Old Main, the heart of the Mercyhurst campus, houses admissions, administrative offices and classrooms, and reminds more than a few visitors of Hogwarts.
Carpe•Diem \`kär-pe•`dē-em, Exclamation [Latin, literally “pluck the day (while it is ripe),” an aphorism from Horace (Odes, I.xi)]; Seize the day; take full advantage of present opportunities to make your future better, rather than leaving your outcomes to chance; the Mercyhurst way of life
SEIZE These next four years—that’s what Mercyhurst is all about. For 90 years, our truest tradition has been one of exploration, within our gates and around the globe. Our motto, Carpe Diem, is at the heart of everything we do, whether it’s a late-night study session with friends, a coffee with a professor after class or an early-morning basketball workout. At Mercyhurst, you’ll find a community that celebrates experiences inside and outside the classroom, experiences that challenge you to write more, practice harder, dig deeper and see the world from an unconventional perspective. College isn’t about reveling in what you’ve done in the past; it’s about uncovering who you are and who you want to become. It’s your time to grow, to discover something new, to ignite your passions and share them with the world. It’s your time to seize
THE DAY.
Welcome! The college search process is an exciting time for you and your family, and I appreciate your consideration of Mercyhurst University. At Mercyhurst, we celebrate higher education as more than a brief transactional stage in your life. Ahead of you is an exciting period of intellectual growth, career preparation and new friends. The applied liberal arts tradition at the heart of a Mercyhurst education prepares our graduates to thrive as innovative leaders who are able to think and adapt in today’s changing world. What truly makes Mercyhurst stand out, however, is the encouraging atmosphere of generosity among your professors, counselors, peers and friends. To be sure, a Mercyhurst education is challenging and even uncomfortable at times—a transformative education always is—as we push you to re-examine your beliefs and assumptions, and engage with different points of view. But amidst these challenges, your Mercyhurst family will be there to offer you support and encouragement throughout your educational journey. I invite you to read on and discover more about Mercyhurst and what makes us unique. If our dreams and values resonate with your own, I sincerely hope you’ll consider joining the Mercyhurst family. Our admissions counselors and I look forward to the opportunity to get to know you in person and show you around this very special place. Carpe Diem,
Michael T. Victor, J.D., LL.D. President, Mercyhurst University
Mercy Mission creating leaders in justice and service This place is different. You can feel it the second you step on campus. When Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin in 1831, she sought to embrace justice and service to all people by furthering social, political, economic and spiritual well-being. Her pioneering vision of hospitality engages this university every day, as our students, professors and staff follow her example to recognize the dignity in all people. At Mercyhurst, you’ll enter an open-minded community that welcomes people from all walks of life. The diverse perspectives within the Laker family encourage us to explore new answers to age-old questions, engage each other in thought-provoking discussions and exercise leadership in service toward a just world.
