Principia College#Athletics

{{Short description|Private liberal arts college in Elsah, Illinois, U.S.}}

{{About|the college in Illinois|the educational institution in St. Louis|The Principia}}

{{Infobox university

| name = Principia College

| image = Principia from air.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = Principia's campus sits on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River

| motto = As The Sowing, The Reaping

| established = {{start date and age|1912}}

| type = Private liberal arts college

| religious_affiliation = Church of Christ, Scientist

| president = Daniel Norton

| provost =

| city = Elsah

| state = Illinois

| country = United States

| coor = {{coord|38|56|56|N|90|20|56|W|type:edu_region:US-IL|display=inline,title}}

| enrollment = 348 (fall 2023){{cite web | url =https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Principia&s=all&id=148016| title =Principia College| access-date =August 9, 2023}}

| administrative_staff = 120

| colors = Blue and gold

| campus = Rural, {{convert|2500|acre|km2}}

| campus_size = {{Convert|2600|acre}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.principiacollege.edu/| principiacollege.edu}}

| free_label = Mascot

| free = Panther, Thunder Chicken (Rugby)

| endowment = $696.2 million (2020)As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021}}

| logo = Principia college logo.png

| logo_size = 200

}}

Principia College is a private liberal arts college in Elsah, Illinois. It was founded in 1912 by Mary Kimball Morgan with the purpose of "serving the Cause of Christian Science."Mary Kimball Morgan, Education at The Principia, The Principia Corporation, 2000, p. 227. Morgan wrote in her book, Education at the Principia that, "Although the College is not affiliated with the Christian Science Church, the practice of Christian Science is the cornerstone of campus life."{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/christian-science |title=Christian Science |publisher=Principia College |date=2022 |access-date=February 4, 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/spirituallife |title=Spiritual Life: Deepen Your Understanding of God |publisher=Principia College |date=2022 |access-date=February 4, 2022}} The college's student body included students from 26 faith backgrounds and no longer requires its students or their parents to be students of Christian Science or Christian Science Church members.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu |title=Discover Principia College|publisher=Principia College |date=2025 |access-date=May 1, 2025}}

Principia sits on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River between Alton and Grafton in the Metro East region of Southern Illinois, thirty miles north of St. Louis. A portion of the school's {{convert|2500|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus is a designated National Historic Landmark District, for its many buildings and design by architect Bernard Maybeck.

History

Although Principia College was born out of The Principia, founded by Mary Kimball Morgan in 1898, the name Principia was not adopted until 1898.{{cite web |url=http://www.principia.edu/history |title=History of Principia |publisher=The Principia |author=The Principia |work=Web|access-date=17 April 2013}} As Morgan's school grew, the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, approved The Principia's reference as a Christian Science school.

/> Emerging from the Principia Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools founded between 1898 and 1906, Principia College was established with a purpose of "serving the Cause of Christian Science through appropriate channels open to it as an educational institution."Mary Kimball Morgan. Education at The Principia.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/mission |title=Mission, Values, and Principles |publisher=The Principia |work=Web|access-date=17 April 2013}} The college, however, has no official affiliation with the Christian Science Church and Christian Science is not taught as a subject, but its principles form the basis of community life at Principia.{{cite news |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/spirituallife |title=Spiritual Life at Principia College |date=January 15, 2012 |publisher=principiacollege.edu}} The first Upper School class graduated in 1906 and it is from this class that a junior college was established, whose first alumni graduated in 1917. Principia College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1923.[https://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,1141/ The Higher Learning Commission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112454/https://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,1141/ |date=2015-01-28 }}. Retrieved January 23, 2015.

