Saint Xavier University facts for kids
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Former names
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Saint Francis Xavier Female Academy (1846–1873) Saint Xavier Academy (1873–1915) Saint Francis Xavier College for Women (1915–1919) Saint Xavier College (1919–1992) |
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| Motto | Via Veritas Vita (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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(I am) the way, the truth, and the life. |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1846 |
| Founder | Religious Sisters of Mercy |
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Religious affiliation
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Roman Catholic (Sisters of Mercy) |
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Academic affiliations
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ACCU CMHE CIC NAICU |
| President | Keith Elder |
| Provost | Saib Othman |
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Academic staff
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366 |
| Students | 3,523 (Fall 2022) |
| Undergraduates | 2,981 (Fall 2022) |
| Postgraduates | 542 (Fall 2022) |
| Location |
,
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United States
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| Campus | Urban, 109 acres (44 ha) |
| Colors | Scarlet & Gray |
| Nickname | Cougars |
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Sporting affiliations
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NAIA – CCAC |
| Mascot | Cougar |
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Saint Xavier University (also known as SXU) is a private Catholic university located in Chicago, Illinois. It was started in 1846 by a group of nuns called the Sisters of Mercy. Today, about 3,500 students attend this university.
Contents
History of Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University began as a college for women in 1846. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy at the request of a church leader named Bishop William Quarter. Chicago was a very new city back then, less than 10 years old.
The sisters, led by Mother Mary Francis Xavier Warde, started the Saint Francis Xavier Female Academy. This academy later became Saint Xavier College and then Saint Xavier University. It was the very first college started by the Sisters of Mercy anywhere in the world. It is also the oldest college in Chicago with an official charter.
In 1846, five Sisters of Mercy came to Chicago from Pittsburgh. Their goal was to start Catholic work in the growing city. The original school, then called an academy, received a state charter in 1847. This charter allowed the school to officially grant degrees to its students.
The first campus was located in downtown Chicago. However, it was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. After the fire, the campus was rebuilt on the southern edge of Chicago.
In 1915, the Sisters of Mercy's dream of opening a college for women came true. The school officially became a college, offering many subjects for higher education.
What Students Can Study
Saint Xavier University offers many different programs for students. These include courses for undergraduate degrees (your first college degree) and graduate programs (degrees you get after your first one). These programs are offered through two main colleges:
- The College of Liberal Arts and Education
- The College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Business
The College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Business is recognized as a top program by the National League for Nursing. Saint Xavier University has a very diverse group of students. It is also known as a Hispanic-serving institution. This means it has a high number of Hispanic students.
University Campuses
Chicago Campus
Saint Xavier's main campus is about 109 acres (44 hectares) in size. It is located in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago. You can find it at 103rd Street and Central Park Avenue. It is also very close to the nearby suburb of Evergreen Park, Illinois.
The main campus has several important buildings. The Warde Academic Center is the oldest building. It holds the main offices and the library. Other buildings include the Shannon Center, McDonough Chapel (a small Catholic church), and the Graham School of Management Building. There are also the Andrew Conference Center and Driehaus Center.
Close to the main campus are the Visual Arts Center and O'Grady Center. These buildings house different university departments.
In 2001, more students started coming to the university. This led to the opening of four new student dorms on campus. These are places where students can live while they study.
- McCarthy Hall (opened 2001)
- Morris Hall (opened 2002)
- O'Brien Hall (opened 2008)
- Pacelli Hall (opened 1959)
- Rubloff Hall (opened 2006)
In 2009, the former Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley, praised Saint Xavier University. He recognized their efforts to be eco-friendly. This was because the Arthur Rubloff Hall and O'Brien Halls were built to be good for the environment. They have special rooftop gardens and use clean energy sources.
In 2021, Saint Xavier celebrated its 175th birthday! The state of Illinois even gave them an official resolution. This honored the university's long history in Chicago.
University Sports
The sports teams at Saint Xavier University are called the Cougars. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Most of their sports teams compete in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). They have been part of this conference since 1973. The football team plays in the Midwest League of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA).
SXU has 20 different sports teams for men and women.
- Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, esports, football, golf, soccer, track & field, and volleyball.
- Women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball.
- There are also co-ed sports like cheerleading and dance.
Coaches for the Teams
The baseball team is coached by Addison Rouse. The football team is coached by Mike Feminis.
Sports Facilities
The main sports building on campus is the Shannon Center. It can hold up to 3,500 people. It also has the university's fitness center. This is where the men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams play. Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field is where the football, soccer, and track teams compete.
Big Wins
In 2011, Saint Xavier had a big achievement. Their football team won the 2011 NAIA Football National Championship. This was a national title for their sport!
