The University Mission

As an independent, comprehensive Catholic university offering programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Marymount University strives to foster the intellectual, moral, spiritual, social, cultural, and physical development of each student through an education that combines the liberal arts tradition with career preparation.

A Marymount Education

Marymount University aspires to prepare students to be thoughtful and effective persons within family, community, and society; to develop students with the competencies necessary for entry, growth, and success in their chosen careers; to build within its students a shared sense of community among individuals drawn from diverse national, cultural, and social backgrounds; to foster in its students a spirit of service to others, a concern for social justice, and a commitment to living in an ethically responsible way; and to develop in students both the competencies and motivation to be lifelong learners.

The Heritage and Traditions of the University

As an educational community, Marymount is formed by the heritage and traditions of liberal arts education, the American higher education community, the Catholic Church, and the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary.

  As a university in the liberal arts tradition, Marymount fosters the development of intellectual curiosity; an unbiased pursuit of truth; an understanding of the varying modes of inquiry utilized across the disciplines; and the development of the skills, competencies, and motivation necessary for intellectual inquiry and lifelong learning. Marymount fosters the pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship, and forms a community marked by intellectual freedom, civility, and diverse interpretations of the human experience.

  As a comprehensive university in the American higher education tradition, Marymount is a learning/ teaching community that emphasizes excellence in teaching and places primary focus on the learning-teaching process; strives to contribute to the development of knowledge through the scholarship of its members; and contributes to the development of its community through service outreach programs. The University recognizes the value and importance of career preparation as a fundamental purpose of university education. The University provides both undergraduate and graduate education, serving a variety of student audiences, in response to the needs and interests of its community and region.

  As a Catholic university, Marymount affirms that the exploration of humanity's relationship to the Divine is an integral part of the academic work of the University; challenges all members of the University community to live ethically responsible lives; fosters a community of faith exploration open to individuals of diverse religious backgrounds and beliefs; and strives to exemplify its Catholic tradition within the University and in the way in which all members of the University community interact with one another and with the larger community outside the University.

  As a university founded and sponsored by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Marymount draws from and celebrates the 150-year RSHM tradition of ministry through education across four continents. In the spirit of the University founders, Marymount strives to establish a shared sense of community among individuals drawn from diverse national, cultural, and social backgrounds, and emphasizes a spirit of service to others and responsiveness to the needs of persons and groups who do not fully share in the bounty of the larger community.

A Dynamic Learning Community in an Enriched Environment

The University also is shaped by the unique resources available to it through its location in the nation's capital area, and by a creative, future-oriented perspective of education.

  The Marymount experience is enriched by the cultural, governmental, business, and professional resources of Washington, D.C., a city with an international character and global perspective. The University location offers extraordinary professional and scholarly opportunities for faculty; the opportunity to bring leaders from government, commerce, and the professions to the University campus; specialized resources for instruction and research; unique internship placements for students; and outstanding employment opportunities for graduates.

  Marymount has grown and changed extensively since its founding in 1950, reflecting a dynamic period of change in American higher education, and also reflecting an openness, creativity, and enterprising spirit of the men and women who comprise the Marymount community. Marymount has been willing to look creatively at the educational needs of the region the University serves, to respond quickly, to try new approaches. The University strives to sustain a future-oriented perspective and to serve as a leader in responding to the educational needs of its region and in utilizing innovative instructional technologies and practices.

The Center for Ethical Concerns

One of the hallmarks of Marymount University is its commitment to providing a values-based education. The Center for Ethical Concerns was founded in 1993 to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas about ethical issues and to recognize leaders who advance a strong values-based culture. Through lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops, and symposia, the Center offers students, faculty, and the public opportunities to examine ethical concerns facing society.

A faculty committee works with the Center's director to develop programs that are responsive to the needs of the community. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, the Center assists faculty in developing effective ways to teach ethical concepts in the classroom. The Center brings together students and faculty from the University's various academic disciplines to increase awareness of ethical problems and develop effective techniques to confront these issues.

The Center also bestows an annual Ethics Award to recognize an individual who has taken an outstanding leadership role in promoting and developing ethical standards and behavior. The Marymount University Ethics Award honors leaders who, by commitment, effort, and example, advance a strong values-based culture in their field of endeavor.

The John J. McDonnell, Jr., Endowed Chair in Ethics

Marymount's first endowed faculty chair was established in May 2000. Provided through the generosity of Dr. John J. McDonnell, Jr., a member of the University's Board of Trustees and a highly successful business leader in the electronic commerce field, the chair supports a faculty position in the field of ethics, enhancing the resources directed toward infusing ethics into the curriculum and the academic life of the University. The faculty appointee provides particular leadership for exploring how student understanding of ethics can be deepened and strengthened. The McDonnell Chair in Ethics serves as a highly visible symbol of the commitment to ethics at Marymount University

Accreditation

Marymount University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097; Phone: (404) 679-4501] to award master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees. The Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. Teacher preparation programs are accredited by the Division of Teacher Education and Certification of the Virginia State Department of Education and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Programs in Nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Comission (800-669-9656) and the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The B.S.N. and M.S.N. programs have preliminary approval of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Interior Design program is accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER). The Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association. The Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Student Profile

The University enrolls approximately 3,700 students in all of its programs. The freshman class numbers about 300. There are approximately 2,100 undergraduate and 1,600 graduate students. States and areas providing the largest number of students are, in order, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and Florida. More than 35 states and 65 foreign countries are represented in the student population. Approximately 600 students live in campus residence halls.

Location and Transportation

Marymount University is located in Arlington, Virginia, a prosperous urban community adjacent to Washington, D.C. The public Metrorail system connects the University with the entire metropolitan Washington area. The University maintains its own shuttle bus service, offering free transportation between the Main Campus, Ballston Campus, and Ballston-MU Metro station. Students have access to tourist attractions, political and cultural sites, and shopping malls. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport are a few minutes from the University, as are Interstates 66, 95, 395, and 495.

