Gwynedd-Mercy College

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Gywnedd-Mercy College


Motto	Veritas et Misericordia (Truth and Mercy)
Established	1948
Type	Private
President	Dr. Kathleen Owens
Faculty	82 full-time, 196 part-time
Undergraduates	2180
Postgraduates	543
Location	Gwynedd Valley, PA, USA
Campus	Suburban, 160 acres (.65 km²)
Colors	Red and gold
Mascot	Griffin
Website	www.gmc.edu

Gwynedd-Mercy College is an independent, co-educational institution located in Gwynedd Valley of Lower Gwynedd Township, PA, 25 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. Founded in 1948 by the Sisters of Mercy as a junior college, Gwynedd-Mercy College was rechartered in 1963 as baccalaureate institution. As of 2005, there were 2,180 undergraduate students attending the college.

Gwynedd-Mercy is a member of SEPCHE, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium of Higher Education, an association of eight higher-level educational institutions that "work together to promote quality and efficiency of academic programming, student access, faculty development, institutional operations and community outreach, through sharing a range of activities, services, technology and information."1 Other affiliated institutions include Arcadia University, Cabrini College, Chestnut Hill College, Holy Family University, Immaculata University, Neumann College and Rosemont College.

1 Academics
- 1.1 Center for Lifelong Learning
- 1.2 MBA
2 Facilities
3 Athletics
4 Special Programs and Services
- 4.1 Valie Genuardi Hobbit House
- 4.2 Upward Bound
5 External links

[edit] Academics

In the 2006 issue of U.S. News & World Report's "America’s Best Colleges" publication, Gwynedd-Mercy ranked 82nd among the masters-level colleges and universities in the north region, with a 78% graduation rate. Only 72% of college freshman return for sophomore year.

Espousing the ideals of a liberal education, the College offers baccalaureate and associate degrees in more than 50 programs. Gwynedd-Mercy is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Programs of Study and Degrees Offered

[edit] Center for Lifelong Learning

Designed to meet the needs of busy, working adults, the Center for Lifelong Learning offers four accelerated programs based on the value-centered principles traditional to the college. Degrees include: Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Bachelor of Health Science Degree in Health Care Leadership and Supervision, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Requires R.N. License)

[edit] MBA

In conjunction with La Salle University, Gwynedd-Mercy offers day, evening and weekend classes for adult continuing education students.

[edit] Facilities

Lourdes Library is equipped with computerized access to literary collections and the World Wide Web, housing over 1,000 volumes on the theory of creativity and creative learning & development care of Gwynedd-Mercy’s Center for Creative Studies.

The Academic Resource Center - equipped with state-of-the-art computers, tutorial software and a video library - offers professional tutoring in writing, and math and workshops for test-taking, skill-development and resume writing.

The Lincoln Library in Assumption Hall contains a large, adjunct collection of books on Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War.

Theaters include the Julia Ball Auditorium, a small-in-the-round theater.

Keiss Hall, 46,000 square-foot health and science center, is home to the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.

Four residential-halls, Alexandria (built in January of 2006), Siena, St. Brigid and Loyola, provide on-campus housing to students.

[edit] Athletics

Gwynedd-Mercy is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Pennsylvania Athletic Conference with 18 sports teams that compete at NCAA Division III level. The 160-acre campus has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, and playing fields for softball, lacrosse, baseball, soccer and field hockey. The Griffin Complex, the college's multi-million dollar sports facility, contains a full-size collegiate basketball court; an indoor track; an aerobics room; racquetball, volleyball and wallyball courts; a weight room; and saunas.
The Griffins most successful athletic program is Women's Basketball which captured Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championships in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2007. Men's Basketball captured the title in 1999, 2004, and 2005. The Gwynedd-Mercy Women's Soccer team won their only title in 2001. While the Griffin Baseball team had back to back championship seasons in 2000 and 2001.

[edit] Special Programs and Services

[edit] Valie Genuardi Hobbit House

Located in the college's Trocaire building, the Hobbit House preschool extends hands-on experience to early childhood development and nursing majors currently enrolled at the college. Fulfilling its mission to raise a child’s awareness of his/her surrounding natural environment, the Hobbit House opens all field trips and special occasions to Gwynedd-Mercy students and parents who wish to attend.

[edit] Upward Bound

A comprehensive, pre-college preparatory program designed to aid high school students interested in higher education, Gwynedd-Mercy offers eligible, Diocensan-city-schooled participants a five-week, summer residential stay on-campus. Program offerings include academic instruction in mathematics, science and English; tutorial and counseling services; PSAT/SAT workshops; financial aid information; visits to colleges; and cultural and social activities.