College of the Holy Cross facts for kids
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| Latin: Collegium Sanctae Crucis | |
| Motto | In hoc signo vinces (Latin) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | October 1843 |
| Founder | Benedict Joseph Fenwick Thomas F. Mulledy |
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Religious affiliation
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Catholic (Jesuit) |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $1.273 billion (2022) |
| President | Vincent Rougeau |
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Academic staff
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350 |
| Undergraduates | 3,219 |
| Location |
,
,
U.S.
42°14′21″N 71°48′30″W / 42.23917°N 71.80833°W |
| Campus | Suburban, 174 acres (70 ha) |
| Colors | Purple and White |
| Nickname | Crusaders |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I –
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The College of the Holy Cross is a private liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was started by Benedict Joseph Fenwick and Thomas F. Mulledy in 1843. They were part of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Holy Cross was the first Catholic college in New England. It is also one of the oldest Catholic colleges in the United States.
Holy Cross is a four-year college where students live on campus. About 3,000 students attend. They can choose from 64 different study programs. These include many subjects in the liberal arts. The college is on a hill overlooking the Blackstone River and the city of Worcester. Its campus is 174 acres (70 ha) big. It is about 45 miles west of Boston.
Getting into Holy Cross is competitive. In 2023, only 21% of students who applied were accepted. The college has one of the largest endowments (money set aside for future use) among liberal arts colleges. It is also known as one of the "Hidden Ivies" for its strong academics. In 1986, Holy Cross joined the Patriot League. Its sports teams are called the Crusaders. They compete in NCAA Division I.
Many famous people have graduated from Holy Cross. These include winners of Emmy, Grammy, Academy, and Tony awards. Five Rhodes Scholars and five Marshall Scholars also went there. Other notable alumni include Anthony Fauci, a top health advisor, and Clarence Thomas, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. The college is also a top producer of Fulbright scholars.
Contents
College History
How Holy Cross Started
The College of the Holy Cross was founded by Benedict Joseph Fenwick. He was the second Bishop of Boston. He wanted to create the first Catholic college in New England. His plans for a college in Boston were stopped by Protestant leaders there.
Bishop Fenwick wanted to start a Catholic college in his area. After 1830, many Irish Americans moved to the area. This made the need for a Jesuit school even greater. He asked the Society of Jesus for their help. They sent Thomas F. Mulledy to check out Fenwick's idea. Mulledy's report was positive, and the Society approved the plan in August 1843.
Fenwick decided to open the college in Worcester. This was about 45 miles west of Boston. He felt the Jesuits could run the school more freely there. The bishop was very excited about the project and its location. He wrote that the college would be "splendid" and on a "beautiful eminence."
The land for the college was once a Catholic boarding school. It was run by James Fitton. In 1843, Fitton sold the land to Fenwick. Fenwick named the college after his cathedral church, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
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Early Years of the College
The school opened in October 1843. Thomas F. Mulledy, a Jesuit and former president of Georgetown University, became its first president. Classes began on November 2 with six students. They were between 9 and 19 years old. Within three years, 100 students were enrolled. At first, the education was like elementary and high school. Later, it became a higher-level college.
Holy Cross has produced many members of the Catholic clergy. The first class graduated in 1849. The top student was James Augustine Healy. He was the son of an Irish planter and a former slave. Healy is known as the first African-American bishop in the U.S. His father sent all his sons to Holy Cross. Two other sons became priests.
Fenwick Hall, the main building, was destroyed by fire in 1852. Money was raised to rebuild the college. It reopened in 1853.
The college tried to get a charter from the state government. This would officially recognize it as a college. But they were denied in 1847. Some lawmakers were against Catholics. More immigrants from Ireland were arriving, which caused some resistance. So, Holy Cross diplomas were first signed by the president of Georgetown University. Finally, a charter was given on March 24, 1865.
Recent History
During World War II, Holy Cross was one of 131 colleges that joined the V-12 Navy College Training Program. This program helped students become Navy officers.
In 1998, Holy Cross started a fundraising campaign called "Lift High the Cross." It ended in 2006. The campaign raised over $216 million. This money helped create 12 new teaching jobs. It also funded more than 75 new scholarships for students. The college's endowment grew to over $544 million during this time.
In 2000, Michael C. McFarland became the college president. In 2011, Philip L. Boroughs took over. In 2021, Vincent D. Rougeau became president. He is the first president who is not a priest and the first Black president in the college's history.
In 2018, the college thought about changing its "Crusader" mascot. They decided to keep the mascot. They explained that their use of the name is different from the historical Crusades.
In 2019, the college changed its admissions policy. It no longer promises to meet all financial needs of accepted students.
