Widener University 1354218 217687171 2008-06-07T05:11:09Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{Infobox_University |name = Widener University |image = [[Image:Widener University Seal.png|Widener Seal]] |motto = [[Mens sana in corpore sano|Mens Sana In Corpore Sano]]<br/>(''Sound Mind in Sound Body'') |established = 1821, Preparatory school <br/> 1862, College |type = [[Private university|Private]] |endowment = $85.8 million<ref>[http://www.nacubo.org/Images/All%20Institutions%20Listed%20by%20FY%202007%20Market%20Value%20of%20Endowment%20Assets_2007%20NES.pdf 2007 NACUBO Endowment Study]</ref> |president = [[James T Harris III|Dr. James T. Harris III]] |city = [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester]] |state = [[Pennsylvania]] |country = [[United States|USA]] |enrollment = 6,571<ref name="quick_facts" /> |undergrad = 3,282 (2,789 day, 493 evening) |postgrad = 3,289 (1,589 law students) |faculty = 309 full-time |campus = [[Urban area|Urban]], 108 acres (.44 km²) |athletics = 20 varsity teams, [[Division III]] ([[Middle Atlantic Corporation|MAC]]) |colors = Widener Blue {{color box|#008aff}} and Gold {{color box|#ffd461}} |nickname = Pride (introduced in 2006), formerly the Pioneers and the Cadets (when PMC) |website = [http://www.widener.edu/ www.widener.edu] |logo = [[Image:Widener University Logo.PNG|Widener Logo]] }} '''Widener University''' is a [[Private university|private]], [[coeducational]] university located in [[Chester, Pennsylvania]]. Its main campus sits on 108 acres (.44 km²), just {{convert|14|mi|km}} south of [[Philadelphia]]. The university has three other campuses: two in Pennsylvania ([[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] and [[Exton, Pennsylvania|Exton]]) and one in [[Wilmington, Delaware]]. About 3,300 undergraduates and 3,300 graduate students attend Widener in eight degree-granting schools. The university offers [[Associate's degree|associate's]], [[Bachelor's degree|baccalaureate]], [[Master's degree|master’s]], and [[Doctorate|doctoral]] degrees in areas ranging from traditional [[liberal arts]] to professional programs. Widener was founded in 1821 and has undergone several name changes. It was known as '''Pennsylvania Military College''' after 1892, and adopted the Widener name in 1972. [[The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching|The Carnegie Foundation]] classifies Widener as a ''Doctoral/Research University'' and a ''Community Engagement Institution''. ==History== Founded in 1821 as a preparatory school for boys in [[Wilmington, Delaware]], the institution now known as Widener University moved to Pennsylvania in 1862, and was granted collegiate powers and privileges via universal charter by the Pennsylvania legislature in April of that year. It was known from 1892 to 1972 as Pennsylvania Military College, though it had officially become PMC College in 1966 when a nonmilitary, coeducational component was added. In 1972, the name Widener College was adopted after the prominent [[Widener family]] of Philadelphia, and the Corps of Cadets disbanded (an [[Army ROTC]] program still exists). Graduate programs were introduced in 1966 and the [[Widener University School of Law|School of Law]] acquired in 1975. In recognition of its comprehensive offerings, Widener College became Widener University in 1979. Today, Widener is a four-campus university offering more than 80 programs of study. ===Timeline=== Throughout its long history, the university has undergone several name changes. The following table details the various names Widener has gone under as well as any significant organizational changes that occurred during each period. {| class="wikitable" |- valign="top" | 1821–1846 | '''The Bullock School for Boys''', founded by [[John Bullock]] in [[Wilmington, Delaware]] |- valign="top" | 1846–1853 | '''The Alsop School for Boys''' |- valign="top" | 1853–1859 | '''Hyatt's Select School for Boys''' * 1858: military instruction introduced |- valign="top" | 1859–1862 | '''Delaware Military Academy''' |- valign="top" | 1862–1892 | '''Pennsylvania Military Academy''' * 1862: relocated from Wilmington to [[West Chester, Pennsylvania]] * 1868: relocated to present location in [[Chester, Pennsylvania]] |- valign="top" | 1892–1966 | '''Pennsylvania Military College''' (also known as '''PMC''') |- valign="top" | 1966–1972 | '''PMC Colleges''' (for Pennsylvania Military College and Penn Morton College, the civilian component) * 1966: offered nursing program with College of Nursing of Crozer Foundation; first women admitted; first graduate program introduced (engineering) * 1970: School of Nursing starts |- valign="top" | 1972–1979 | '''Widener College''' * 1972: Corps of Cadets disbanded, academic programs organized into 4 schools: Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Nursing, and Management * 1975: Acquired Delaware Law School * 1976: Delaware Campus opens as part of merger with Brandywine Junior College |- valign="top" | 1979- | '''Widener University''' * 1980: University College program (undergraduate evening school) starts * 1981: School of Hotel and Restaurant