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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~500 |
| Undergraduates | 1,858 |
| Postgraduates | 756 |
| Location |
,
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 university located in St. Bonaventure, New York. It was started by a group called the Franciscans in 1858. Today, it has over 2,300 students who are studying for their first degree or a higher degree.
The university's sports teams are called the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. They play in NCAA Division I sports, which is the highest level for college sports in the United States. Many students and people who went to the university often call it Bona's for short.
Contents
University History
The idea for St. Bonaventure University came from Nicholas Devereux. He was a businessman from Utica, New York. He bought a lot of land in New York and wanted to build a new city. Devereux asked the bishop of Buffalo, John Timon, for help.
They invited the Franciscan order to come to Western New York. A small group of Franciscans arrived in 1855. The school officially opened and had its first graduating class in 1858. In 1950, the state of New York officially recognized St. Bonaventure's College as a university. The largest student living building on campus, Devereux Hall, is named after the founder.
The Franciscan Connection
The university is named after Bonaventure. He lived from 1221 to 1274 and was a very important person in the Catholic Church. He was a smart thinker and a leader of the Franciscan order. Bonaventure became a saint in 1482.
The Franciscan friars (members of the order) at St. Bonaventure are part of the Order of Friars Minor. This is one of the main groups within the Franciscans. The university is also home to the Franciscan Institute, which was started in 1939.
Campus Location
The university campus covers about 500 acres. It is located in the town of Allegany, which is close to the city of Olean. The university even has its own Post Office and is considered a separate place by the Census Bureau.
St. Bonaventure also has another center for graduate studies. This is in Hamburg, which is a town near Buffalo.
Academic Programs
St. Bonaventure University offers more than 50 different study programs. These programs are in various areas like:
- Communication (Jandoli School of Communication)
- Arts and Sciences
- Business
- Education
- Health Professions
They also have special programs that help students get ready for careers in fields like medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, or pharmacy.
Research Opportunities
The university has a special place called the Center for the Study of Attention, Learning & Memory. This center helps people do research on how attention and learning work. It is a joint effort between the School of Education and the School of Arts and Sciences.
The Franciscan Institute also gives money for research. This research focuses on the history and ideas of the Franciscan Order.
University Rankings
U.S. News & World Report is a well-known publication that ranks universities. In their 2022 list, St. Bonaventure University was ranked very highly. It was ranked No. 9 for value and No. 20 among regional universities in the North.
Student Life
Students at St. Bonaventure have many ways to get involved and share their voices.
Student Media
- The Bona Venture: This is the campus newspaper, and it has been published since 1926. Students call it The BV. It has won many awards, including The Pacemaker Award.
- WSBU 88.3 The Buzz: This is the university's student radio station.
- SBU-TV: In 2019, students started producing a newscast called "SBU-TV." It can be watched by people across Western New York.
Popular Campus Stories
Thomas Merton, a famous Catholic writer, taught English at St. Bonaventure for a year. This was just before World War II. He lived in Devereux Hall on campus. 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 the campus. Some students call it "Merton's Heart." They say that Merton often visited this spot and that the trees fell when he died. However, the truth is that the hillside was cleared for oil drilling in the 1920s. The trees have grown back since then, but a bald patch remains.
University Athletics
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St. Bonaventure is a member of NCAA Division I. They are part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The university offers 19 different sports teams. All the school's sports programs are known as the Bonnies. The men's basketball team has made it to the NCAA men's basketball tournament 8 times. Their most recent appearance was in the 2020–2021 season.
Famous Alumni
Several people who went to St. Bonaventure University have won the Pulitzer Prize. This is a very important award for achievements in journalism, literature, and music. Some of these famous alumni include:
- Dan Barry (1980)
- Bill Briggs (1985)
- Robert A. Dubill (1958)
- John Hanchette (1964)
- Charles J. Hanley (1968)
- Brian Toolan (1972)
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de San Buenaventura (Nueva York) para niños
