Chatham University facts for kids
 |
|
|
Former names
|
Pennsylvania Female College (1869–1890) Pennsylvania College for Women (1890–1955) Chatham College (1955–2007) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Filiae Nostrae Sicut Antarii Lapides (Latin) |
|
Motto in English
|
That our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace. |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | December 11, 1869 |
| Endowment | $106.6 million (2021) |
| President | Rhonda Phillips |
| Students | 2,300 (approx.) |
| Location |
,
Pennsylvania
,
United States
|
| Campus | 39 acres (16 ha) |
| Colors | Purple and Gray |
| Nickname | Cougars |
|
Sporting affiliations
|
NCAA Division III – PAC |
| Mascot | Carson the Cougar |
 |
|
Chatham University is a private university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was first started as a college just for women. In 2015, it began to welcome male students into its undergraduate programs. Today, about 2,110 students attend Chatham University. This includes around 1,002 undergraduate students and 1,108 graduate students.
The university offers many different programs and degrees. Students can earn bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees. These programs are offered through its School of Arts, Science & Business, the School of Health Sciences, and the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment.
Contents
History of Chatham University
Chatham University was founded on December 11, 1869. It was first called the "Pennsylvania Female College." Reverend William Trimble Beatty started the college. It was located in the Berry mansion in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Today, the Shadyside Campus uses buildings and grounds that were once private mansions.
Changing Names Over Time
The college changed its name several times. In 1890, it became the "Pennsylvania College for Women." Then, in 1955, it was renamed "Chatham College." This name honored William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. The city of Pittsburgh is also named after him.
On April 23, 2007, the school officially became a university. It was then called Chatham University. This change was announced to the public on May 1, 2007.
Campus Growth and Special Programs
The main Shadyside Campus is about 39 acres. It was named an arboretum in 1998. An arboretum is like a botanical garden, but it focuses on trees and shrubs. The famous Olmsted Brothers, who designed parks, helped plan parts of the campus.
In 2005, Chatham started offering online degree programs. These programs allowed students to earn degrees from home. Two years later, Chatham's creative writing program was recognized as one of the top unique programs in the country.
Welcoming All Students
In 2014, Chatham University announced a big change. It was thinking about letting men join its undergraduate programs. This news caused some surprise among its former female students. However, undergraduate men began attending the university in 2015.
University Leadership
The most recent president of Chatham University was Rhonda Phillips. She was the 10th woman to lead the university in its 154-year history. President Phillips left Chatham in May 2025. Lisa Lambert, who was the university's provost, became the interim president starting June 1, 2025.
Chatham still honors its history as a women's college. It has a Women's Institute, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025.
Chatham University Campuses
Chatham University has two main campuses.
Shadyside Campus Features
Chatham's original Shadyside Campus is located on historic Woodland Road. This campus also includes the Chatham Eastside building. This building is home to the health science and interior architecture programs.
Eden Hall Campus and Sustainability
The university's newer Eden Hall Campus is much larger, about 388 acres. It is located north of Pittsburgh in Richland Township. This campus is home to Chatham's Falk School of Sustainability & Environment. Here, students can study topics like sustainability and food. They can earn bachelor's and master's degrees in these areas.
The Eden Hall Campus was given to Chatham University by the Eden Hall Foundation in 2008. The first part of its development was finished in 2016. It even won an award for its sustainable design. This means it was built in a way that protects the environment.
In 2013, the Falk Foundation gave a very large grant to the School of Sustainability & the Environment. This helped complete the Eden Hall Campus. The school was then renamed the Falk School of Sustainability. The Falk Foundation has supported Chatham since 1952.
-
Berry Hall
-
Laughlin Hall
-
Campus labyrinth
-
Chapel
-
Arboretum
-
Laughlin House
University Accreditation
Chatham University is officially recognized by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This means the university meets high standards for education.
Chatham University Athletics
Chatham University's sports teams are called the Cougars. They compete in NCAA Division III. This is a level of college sports where athletes do not receive scholarships for playing. The Cougars are part of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC).
Sports Teams and Achievements
Chatham has both men's and women's teams in many sports. These include basketball, cross country, ice hockey, and soccer. They also have softball, squash, swimming & diving, track & field, and volleyball. There is also a Co-ed sideline cheerleading team. The men's and women's ice hockey teams play in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference.
The women's ice hockey team was the first NCAA women's ice hockey team in Pennsylvania. Chatham athletics announced in November 2024 that they will be adding a Co-ed competitive cheerleading team for the 2025-2026 season.
_(14586869518).jpg)
Mascot History
The college's mascot used to be Pennsy the Seal. In 1992, the cougar mascot was chosen. It was named Carson in 2011, honoring famous alumna Rachel Carson. In 2023, students voted to bring back Pennsy the Seal, but the cougar remained the official mascot. Another vote in April 2025 also favored Pennsy the Seal.
Notable Alumni of Chatham University
Many successful people have graduated from Chatham University. Here are a few:
- Muriel Bowser, who is the mayor of Washington, D.C.
- Brian Broome, a writer
- Rachel Carson, a famous biologist and zoologist
- Catherine Chisholm Cushing, a playwright
- Meredith Dixon, a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
- Kathie L. Olsen, who used to be a deputy director at the National Science Foundation
- Elaine Scarry, an author and professor at Harvard University
- Lea Wait, an author of mystery novels and children's books
- Lesley Brooks Wells, a United States district judge
- Mildred Weston, an author and composer
- Margaret Scully Zimmele, an artist
See also
- Chatham University Arboretum
