Seton Hall University facts for kids
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| Latin: Universitas Setoniana | |
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Former name
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Seton Hall College (1856–1950) |
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| Motto | Hazard Zet Forward (Norman French/English) |
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Motto in English
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"Despite hazards, move forward" |
| Type | Private research university |
| Established | September 1, 1856 |
| Founder | James Roosevelt Bayley |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
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Religious affiliation
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Catholic Church (Diocesan) |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $308.4 million (2022) |
| Budget | $305.1 million (2020) |
| President | Joseph R. Reilly |
| Provost | Katia Passerini |
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Administrative staff
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1,065 |
| Students | 9,529 (Fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 6,109 (Fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 3,420 (Fall 2023) |
| Location |
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United States
40°44′30″N 74°14′42″W / 40.7417°N 74.2449°W |
| Campus | Large Suburb, 58 acres (0.2 km2) |
| Newspaper | The Setonian |
| Academic term | Semester |
| Colors | Pirate blue, gray, and white |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Pirate |
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Seton Hall University (often called SHU) is a private university in South Orange, New Jersey. It is a Roman Catholic university that focuses on research. Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley started the university in 1856. He named it after his aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Seton Hall is the oldest university of its kind in the United States.
Seton Hall has 9 different schools and colleges. About 6,100 undergraduate students and 3,400 graduate students attend the university. It is known for its strong research programs.
The university is also famous for its men's basketball team. The team has played in 13 NCAA Division I tournaments. In 1989, they made it to the final game but lost in overtime. This success helped the university become more well-known.
Contents
History of Seton Hall University
How Seton Hall Began
Many Catholic universities in the U.S. started after a meeting in Maryland in 1844. The goal was to bring Catholic education to colleges. The Archdiocese of Newark was created in 1853. It needed a place for higher learning.
Seton Hall College officially opened on September 1, 1856. Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley founded it. He was a cousin of President Franklin Roosevelt. Bishop Bayley named the school after his aunt, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton. She later became the first American-born Catholic saint.
The first campus was in Madison, New Jersey. Reverend Bernard John McQuaid was the first president. He led a small team of teachers. Only five students started at the college. By the end of the first year, there were 60 students. The college moved to its current location in 1860.
Growth and Challenges
Seton Hall College grew quickly in the 1860s. More students joined each year. However, the college faced some challenges. Several fires damaged buildings on campus. A fire in 1867 destroyed the first college building. In 1886, another fire destroyed the main building. In 1909, a classroom and dorms burned down.
Despite these problems, the college kept growing in the 1800s. It even started a military science department in 1893. This program was later stopped. A big change happened in 1897. Seton Hall's high school and college programs became separate schools.
In 1936, James F. Kelley became president at age 33. He was the youngest college president in the country. When he started, the school had 300 students. By 1937, Seton Hall began allowing women to attend some classes. The university became fully coeducational in 1968. In 1948, Seton Hall got a license for its radio station, WSOU-FM.
By the time President Kelley left in 1949, the school had grown to 6,000 students.
In 1950, the college became a university because of its growth. It included schools for arts and sciences, business, nursing, and education. The School of Law opened in 1951. Miriam Rooney became the first woman dean of law in the United States.
Medical and Dental Schools
The Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry started in 1954. It was the first medical and dental school in New Jersey. It was located in Jersey City. The first students graduated in 1960.
In 1965, the college was sold to the state of New Jersey. This happened because the university could not afford the school's growing debt. It was renamed the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry. Today, it is part of Rutgers University. Seton Hall later started a new School of Medicine in 2015. However, this medical school became independent in 2020.
Modern Campus Updates
From the late 1960s to the 1980s, Seton Hall built many new facilities. These included a library, science building, dorms, and a student center. Many new study programs were also added. The university also started working with businesses and the government.
The 1970s and 1980s were a time of continued growth. New buildings for business and nursing were opened. In 1984, the Immaculate Conception Seminary returned to Seton Hall. The Recreation Center opened in 1987. Four new dorms were built between 1986 and 1988. This allowed more students to live on campus. Today, about 2,100 students live at Seton Hall.
Campus development continued in the 1990s. The $20 million Walsh Library opened in 1994. It brought modern study and research tools to the university. The library now has over 500,000 books. In 1997, Jubilee Hall opened. This building shows Seton Hall's focus on technology. All classrooms in Jubilee Hall have internet access. Many lecture halls have distance-learning technology.
A new School of Law building was also built in Newark in the 1990s. In 1998, all new full-time students received laptop computers. This was part of the university's mobile computing program.
Recent History and Growth
From 2010 to today, Seton Hall has continued to grow. The university has completed many campus renovations. These include a new fitness center, academic building, and parking garage. Dorms have also been expanded.
In 2015, Seton Hall announced two new academic areas. These were the School of Medicine and the College of Communication and the Arts. The medical school started with Hackensack Meridian Health. The College of Communication and the Arts used to be a department.