History

The name "Marymount" has long been associated with excellence in education. The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, founders of Marymount University, have provided thoughtful responses to societal needs in every time and place. Elementary, secondary, and collegiate institutions bearing the name "Marymount" are located in California, New York, Virginia, England, France, Italy, and Mexico. Each school is sponsored by the order but remains autonomous and subject to its own governing board.

Béziers, a busy industrial city in southern France, was in 1849 the first home of the Institute of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Founded by Father Jean Antoine Gailhac and by Mother St. Jean Pelissier-Cure, the new community dedicated itself primarily to education.

In 1907 the first American "Marymount" was founded in Tarrytown, New York, by Mother Joseph Butler. Soon other educational works followed in this country and abroad: private, parochial, and tuition-free schools, as well as orphanages and universities.

Marymount University was founded as a women's college in 1950 at the suggestion of Bishop Peter L. Ireton of Richmond and with the energetic effort of Mother Gerard Phelan. Thirteen freshmen entered the first year, and nine of them comprised the first graduating class in 1952. In 1960 the institution was incorporated as Marymount College of Virginia, an independent college, governed by an autonomous board of directors.

Expansion of the physical plant and facilities attended the increasing enrollment. From the original property, which included a mansion, stone guest house, and two cottages-all comprising the residence of Admiral Presley M. Rixey, Surgeon General to President Theodore Roosevelt-the institution has grown to be a modern residential education complex enrolling 3,600 students both on the campus and elsewhere in northern Virginia.

From 1950 to 1972, as a college, Marymount offered only the associate degree. In 1973, it became a senior college offering the bachelor's degree in more than 20 fields. In 1979, graduate programs leading to the master's degree were added. The first male students were admitted in 1972 in a nursing program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The institution continued to focus on the education of women at the undergraduate level, but beginning in 1979 with the addition of coeducational graduate programs, male students began to matriculate in increasing numbers. In 1986 the institution responded to its changing student profile by becoming coeducational at all levels and changing its name to Marymount University.

The University responded to its dramatic enrollment growth by acquiring new buildings near the Main Campus and increasing accessibility through a University shuttle service. The Ballston Campus, established in 1992, houses modern classrooms, offices, computer laboratories, and support services. The Marymount University campus today reaches out to the neighboring community with off-campus centers in high technology corporate sites, medical centers, public schools, and the Loudoun Academic Center.

The University is an independent institution related to the Roman Catholic Church. It is governed by a board of trustees numbering more than 30 professional men and women. Among them are members of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, graduates of Marymount University, and corporate and professional executives.

Campus

Academic Affairs, Alumni Relations, Financial Aid, and Registrar's offices occupy the main floors of the Rowley Academic Center. The lower level is the home of the School of Education and Human Services. Upper levels join with Rowley Hall to provide residence facilities for students.

Rowley Hall stands next to the Academic Center and is named to honor the late Mother Rita Rowley, superior general of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. On its upper floors, this building houses 250 students. All rooms are air-conditioned and furnished for single or double occupancy. A study, central bath, kitchenette, lounge, and laundry facilities serve each floor.

Rowley Hall's lobby level houses administrative offices including the President's Office and the offices of University Advancement. Lower floors are devoted to classrooms, laboratories, and support services.

Ireton Hall, a small colonial building in the center of the campus, houses faculty offices and the offices of Campus Safety and Personnel/Affirmative Action.

Gailhac Hall is a major classroom and office building that serves the whole University. The building contains drafting and design studios and a resource center serving the Interior Design, Graphic Arts, Fashion Design, and Fine Arts programs. It is home to the School of Arts and Sciences.

Gerard Phelan Hall houses students in rooms similar to those in Rowley Hall. In addition, Gerard Hall contains the central dining rooms, which seat 800 persons; Student Services; the Center for Counseling and Career Services; and Campus Ministry.

Majella Berg Hall, named for Marymount's current chancellor and president for 33 years, offers additional student housing. The Student Health Center is also located in this building, as are the Residence Life offices.

Butler Hall (formerly College Hall) serves academic and residential functions. The Admissions and the School of Health Professions offices, several other administrative offices, and many classrooms share these buildings with suite accommodations for approximately 100 resident students.

Rose Benté Lee Center provides a space for all members of the University community to enjoy extracurricular activities. The newly renovated and expanded building houses the 1,000-seat Bell Atlantic Sports Arena; a fitness center; Bernie's café, with space for live performances; the University bookstore and marketplace; a recreational gym; a swimming pool, with seating for spectators; and a lounge and meeting rooms.

St. Joseph Hall, built in 1952, houses computer labs and the offices of Student Accounts and Financial Affairs.

Emerson G. Reinsch Library houses the University's library and learning resource services, including the Instructional Media Center and the Learning Resource Center. The building also contains the Barry Art Gallery, the Lee Reception Room, and an attractive auditorium.

The Lodge on the Main Campus houses the Student Activities office, student government and club offices, student newspaper and yearbook offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, lounges, and a full kitchen for student use.

Ballston Campus at 1000 N. Glebe Road houses the School of Business Administration, Graduate Admissions, the Academic Computer Center, the Physical Therapy program, Ballston Career Center, and the Ballston Campus Conference Center. This building also provides general classroom facilities for all programs. Shuttle service connects it to the Main Campus, approximately two miles away.

Loudoun Academic Center, located in fast-growing Sterling, Virginia, is 19 miles from the Main Campus. The center is a modern educational center for conferences and classes. It boasts nine classrooms, a computer lab, and a library. The campus offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education courses that serve the needs of both traditional and nontraditional students.