Architect Bernard Maybeck was commissioned to design a new college campus in Elsah, Illinois. By 1931, ground was broken on what would become his largest commission.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/about-principia-college/history/maybeck |title=Maybeck |author=The Principia |work=Web |publisher=The Principia |access-date=17 April 2013}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/housing |title=Housing at Principia College}}

On the Principia College grounds is Eliestoun House, designed by Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow Jr. and completed in 1890. When Principia began moving to Elsah, guests stayed there, including Mary Kimball Morgan and Bernard Maybeck.{{Cite web |url=http://www.friendsofeliestoun.org/history-of-eliestoun/ |title=History of Eliestoun |access-date=February 4, 2022}}

In 1934, Principia College graduated its first class as a full four-year institution. In 1935, the college was officially moved to its present-day location in Elsah. The Principia College campus was once considered as the site for the United States Air Force Academy though ultimately the Air Force chose a location in Colorado Springs, Colorado, instead.

On April 19, 1993, about {{convert|300|acre|ha}} of the campus was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. The year 1998 marked centennial celebrations by the school.

In the 21st century, the school's enrollment size has declined due to the dwindling number of Christian Scientists.{{cite news |last1=Bogan |first1=Jesse |title=Guarding tradition: Principia has lots of money but few Christian Scientists to fill classrooms |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/guarding-tradition-principia-has-lots-of-money-but-few-christian-scientists-to-fill-classrooms/article_ad258325-d809-57bf-991c-e4c6e5d3f7e3.html |access-date=30 June 2021 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=March 4, 2018 |language=en}} As of 2024, the school began accepting students with no affiliation with Christian Science.

Campus

=Housing and student life facilities=

There are ten student dormitories on campus: Anderson Hall, Rackham Court, Howard House, Sylvester House, Buck House, Brooks House, Ferguson House, Joe McNabb, Lowrey House, and Clara McNabb. The first six mentioned were designed by former University of California, Berkeley professor and AIA Gold Medal winner Bernard Maybeck in 1935, as was the campus' chapel.{{cite book |last=McCoy |first=Esther |title=Five California Architects |publisher=Reinhold Publishing Corporation |year=1960 |location=New York |asin=B000I3Z52W|author-link=Esther McCoy}} Maybeck attempted to use different architectural styles and building techniques for each of these dormitories and for the chapel. In an effort to ensure success with his designs and materials, he experimented with them through the creation of a small building known affectionately by Principians as the "Mistake House."{{Cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/93001605_text |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=National Park Service}} In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, the Principia College Campus was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places {{cite news |last=Waldinger |first=Mike |date=January 30, 2018 |title=The proud history of architecture in Illinois |newspaper=Springfield Business Journal |url=https://springfieldbusinessjournal.com/2018/01/the-proud-history-of-architecture-in-illinois/|access-date=30 January 2018}} by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component (AIA Illinois).

File:Buck House.jpg|Buck House

File:Mistake House.jpg|Mistake House

File:Principia-chapel-LARGE2.jpg|Principia College Chapel

File:Principia College (2151777737).jpg|Interior of the chapel

Organization and administration

Principia had an endowment of $696.2 million as of June 2020.As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |date=February 19, 2021 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA|access-date=February 20, 2021}} {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Endowment-Market-Values-REVISED-APRIL-22-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2020 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value, Percentage Change in Market Value from FY19 to FY20, and FY20 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=April 22, 2021 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America|access-date=June 29, 2021}} The endowment size declined by more than $100 million in the decade prior to 2018.

Academics

Principia College offers twenty-seven majors in the liberal arts and sciences. The college does not currently offer a graduate program. The most popular majors include mass communication, biology, sociology, anthropology, studio and fine art, and business administration.{{cite web |author=Best College – US News |year=2012 |title=Principia College |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/principia-college-1744 |access-date=19 April 2013 |work=Web |publisher=U.S. News & World Report LP.}}{{cite web |url=http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegeprofiles/p/principia-college.htm |title=Principia College profile |author=Grove, Allen |year=2012 |work=Web |publisher=About.com |access-date=19 April 2013}}

Principia offers Study Abroad & Field Programs, International Student Programs, Conferences, and International Student Experiences.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/abroads |title=Abroads & Fields |author=The Principia |work=Web |publisher=the Principia |access-date=17 April 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/clubs-and-organizations |title=Clubs & Organizations |publisher=the Principia |author=The Principia |work=Web|access-date=17 April 2013}}