“We strive to witness to mercy when we reverence the dignity of each person, create a spirit of hospitality, and pursue integrity of word and deed in our lives.” – Constitution of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
majors Accounting Anthropology/Archaeology Applied Forensic Sciences Art Education Art Therapy Athletic Training Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology Business Competitive Intelligence Business Economics Chemistry Communication Criminal Justice Dance Data Science * Early Childhood Education Early Childhood/Special Education English Environmental Science
*available as a Scholars Program along with any major
Exercise Science Fashion Merchandising Finance French French Education Geology Graphic Design History History Education Hospitality Management Human Resource Management Information Technology Integrated Marketing Communication Intelligence Studies Interior Architecture and Design International Business Liberal Studies Management Marketing Mathematics
Music Music Composition Music Education Music Performance Music Therapy Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Public Health Religious Studies Russian Studies Social Work Sociology Spanish Spanish Education Sport Business Management Sports Medicine Studio Art Sustainability Studies
minors Accounting Anatomy Anthropology/Archaeology Applied Sociology Arab Islamic Studies Art Art History Art Therapy Arts Administration Asian Studies Biochemistry Biology Business Administration Catholic Studies Chemistry Chinese Communication Computer Systems Corrections
Creative Writing Digital Media Economics English Exercise Science Fashion Merchandising Film Studies French Gender Studies Geology Gerontology Graphic Design History Hospitality Management International Relations and Diplomacy Japanese Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Marketing
Mathematics Music Philosophy Photography Physics Planetary Science Political Science Psychology Psychology of Crime and Justice Public Health Religious Studies Russian Studies Social Welfare Spanish Special Education Sustainability Studies Theatre Web Development Writing
pre-professional Architecture Chiropractic Dentistry Law Medicine
Occupational Therapy Optometry Osteopathy Pharmacy Physician Assistant
Physical Therapy Podiatry Veterinary
walker college of Business
Whether you’re planning the design for a functional new business space, coordinating a major convention or giving a presentation to a Fortune 500 company’s top brass, innovation and leadership are valuable commodities. A Walker College education inspires the creative design and strategic business solutions needed in today’s economy. Our fast-paced courses take you from the classroom to the boardroom and equip you with the foundational principles and cultural literacy skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Walker professors bring decades of professional experience in corporate life, nonprofit management and higher education. They’re here to help you build the confidence and abilities needed to land an internship and prepare for a dream career.
Majors Accounting Business Economics Fashion Merchandising Finance
Hospitality Management Human Resource Management Interior Architecture and Design International Business
Marketing Sport Business Management
college spotlight
Fashion Merchandising students have the option of spending a year at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City or at Paris’ American Business School. Through these affiliations, our students gain access to industry partnerships and programming in business management, international fashion and luxury retail management while building professional excellence in the fashion capitals of the world.
college spotlight
As the first non-government initiative of its kind, Mercyhurst’s internationally recognized Intelligence Studies program pioneered analysis education. Intel undergrads are often contracted for analytic support projects with federal agencies and global businesses, and our grads are highly coveted among Fortune 500 corporations and D.C. Beltway institutions.
RIDGE college
of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences We live in a complex world, as diverse people, organizations and governments act to produce new and unexpected phenomena. A Ridge College education helps you make sense of these phenomena through the application of principles, theories and technologies in innovative and exciting ways. Alongside experienced faculty— including former U.S. State Department analysts, award-winning journalists, and the only board-certified forensic anthropologists in the state of Pennsylvania—you’ll explore questions on big data, human rights, national security, political uprisings and criminal investigations. The Ridge College assists in providing exciting career opportunities for students to meet the security and business demands of the 21st century. Students engage in experiential learning ventures such as internships with social service agencies, communication projects in our multimedia studio, support for law enforcement, and public opinion polling in the Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics.
Majors Applied Forensic Sciences Business Competitive Intelligence Communication Criminal Justice
Data Science* Information Technology Integrated Marketing Communication Intelligence Studies
*available as a Scholars Program along with any other major
Mathematics Political Science Social Work Sociology
hafenmaier college
of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Italian opera, cognition and memory, Catholic intellectual tradition, Platonic philosophy, pedagogical theories, painting and sculpture—these are the subjects that add meaning and significance to human existence. Through study in the Hafenmaier College, you’ll engage these subjects and more as you learn to research complex issues, conceive eloquent arguments, and expand your artistic expression to a deeper and more meaningful level. Our students’ thirst for knowledge and passion for helping others know no bounds, whether they’re researching the origins of human civilization at an archaeology field site, devising a study on smoking addiction, or editing our award-winning literature and arts magazine. These programs equip you with the sought-after abilities to communicate well, initiate positive changes, and create images and texts that connect us with one another.
