Carlow University

The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Pittsburgh on December 21, 1843. They traveled from County Carlow, Ireland to the Oakland area of Pittsburgh, where they purchased 13 acres (5.3 ha) within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. This land became the location of a new motherhouse and Our Lady of Mercy Academy. Some reports state that the site of the current campus was the location of a Civil War fortification named Fort Zug.[3]

In 1929, the Sisters of Mercy opened Mount Mercy College. The first Commencement ceremony for Mount Mercy College was conducted in 1933. The college's seal and motto was also established that year. Aquinas Hall was built to house the library and administrative offices in 1936. Five years later, Trinity Hall opened as the science center for the college. In 1945, men were admitted to the school under the G.I. Bill. One of these men was the late Peter F. Flaherty, who went on to become a two-term Mayor of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Commissioner.[4]

In 1948, Antonian Hall opened with office, classroom, and theater space. Thirteen years later, in 1961, Frances Warde Hall dormitory was opened. Prior to this, students lived in houses or halls in the surrounding area. Mount Mercy College's name was changed to Carlow College in 1969. A year later, Curran Hall was renovated to house the nursing school. In 1975, Carlow's mission statement was drafted. In 1978, Carlow College went where few institutions of higher education had gone - accelerated classes especially designed for working adults.

In 2004, Carlow College officially became Carlow University and a year later appointed its first lay president, Dr. Mary Hines. In 2011, Carlow University was selected for the U.S. President's Community Service Honor Roll.[5]

In the fall of 1983, Carlow began offering coed housing for men on-campus by housing a single male student. In Fall 2012, Carlow began competition in men's and women's cross country, the first male sport offered at Carlow.[6] Carlow announced on March 17, 2014 (St. Patrick's Day), that it would field a men's basketball team for the 2014–2015 season.[7]

In September 2015, Carlow announced it would add men's soccer and men's and women's golf teams beginning in Fall 2016.[8] In December 2016, Carlow announced that it would add men's and women's track and field teams beginning spring 2018.[9]

Carlow University consists of three campuses, Oakland, Cranberry, and Greensburg. The main campus, the Oakland campus, is a 13-acre lot and consists of 14 buildings. Among them are Frances Warde Hall, Carlow's first dormitory. Frances Warde was one of the founding Sisters of Mercy in Carlow, Ireland. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology is the newest Carlow academic building.

Carlow University Aquinas Hall main entrance

Aquinas Hall is home to English, Spanish, Theology, History, Philosophy, and Women's Studies. Antonian Hall has a theater. St. Joseph's Hall has a gymnasium, dance studio, and weight room.

Carlow University Center for Leadership and Management main entrance

The Sisters of Mercy Convent is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark and motherhouse for nearly 150 Sisters of Mercy.

Carlow University St Agnes 2015

St. Agnes Church, dedicated in 1917, was designed by "nationally influential church-architect," John T. Comes. Masses are celebrated in the center on special occasions, such as the opening of a new academic year.

Carlow University Campus aerial view

The Carlow athletic teams are called the Celtics. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC; formerly known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) until after the 2015–16 school year) since the 2012–13 academic year. They are also a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The Celtics previously competed as a member of the American Mideast Conference from 2001–02 to 2011–12 (when the conference dissolved).

Carlow competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading.

• Peter Francis Flaherty, 54th Mayor of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (D), 1970–1977

• Jan Beatty, poet and radio personality
• Claudia Pinza Bozzolla, soprano singer and voice teacher
• Marylouise Fennell, president 1982–1989[14]

• Victoria Nalongo Namusisi (awarded an honorary doctorate)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carlow University.

• Official website
• Official athletics website