Campus Life and Buildings
Holy Cross is on one of seven hills in Worcester, Massachusetts. Its 175-acre campus is a registered arboretum, which is like a tree museum. The campus has an uneven layout on Mount Saint James hill. From there, you can see a great view of Worcester. The Princeton Review called it the 5th most beautiful campus in the U.S. in 2010. It is often ranked in the top 15. The campus is known as "The Hill."
The college has 37 buildings. These include dorms and academic buildings. Sports facilities are on the edges of the campus. Holy Cross also owns six properties outside the main campus.
Near the main entrance, Linden Lane, are Stein and O'Kane Halls. O'Kane Hall has a clock tower. Fenwick Hall, designed in 1843, is the oldest building. It is connected to O'Kane. This area also has the admissions offices and the Brooks Concert Hall. Three bronze statues are on the hillside. The area around Fenwick and O'Kane Halls is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
West of this area are Dinand Library and Smith Hall. The Hogan Campus Center is also there. The Anthony S. Fauci Integrated Science Complex holds O'Neil, Swords, and Haberlin Halls. Beaven Hall, an old dorm, now has academic departments. The science complex was renamed for Dr. Anthony Fauci in 2022. Smith Hall, built in 2001, is built into a hillside. It connects the lower campus (where classes are) and the upper campus (where students live and socialize). A plaza outside Smith Hall, Memorial Plaza, honors seven alumni who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
On the eastern side of campus are Millard Art Center, St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, and the Chaplains' Office. Loyola Hall used to be a Jesuit residence but is now student housing. Ciampi Hall, another former Jesuit residence, is also now dorms. The Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation and Wellness Center is a sports facility. It was finished in 2020.
The newest Jesuit housing is on Kendig Street. The Prior Performing Arts Center is near the Hogan Campus Center. This $110 million building opened in 2022. It is a hub for arts on campus.
In 2015, Holy Cross announced a new $22 million center. It is in West Boylston, Massachusetts. This 52-acre complex is a retreat for students. It opened in September 2016 as the Thomas P. Joyce '59 Contemplative Center.
College Libraries
The Holy Cross Library System has four libraries on campus. Students can also use the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System. This group includes over 20 libraries. Holy Cross students can access about 3.8 million books and many magazines and newspapers.
- Dinand Library
Dinand Library is the main library. It has about 601,930 books and other materials. It opened in 1927. In 1978, two new wings were added. They honor victims of the Nazi Holocaust. The reading room in Dinand is used for many college events. These include awards ceremonies and concerts.
The reading room has a grid-like ceiling with gold trim. Large wooden lights hang from the ceiling. Tall columns stand on three sides of the room. Dinand also has dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a helpful reference desk.
- Other Libraries
There are five smaller libraries. These are Fenwick Music Library, O'Callahan Science Library, Rehm Library, Visual Resources Library, and the Worcester Art Museum Library.
The Fenwick Music Library started in 1978. It has music scores and recordings. It also has biographies of composers.
The O'Callahan Science Library is named after Joseph T. O'Callahan. It has over 95,000 books. These serve the biology, chemistry, math, physics, and psychology departments.
The Rehm Library opened in 2001. It is inside Smith Hall. It is a main space for the Center for Religion, Ethics, and Culture. It has a collection of religious texts. It was named after alumnus Jack Rehm '54 and his family.
- College Archives
Dinand Library also has the College Archives. This is where important records from the college's history are kept. It has yearbooks, catalogs, and newspapers. There are many photos of people and college life.
The archives also have videos of plays, lectures, and sports. There is a special collection of rare books. It also has materials about Jesuits. Important collections include papers from famous people like James Michael Curley and David I. Walsh. The papers and medals of Joseph T. O'Callahan, a Medal of Honor winner, are also here.
Protecting the Environment
In 2007, President Michael C. McFarland signed a pledge to reduce carbon emissions. The college planned to cut emissions by 20% by 2015. Holy Cross aims to be carbon neutral by 2040. This means they want to have no net carbon emissions.
Holy Cross has taken many steps to be more eco-friendly. They have reduced their carbon emissions by 46.8% between 2007 and 2017. The college uses Zipcar to reduce the need for students to own cars. Public safety officers use electric cars and bikes when the weather is good. Also, Kimball dining hall stopped using trays in 2009. This helps save water and food.
Academics and Learning
Holy Cross is known for its strong departments in political science, economics, chemistry, classics, and literature. Programs in sociology, psychology, and mathematics are also popular. Philosophy and religious studies are also important, as they relate to Jesuit values.
Holy Cross has 328 teachers and 3,142 undergraduate students. It offers 28 main subjects, mostly focused on liberal arts. Students earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The college is officially recognized by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
To graduate, students must complete 32 courses in eight semesters. They need one course in arts, literature, religion, philosophy, history, and cross-cultural studies. They also need two courses in language studies, social science, and natural and mathematical sciences. In 2021, the most popular majors were Economics, Psychology, Political Science, English, Biology, and History.