Majors Anthropology/Archaeology Art Therapy Dance Education English
English Education Graphic Design History Liberal Studies Music
Philosophy Psychology Studio Art Sustainability Studies World Languages
college spotlight
Our education majors get hands-on classroom experience through Mercyhurst’s Carpe Diem Academy, an afterschool program that provides support to at-risk young learners in urban classrooms. Four times each week, our students offer additional instruction in reading and math to kids in kindergarten through second grade, along with arts and cultural experiences, wellness activities, healthy snacks and dinner.
college spotlight
One of the few labs of its kind in the state, Mercyhurst’s Hirtzel DNA Sequencing Center features two cutting-edge sequencers that allow for rapid amplification of DNA from any organism. Students across the scientific disciplines use this lab on research projects such as testing soil for parasites and analysis of Lyme disease-carrying ticks, with further applications in medicine, forensic science and public health.
ZURN college
of Natural and Health Sciences From the tiniest subatomic particles to supermassive volcanoes, the natural world inspires passion and curiosity. Zurn College is at the forefront of scientific thought and research on the natural world, with coursework that will motivate you to engage with theories, form hypotheses and devise valid experiments. Beginning as early as freshman year, you’ll join in cross-disciplinary scientific research alongside professors and peers. State-of-the-art campus facilities are equipped to study everything from polymer applications to ACL injuries. Research excursions regularly take students around the region (erosion along Lake Erie, ecology of local wetlands, etc.) and around the globe (marine biology in the Caribbean, long-term health impacts of war in Vietnam, etc.). Zurn grads are well prepared for scientific careers, advanced graduate study or professional health schools, such as medicine or dentistry.
Majors Athletic Training Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology
Chemistry Environmental Science Exercise Science Geology
Physics Public Health Sports Medicine
The Weber Great Room is a popular, quiet spot for Lakers studying alone or in small groups.
“Technology alone is not enough—it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities that yields us the results that make our heart sing.” – Steve Jobs
REACH cURRICULUM prepare for a lifetime of learning R
Reason and Faith
E
Expression and Creativity
A C H
Analytical Thought
Contexts and Systems
Humans in Connection
As a university rooted in the liberal arts, Mercyhurst embraces flexibility in education and a commitment to lifelong learning. In keeping with this philosophy, our REACH Curriculum fosters curiosity and enhances interdisciplinary collaboration through a variety of liberal arts courses in broad categories, as well as a specialized freshman course, senior capstone experience, and a unique service learning and civic engagement component. Through these intriguing arts and sciences courses, you’ll build a valuable portfolio of critical skills while still enjoying the freedom to add another major or minor, or take a few outside-the-box classes simply for fun. We recognize your education doesn’t end when you graduate. REACH ensures you’re equipped with the moral courage, broad framework and intellectual agility to adapt to whatever new career or adventure your future holds.
study abroad the world is your classroom Studying abroad is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to expand your perspectives and learn about the cultural, economic, political and scientific forces that shape our world. At Mercyhurst, there are plenty of ways to make this happen. Among the most popular are Faculty-Student Academic Travel (FSAT) opportunities, which have taken students and professors to study narrative and film in Spain, aquatic ecology in Belize, video storytelling in Peru and dance appreciation in France, among many others. Students also pursue opportunities with recognized study abroad programs like Academic Programs International and Semester at Sea. In recent years, students have studied in: Ireland France Spain Portugal Germany Italy
Switzerland England Vietnam Japan Costa Rica Guyana
Belize Haiti Mexico South Africa Nigeria China
Above left: Paris is the ideal classroom for Lakers studying the business of fashion and design. Below left: Lakers explore the medieval monasteries and fortifications at the Rock of Cashel in Ireland.
in 14 Nearly 1 in 4 Mercyhurst students study abroad. National average: fewer than 1 in 10
Success beyond our gates
Your time, money and hard work are valuable—and so is a Mercyhurst education.
Career Services and Mercyhurst alumni around the world provide you with the resources and professional networking needed to find your career.
Among our accomplished alumni are Fortune 500 CEOs, teachers, lawyers, musicians, FBI agents, counselors, film producers, dancers, CIA analysts, doctors, public servants and fashion buyers.
95 percent of our grads secured jobs or enrolled in graduate school within a year of graduation.
