Misericordia University

Image:MisericordiaArchSpring2.jpg

The Religious Sisters of Mercy were of the order of Mercy founded in Dublin in 1831. The Sisters vowed to be of service to the impoverished, sick and uneducated. The Sisters of Mercy came to the Wyoming Valley area of Pennsylvania in 1875, continuing their mission of praying, teaching and caring for the sick. The sisters established a school for children and a night school for adults in the coal mining region.

On September 15, 1924, the Sisters of Mercy established Luzerne County's first four-year institution of higher learning, the College Misericordia, on nearly {{convert|100|acre|km2}} of land in Dallas, Pennsylvania, purchased by the sisters for this purpose in 1914. The institution's name comes from the Latin word misericordia, meaning "mercy". When the college opened, it had 37 students.

Misericordia continues to be as a university, a broad-based liberal arts and pre-professional studies institution offering education to those of all faiths. The university has been co-educational since the 1970s and offers graduate programs. Today, Misericordia University is located on the original grounds, but has expanded to {{convert|120|acre|km2}}, situated in a suburban setting {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} from downtown Wilkes-Barre.{{Cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?subcat_id=140&page_id=411 |title=Misericordia History |access-date=May 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422081322/http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?subcat_id=140&page_id=411 |archive-date=April 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |work=Misericordia University}}

On August 24, 2007, the institution completed the transition from college to university and became Misericordia University.{{Cite web |url=http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?subcat_id=140&page_id=390 |title=Misericordia University Status |access-date=May 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815112414/http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?subcat_id=140&page_id=390 |archive-date=August 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |work=Misericordia University}}

File:Bell Tower Misericordia University exterior 01.jpg

The majority of the university grounds, and all of the census-designated place,{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st42_pa/place/p4250160_misericordia_university/DC20BLK_P4250160.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Misericordia University CDP, PA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-12-13|quote=Dallas twp 18056}} are in Dallas Township.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st42_pa/cousub/cs4207918056_dallas/DC20BLK_CS4207918056.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Dallas township, PA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-12-13|quote=Misericordia Univ}} The university has a small property in Dallas Borough.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st42_pa/place/p4218048_dallas/DC20BLK_P4218048.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Dallas borough, PA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-12-13|quote=Misericordia Univ}}

Between 2009 and 2021, numerous changes have been added to the campus:

• The Shakespeare Garden:{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=742&subcat_id=123&page_id=357 |title=Capital Projects-Shakespeare Garden |work=Misericordia University |access-date=February 11, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703234658/http://misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=742&subcat_id=123&page_id=357 |archive-date=July 3, 2014 }} Misericordia University features the only Shakespeare garden in northeast PA and won a 2011 Greening Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society{{cite web|url=http://philadelphiagreen.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/phs-reveals-community-greening-award-recipients/|title=PHS Reveals Community Greening Award Recipients|work=PHS Blog|access-date=September 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425162807/http://philadelphiagreen.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/phs-reveals-community-greening-award-recipients/|archive-date=April 25, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/events/Dan%27s%20List.pdf |title=PHS 2011 Greening Award Winners |publisher=Pennsylvania Horticultural Society|website=phsonline.org}}{{dead link|date=August 2021}}
• Pauly Friedman Art Gallery{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?page_id=921&subcat_id=111|title=Pauly Friedman Art Gallery|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018211927/http://misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?page_id=921&subcat_id=111|archive-date=October 18, 2014|url-status=dead}}
• The College of Health Sciences - Passan Hall{{cite web|url=http://misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?page_id=984&subcat_id=154|title=College of Health Sciences Image Gallery|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304002630/http://misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?page_id=984&subcat_id=154|archive-date=March 4, 2012|url-status=dead}}
• Insalaco Hall{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/mu_tour/index.cfm?rec_id=105|title=Insalaco Hall|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011104914/http://www.misericordia.edu/mu_tour/index.cfm?rec_id=105|archive-date=October 11, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/mu_tour/vtour.cfm|title=Misericordia University Virtual Tour|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215215439/http://www.misericordia.edu/mu_tour/vtour.cfm|archive-date=December 15, 2014|url-status=dead}}