In their 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Principia tied for #66 (up from #83 in 2019 and #139 in 2014) among all National Liberal Arts Colleges, and #2 in the category of "Best Value Schools". {{Cite web |title=US News and World Report -- Principia College |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/principia-college-1744 |access-date=March 11, 2025}} For the 2024-2025 academic year, Principia College's annual tuition costs were $33,600, with additional costs of $13,910 for room and board.{{Cite web |title=Costs to Attend - Principia College |url=https://www.principiacollege.edu/admissions/costs |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.principiacollege.edu |language=en-US}} In 2024, the school had an acceptance rate above 45%.{{cite web |title=U.S. News & World Report – Principia College Page |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/principia-college-1744}}

Student life

Principia College has a diverse student composition and amount of organizations given its size. 20% of its students are international and represent thirty countries on six of the world's seven continents.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/fastfacts |title=Fast Facts |publisher=The Principia |author=The Principia |work=Web|access-date=17 April 2013}}{{Failed verification|date=May 2020}} The college has forty student clubs and organizations, among these the Euphrates and Leadership institutes.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/institutes |title=Institutes |publisher=The Principia |author=The Principia |work=Web|access-date=17 April 2013}} The Public Affairs Conference at the college is one of oldest student-led conferences in America and has been held annually since 1939.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/campus-life/clubs-organizations/public-affairs-conference |title=Public Affairs Conference |author=The Principia |work=Web |publisher=The Principia |access-date=17 April 2013}} The Principia College Speaker Series has featured former United States President Barack Obama, statesman and retired four-star general Colin Powell, former United States president George H. W. Bush, former United States president Jimmy Carter, author and poet Maya Angelou, David McCullough, Elie Wiesel, actor and director Robert Duvall, Val Kilmer, Coretta Scott King, and Margaret Thatcher.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/node/1321 |title=Speakers and Events |author=The Principia |work=Web |publisher=The Principia |access-date=17 April 2013}} In addition to the Public Affairs Conference, Principia College holds an International Perspectives Conference with a focus on global issues such as human rights in Africa.{{cite web |url=http://www.principiacollege.edu/ipc-conference |title=International Perspectives Conference |publisher=The Principia |author=The Principia |work=Web|access-date=17 April 2013}}

=Technology=

Of the technological programs present at Principia College, most prevalent and distinguished is its study in solar energy. The college has competed in solar car world events since 1995 and finished second in the North American Solar Challenge of 2008 and seventh in the World Solar Challenge of 2009.{{cite news |title=Solar car team from tiny Principia College competes in world race |author=Weich, Susan |url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/susan-weich/solar-car-team-from-tiny-principia-college-competes-in-world/article_d4153bf6-c975-585a-81b3-37776d4660bd.html |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=2 November 2011 |access-date=17 April 2013}}

=Athletics=

file:Principia logo from NCAA.svg

Principia College teams, named the Panthers, participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC). The Principia Panther is the official mascot of Principia College and has been since its change from the Indian in 1984. There are currently 14 varsity athletic teams at Principia College of which men's sports are baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, track & field, and rugby; and women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

In 1983, the women's tennis team won the NCAA Division III national championship.

In 2013, the men's rugby team won the first ever Open Division USA Rugby 7s Collegiate National Championship, beating the University of Wisconsin-Stout 27–12 in the championship match.{{cite news |last=Wise |first=Chad |title=Principia takes first Men's Open Division Championship at College 7s |url=http://usacollege7s.com/principia-takes-first-mens-open-division-championship-at-college-7s/|access-date=27 November 2013 |date=24 November 2013}}