Management opens (renamed School of Hospitality Management in 1996) * 1989: Harrisburg Campus opens * 1993: School of Human Service Professions begins * 2004: Exton Campus opens |} ==Campuses== Widener consists of four campuses, the main campus in [[Chester, Pennsylvania]], plus campuses in [[Wilmington, Delaware]]; [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]]; and [[Exton, Pennsylvania]]. Founded in 1866 after the school moved to Chester, the {{convert|108|acre|km2|sing=on}} '''Main Campus''' consists of 97 buildings and serves all undergraduate day students as well as University College students. It also contains all graduate programs (business, education, engineering, nursing, social work, physical therapy, and clinical psychology) except for the School of Law. Opening in 1976, the '''Delaware Campus''' consists of 16 buildings across 40 acres and is {{convert|12|mi|km}} from the Main Campus. It contains the School of Law (shared with the Harrisburg Campus) as well as the Legal Education Institute. Some classes for University College students and graduate business students are also held here. The 21 acre '''Harrisburg Campus''', opening in 1989, contains the School of Law (shared with the Delaware Campus) and has graduate programs in nursing and social work. Starting in 2004, the '''Exton Campus''' is the newest Widener campus, located in a business park {{convert|25|mi|km}} from the Main Campus. It primarily serves University College students and contains Widener's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) which provides continuing education programs for retired adults. ==Academics== Widener's comprehensive offerings range from liberal arts to professional programs and include over 50 undergraduate majors, 30 minors and more than 30 graduate programs of study. In particular, programs in engineering, computer science, business, nursing and hospitality management have generated the most praise from students according to a survey conducted by [[The Princeton Review]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/studentsSay.asp?listing=1023869&category=5&LTID=1| publisher=The Princeton Review| title=Widener University: What Widener Students Say About Academics| accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> Widener boasts an undergraduate student to faculty ratio of 12:1 with 90% of the full-time faculty having doctorates or the highest degree in their field.<ref name="quick_facts" /> In addition, class sizes are kept small with 61% of all classes containing less than 20 students.<ref name="small_class_size">{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/premium/natudoc_hclas.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Colleges 2008: National Universities: Highest Proportion of Class Under 20| accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref>. ===Organization=== The university comprises the following schools: * '''College of Arts and Sciences''': The largest undergraduate school at Widener provides 25 majors and 26 minors within its three divisions: Humanities, Science and Social Science. The college is also home to pre-professional programs in law and medicine. All undergraduates within the college fulfill general education requirements in all three divisions as well as take an interdisciplinary values seminar during their junior or senior year. The college mainly consists of undergraduate programs although a few master's programs do exist (including [[Master of Public Administration|MPA]] and [[Master of Arts in Liberal Studies|MALS]] programs). The most popular undergraduate majors within the college are [[psychology]], [[criminal justice]], [[computer science]], [[biology]], [[communication studies]], [[political science|government & politics]] and [[English studies|English]].<ref name="nces_stats" /> * '''School of Business Administration''': The School of Business Administration provides undergraduate programs in [[management]], [[accounting]], and [[economics]] as well as graduate programs in information systems, business administration, financial planning, and human resources. The school has recently revised its [[MBA]] program which is accredited by the [[AACSB]]. * '''School of Engineering''': The school offers [[ABET]]-accredited undergraduate programs in [[chemical engineering|chemical]], [[civil engineering|civil]], [[electrical engineering|electrical]], and [[mechanical engineering]]. It has recently introduced a minor in [[biomedical engineering|bio-engineering]]. Master's ([[MEng]]) programs exist in all of the same fields in addition to [[computer engineering|computer]] and [[software engineering]]. A dual [[MEng]]/[[MBA]] program also exists with the School of Business Administration. * '''School of Hospitality Management''': One of the earliest schools dedicated to [[hospitality management]], the school provides undergraduate ([[B.S.]]) and graduate ([[M.S.]]) study in areas such as hotel and resort management, private club management, tourism, and casino and gaming operations. Its facilities include fully equipped production and demonstration kitchens as well as a