Helping Others and Social Justice
In 2010, Holy Cross had the highest percentage of graduates serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps among U.S. Jesuit colleges.
Holy Cross supports ideas like social justice. This means working to make society fair for everyone. In 1974, Time magazine called Holy Cross the "cradle of the Catholic Left." This was because it educated people like Michael Harrington, who wrote about poverty.
In 2001, Holy Cross received a $2 million grant. This money helped students think about their future careers. It also funded internships in Worcester for students interested in helping others and public service.
Rankings and Reputation
| USNWR Liberal Arts College | 27 |
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| Washington Monthly Liberal Arts | 18 |
| Forbes | 77 |
U.S. News & World Report ranked Holy Cross tied for 27th among liberal arts colleges in 2023. It was also 41st for best undergraduate education. Holy Cross is the highest-ranked Catholic college among the top 30 liberal arts schools on this list. The college is a top producer of Fulbright scholars, with 182 recipients as of 2023.
Money ranked Holy Cross as the 5th best liberal arts college in the U.S. in 2022. In 2019, Forbes ranked Holy Cross 77th among all colleges and universities. Washington Monthly ranked Holy Cross 18th among liberal arts colleges in 2020. This was based on its contributions to public good, like social mobility and public service.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance placed Holy Cross 15th for best value liberal arts colleges in 2019. In PayScale's 2019–20 study, Holy Cross ranked 17th for mid-career salary potential among liberal arts colleges.
In 2023, Times Higher Education ranked Holy Cross fourth nationally among Catholic colleges. In the 2024 rankings by The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse, Holy Cross was the seventh best college in Massachusetts and 60th nationally.
Admissions Information
| Admissions statistics | |
|---|---|
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2023 entering
classChange vs. 2018 |
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| Admit rate | 21%
(
 −18) |
| Yield rate | 45%
(
 +13.8) |
| Test scores middle 50% | |
| SAT EBRW | 680–730 |
| SAT Math | 660–720 |
| ACT Composite | 29–33 |
| High school GPA† | |
| Top 10% | 61% |
| Top 25% | 86% |
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Getting into Holy Cross is "more selective." In 2023, the college had its lowest acceptance rate ever, at 21%. Many students traditionally came from Catholic high schools and private schools. However, most current students come from public schools.
In 2022, the middle 50% of accepted students had SAT scores between 1260 and 1430. Their ACT scores were between 28 and 32. Holy Cross accepted its first women students in 1972. Now, most students are female. Holy Cross is considered one of the Hidden Ivies because its academics and admissions are similar to Ivy League schools.
In 2005, Holy Cross stopped requiring standardized test scores for admission. This means they look more at a student's high school grades and recommendations. Tuition for full-time students in the 2022–23 school year was $57,600.
Student Life
Living on Campus
Older students can choose where to live based on a housing lottery. Options include the Easy Street dorms or other dorms like Alumni, Carlin, and Loyola. Seniors also have options like Williams Hall, Figge Hall, and townhouses.
The apartments in Williams Hall, Figge Hall, and the senior townhouses are very popular. Each apartment has four students, a bathroom, kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. Williams Hall was finished in 2003. Figge Hall opened in 2011.
Students in their second, third, or fourth year can also live off-campus. But only a small number do. This is because the school has built more housing, and there are not many good apartments near campus.
Student Activities
Holy Cross has many student groups. There are no Greek life organizations. So, student social life often happens through school-sponsored groups and events. Some students also gather at off-campus houses on nearby streets.
The college has several student journals and newspapers. These include The Fenwick Review (conservative views) and The Advocate (liberal views). The Spire is the weekly student newspaper.
Holy Cross has a student-run radio station, WCHC-FM 88.1. It broadcasts without commercials. The athletics department broadcasts many football, basketball, and hockey games. Holy Cross also has a law journal called The Holy Cross Journal of Law & Public Policy. Students publish it every year. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) plans campus events. The Student Government Association (SGA) supports these programs and represents students.
The largest student group is Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD). It is a community service organization with over 600 members. Other volunteer programs include Pax Christi and the Arrupe Immersion Program. These programs focus on peace and justice.
The Holy Cross Knights of Columbus council was started in 1929. It is the third oldest college council in the order.
The Holy Cross Goodtime Marching Band was formed in 1845. It is one of the oldest college bands in the U.S. They perform at sports events with the Holy Cross Cheer Team.
Holy Cross Symbols
- Color
The school color is purple. One idea is that it comes from the royal purple used by Constantine the Great. This color was on his military flag and those of later Christian emperors.
- College Seal
The seal of the College of the Holy Cross has a special design. The outer circle says "College of the Holy Cross, Society of Jesus, Worcester, Massachusetts" in Latin.