More than 20 of our programs report a 100 percent job or grad school placement rate.
85 percent of our pre-professional students were accepted into health professional programs— including medical and dental schools.
In recent years, our pre-law grads have gone on to more than 20 law schools across the country, including Boston College, Michigan and California-Davis.
EARN UP TO %
30 more WITH A GRADUATE DEGREE USNews.com
4+1: 2 degrees • 5 years It’s never too early to start thinking about graduate school! Mercyhurst’s 4+1 programs afford you the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in only five years by taking graduate-level courses during your junior and senior years. You’ll still graduate on time with your class before seamlessly transitioning to a nationally respected Master of Science program for one extra year. The skills you’ll develop in these graduate programs complement almost every undergraduate major and can be readily applied in any field. Any master’s credits you earn as an undergrad are included in your undergrad tuition, which means you’ll save time and money. Data Science (M.S.) + any major
Secondary Education (M.S.) + select majors
Organizational Leadership (M.S.) + any major
Special Education & Applied Disability Studies (M.S.) + any major
Criminal Justice Administration (M.S.) + Criminal Justice major
The cast-iron Canterbury Clock defines the landscape in Garvey Park, a busy gathering place during the academic year and a hub of Hurst Day activities.
By the time you’ve moved into your residence hall and adjusted to the pace of university life, you’ll realize there’s nothing routine about a Mercyhurst day. Even days that seem
ORDINARY contain countless moments that open your eyes, shape your perspectives and help define who you are. These are the moments we live for, and the moments that will make you
EXTRAORDINARY.
Daya, known for her Billboard Top 50 hit “Hide Away,” performs to a packed house at SpringFest 2016.
campus
LIFE
What happens in class is only the beginning. College is about more than an education; it’s an experience. And it’s one you might only get once in a lifetime— so make the most of it. Our campus is alive with activity day and night and our students are engaged in a vast array of experiences: planning events on campus and in the community, heading up clubs and organizations, and volunteering locally and across the nation. As you walk under the Gothic arches and across the grassy quads and redbrick plazas, you’ll find places on our campus for almost any activity, whether it’s quiet reflection, a rocking concert or a pickup game of Frisbee. At the heart of everything is the Sr. Carolyn Herrmann Student Union, bringing together the academic, social, spiritual, cultural and recreational happenings on campus. Groups like the Student Activities Council and Mercyhurst Student Government bring to life some of Mercyhurst’s most exciting and memorable traditions.
SpringFest brings to campus artists like T-Pain, Reel Big Fish, MKTO, Plain White T’s, Andy Grammer and Cassio Monroe.
#1
in student-athlete Academic Success Rate in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Luke the Laker: Mercyhurst’s raucous fishermanturned-mascot.
100 days of fun activities traditionally mark the start of freshman year.
Lakers of every skill level take part in athletic opportunities like intramural teams, instructional classes and recreational activities.
Hurst Day: a surprise day in the fall jam-packed with games, contests, music and food.
get involved It’s easy to find your niche at Mercyhurst. Mercyhurst offers more than 80 Recognized Student Clubs and Organizations (RSCOs) on campus, plus year-round intramural sports. Here’s a sampling of what you can join: Amnesty International Black Students for Unity Dance Team Equestrian Club Habitat for Humanity International Student Association Laker TV LGBTQIA Equality Club Marching Band Merciad (student newspaper) Mercyhurst Fencing Club
Mercyhurst Student Government Mock Trial Club Music Therapy Club Outdoor Adventure Club Rugby Football Club Science Fiction & Fantasy Guild Ski Club & Snowboard Crew Sustainability Club Theatre Appreciation Club Ultimate Frisbee WMCE (radio)
See the full list at mercyhurst.edu/clubs. If you find we’re missing a club you’d like to see on campus, grab a few friends and start one up with funding and support from Mercyhurst Student Government.
