History and Mission
Nazareth College is a private, co-educational comprehensive college with a liberal arts and sciences core. Founded in 1924 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Nazareth has been independent for more than 30 years. Historically rooted in the Catholic tradition of its founders, the College welcomes men and women of all faiths. Its mission is to educate its students in the liberal arts and sciences and in professional fields so as to foster commitment to a life informed by intellectual, ethical and aesthetic values; to develop skills necessary for the pursuit of a meaningful vocation; and to inspire dedication to the ideal of service in their communities.
To carry out that mission Nazareth College provides an undergraduate curriculum which challenges students to high academic achievement; advances in students the intellectual development necessary for critical thinking, aesthetic understanding, effective communication, and lifelong learning; offers graduate programs which prepare students to be effective and ethical professionals in their chosen fields; appoints faculty whose primary commitment to teaching is complemented by recognition of the value of scholarship, professional development, and concern for the student as a whole person; strives for an institution-wide culture which welcomes diversity and welcomes and respects the intellectual freedom of each individual; encourages a commitment to informed values by providing opportunities for ethical and spiritual exploration; fosters an aesthetic sense through programs in the arts; develops in its students an appreciation of the natural environment by continued attention to campus beauty; encourages students to learn and sustain habits of healthful living; prepares students to become active and informed participants in the society in which they live and work; sustains a dynamic collaboration between college and community for the extension and the enrichment of both campus life and the life of the surrounding community.
Curriculum
The college offers more than 40 majors and minors; many include opportunities for internships to supplement classroom work. The present 148 acre campus, with 23 modern buildings, is located in Pittsford, a residential suburb of Rochester. The college’s full-time undergraduate enrollment in Fall 2002 was over 1700 students, with nearly as many part-time students enrolled in both undergraduate or graduate study.
The undergraduate curriculum at Nazareth College centers on the basic disciplines of liberal study, with courses in the humanities, the natural and social sciences and the fine arts. Selected career programs, preparatory to graduate study and the work force, reflect the college’s traditional emphasis on personal achievement and fulfillment as well as service to others.
Commitment to the Future
Nazareth stands at the crossroads of a new era. In September 2000, Nazareth contracted to purchase 73 acres of property and buildings adjacent to the current campus from the college’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph. This acquisition completed in February 2003 doubles the size of the campus and creates opportunities for students today and in the future.
A three-phase master expansion plan, implemented over the next five to seven years, will integrate the existing 75-acre campus with the newly acquired property into one seamless, architecturally consistent landscape. This expanded campus nourishes the whole student - mind, body and spirit. The expansion provides additional academic space, essential for fulfilling Nazareth’s academic vision. Renovations to the new Academic Center will provide larger, more flexible classrooms, seminar rooms, discipline-specific computer labs, and faculty offices. Strong sports programs enrich the college experience. Open in fall ‘03, a stadium complex and track and field venues will enable more students to participate in sports or personal fitness activities.
These and other changes to the Nazareth campus of today will support enrollment increases projected to reach 2000 undergraduates and 1200 graduate students by 2005. Yet the hallmarks of a Nazareth education - a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, strong student-faculty connections, small class size and reputation for academic quality and value - remain. True to the vision of its founders, Nazareth College has remained a learning center committed to such academic, cultural, social and spiritual experiences that enable its students to define their life goals and to advance in their chosen careers.
This commitment has contributed to the college’s reputation for excellence U.S. News & World Report places Nazareth College in its top tier, ranking the college “more selective” and among the top five in the Universities - Masters (North Region) on its 2003 “Great Schools at Great Prices” list. Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges ranks Nazareth as “very competitive”, a ranking that places Nazareth among the top 25% of colleges in the country. Peterson’s Competitive Colleges 2002-2003 includes Nazareth among its profiles of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. Kaplan/Newsweek describes Nazareth as “a hidden treasure among colleges in the Northeast”.
As Nazareth College grows and expands, the elements that have distinguished a Nazareth education will remain - the philosophy, the ideals, the small student-faculty ratio. The college will build on these qualities and create an environment that continues to foster excellence. |