How Seton Hall is Managed
Seton Hall University is managed by a Board of Trustees. This board has 16 members. Eleven members are on the board because of their jobs at the university or the Archdiocese of Newark. The Archbishop of Newark leads the board. He also chooses the other five members. These members serve for three years. The Board of Trustees owns the university's property. They also decide where the schools and colleges will be located.
The university also has a Board of Regents. This board manages the university day-to-day. It has between 25 and 39 members. Six members are part of the board automatically. The Board of Trustees can elect up to 30 more members. The Regents are in charge of hiring the university president.
Campus Life at Seton Hall
Main Campus Overview
Seton Hall University's main campus is about 58 acres in a suburban area. It is home to nine of the university's 10 schools. The center of South Orange Village is a short walk from campus. Montrose Park and its historic district are also nearby. The Eugene V. Kelly Carriage House on campus is a historic building. The South Orange Rail Station helps students get to campus. The campus has different building styles, including Roman and modern. The main campus became a gated community during its modernization.
Important Campus Buildings
The first main buildings on campus were built in the 1800s. These were Presidents, Stafford, and Marshall Halls. They were built when the college moved to South Orange. Here are some of the notable buildings:
- Presidents Hall – This is one of the oldest and most important buildings on campus. It was finished in 1867. Presidents Hall is a beautiful building made of brownstone. It used to be a seminary. Now, it holds the university's main offices, including the President's Office. The halls have pictures of past university presidents. There is also a large stained glass window showing Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
- Chapel of the Immaculate Conception – This lovely Gothic Revival building was designed by Jeremiah O'Rourke. He also designed the Cathedral of Newark. The chapel was built in 1863. It was renovated in 1972 and again in 2008. The 2008 renovation was a big part of the university's fundraising campaign.
- Muscarelle Hall (formerly Stafford Hall) – In 2021, Stafford Hall was renamed Muscarelle Hall. A new academic building was built on the site of the old Stafford Hall in 2014. The new Muscarelle Hall has 12 classrooms of different sizes. Some can hold 35 students, while others can hold 50 or 70 students.
- Fitness Center – A new fitness center opened in January 2014. It is part of the Richie Regan Recreation and Athletic Center. The center has three levels. It includes locker rooms, weight-training areas, and 75 cardio machines. There are also two dance studios for fitness classes like Zumba and yoga. Each cardio machine has a TV with internet access.
- McQuaid Hall – Built around 1900, this building is named after Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid. He was Seton Hall's first president. McQuaid Hall used to be a boarding house and a convent. Now, it is home to the School of Diplomacy and International Relations. It also houses the School of Health and Medical Sciences.
- Jubilee Hall houses the W. Paul Stillman School of Business. It also has the university's largest auditorium. There are computer labs, modern classrooms, and a Stock Exchange research room. It was built in 1997 and is one of the newer buildings on campus.
- Walsh Gymnasium is a sports arena for university teams. It opened in 1939 and can hold 2,600 people. It used to be the home of the men's basketball team. Now, it hosts the women's basketball and volleyball teams. It is part of the Richie Regan Recreation and Athletic Center.
- The Science and Technology Center (formerly McNulty Hall) – This building was named after Msgr. John L. McNulty, a former university president. It was built in 1954 as the university's technology and research center. A famous feature is the "Atom Wall." This artwork shows God giving scientific knowledge to humans. It can be seen in the building's glass entrance. The center also has a large theater and observatory for science classes.
- Fahy Hall – Built in 1968, this building has classrooms and offices for the College of Arts and Sciences. It is named after Monsignor Thomas George Fahy, a former university president. Fahy Hall has student resources like two television studios and computer labs.
- Arts and Sciences Hall and The Nursing Building – This building was originally for the Stillman School of Business. Now, the west wing is home to the College of Arts and Sciences. The east wing houses the Caroline D. Schwartz College of Nursing. The College of Nursing has advanced teaching rooms with hospital beds for practice.
- Bethany Hall – This is the newest building on campus. Bethany Hall, also called the Welcome Center, opened in February 2018. It has event space for 500–700 people. It also holds the admissions offices.
Sustainability Efforts
Seton Hall has a strong recycling program. Recycling is required on campus by New Jersey state laws. The university also celebrates Earth Day. They have demonstrations about composting and collecting rainwater. They also show environmental documentaries.
In 2011, Seton Hall received a "B−" grade on the College Sustainability Report Card. The recycling programs were a positive point.
Newark Campus
The Newark Campus is a smaller campus. It is home to the university's School of Law. The Law School is in a modern 22-story building called One Newark Center. It is located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. The building was finished in 1991. It provides a large space for the Law School and its library.
The Seton Hall University School of Law started in 1951. It is approved by the American Bar Association. Seton Hall is one of two law schools in New Jersey. Miriam T. Rooney was the first dean of the Law School. She was the first woman dean at an ABA-approved law school in the U.S.
Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus (IHS)
The IHS campus is in Nutley, New Jersey. It is for students who want to work in health care. This campus is home to the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the College of Nursing.
Academic Programs at Seton Hall
Seton Hall University offers many different degrees. Students can study in about 70 academic fields. The university's programs are divided into nine main academic units:
- College of Arts and Sciences (1856)
- Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (1860)
- College of Nursing (1937)
- W. Paul Stillman School of Business (1950)
- School of Law (1951)
- School of Health and Medical Sciences (1987)
- Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (2005)
- School of Diplomacy and International Relations (1997)
- College of Human Development, Culture, and Media (2022) - This college combines the College of Communication and the Arts (2015) and the College of Education and Human Services (1920).
University Rankings
| USNWR National University | 137 |
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| Washington Monthly National University | 303 |
| Forbes | 215 |
U.S. News & World Report ranked Seton Hall University 137th among "National Universities" in 2023. The Seton Hall University School of Law was ranked 70th best in the U.S. in 2022. The Stillman School of Business was ranked 65th among undergraduate business schools by Bloomberg Businessweek in 2016.
Student Life at Seton Hall
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 51% |
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| Hispanic | 18% |
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| Asian | 11% |
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| Black | 8% |
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| Other | 8% |
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| Foreign national | 3% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 26% |
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| Affluent | 74% |
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Greek Life on Campus
Seton Hall has 24 recognized fraternities and sororities. About 15 percent of students are part of these groups.
- Fraternities at Seton Hall include
- Alpha Chi Rho
- Alpha Sigma Phi
- Alpha Kappa Psi
- Alpha Phi Alpha
- Alpha Phi Omega
- Delta Upsilon
- Kappa Alpha Psi
- Lambda Theta Phi
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Phi Beta Sigma
- Phi Delta Theta
- Phi Gamma Delta
- Phi Kappa Theta
- Psi Sigma Phi
- Sororities include
- Alpha Delta Chi
- Alpha Gamma Delta
- Alpha Kappa Alpha
- Alpha Omicron Pi
- Alpha Phi
- Alpha Sigma Tau
- Chi Upsilon Sigma
- Delta Phi Epsilon
- Delta Sigma Theta
- Lambda Tau Omega
- Lambda Theta Alpha
- Mu Sigma Upsilon
- Omega Phi Chi
- Zeta Phi Beta
- Zeta Tau Alpha
Student Music Groups
Seton Hall has several a cappella groups:
- The Gentlemen of the Hall (all male)
- Pretty S#arp (all female)
- Seton Notes (co-ed)
Student Media Outlets
The main student newspaper is The Setonian. It covers school news, entertainment, sports, and opinions. Students write and publish it weekly. The Stillman Exchange is the business school's newspaper. It writes about business and sports.
The Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations is published twice a year. It features articles by world leaders. Diplomacy students publish The Diplomatic Envoy. This paper covers international news. The Liberty Bell is a political newspaper. It writes about university, local, national, and international news.
WSOU is the university's radio station. It broadcasts at 89.5 MHz FM. Students run the station. In 2007, Princeton Review called WSOU the eighth-best college radio station. Rolling Stone Magazine also ranked it as one of the top 5 rock stations in 2008.
Seton Hall also has a television station called Pirate-TV. It has a daily news show. It also has weekly sports talk and fashion shows.
University Traditions
The University Seal
The university seal combines symbols from the Bayley family and the Seton family. The Seton crest is very old, dating back to 1216. It has three crescents and three red circles. The motto on the seal is Hazard Zet Forward. This means "Despite risks, move forward." Students have a tradition of not stepping on the seal engraving in the middle of the campus green. It is said that if you step on it, you won't graduate on time.
The Alma Mater Song
The Seton Hall University Alma Mater is the official song of the university. Charles A. Byrne wrote the original lyrics in 1936. The university adopted the song in 1937. Some students like to say "blue and white" louder when singing the song.
Seton Hall Athletics
The university's sports teams are called the Pirates. They compete in the NCAA's Division I. They are part of the Big East Conference. The first basketball team was formed in 1903.
Seton Hall is best known for its men's basketball program. They won the 1953 National Invitation Tournament (NIT). In 1989, they were the national runners-up in the NCAA tournament. They lost a close game in overtime to Michigan. Seton Hall also has teams for baseball, women's basketball, cross country running, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, and volleyball.
Seton Hall also has club sports teams. These include ice hockey, rugby union, lacrosse, and men's volleyball and soccer. Most Seton Hall sports play on the South Orange campus. However, the men's basketball team plays at the Prudential Center in Newark. The club ice hockey team plays in West Orange.
Seton Hall had a varsity football team from 1882 to 1932. They also had a club football team from 1965 to 1972. In 1972, the club football team won a national championship. The football team was brought back as a varsity program in 1973. However, it was stopped permanently after the 1981 season.
Notable People from Seton Hall
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Seton Hall para niños