Athletics play a major role in the life and spirit of the Hurst. In fact, 25 percent of our students compete in a sport. Our teams compete at a high level, so that means there’s always a big game (or maybe even a championship) to get excited about—even if you’re not on the team.
NCAA Division I Ice Hockey
Men’s and Women’s
NCAA Division II Baseball Men’s Basketball Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Men’s and Women’s Field Hockey Women’s Football Men’s Golf Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Men’s and Women’s Rowing Men’s and Women’s Softball Women’s Soccer Men’s and Women’s Tennis Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Women’s Water Polo Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Men’s
LAKER PRIDE
life as a laker
Located in suburban Erie, Pennsylvania, on a hill overlooking Lake Erie, our campus is known as one of the most beautiful universities in the region. Elements of the English Gothic architecture exemplified in Old Main are carried throughout our 75-acre campus. Most freshmen choose to live on campus in one of three residence halls, while upperclassmen live in suite- and townhouse-style residences at the east end of campus. Spend time in Grotto Commons, the Laker Inn or any residence hall, and you’ll see the diversity of thought, backgrounds and interests inherent in the Laker lifestyle. The friendships that blossom within the Laker family are remarkably enduring and transformative, as we challenge each other to the highest levels of growth. It’s not uncommon to see musicians, varsity athletes, chemists and student government reps hanging out together, a profound example of the open-mindedness that permeates our student body.
Mercyhurst students come from more than
43 states & 53 countries
SERVICE WORK On Freshman Day of Service, the Class of 2020 performed more than 2,000 hours of community service in a single day.
follow your passions to help others
At Mercyhurst, we believe service and community-based learning are essential parts of a student’s time here. It’s a fundamental part of the Mercy Mission that drives everything we do. It’s why all freshmen participate in Freshman Day of Service during Welcome Week. It’s why we send volunteer groups all over the world for alternative spring break trips. It’s why we offer dozens of opportunities to experience something deeper, whatever your faith traditions might be, and apply your learning in the spirit of social justice. Whether you want to go on a retreat, lend your talents as a music minister, or give voice to the voiceless through volunteering or activism, at Mercyhurst you’ll find a community that challenges you and changes you.
“The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.” – Pope Francis
The 3,400-square-foot performance stage at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center has hosted a number of internationally acclaimed artists, not to mention student music, dance and theater productions.
PERFORMING ARTS inspiration from monologues to pirouettes Creative and artistic expressions are essential dimensions of life at Mercyhurst. Whether it’s visual art, theater, dance, music or film, there are opportunities for first-timers and seasoned veterans to engage with the arts in nearly every discipline. On-campus venues include the magnificent 824-seat Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, the intimate Taylor Little Theatre and Walker Recital Hall. These state-of-the-art venues are home to student-produced theater, music, dance and opera performances. The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture organizes programming by world-class touring acts and visiting artists, helping to enhance the intellectual and aesthetic life of Mercyhurst and the surrounding community. More than 140 performances and presentations take place on campus every year, with free student tickets available for most shows.
WAKE UP BAGPIPES CLASSES CANCELED TRADITION SCAVENGER HUNT DUNK TANK STEAK DINNER
HURST
DAY
Pull an all-nighter in the 24-hour lounge
Ring the Sister Damien Spirit Bell in Garvey Park
See a student-run musical
Visit the Queen’s Chapel
Snap a pic by the rock at Welcome Week and graduation
Make the Merciad’s Good, Bad & Ugly list
Run for MSG office
Get toasty at the Homecoming bonfire
EMBRACE THE LAKER LIFE Watch the stars from the Alumni Patio
Cheer on your Laker teams with Luke the Laker
Meet Rhonda in the dining hall
Open skate at the Ice Center
Grab a bite at the Laker Inn
Study in the Walker Reading Room
Take a Service Learning trip
Get scared during Haunted Hurst
Attend an SAC event
Learn the best route from Egan to Warde Hall
Ask “where are you from?” and “what’s your major?” during Welcome Week
Pretend you live at Hogwarts
Attend Mass of the Holy Spirit
Get fit with a Rec Center class
End your night on the shuttle
Go sledding in the Grotto
Appear on Laker TV
Celebrate Miracle on 38th Street with local kids
Take selfies by the Gates and the Anchor
Catch some rays outside Baldwin
everyone has a story to tell A student teacher from Hungary. An archery champion from Texas. A first-generation college student from the Bronx. An audio engineer from Poland. Our students are as unique as they are talented. What unites our students is their passion for what they do, a passion nurtured by their time at Mercyhurst. Everyone brings something exceptional to the Mercyhurst community. Whether you know exactly what you want to do or aren’t sure yet where your interests lie, here you’ll get the support and encouragement you need to write your story. What will your MU experience be?
