Walsh University

This article is about the university in Ohio. For the international relations school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., see Walsh School of Foreign Service. For the business college in Michigan, see Walsh College of Accountancy and Business.
Walsh University
Former name
Walsh College (1960–1993)
MottoSed Deus Dat Incrementum (Latin)
Motto in English
"God Gives the Growth"
TypePrivate university
Established1960; 64 years ago (1960)
Religious affiliation
Catholic (La Mennais Brothers)
PresidentTimothy J. Collins, Ed.D.
Students2,160 (fall 2023)[1]
Location
North Canton
,
Ohio
,
United States

40°52′25″N 81°22′15″W / 40.8736111°N 81.3708333°W / 40.8736111; -81.3708333
NicknameCavaliers
MascotSir Walter the Cavalier
Websitewww.walsh.edu

Walsh University is a private Roman Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1960 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction as a liberal arts college,[2] it enrolls approximately 2,100 students as of 2023. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and seven graduate programs, as well as multiple global learning experiences.

History

Farrell Hall, one of the two original buildings on campus.

The school's namesake is Bishop Emmet M. Walsh of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.[2]

Walsh University was founded as LaMennais College in Alfred, Maine in 1951 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction to educate young men as brothers and teachers. In 1957, Brother Robert A. Francoeur of LaMennais College and Monsignor William Hughes of Youngstown, Ohio discussed the Brothers' wish to move LaMennais College from Maine, and Bishop Walsh invited the Brothers to choose Canton, Ohio, as the new location. Bishop Walsh donated $304,000 to the Walsh College project.[3] In 1959, the present location of Walsh University began as 50 acres (20 ha) of farmland on which two buildings were constructed, College Hall and LaMennais Hall, which continues to house the Brothers and international priest-students.[4] The Brothers have played an active role at the institution, serving as faculty during the original years and playing a part in the growth and development of facilities and programs. Several have served as president.[5]

Walsh College became Walsh University in 1993. In 2013, Walsh University joined Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).[6] Walsh previously competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a member of the American Mideast Conference, while its football team competed in the Mid-States Football Association.

Presidents

On July 1, 2019, Walsh University announced that Timothy J. Collins was appointed to serve as the university's seventh president.[7]

Presidents:

  • Thomas Farrell, 1960–1970
  • Robert Francoeur, 1970–1977
  • Francis Blouin, 1978–1992
  • Richard Mucowski, 1992–1996
  • Kenneth Hamilton, 1997–2001
  • Richard Jusseaume, 2002–2019
  • Timothy Collins, 2019–present

Campus

Entrance to Walsh University's Westgate

The campus covers 136 acres (55 ha) and is made up of 27 buildings along East Maple Street in North Canton.[8]

Buildings include:

  • Farrell Hall (1960) - This was the first building on campus. Construction started in 1959 and finished in 1960. It was initially named College Hall and was later renamed in honor of Br. Thomas Farrell in 1977, the first president and one of the founding Brothers of Christian Instruction.
  • LaMennais Hall (1960)
  • Gaetano M. Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex (1971/2009) - Formerly called the Physical Education Center. A major update and renovation occurred in 2009.
  • The Don and Ida Betzler Social and Behavioral Sciences Center (1972)
  • Hannon Child Development Center (1990)
  • Aultman Health Foundation Byers School of Nursing and Health Sciences Center (2000)
  • The Paul and Carol David Family Campus Center (2001)
  • Timken Natural Sciences Center (2005)
  • Barrette Business and Community Center (2005) - The Barrette Business and Community Center is the former site of the Rannou Center (1966-2004) and opened in 2005.
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel (2006)
  • Birk Center for the Arts (2012)
  • Saint John Paul II Center for Science Innovation (2015)
  • Father Matthew Herttna Counseling Center
  • St. Katharine Drexel House
  • The Marlene and Joe Toot Global Learning Center (2018)

The campus includes dormitory residences named:

  • Menard Hall/Betzler Towers (1966/2006) - Menard Hall was the first dormitory on campus and opened in 1966. The Betzler Tower was added in 2006.
  • Seanor Hall (1968) - Seanor Hall was initially named Alexis Hall and had been named for Br. Alexis Guilbeaut, one of the Founding Brothers of the university.
  • Lemmon Hall (1995)
  • Brauchler Hall (1999), Meier Hall (2000), Stein Hall (2002) - colloquially called "The Grove Apartments"
  • Marie & Ervin Wilkof Towers (2004)
  • Olivieri Family Towers (2007)
  • The Commons (2012).[9]

The Walsh University Peace Pole outside Farrell Hall represents visitors including Willy Brandt, Coretta Scott King, Mother Teresa, and Elie Wiesel who came to Walsh University to advocate for peace.[10]

Walsh also oversees the Hoover Historical Center which they acquired in April 2004.[11]

Academics

Toot Global Learning Center

The university offers over 60 undergraduate majors.[12] It is the only college governed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

Walsh University offers the following graduate degrees: Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT); Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT); Master of Science in Nursing (MSN); Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed); Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.); Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development; Master of Arts in Theology,[13] and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).[14] Several graduate programs are offered in online and in an accelerated format.[15]

Walsh University offers several opportunities for professional development, including a certificate in healthcare management, FNP certificate, and several educator certificates or licensures.[16]

Athletics

Main article: Walsh Cavaliers

Walsh has 20 varsity athletic teams, with two more to be added in 2023–24, and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.[8] The university's football team formerly played their home games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, now playing on campus at Larry Staut Field.

