally built as a science building in 1926, the keynote speaker at its 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.

The Johnson Hall of Science

Johnson Hall of Science is open fall 2007 and features sustainable design for biology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience and psychology study. A LEED Gold certified building, Johnson is Phase I of a multiple phase construction/upgrade project of the entire science facilities. Johnson Hall is named for its primary benefactor, Trustee Sarah Johnson Redlich'82.

Notable alumni

The University has a number of notable graduates including:

Acting

• Kirk Douglas, most famous role was the lead in Spartacus. Nominated for three Academy Awards, for his roles in Champion, The Bad and the Beautiful and Lust for Life. Father of Michael Douglas.
• Martha MacCallum, anchor with FOX News Channel. Hosts "The Live Desk with Martha MacCallum."
• Viggo Mortensen, appeared in several films, most notably The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and A History of Violence.

Athletics

• Gregory J. Carvel (1993): an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL.
• Dave Jennings (1974), All-Pro punter for the New York Giants of the National Football League, now a radio analyst for the Giants.
• Mike Keenan, current coach of the Calgary Flames and former GM for the Florida Panthers, coached the 1994 Stanley Cup winning New York Rangers.
• Jacques Martin, coach of the Florida Panthers. Also an assistant coach of the Gold-Medal winning Canadian men's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics
• Ron Mason (1962), coach and athletic director at Michigan State University, winningest coach in college hockey history, including 1986 NCAA championship.
• ?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.
• Gina Kingsbury (2004) won an Olympic Gold medal with Team Canada in Women's Ice Hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
• Rich Peverley professional ice hockey play for the Nashville Predators.
• Ray Shero (1984) is the current GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.
• Brian McFarlane (1955), Canadian television sportscaster and writer.
• Bill Torrey (1957), Member of Hockey Hall of Fame (1995), legendary New York Islanders GM (1972-1992, won 4 Stanley Cups). Also President of the Florida Panthers in the 1990's.
• Mike Barnett, Former NHL player agent (represented Wayne Gretzky), Former GM of the Phoenix Coyotes (2002-2007).
• Greg Sutton (soccer) (1999), Current goalkeeper for Toronto FC and Canadian national soccer team.
• Gary Croteau (1968) NHL Left Wing from 1969-1980 primarily with California Golden Seals and Colorado Rockies
• Jamie Baker (1989) Scored 150 points (71 goals, 79 assists) in 404 career NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques, San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. Currently a radio color commentator for the San Jose Sharks.
• Dan Rusanowsky (1983) Radio play-by-play announcer with the NHL's San Jose Sharks (1991-present)
• Emmett Davis (1981), head men's basketball coach at Colgate University
• Don Vaughan (1984), head men's hockey coach at Colgate University
• Catherine Day Phillips - Thoroughbred racehorse trainer

Business

• James W. ?Jay? Ireland (1977), President and CEO of GE Asset Management Corp.
• 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,

Literature

• 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.
• Tom Chiarella, Magazine Writer, Fiction Editor Esquire Magazine

Music

• J.K. Gannon '24, wrote "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and the school's alma materhttp://web.stlawu.edu/activities/almamater.htm.
• Grace Potter, lead singer of the Hollywood Records recording group Grace Potter and the Nocturnalshttp://www.gracepotter.com/

Politics

• 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.
• Joseph Lekuton, elected to the Kenyan Parliament in 2006.
• 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, Democratic candidate for President in 1932 and diplomat at the Second Reparations Conference in 1929.
• Ronald Stafford New York State senator; Stafford Fitness Center is named after him.
• George H. Winner, Jr., current New York State senator
• Gerald B. H. Solomon, former United States Representative from New York

Religion / Philosophy

• Olympia Brown (1863), the first woman to graduate from a regularly established theological school. In the same year she also became the first woman to achieve full ministerial standing recognized by a denomination (Universalist). She was also the co-founder of the New England Woman Suffrage Association and the president of the Federal Suffrage Association.

Science

• 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. He also grew up in Pierrepont, NY.
• Karen R. Hitchcock, biologist and former Principal of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

University History

• Catherine Tedford 'Photographs At St. Lawrence University: A Critical Survey And Catalogue Of The Richard F. Brush Art Gallery' (St. Lawrence County, New York: St. Lawrence University, January 1, 2002)

External links

• St. Lawrence University webpage
• St. Lawrence University History