Saint Elizabeth University: A Legacy of Empowering Leaders
Saint Elizabeth University (SEU), formerly known as the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), stands as a testament to the enduring power of education and the unwavering commitment to empowering women and fostering responsible leaders. Founded in 1899 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, SEU has a rich history rooted in Catholic tradition and a dedication to providing a superior educational experience.
Founding and Early Years
Mother Mary Xavier Mehegan established Saint Elizabeth University in September 1899, soliciting cooperation "which has for its special object the higher education of women.” The College of Saint Elizabeth was among the first Catholic colleges in the United States to award degrees to women. The first baccalaureate degrees were granted on June 18, 1903.
The institution is named for St. Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary (mother of Jesus). The college was founded by the Sisters of Charity, the order started by Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), who, after her death, was canonized as the United States' first native-born saint.
The Academy of Saint Elizabeth, founded in 1860, is the oldest Catholic all-girls high school in the State of New Jersey. The Academy carries a history of academic excellence. Based first in Newark, New Jersey, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth moved to Convent Station under the guidance of Mother Mary Xavier Mehegan. Afterwards, she founded the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. By September 1860, six girls were enrolled as the first students of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. With the founding of the College of Saint Elizabeth in 1899 classes for both the academy and college students began in Xavier Hall in winter 1901.
A Century of Growth and Transformation
From 1865 to 1880, Mother Xavier purchased 225 acres of land, from Park Avenue to the top of the hill near the railroad tracks. The Academy not only promoted academic excellence but also encouraged its students to be well-rounded in other aspects of their high school experience, including athletics. The Academy’s first yearbook, titled The Tower, was published by the Class of 1928. Ten students staffed the editing team, beginning the tradition of our school’s yearbook, fondly known today as The Beth.
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After the end of World War II, as women began to enter the workforce in large numbers, the Academy was leading the way in educating women, especially in the fields of science and mathematics.
Over its 162 years of existence, the Academy has experienced many pivotal historical, social, and spiritual revolutions which shaped us into the school we are today.
Transition to University Status and Co-education
With little in the way of public notice, the school officially became the University of Saint Elizabeth on July 1. In 2016, Saint Elizabeth University began transitioning into a co-educational institution, starting with the 2016 freshman intake. Upon its 2016 transition to co-educational studies, SEU also added men’s sports.
Campus and Location
Saint Elizabeth University is located on the campus of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. Located on 200 beautiful acres that overlook the Watchung Mountains in Morris County, Saint Elizabeth University is a suburban campus located just 35 miles from New York City, which can be accessed by a convenient train station at the edge of the campus. The Convent Station of NJ Transit, located on the campus of Saint Elizabeth University, provides rail transportation both east and west of Convent Station. Convent Station became a stop on the Morris Essex line in the 1870s.
Cultural and artistic events bring energy and vitality to the SEU campus. The Annunciation Center is home to the Dolan Performance Hall and Therese A. Maloney Art Gallery, both of which host numerous art exhibitions, concerts, dance performances, and other events throughout the year. The classical Greek Theatre is used for concerts and performances.
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Academics and Programs
Saint Elizabeth University is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education with the most recent re-affirmation in 2016. (For special professional accreditation see each department.) The Office of the President maintains copies of all accreditation and approvals. Saint Elizabeth University also has specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA.
Great teaching and small classes are at the heart of a SEU education, thriving with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio that allows for an active, intellectual give-and-take style of learning. The University’s general education curriculum promotes success. Classes are targeted, integrated, and developmental, giving students more flexibility to double major and take electives within their majors. In support of general education and all student learning, the Conklin Academic Success Center provides a variety of services, free of charge, for all SEU students. In addition, specially designed courses prepare students to take multiple approaches to complex issues, a skill that employers value.
A number of academic programs have been added in recent years, including a new, four-year pre-licensure BSN program that launched in fall 2018. In fall 2019 the University welcomed the first class of M.S. in Physician Assistant program. The Anastasia Health Sciences Center Clinical Assessment Lab includes a 12-bed patient simulation room and six fully equipped examination rooms located in the Patient Evaluation Clinic. Both areas are used by undergraduate and graduate nursing students as well as those in the M.S. in Physician Assistant program.
The History Department seeks to educate students about the most important historical concepts, facts, and interpretations pertinent to a range of regions and time periods. Recent SEU History majors have begun careers in education, library work, government service, and business. Other recent History graduates have pursued graduate study at such institutions as Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, Drew University, Monmouth University, New York University, and the New School for Social Research. Still other History graduates have attended Seton Hall University School of Law, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and other law schools, pursuing a degree in law.
Athletics
The Saint Elizabeth athletic teams are called the Eagles. SEU competes in NCAA Division III athletics and, beginning in fall 2019, the University moved from its current home in the Northeastern Atlantic Conference (NEAC) to the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). The university is a member of the Division III ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the United East Conference (UEC) since the 2023-24 academic year; which they were a member on a previous stint from 2009-10 to 2018-19. In February 2019, the women’s basketball team boasted the best record in its history in the NEAC conference and earned its first-ever postseason home court advantage. The men’s basketball team also competed in postseason competition for the first time since its founding.
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Commitment to Service and Affordability
Service is a vital aspect of SEU’s culture. Through a grant from the Campus Kitchens Project, SEU is one of 63 Campus Kitchens participants in the country, helping develop innovative solutions to local food insecurity. More than 90 alumni and friends volunteer in the University’s mentoring program, which pairs undergraduates with seasoned professionals to support their transition from student to employee. Sixty-three percent of SEU’s student population is first-generation college students. Approximately one-third of SEU’s annual budget is dedicated to student aid programs. The University is devoted to preparing responsible leaders for meaningful lives in a changing world and is committed to providing a superior educational experience that is also affordable.
Notable Traditions and Events
The Academy celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its founding with great pomp and circumstance. Over those 100 years, numerous traditions had been established which helped created the unbreakable bonds of SEAsterhood. Shifting from a boarding school to a commuter school, the Academy began to place an even stronger focus on its academic offerings.
Phones, cable, and internet access were added to student rooms.
Other historical milestones include:
- 1913 - Santa Maria opened as the first separate academic building and library.
- 1924 - Student Government was created.
- 1926 - O'Connor Hall opened as the second dormitory named after Most Reverend John J. O'Connor.
- 1952 - The tradition of Mother/Daughter Weekend was born.
- 1962 - Henderson Hall opened.
- 1972-73 - The Rathskellar ("Rath") was created on campus in Saint Joseph Hall.
- 1974 - Oktoberfest became a fall tradition thanks to Sister Anne Haarer.
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