The inner shield shows an open book (for learning) and a gold cross (for Christian faith). The college's motto, In Hoc Signo Vinces, is written in the book. It means, "By this sign you shall conquer." This phrase is linked to Constantine the Great.
The cross divides the bottom of the shield into four parts. These are red and black, like the old shield of Worcester, England. The top of the shield has the symbol of the Society of Jesus. This is a sun with the letters IHS, which are the first three letters of Jesus' name in Greek. On each side are martlets, which are like birds. They remind people of Bishop Fenwick's family crest.
- Mascot
Holy Cross sports teams are called the Crusaders. The name "Crusader" was first used for Holy Cross in 1884. In 2018, the college decided to stop using the Knight image. They retired their mascot, Iggy T. Crusader. Instead, they now use a purple shield with an interlocking "HC" as their main logo.
Sports at Holy Cross
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Holy Cross has 27 varsity sports teams. All of them compete at the NCAA Division I level. The football team plays in the FCS. The Crusaders are part of the Patriot League. Men's ice hockey is in the Atlantic Hockey Association. Women's ice hockey is in Hockey East Association. Holy Cross has 13 men's teams and 14 women's teams. Having 27 Division I teams means Holy Cross has a very high number of teams compared to its student size.
The college is a founding member of the Patriot League. About one-fourth of its students play on varsity sports teams. The league started allowing sports scholarships in 2001. In 2012, football scholarships were also allowed.
Main sports facilities include Fitton Field (football stadium, 23,500 seats) and Hart Recreation Center (basketball court, 3,600 seats). There's also Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field (baseball, 3,000 seats), Hart Ice Rink (1,600 seats), and Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium (1,320 seats). The soccer stadium opened in 2006.
Holy Cross is one of only eight schools to win an NCAA championship in both baseball and basketball. They won the 1952 College World Series and the 1947 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. They also won the 1954 National Invitation Tournament. In 2006, the men's ice hockey team beat the top-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers in the NCAA tournament. In 2016, the men's basketball team made it to the NCAA tournament. They won their first tournament game since 1953.
Famous Alumni
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Anthony Fauci,
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases -
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Patrick Francis Healy,
29th President of Georgetown University -
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Timothy Leary,
Harvard psychologist -
Joseph P. Kerwin,
NASA Astronaut for Skylab 2 -
Jon Favreau,
White House Director of Speechwriting -
Bob Wright,
President, CEO, and Chairman of NBC -
John Demers,
U.S. Assistant Attorney General and acting U.S. Attorney General
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As of 2021, Holy Cross had over 38,000 alumni. There are 25 alumni clubs in the U.S. and one international club. Holy Cross graduates have done great things in government, law, business, arts, and sports. Many Holy Cross alumni have served in the U.S. Congress.
Clarence Thomas, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, is an alumnus. So are Chris Matthews, a TV host, and Basketball Hall of Fame members Bob Cousy and Tom Heinsohn. Timothy Leary was a student at Holy Cross, though he left after two years. Michael Harrington, who wrote The Other America, also graduated from the college. Thomas G. Kelley received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. Edward Bennett Williams, a lawyer, owned the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Orioles.
Many alumni have been involved in politics. These include Bob Casey, Sr., a Pennsylvania governor, and his son, Bob Casey, Jr., a U.S. Senator. Jon Favreau, who was a speechwriter for President Barack Obama, also went to Holy Cross.
Several alumni have held top jobs in business. These include Bob Wright, former CEO of NBC Universal, and James David Power III, who founded J.D. Power and Associates.
In media and arts, Holy Cross has many famous alumni. These include Emmy-winning actress Ann Dowd and actor Neil Hopkins. Bill Simmons is a sports columnist and podcast host. Dan Shaughnessy is a sports columnist for The Boston Globe. Bartlett Sher is a Tony Award-winning Broadway director. Joe McGinniss is a bestselling author. Edward P. Jones won a Pulitzer Prize for his book The Known World. Billy Collins was the U.S. Poet Laureate. Dave Anderson and Jack Higgins both won Pulitzer Prizes for their writing. Kevin O'Connor hosts TV's This Old House.
In science, Holy Cross has notable alumni like Joseph Murray, who won the 1990 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Immunologist Anthony Fauci is another famous graduate. Jim Collins is a bioengineer who won a "genius" award.
See also
In Spanish: College of the Holy Cross para niños
- List of Jesuit sites
- List of presidents of the College of the Holy Cross
- National Register of Historic Places listings in eastern Worcester, Massachusetts
Additional sources
- Yale Daily News (July 1, 2014). Mosely, Connor. ed (in en). The Insider's Guide to the Colleges (41st ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-1-4668-4835-1.