restaurant, the ''Heintz Dining Room'', open to the public. The ''Institute for Gaming and Racing'', established in 2007, is the latest endeavor and offers research and educational programs for employees in the casino and racing industries. * '''School of Human Service Professions''': This school is a collection of professional programs in [[education]], [[social work]], [[clinical psychology]] and [[physical therapy]]. It comprises the following academic units: ** '''Center for Education''': The center provides bachelor's, master's and doctorate programs in education within a variety of areas including [[elementary education]], [[special education]], [[educational psychology]], [[human sexuality]] and school administration. The center serves as the home of the only nationally accredited doctoral program in human sexuality, having acquired the program from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://educator.widener.edu:16080/humansexuality/index.htm| publisher=Widener University| title=Widener University: Graduate Programs in Human Sexuality| accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref> ** '''Center for Social Work Education''': The center provides bachelor's ([[Bachelor of Social Work|BSW]]), master's ([[Master of Social Work|MSW]]) and doctorate programs ([[PhD]]) in [[social work]]. ** '''Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology''': Founded in 1970 by [[Hahnemann University]]'s medical school, the program moved to Widener in 1989 and became the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology. The institute houses the second oldest [[PsyD]] program in the United States.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.apa.org/monitor/jan00/ed1.html| publisher=APA Monitor on Psychology| title=The degree that almost wasn't: The PsyD comes of age| accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> The PsyD program is accredited by the [[American Psychological Association|APA]] and allows a variety of concentrations including [[family therapy]], [[forensic psychology]], and [[organizational psychology]]. The institute is also home to the ''Neuropsychology Assessment Center'' and the ''Biofeedback Clinic and Certification Center'' which provides services and treatment to the public. ** '''Institute for Physical Therapy Education''': The institute offers a full-time 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy ([[Doctor of Physical Therapy|DPT]]) program. The program is available for entry-level students as well as transitional students who are already licensed physical therapists. A pre-physical therapy program exists for undergraduates who wish to pursue the DPT degree. * '''[[Widener University School of Law|School of Law]]''': The school is home to a [[American Bar Association|ABA]] accredited [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] program and operates on two campuses, Wilmington, Delaware and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. * '''School of Nursing''': Accredited by the [[National League for Nursing|NLN]], the school has bachelor's ([[Bachelor of Science in Nursing|BSN]]), master's ([[Master of Science in Nursing|MSN]]) and doctorate ([[Doctor of Nursing Science|DNSc]]) programs in [[nursing]]. A part-time, evening or weekend [[Bachelor of Science in Nursing|BSN]] program and accelerated programs for [[Registered nurse|RNs]] are also available. * '''University College''': The University College serves part-time adult undergraduate students and offers both associate's and bachelor's degrees. Classes are held during the evenings or weekends and focus mainly on professional areas such as nursing, business, education and information systems. The college also contains the ''Osher Lifelong Learning Institute'' which provides continuing education classes to retired adults. ===Rankings and classifications=== In 2007, [[Washington Monthly]] magazine ranked Widener 47th out of all national universities in the country.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0709.collegeguide.html| publisher=Washington Monthly| title=The Washington Monthly 2007 College Guide| accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref> These rankings are based on how well a university benefits the country including such factors as promoting [[social mobility]], scientific and humanistic research, and service, including ROTC and the Peace Corps. Widener is also currently named one of the "Best Northeastern Colleges" by [[The Princeton Review]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/regional/region_northeast.asp| publisher=The Princeton Review| title=The Best Northeastern Colleges| accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> The ''2008 Best Colleges'' list from [[U. S. News and World Report]] classifies Widener as a ''Tier 3 National University''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t3natudoc_brief.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Colleges 2008: National Universities| accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> It also ranks Widener's undergraduate engineering program 65th among all programs whose highest engineering degree is a bachelor's or master's.