In 2022, the men's rugby team completed an undefeated season by winning the Division II National Collegiate Rugby Championship XVs title, defeating Indiana University of Pennsylvania 47–16 in the championship match.{{cite web | url=https://www.ncr.rugby/news/principia-dii-and-cal-poly-humboldt-small-college-win-national-championships | title=Principia (DII) and Cal Poly Humboldt (Small College) win National Championships }}

Notable alumni

{{further|Category:Principia College alumni|The Principia#Alumni}}

Robert Bruegmann — architectural historian{{Cite web |url=http://robertbruegmann.com/index.html |title=Robert Bruegmann}}
Chandler Burr — author{{Cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/97jun/970677.htm |title=77 North Washington Street, The Atlantic Online, June 1997 |website=The Atlantic |date=June 1997 |access-date=2017-03-11 |archive-date=2012-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025064215/http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/97jun/970677.htm |url-status=live }}
Ron Charles (B.A. 1984) — Washington Post book critic
Candy Crowley (attended) — CNN political correspondent {{Cite web |url=http://www.nndb.com/edu/253/000110920/ |title=Principia College}}
Robert Duvall (B.A. 1953) — actor: Academy Award for Best Actor winner (1983, Tender Mercies)
Emily Fridlund — author of History of Wolves
Ketti Frings — author, writer: Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner (1958, Look Homeward, Angel)
Aaron Goldsmith — MLB color commentator for the Seattle Mariners, commentator for Fox Sports 1 for college basketball
Larry Groce — host of public radio's Mountain Stage
Peter Horton (attended) — actor and movie director{{cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800016609/bio |title=Peter Horton Biography |work=Web Yahoo! Movies |publisher=Yahoo! Inc. |access-date=2008-10-16}}
Mindy Jostyn (attended) — singer / songwriter{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles/2005/03/31/mindy_jostyn_48_voice_talent_treasured_by_fans_music_stars/ |work=The Boston Globe |first=Avi |last=Steinberg |title=Mindy Jostyn, 48; voice, talent treasured by fans, music stars |date=March 31, 2005}}
Kipp Keller — professional soccer player{{Cite web |url=mlssoccer.com/players/Kipp-keller-x1023/|title=Kipp Keller}}
Egil Krogh — part of U.S. President Richard Nixon's administration; convicted in the Watergate scandal
Joanne Leedom-Ackerman (B.A. 1968) – novelist
Arend Lijphart — political scientist
David K. Lovegren — film producer
Miye Matsukata — jewelry designer{{cite web |title=Miye Matsukata papers {{!}} Collection: AAA.matsmiye |url=https://sova.si.edu/record/AAA.matsmiye |website=sova.si.edu}}
Terry Melcher — record producer and son of Doris Day
Ngozi Mwanamwambwa — first woman to compete for Zambia at an Olympics{{Cite web |url=http://www.principiaalumni.org/awards-athletic-hall-fame/ngozi-mwanamwambwa-asinga |title=Ngozi Mwanamwambwa Asinga {{!}} Alumni|website=www.principiaalumni.org|access-date=2017-07-07}}
Sara Nelson (B.A. 1995) — union leader
Brad Newsham (B.A. 1972) — writer
Haru M. Reischauer — author of Samurai and Silk
James Rosebush (B.A. 1971) — former White House Chief of Staff under Ronald Reagan
John H. Rousselot (B.A. 1949) — United States Congressman from California (1961–1962, 1969–1982){{cite web |title=ROUSSELOT, John Harbin, (1927–2003) |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000469 |access-date=2008-10-16 |work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–present |publisher=United States Congress}}
David Rowland — industrial designer, created the 40/4 stacking chair{{Cite news |last=Hevesi |first=Dennis |date=2010-08-26 |title=David Rowland, Maker of a Tidily Stacked Chair, Dies at 86 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/business/26rowland.html |access-date=2023-11-25 |issn=0362-4331}}
Christopher Shays (B.A. 1968) — United States Congressman from Connecticut (1987–2009){{cite web |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S001144 |title=SHAYS, Christopher H., (1945 - ) |work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–present |publisher=United States Congress |access-date=2008-10-16}}