Madonna University

Madonna University is a private, non-profit, Catholic university located in suburban Livonia, Michigan, on the western perimeter of metropolitan Detroit. Conducted by the Felician Sisters, it has extension campuses in Southwest Detroit, Orchard Lake, Michigan (at the St. Mary's College campus); and Gaylord, Michigan (currently offering, via interactive television, a Bachelor of Social Work). Though strong in its affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church, the school attracts students and faculty of all faiths.

Studies

Founded by the Felician Sisters in 1937 as Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary college, the university has grown to encompass more than 75 undergraduate majors towards the associate's and bachelor's degrees as well as 22 master's programs in clinical psychology, business, criminal justice, education, history and health professions. In of May 2009, Madonna began offering its first doctorate, the Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Among the largest Catholic, Franciscan universities in the country, Madonna University is situated on a 49-acre (200,000 m²) wooded campus.

Madonna University’s commitment to developing a sustainable and eco-friendly campus was recognized when the U.S. Green Building Council awarded Gold level LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the University’s new, 60,000 square-foot Franciscan Center. The LEED certification was verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

Travel and study abroad opportunities are facilitated through the Center for International Studies, which has developed a 30-semester hour Certificate of Achievement in International Studies.

The school is ranked by the U.S. News and World Report under the category "University - Master's" as a Midwest university, 88th in the 1st tier (2011).

Athletics

Playing as the Crusaders, Madonna University athletics has developed into a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 11-sport program power for men and women, including: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball. The primary team name, Crusaders, is slated for change during the 2008-2009 academic year, because of connotations that are not entirely positive.

Madonna is a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) within the NAIA. The campus features a regulation-size gym located in the Activities Center, which seats up to 600 people; international-size soccer field, which hosts camps and tournaments; Ilitch Ballpark baseball field and fast-pitch softball field. Athletic grants and scholarships are available to students who show promising talent and have demonstrated academic success.

Publications

There are several publications that are or have been issued by departments of Madonna University, or by the institution as a whole. The Madonna Herald is the University's newspaper, which is produced by the Madonna's Journalism Department headed by professor Neal Haldane. The Madonna Muse is a literary journal last published in the Winter Term of 2007. The Transept is a journal produced by students of Madonna University, particularly those involved with the Catholic Integrated Core Curriculum of Saint Mary's College (Michigan). It was last published in the Winter term of 2007. The Madonna Mind is a journal featuring articles written by the faculty of Madonna University. Recently, this publication has been placed entirely on the University's website, and is no longer published in a hard copy.

Madonna Online Radio

Students at Madonna also operate an on-line radio station at Live 365. The format is freeform, and features occasional live broadcasts from students of the Radio program. The broadcast is located at Madonna University On-Line Radio.

References

• America's Best Colleges, US News and World Report, 2006 Edition, pp. 101, 197; also see online (subscription required).

External links

• Madonna University
• Felician Sisters of Livonia
• Felician Sisters Congregation
• Madonna University Cultural Podcast
• Madonna University Radio