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/premium/topprogs_nophd.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Colleges 2008: Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs| accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref>. Out of the 262 national universities ranked, Widener is tied for 45th in the category "Highest Proportion of Classes Under 20 Students"<ref name="small_class_size" /> and tied for 37th in "Economic Diversity" among its students.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/premium/natudoc_ecodiv.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Colleges 2008: National Universities: Economic Diversity among all schools| accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> The U.S. News and World Report's ''2008 Best Graduate Schools'' ranks several of Widener's graduate programs: clinical psychology → #145,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/hea/premium/cps.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Clinical Psychology | accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref> health care management → #49,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/hea/premium/hea.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Healthcare Management (Master's)| accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref> nursing → #141,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/hea/premium/nur.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Nursing (Master's)| accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref> physical therapy → #173,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/hea/premium/pht.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Physical Therapy| accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref> and social work → #140.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/hea/premium/sow.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=America Best Graduate Schools 2008: Health: Social Work (Master's)| accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref> [[The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching|The Carnegie Foundation]] classifies Widener as a ''Doctoral/Research University'' whose undergraduate population is ''highly residential'' and ''selective''.<ref name="carnegie_classification">{{cite web| url=http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/classifications/sub.asp?key=748&subkey=16117&start=782|publisher=The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching| title=Institutions:Widener University-Main Campus| accessdate=2007-03-31}}</ref> It also one of 76 institutions classified as a ''Community Engagement Institution''; only 2 other schools in the [[Philadelphia]] region share this classification, [[University of Pennsylvania]] and [[Bryn Mawr College]].<ref name="carnegie_community">{{cite web| url=http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/news/sub.asp?key=51&subkey=2126| publisher=The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching| title=Carnegie Selects Colleges and Universities for New Elective Community Engagement Classification| accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> ===Notable programs=== '''Cooperative education'''<br/> A [[Cooperative education|co-op]] program is available as an option for all undergraduate students within the School of Engineering and School of Business Administration as well as computer science majors in the College of Arts and Sciences. This allows a student to still earn their degree in 4 years while gaining 1-year of work experience. All students in the School of Hospitality Management are required to enroll in a co-op for a single semester (16 weeks) during their junior or senior year. The co-op work is full-time and counts as course credit. The school also has its own restaurant, the Heintz Dining Room, which is open to the public and run by the students. '''Undergraduate research'''<br/> All undergraduate students in engineering and computer science are required to complete a year-long research and design project during their final year. The projects are usually done in teams with a faculty advisor and culminates in a final presentation and demonstration. Other science majors have the option to participate in research with faculty members. This research is often presented at local or national conferences as well as published in scientific journals. '''Honors program'''<br/> The Honors Program in General Education consists of approximately 200 undergraduate students and provides smaller, seminar courses that fulfill the university's general education requirements. Students in the program must take at least 5 honors courses and also attend certain cultural events held on campus or in [[Philadelphia]]. Students who complete the program are awarded a ''Certificate of Honors in General Education'' at graduation. Admission to the program is based on the student's [[SAT]] scores, high school [[Grading in the United States|GPA]] and ranking. '''ROTC'''<br/> The [[Reserve Officer Training Corps|Army ROTC]] program traces its origins back to when the university was originally a military college. Today, the Army ROTC program offers 2, 3 and 4-year scholarships as well as traditional instruction in [[military science]]. The program also sponsors students from the following local area schools: [[Villanova University]], [[Penn State Abington]], [[West Chester University]], [[Cheyney University]], [[Penn State Brandywine]] and [[Neumann College]]. About 25% of students in the program are nursing majors. The university produced more [[Army Nurse Corps|Army Nurses]] than any other school in the 2006-2007 academic year.