Susquehanna University is a private liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Its name is derived from the original Susquehannock settlers of the region. Founded in 1858 as a missionary institute, it became a four-year liberal arts college in 1895. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Susquehanna is classified among "Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus", though it also has a business school, master's degrees in education and joint-degree programs in engineering and for a Master of Business Administration. It also offers the only bachelor's degree in luxury brand marketing and management in the U.S.
The academic programs are within the four schools of the Arts, Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences, and the AACSB International-accredited Sigmund Weis School of Business. Susquehanna University enrolls more than 2,200 undergraduate students from 33 states and 23 countries, and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1. Most students are required to live on campus all four years and as of 2012, all students participate in a cross-cultural study away or service-learning experience known as the GO Program.
History
Founding and early years
The institution was founded by Benjamin Kurtz, its first president. Having already assisted in the founding of Gettysburg Seminary, Kurtz wanted to create another institution to expand the form of American Lutheranism that he advocated.
Kurtz's mission was to “educate men for the gospel ministry ... who cannot take a full course of training adapted to their age and circumstances; a course so thorough in theology as will qualify them to be able and faithful ministers of Christ.” The American Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, provided 50 students, pledged $22,000, and offered the provisional use of its church facilities. However, they stipulated that the institute be expanded to a junior college and that a sister college for women also be formed.
On September 1, 1858, the Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Susquehanna Female College were established and legally recognized 23 days later. It had two departments: the theology department and the classical department. In 1873, the sister college disbanded and the institute became co-educational.
The institute officially became known as Susquehanna University in 1895.
20th century
The 20th century brought many changes. The institution had recently begun offering bachelor degrees and changed its name to reflect that. In 1903, the board approved Susquehanna’s colors, orange and maroon.
By the 1920s, student enrollment skyrocketed, accommodations were refurbished and the campus expanded, and academic departments and offerings were enhanced.
Academics
Susquehanna University is a private, non-profit liberal arts college in central Pennsylvania devoted primarily to undergraduate education. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Susquehanna has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1 with 90% of full-time faculty holding a doctorate or highest equivalent degree.
The institution offers more than 100 majors, minors and programs and allows students to design their own major, complete a double degree, or start undeclared. Susquehanna offers pre-professional programs in pre-law, pre-veterinary medicine and teaching, and coordinates with Thomas Jefferson University for allied health, Temple University for dentistry and Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University, and Washington University in St. Louis for 3+2 dual-degree engineering programs. It has articulation agreements with the University of Nicosia in Cyprus that offers an accelerated path to earn a Master of Business Administration degree and with Capital University Law School to pursue a Doctorate of Law. In 2016, an average of 96% of graduates were enrolled in graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
Organization and administration
Susquehanna University consists of four schools: School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural and Social Sciences, and the Sigmund Weis School of Business.
Susquehanna University is governed by the president, a governing board of trustees, and a team of administrators.
Rankings
GO Program
The GO Program, as part of a school policy adopted in 2009, requires all Susquehanna students go off-campus for cross-cultural learning. Students have a choice between GO Short programs of 2–3 weeks or semester-long GO Long programs. In 2013, the GO Program was awarded the Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education