#myMU experience
Watch their experiences. mercyhurst.edu/mymuexperience
feel the lake effect
Mercyhurst enjoys a close relationship with Erie, Pennsylvania, a place with small-town personality and big-city opportunities. Erie’s biggest and most beautiful attraction is the 13-mile sandy shoreline along Presque Isle State Park—voted the Best Freshwater Beach in the Nation by USA Today—perfect for swimming, biking, kayaking or just relaxing in the sun. There’s plenty to do in the surrounding Erie area, too: visit the Erie Zoo or the region’s museums, take in a show at the Erie Playhouse or Warner Theatre, dine at one of Erie’s first-rate restaurants, shop the latest trends at the Millcreek Mall, cheer on the local minor league teams, or hit the slopes at nearby ski resorts. It’s no wonder Erie was named one of USA Today’s 25 Best Small College Towns. Erie’s vibrant spirit and abundance of culture will enrich your college experience—especially with city buses and the campus shuttle transporting you to almost anywhere in town for free!
Buffalo Erie Cleveland
OH
NY PA Pittsburgh
100 miles from Erie to Pittsburgh, Cleveland or Buffalo
The 187-foot Bicentennial Tower at the foot of Dobbins Landing in downtown Erie offers panoramic views of Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie.
History Founded in 1926 as Mercyhurst College by the Sisters of Mercy of the Erie Catholic Diocese; became coeducational in 1969; granted university status in 2012.
REGION’S FIRST
CATHOLIC COLLEGE OF DISTINCTION
Campus 75 acres with more than 20 buildings and 15 student residence halls and facilities. Faculty 165 full-time undergraduate professors; 70 percent with Ph.D. or another terminal degree. Student-faculty ratio 13 to 1
TOP 50
Class size 20 or fewer in most classes. Student body Approximately 3,100 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. Geographic distribution Mercyhurst students come from more than 43 states and 53 countries. • 7 percent international students Average freshman profile • GPA: 3.41 • SAT: 1170 * • ACT: 24
2015-2016
BEST VALUE 2016-2017
* Mercyhurst is a test-optional school, which means we consider all facets of an individual applicant, and we’ll consider your standardized test scores only if you want us to.
BECOMING A
LAKER EXPANDS YOUR FAMILY BY
3,876
*
* total number of Mercyhurst students, faculty, administrators and staff
@HurstAthletics
#HurstGraduation
#HURSTisHOME
#LakerPride
#HurstSpringFest
@LukeTheLaker
GET SOCIAL like. tweet. follow. snap.
#HurstDay
/HurstU
@MercyhurstU
@MercyhurstU
MercyhurstU
Your four years at Mercyhurst will shape who you become personally, professionally and socially. Like every
LAKER generation before you, when graduation time comes, you’ll carry with you your deepened self-awareness, wealth of knowledge and experience, and abundance of friendships. Though everything we do is to help you preserve and evolve your individuality, our students and alumni are bonded together by our Mercy values and the lifelong search
FOR what is true, good and beautiful. The Laker community extends beyond our gates to every corner of the world, a community of individuals pursuing their passions for a common good. You’re not simply a Laker for the four years you’re here—you’re a Laker for the rest of your
LIFE.
501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16546 mercyhurst.edu