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.widener.edu/rotc/nursing.asp| publisher=Widener University| title=Widener University: Army ROTC Nursing| accessdate=2007-12-11}}</ref> Widener students can also participate in the [[Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps|Air Force ROTC]] program at [[Saint Joseph's University]]. ==Athletics== Widener has 20 varsity teams (10 for men and 10 for women) participating in [[Division III]] within the [[Middle Atlantic Corporation]] (MAC). Formally known as the Pioneers, their nickname changed to the Pride in the Fall of 2006 based on a student poll.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.widener.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=296| publisher=Widener University| title=Widener University Announces New Mascot| accessdate=2007-03-31}}</ref> Widener sports teams include: *Men's and Women's varsity: [[basketball]], [[cross country running|cross country]], [[lacrosse]], [[soccer]], [[swimming]], [[Athletics (track and field)#Indoor track and field|indoor track and field]] and [[Athletics (track and field)#Outdoor track and field|outdoor track and field]] *Men's varsity: [[baseball]], [[American football|football]], and [[golf]] *Women's varsity: [[field hockey]], [[softball]], and [[volleyball]] *Club sports: men's [[ice hockey]], men's volleyball, men's [[rugby union]], women's rugby and [[cheerleading]]. ===Athletic facilities=== The '''Schwartz Athletic Center''' is home to basketball, swimming, indoor track and volleyball. It houses a championship size 8-lane swimming pool, squash/racquetball courts and administrative offices for the athletic department. Schwartz is also home to the new '''Wellness Center''', opened in April 2006 to provide the faculty, staff and students with additional recreational and fitness opportunities. In addition to [[exercise equipment]], the Wellness Center provides fitness classes and a {{convert|24|ft|m|sing=on}} [[climbing wall]]. Opening in 1994, '''Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium''' seats over 4,000 people and has a turf playing field surrounded by an 8-lane track. The stadium houses the football, soccer, men's lacrosse, and outdoor track & field teams. In addition, '''Edith R. Dixon Field''', opening in 2005, houses the women's field hockey and lacrosse teams. It sports an artificial turf, lighting and a scoreboard. The field is also used for the [[intramural]] teams. ===Athletic achievements=== The football team has had recent success winning the [[Middle Atlantic Corporation|MAC]] championship in 2007, the ECAC Southwest Bowl in 2006<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ecac.org/feature/feature.asp?id=3593| publisher=Eastern College Athletic Conference| title=Widener Tallies 14-7 Victory for Southwest Championship| accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> and the [[Eastern College Athletic Conference|ECAC]] South Atlantic Bowl in 2005.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ecac.org/feature/feature.asp?id=2213| publisher=Eastern College Athletic Conference| title=Widener Wins ECAC South Atlantic Championship Bowl| accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> Its greatest success has been winning the [[NCAA Division III national football championship|NCAA Division III National Championship]] in 1977 and 1981 and reaching the semi-finals in 1979, 1980, and 2000.<ref name="athletic_awards">{{cite web| url=http://www3.widener.edu/Athletics/Awards/Conference_Champs_Postseason/7345/| publisher=Widener University| title=Conference Champs and Postseason Appearances| accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> Additionally, Widener football has won 17 MAC championships, the most of any team in the conference. [[Billy Johnson (American football)|Billy "White Shoes" Johnson]] played for Widener in the early 70s. He went on to be an all-pro [[NFL]] player and was selected to the [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]] as well as the [[College Football Hall of Fame]]. The men's basketball team has won 14 MAC titles and appeared in the [[NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship|NCAA Division III Tournament]] 16 times, advancing to the "Sweet 16" in 1987 and 2006, the "Final 4" in 1985 and the championship game in 1978.<ref name="athletic_awards"/> The men's lacrosse team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 7 times since 2000 and has won 11 MAC titles between 1996 and 2008.