Varsity teams

Walsh sponsors 10 men's varsity teams: baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, and track & field. The school also sponsors 10 women's varsity teams: basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.[17]

In 2023–24, Walsh will add one new sport for each sex. For men, sprint football will be added. This is a variant of American football played under standard NCAA rules but governed outside the NCAA structure, with player weights restricted to a maximum of 178 pounds (81 kg). The new team will play in the Midwest Sprint Football League. For women, the cheerleading discipline of STUNT, also not governed by the NCAA, will be added.[18]

Mascot and colors

Walsh University sports teams compete as the "Cavaliers". School colors are maroon and gold.[19]

The school mascot is Sir Walter the Cavalier, who also makes appearances at various school events outside of athletics. A carved replica of Sir Walter stands outside the Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex and was created from an oak tree in 2016.[20] The name Cavalier was chosen after the school newspaper, The Spectator, ran a contest in 1963, awarding Sean Keenan, Class of 1964, a $15 prize[citation needed] for his submission.

National championships

The Women's Basketball Team won the 1998 NAIA National Championship[21] and the men's basketball team won the 2005 NAIA National Championship.[22]

Notable people

Alumni

Faculty and staff

  • Bob Huggins, basketball coach at Walsh from 1980 to 1983. He led the Cavaliers to a perfect 30–0 regular season. (They finished 34–1 overall).[36][37]
  • Jim Dennison, football coach at Walsh from 1993 to 2012

References

  1. ^ "Mount Union, Walsh and Malone enjoying a stable enrollment post-COVID". Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Drake, Tim (September 22, 2010). "Ohio's Hidden Catholic Gem: Walsh University Embraces Catholic Identity". ncregister.com: Blogs: Tim Drake. National Catholic Register. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  3. ^ Rufo, Raymond (March 24, 1967). "Stark County Foundation Awards Walsh College $25,000 Grant". Walsh College Press Releases.
  4. ^ "LaMennais Brothers Blogspot". Lamennaibrothers.blogspot.com. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  5. ^ "Brothers of Christian Instruction". November 22, 2011. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  6. ^ Looney, Josh (July 15, 2013). "Division II adds new conference, members". NCAA. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  7. ^ "Dr. Timothy J. Collins Appointed President of Walsh University". www.walsh.edu. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Walsh University Statistics | Northeast Ohio College Information". www.walsh.edu. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Walsh University (2017). "Walsh University Campus Map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 6, 2017.
  10. ^ "Diocese of Youngstown". September 28, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  11. ^ "Hoover Historical Center | Ohio Museum Studies Degree". www.walsh.edu. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  12. ^ "Walsh University Undergraduate Programs". www.walsh.edu. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  13. ^ "Walsh University Graduate Programs | Northeast Ohio College Information". www.walsh.edu. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  14. ^ Walsh University (2021). "Doctor of Nursing Practice". Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "Graduate Programs | Doctoral Programs | Master's Degrees". Walsh.edu. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  16. ^ Walsh University (2018). "Professional Development". Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  17. ^ Walsh University. "Walsh University Athletics". Walsh University. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  18. ^ "Walsh University Adding Varsity STUNT and Sprint Football to Athletic Program" (Press release). Walsh Cavaliers. October 19, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Walsh University (2017). Walsh University Identity Standards. Walsh University. p. 8.
  20. ^ "Victorious Cavalier Stands Tall Outside Cecchini Center". www.walsh.edu. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  21. ^ "Walsh University". www.athletics.walsh.edu. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  22. ^ "Basketball". September 28, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  23. ^ Walsh University (2002). "Spotlight on Walsh Alumni: Robert (Bob) Shearer". Walsh Times.
  24. ^ Walsh University (2010). "The Rise of the Intelligent Community". Walsh Times: 13.
  25. ^ Walsh University. "Alumni Notes: Isaac Amani Massawe". Walsh Times: 39.
  26. ^ Walsh University (2017). "New Members Enrich Walsh Community Connections". Walsh Times: 15–16.
  27. ^ ""1997" REVIEW OF WALSH FOOTBALL SEASON". splasher1.tripod.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  28. ^ Walsh University (2006). "Walsh Alum is "Next Top Photographer"". Walsh Times.
  29. ^ "Sherdog MMA Bio".
  30. ^ "Former Cavalier DB Rayshaun Kizer Sets New AFL Interceptions Mark ", Walsh University, July 25, 2011.
  31. ^ "Joe Morgan". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  32. ^ "Saints parting ways with troubled playmaker Joe Morgan - ProFootballTalk". December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  33. ^ "FedEx Leadership". Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  34. ^ "Ric Sayre", Wikipedia, January 23, 2021, retrieved January 20, 2023
  35. ^ "Ric Sayre marathon king Akron Beacon Journal 1991". The Akron Beacon Journal. November 9, 1991. p. 15. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  36. ^ "Staff Directory - WVU Athletics". WVUsports.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  37. ^ "Bob Huggins - Men's Basketball - Walsh University". Retrieved December 16, 2014.