• Metz Field House{{cite web|url=http://athletics.misericordia.edu/sports/2012/9/26/AthFac_0926124908.aspx?path=AthFac|title=Misericordia University - Metz Field House|access-date=September 19, 2014|work=Misericordia University}}
• MacDowell Hall{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/mu_tour/index.cfm?rec_id=128|title=MacDowell Hall|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011094349/http://www.misericordia.edu/mu_tour/index.cfm?rec_id=128|archive-date=October 11, 2014|url-status=dead}}
• Gildea Hall
• Alumnae Hall
• McGowan Hall
• McHale Hall
• Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center{{cite web|url=https://www.misericordia.edu/about/fast-facts/henry-science-center|title=Henry Science Center|work=Misericordia University|access-date=July 25, 2021}}
• Anderson Sports Center
• Multi-Purpose Dome (2024)

The census-designated place is in the Dallas School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42079_luzerne/DC20SD_C42079.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Luzerne County, PA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-12-13}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42079_luzerne/DC20SD_C42079_SD2MS.txt Text list]

Misericordia gives students a choice of 32 majors in three Academic Colleges:

• College of Arts and Science
• College of Health Sciences and Education
• College of Business

Misericordia's Guaranteed Placement Program (or GPP) is a development program pertaining to a student's education.

Established in 1999, the GPP assists students entering the workforce or graduate school after graduation. Students participate in the GPP for all four years of their college experience. If they do not receive a job offer or are not accepted into graduate/professional school within six months after graduation, the university gives them a paid internship in their chosen field.{{cite web|url=http://misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=574&subcat_id=110&page_id=103|title=Guaranteed Placement Program|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218104133/http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=574&subcat_id=110&page_id=103|archive-date=December 18, 2014|url-status=dead}}

Launched in September 2014, the Misericordia University/University of Reading BA to MA in English is a five-year program in which students complete a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Misericordia and a one-year Master of Arts degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Students may study for an MA in Children's Literature or English, including pathways in Renaissance studies, Victorian Literature and Culture, or Modern and Contemporary Writing.{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=4647&subcat_id=108|title=BA to MA in English|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027152715/http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=4647&subcat_id=108|archive-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}

Misericordia University has 41 clubs, service organizations and special interest organizations.

Special Organizations: Assistive Technology Research Institute; Diversity Institute; Ethics Institute of Northeast Pennsylvania; Institute of Gerontology (Aging Religious); Institute of Law and Religious Life; Institute of Sacred Scripture.

Special Programs: Alternative Learner's Project (ALP) for students who learn differently; Center for Service Learning; incorporating community service into academic study; Distance Learning Program, providing college level courses to students in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania; Fun and Fitness Program, providing a variety of athletics and other activities for the community at the Anderson Sports-Health Center; Cultural Events, providing a variety of programs usually at no cost to the community. The Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program, a unique program that empowers economically disadvantaged single mothers by providing the opportunity to complete a college degree.

Misericordia's Student Government Association is a student-run, student-elected executive board which represents the students at Misericordia University. Members of the board and delegates represent the students on various college committees. Student Government also is the governing body of the various clubs on campus and keeps records of each club's activities. The Student Government Association is made up of eight members.{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=613&subcat_id=128&page_id=343|title=Student Government|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023174148/http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg_sub.cfm?sub_page_id=613&subcat_id=128&page_id=343|archive-date=October 23, 2014|url-status=dead}}

Instress is the campus' annual literary magazine published each spring. It prints original material by students and members of the university community.{{cite web |url=http://admissions.misericordia.edu/jump/campus.asp |title=Misericordia Campus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214064710/http://admissions.misericordia.edu/jump/campus.asp |archive-date=December 14, 2007|work=Misericordia University}}

File:Misericordia athletics mark.png

Misericordia University teams are nicknamed the Cougars, and currently compete in the NCAA Division III, Eastern College Athletic Conference and the MAC Freedom within the Middle Atlantic Conferences. Women's sports include basketball, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, swimming, softball, cross-country, cheerleading, lacrosse, tennis and track and field. Men's sports include basketball, football, soccer, swimming, cross-country, baseball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

The school has had an athletics program since 1932, when it introduced intramural sports.{{cite web|url=http://www.misericordia.edu/misericordia_pg.cfm?subcat_id=140&page_id=226|title=About - Misericordia University|work=Misericordia University|access-date=February 11, 2015}}

• Karen Boback, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
• Mike Dunleavy, Governor of Alaska
• Jon Ford, member of the Indiana Senate
• Dave Kern, professional soccer player
• Maria Pallante, United States Register of Copyrights

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• [https://athletics.misericordia.edu/ Athletics website]

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