<ref name="athletic_awards"/> The men's swimming team has won 10 MAC titles since 1994.<ref name="athletic_awards"/> The [[Philadelphia Eagles]] held their summer training camp on Widener's campus between 1973 and 1979. The 2006 movie ''[[Invincible (2006 film)|Invincible]]'' depicts the campus during the Eagles' 1976 summer training camp.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.delcotimes.com/site/news.asp?brd=1675&dept_id=18179&newsid=15114560&PAG=461| publisher=Delaware County Daily Times| title=Reel deal for these longtime Iggles fans| accessdate=2007-04-27}}</ref> Since 2006, the [[Philadelphia Soul]] have held practices at Widener as well. ==Student life== ===Enrollment=== Widener enrolls approximately 6,600 total students including 3,300 undergraduate and 3,300 graduate students. Among full-time undergraduate students, the male/female ratio is nearly 1:1 (51% male, 49% female). 61% of undergraduates choose to live on the Main Campus while the remaining students commute. Approximately 54% of all full-time undergraduates are from Pennsylvania with 45% coming from the rest of the country (predominantly Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia) and 1% originating from outside the U.S.<ref name="usnews_student_body">{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/premium/drstudent_3313.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=Widener University: Student Body| accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> The acceptance rate for undergraduate applicants in Fall 2007 was 66%.<ref name="nces_stats">{{cite web| url=http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/index.aspx| publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|title=Widener University| accessdate=2008-03-02}}</ref> ===Student clubs and events=== The university has over 100 student clubs including honor societies, religious organizations, media groups and special interest clubs. Greek Week, Spring Carnival and Homecoming are among the popular events on campus.<ref name="usnews_widener_clubs">{{cite web| url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drextras_3313_brief.php| publisher=U.S. News and World Report| title=Widener University: Extracurriculars| accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> [[WDNR]] is the student-run campus radio station playing a variety of music including hip-hop, rock, metal and punk, along with a sports talk call-in show. It also broadcasts local football games. Other media outlets include the weekly newspaper, ''The Dome'', a student literary journal and a television station. ===Greek life=== Widener has 6 [[fraternities]] and 3 [[sororities]]. Approximately 12% of all undergraduates are members.<ref name="usnews_widener_clubs" /> Widener's Greek organizations include: *Fraternities: [[Alpha Tau Omega]], [[Kappa Alpha Psi]], [[Phi Delta Theta]], [[Pi Lambda Phi]], [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]], and [[Theta Chi]] *Sororities: [[Delta Phi Epsilon]], [[Phi Sigma Sigma]], and [[Sigma Sigma Sigma]] ==Community== Widener is one of only 22 colleges that is a member of [[Project Pericles]], an organization promoting social responsibility and addressing civic [[apathy]] among students. It is also one of only 76 institutions classified as a ''Community Engagement Institution'' by the [[The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching]]. Only two other schools in the Philadelphia region share this classification - [[University of Pennsylvania]] and [[Bryn Mawr College]].<ref name="carnegie_community" /> Widener has several initiatives aimed at benefiting the surrounding community. These include: *[http://www.widenersbdc.org/ Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center] — The school opened the center in 2006 to provide consulting and educational programs to local small businesses and entrepreneurs. It is one of only 18 in the state and one of 3 in the Philadelphia region (with [[Temple University]] and University of Pennsylvania). *[http://www.philadelphiaspeakerseries.org/ Philadelphia Speakers Series] — Since 2004, Widener has sponsored this series which has had such notable speakers as [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Walter Cronkite]] and [[Dave Barry]]. *[http://www.universitytechpark.org/index2.html University Technology Park] — A joint project started in 1999 between the university and [http://www.crozer.org Crozer-Keystone Health System] to foster small business opportunities focusing on health care, science and technology. It currently consists of two buildings (with three more planned) on 20 acres and is located directly in between the Main Campus and Crozer-Keystone Medical Center. *[[Widener University Observatory]] — The [[observatory]] has free public telescope viewings throughout the school year hosted by the physics and astronomy department. ===Charter school=== In 2006, the university established a new [[charter school]] near the Main Campus in Chester to serve local residents from [[kindergarten]] to grade 5. Named the [[Widener Partnership Charter School]], the school utilizes the university's programs in