St. Bonaventure University facts for kids
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Former names
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St. Bonaventure's College (1858–1950) |
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| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1858 |
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Religious affiliation
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Catholic Church (Franciscan) |
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Academic affiliations
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ACCU AFCU NAICU CIC |
| Endowment | $92.3 million (2021) |
| President | Jeff Gingerich |
| Provost | David Hilmey |
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Administrative staff
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166 FT/ 74 PT |
| Students | 2,603 (2023) |
| Undergraduates | 1,914 (2023) |
| Postgraduates | 689 (2023) |
| Location |
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U.S.
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| Campus | Small town/rural, 500 acres (200 ha) |
| Colors | Brown and White |
| Nickname | Bonnies |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – Atlantic 10 |
| Mascot | The Bona Wolf |
St. Bonaventure University is a private school in St. Bonaventure, New York. It was started by a group called the Franciscans in 1858. Today, about 2,603 students study there, including both undergraduate and graduate students.
The university's sports teams are called the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. They play in NCAA Division I, which is a top level for college sports. Their teams are part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Many students and people who graduated from the university often call it Bona's.
Contents
University History
The university was founded by Nicholas Devereux, a businessman from Utica, New York. He helped get land in Cattaraugus County and wanted to build a new city there. Devereux asked John Timon, the bishop of Buffalo, for help.
They invited the Franciscan order to Western New York. A small group of Franciscans, led by Pamfilo da Magliano, arrived in 1855. The school welcomed its first students and graduated its first class in 1858. In 1950, New York State officially gave St. Bonaventure's College university status. The largest student living building on campus, Devereux Hall, is named after the founder.
The Franciscan Connection
The university is named after Bonaventure (1221–1274). He was an important religious leader who became a cardinal and a Doctor of the Church. Bonaventure was a smart thinker and a leader of the Franciscan order. He was recognized as a saint in 1482. The Franciscan friars at the university are part of the Holy Name Province.
The university is also home to the Franciscan Institute. This institute was started in 1939 by Thomas Plassmann, who was the president of the college at the time. Its first director was Philotheus Boehner.
University Campus
The campus covers about 500 acres (2.0 km2) in the town of Allegany. It is close to the city of Olean. The university even has its own US Post Office. Its mailing address is Saint Bonaventure, NY 14778.
Academic Programs
St. Bonaventure University offers more than 50 different study programs. These programs are spread across several schools:
- Jandoli School of Communication
- School of Arts & Sciences
- School of Business
- School of Education
- The Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions
Research and Learning
The university has a special place called the Center for the Study of Attention, Learning & Memory. This center helps with research about how people pay attention and learn. It is a joint effort between the School of Education and the School of Arts and Sciences. The university also hosts the Franciscan Institute, which gives money for research about the history and ideas of the Franciscan Order.
University Rankings
In the U.S. News & World Report 2025 rankings, St. Bonaventure University was ranked among the top "Regional Universities North." It was also ranked high for being a "Best Value School."
Student Life
Campus Media
The university has its own newspaper called The Bona Venture. It has been published since 1926 and is known as The BV on campus. The newspaper has won awards many times. The student radio station is called WSBU 88.3 The Buzz. In 2019, the Jandoli School of Communication started a student-made TV newscast called "SBU-TV," which can be watched in Western New York.
Campus Stories
Thomas Merton, a famous Catholic writer, taught English at St. Bonaventure for a year before World War II. He lived on campus in Devereux Hall. It was at this school that Merton decided to become a monk. He joined a monastery in Kentucky in 1941.
There is a heart-shaped clearing on a mountain near campus. Some students call it "Merton's Heart." They have a story that Merton often visited this spot and that the trees fell when he passed away. However, the truth is that the hillside was cleared for oil drilling in the 1920s, and trees have grown back, leaving that open spot.
University Athletics
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St. Bonaventure is part of NCAA Division I and the Atlantic 10 Conference. The university offers 19 different sports teams. All the school's teams are known as the Bonnies. The men's basketball team has played in the NCAA men's basketball tournament 8 times, most recently in the 2020–2021 season.
Famous Graduates
Six people who graduated from St. Bonaventure University have won the Pulitzer Prize. This is a very important award for achievements in journalism, literature, and music. Some of these graduates include Dan Barry (1980), Bill Briggs (1985), Robert A. Dubill (1958), John Hanchette (1964), Charles J. Hanley (1968), and Brian Toolan (1972).
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de San Buenaventura (Nueva York) para niños
