La Salle University facts for kids
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Former name
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La Salle College (1863–1984) |
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| Motto | Virtus, Scientia (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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Virtue, Knowledge |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1863 |
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Religious affiliation
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Roman Catholic (Christian Brothers) |
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Academic affiliations
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IALU ACCU NAICU |
| Endowment | $71.7 million (2023) |
| President | Daniel J. Allen |
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Academic staff
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373 |
| Students | 3,554 (2023) |
| Undergraduates | 2,426 (2023) |
| Postgraduates | 1,128 (2023) |
| Location |
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Pennsylvania
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U.S.
40°02′21″N 75°09′12″W / 40.03925°N 75.15325°W |
| Campus | Urban, 130 acres (526,091.3 m2) |
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
| Nickname | Explorers |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | The Explorer |
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La Salle University is a private Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was started in 1863 by a group called the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The university is named after St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, a French priest who was dedicated to education.
Contents
History of La Salle
Early Beginnings
La Salle College was founded in March 1863 as a school for boys. Its first home was at St. Michael's Parish in Philadelphia. The school grew quickly and had to move to a bigger building in Center City Philadelphia.
In 1886, La Salle moved again to a large mansion on North Broad Street. This mansion once belonged to the great-great-grandfather of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a famous First Lady of the United States.
A New Home
By 1930, the school needed even more space. It moved to its current campus in the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia. This new location had plenty of land and felt more like a suburb, but it was still easy to get to the city.
The 1930s were a tough time for the school because of money problems. But thanks to fundraising, the college was able to stay open and even buy more land for its campus.
During World War II, many students left to join the war, which was hard on the school. But after the war, La Salle began to grow again. New buildings like a library, a student union, and a science building were built. The first dorms for students to live on campus were also constructed.
In 1970, La Salle began admitting women, becoming a fully co-educational school where men and women learn together. In 1984, the school officially became La Salle University.
Recent Growth
In 2007, La Salle bought the old Germantown Hospital next door, creating a "West Campus" and making the university much bigger. A year later, a shopping center called The Shoppes at La Salle was built across the street. This brought a new grocery store to an area that didn't have one for a long time.
The university has continued to add new buildings, including a new business school in 2016. That same year, La Salle lowered its tuition cost to make it easier for more students to attend.
Studying at La Salle
La Salle University has three main schools: the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Nursing & Health Sciences. Some of the most popular subjects to study are Communication, Nursing, and Education.
The university is known for providing a good education for its cost. In 2017, La Salle lowered its tuition by 29% to make college more affordable for students from all backgrounds.
| Washington Monthly National University | 141 |
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| Forbes | 288 |
The La Salle Explorers
La Salle's sports teams are called the Explorers. They compete in NCAA Division I, the highest level of college sports. The university is part of the Atlantic 10 Conference and the famous Philadelphia Big 5, a group of five major Philadelphia universities that have a historic sports rivalry.
The name "Explorer" came from a mistake made by a sportswriter in 1931. The writer thought the university was named after the French explorer Sieur de La Salle. Even though it's named after a saint, the school liked the name and officially adopted it in 1932.
La Salle's teams have won two national championships: one for men's basketball in 1954 and one for women's field hockey in 1980.
Men's Basketball
The men's basketball program is one of the most famous things about La Salle. It has been ranked as one of the greatest college basketball programs of all time. The team won the NCAA National Championship in 1954.
The team has had many famous players who went on to play in the NBA. These include Tom Gola, who is in the NBA Hall of Fame, and Joe Bryant, the father of basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
The Explorers play their home games in the newly renovated John Glaser Arena.
Life on Campus
La Salle's campus is located in a neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is built on the former estate of Charles Willson Peale, a famous painter from the Revolutionary War era. The beautiful house where he once lived is now the office of the university's president.
The campus is split into three parts: North, South, and West Campus. It has green spaces, modern buildings, and historic homes.
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College Hall
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Connelly Library
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Roland Holroyd Science Center
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Hansen Quad
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Wister Hall
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Communications Center
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North Residence Halls Complex
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A statue of St. John Baptiste De La Salle with a student.
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Lawrence Center
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The Union
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La Salle University Art Museum
Located in the basement of Hayman Hall, the La Salle University Art Museum has a collection of European and American art from the Renaissance to today. The museum is also home to the Walking Madonna, a famous sculpture by the British artist Dame Elisabeth Frink.
Student Housing
About half of La Salle's students live on campus in dorms, apartments, or townhouses. In 2011, the dorm St. Basil's Court was named the best in the country by a website. It offers suite-style rooms where four students share two bedrooms and a bathroom.
Other housing options include traditional dorm rooms and townhouses where students have their own kitchens.
Student Activities
There is a lot to do at La Salle outside of classes. The university has over 100 clubs and organizations. Students can get involved in many activities, like game nights and bus trips to fun places.
The Communication Department runs a cable TV station called La Salle TV. There is also a student-run radio station, WEXP, and a weekly student newspaper, The Collegian.
For students interested in giving back, the university offers many community service opportunities. Students can volunteer at local food banks and homeless shelters. They can also go on "service trips" to help communities in other parts of the U.S. and in other countries like Kenya and Haiti.
Famous Graduates
La Salle has many successful alumni. They have won Emmy and Pulitzer Prizes, and six Olympic gold medals. Three graduates currently serve in the United States House of Representatives, which is part of the U.S. Congress.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de La Salle (Pensilvania) para niños
- Lasallian educational institutions
- List of colleges and universities in Philadelphia