education, social work, nursing and clinical psychology. This collaboration involves the participation of Widener faculty and students to not only provide educational support but also provide additional assistance outside of school through counseling and health services. Classes in the charter school started in September 2006 enrolling 50 students in both kindergarten and grade 1. The school plans on adding a new grade each year until grade 5 and an enrollment of 300 students is reached. However, there have been some complaints by the [[Chester Upland School District]] that this and other charter schools take funds away from the local public school system. With this, the school district is contemplating placing a cap on their charter school enrollment with many parents being split on the issue.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20070419_Parents_assail_Chester_Upland_charter-cap_plan.html| publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer| title=Chester Upland charter plan assailed| accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> ===Chester revitalization project=== A $50 million revitalization project was started in 2007 that will add significant new opportunities and services to the university and surrounding area. The project, named '''University Crossings''', will include a hotel, bookstore, coffee shop, restaurant and apartments. The project is expected to have an overall economic impact of $1 million to Chester as well as creating 60 new jobs.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;jsessionid=JCn2GYhNS0PJYLVTsTBFj4J1qyVVhkNgl5Zp87JKDdkh1rlLVxvJ!-547604190?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FNews&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FNews%2FHeadlineList_Story_636048| publisher=Delaware County Daily Times| title=Ground broken on $50M University Crossings project| accessdate=2007-10-13}}</ref> Its completion date is set for the fall of 2008. ==Notable alumni or attendees== As of 2007, there are 53,363 total living alumni, 11,771 of which are School of Law alumni.<ref name="quick_facts">{{cite web| url=http://www3.widener.edu/Administration/Office_of_Institutional_Research/Quick_Facts/6594/| publisher=Widener University| title=Quick Facts| accessdate=2007-12-05}}</ref> *[[David J. Brightbill]], [[Pennsylvania]] state senator from 1982 to 2006 *[[Tom Deery]], [[College Football Hall of Fame]] inductee (1998) *[[Cecil B. DeMille]], legendary Hollywood director *[[Joe Fields]], [[New York Jets]] all-pro center * Robert Franklin, Morgan Franklin Inc. * Max Gayer, 1965, noted Philadelphia businessman, radio and TV personality * John Lance "Jack" Geoghegan, 1963, [[Vietnam War]] hero, recipient of the [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] *[[Billy Johnson (American football)|Billy "White Shoes" Johnson]], 1974, [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]], [[College Football Hall of Fame]] inductee (1996) *[[Brendan Kehoe]], author of ''Zen and the Art of the Internet: A Beginner's Guide'' and [[software developer]] * Jack Klotz, Class of 1955, NFL lineman *[[Phil Martelli]], [[St. Joseph's University]] Head Basketball Coach, 1995-today *[[Matthew McGrory]], world's tallest actor *[[Patrick Murphy (politician)|Patrick J. Murphy]], U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania. *[[Burt Mustin]], TV & Movie Actor, created the role of Gus the Fireman on [[Leave it to Beaver]] *[[D. Lane Powers]] 1915, represented {{ushr|New Jersey|4}} in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1933 to 1945.<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000488 David Lane Powers], ''[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]''. Accessed [[September 9]], [[2007]].</ref> *[[Leslie C. Quick Jr.]], founder Quick & Reilly Inc. *[[Pat Quinn]], former [[NHL]] Coach and General Manager * Colonel Wesley Combs Smith, 1943 *[[Brent Staples]], 1973, [[New York Times]] editorial writer and author of ''Parallel Time'' *[[Bill Stern]], newsreel and sports commentator *[[Brian Tierney]], publisher of the [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] and the [[Philadelphia Daily News]] *[[John H. Tilelli, Jr.]], 1963, [[United States Army]] four star general *[[William John Wolfgram]], 1943, [[World War II]] hero, recipient of the [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] ==External links== *[http://www.widener.edu Widener University] *[http://www.law.widener.edu Widener University School of Law] *[http://www.wdnr.com WDNR 89.5 FM] - student run radio station *[http://www3.widener.edu/Student_Affairs/Arts_Media/Art_Gallery_and_Collection_/PMC_Museum/43/ PMC Museum] {{Geolinks-US-streetscale|39.860703|-75.355117}} ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} {{Middle Atlantic Corporation}} {{Colleges and universities in metropolitan Philadelphia}} [[Category:Widener University]] [[Category:Universities and colleges in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1821]] [[Category:Middle Atlantic Corporation]] [[Category:Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union]] [[Category:Widener family]]