Widener University
Widener University is a private university in Chester, Pennsylvania. The university has three other campuses: two in Pennsylvania (Harrisburg and Exton) and one in Wilmington, Delaware.
Former names
The Bullock School for Boys (1821–1846)
The Alsop School for Boys (1846–1853)
Hyatt's Select School for Boys (1853–1859)
Delaware Military Academy (1859–1862)
Pennsylvania Military Academy (1862–1892)
Pennsylvania Military College (1892–1966)
PMC Colleges (1966–1972)
Widener College (1972–1979)
Mens Sana In Corpore Sano
(Sound Mind in Sound Body)
1821 (The Bullock School for Boys)
1862 (College)
$90.0 million (2020)[1]
326 full-time
6,464[2]
3,204 (2,790 day, 414 evening)
3,260 (1,598 law students)
Urban, 108 acres (44 ha)
Widener blue & gold
Pride (introduced in 2006), formerly the Pioneers and the Cadets (when PMC)
Chester & Melrose (Lions)
Founded as The Bullock School for Boys in 1821, the school was established in Wilmington, Delaware. It became The Alsop School for Boys from 1846 to 1853, and then Hyatt's Select School for Boys from 1853 to 1859. Military instruction was introduced in 1858, and the school changed its name in 1859 to Delaware Military Academy. It moved to Pennsylvania in 1862 and became Chester County Military Academy. It was known as Pennsylvania Military College after 1892 and adopted the Widener name in 1972.
About 3,300 undergraduates and 3,300 graduate students attend Widener in eight degree-granting schools. The university offers associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees in areas ranging from traditional liberal arts to professional programs. It is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" and a "Community Engagement Institution".
Campuses[edit]
Widener consists of four campuses: the Main Campus is in Chester, Pennsylvania, and three additional campuses are in Wilmington, Delaware, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Exton, Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1866 after the school moved to Chester, the 108-acre (0.44 km2) main campus consists of over 100 buildings and serves all undergraduate day students as well as Continuing Studies, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) students, and graduate students. Widener's graduate programs include business, education, engineering, nursing, social work, physical therapy, and clinical psychology.
The School of Law, which opened in 1976 on the Delaware Campus, consists of 16 buildings across 40 acres (160,000 m2) and is 12 miles (19 km) from the Main Campus. It contains the School of Law as well as the Legal Education Institute. Some classes for Continuing Studies students and graduate business students are also held here. The 21-acre (85,000 m2) Harrisburg Campus, opening in 1989, contains the Widener University Commonwealth Law School and has graduate programs in nursing and social work held there. In July 2015, Widener School of Law, which used to be one school sitting on the Delaware and Harrisburg campuses, split to become Widener University Delaware Law School in Wilmington and Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg.
Starting in 2004, the Exton Campus was added to Widener's growing institution. It is located in a business park 25 miles (40 km) from the Main Campus. It primarily serves Continuing Studies students and contains Widener's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which provides continuing education programs for retired adults.
Student life[edit]
Enrollment[edit]
Widener enrolls approximately 6,300 total students including 3,600 undergraduate, 1,700 graduate students, and 1,000 law school students. Among full-time undergraduate students, the male/female ratio is about 0.8:1 (44% male, 56% female). 48% of undergraduates choose to live on the Main Campus while the remaining students live off-campus or commute. Approximately 54% of all full-time undergraduates are from Pennsylvania with 45% coming from the rest of the country (predominantly Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia), and 1% of students originating from outside the U.S.[35] The acceptance rate for undergraduate applicants in fall 2013 was 65.5%.[36]
Student clubs and events[edit]
The university has over 100 student clubs including honor societies, religious organizations, media groups, and special interest clubs. Greek Week, Spring Carnival, and Homecoming are among the popular events on campus.[37] Graduate students are currently not allowed to participate in club sports activities.
Media is big on Widener's campus. The Blue&Gold: Widener University's Student Media Site was established in spring 2013. This outlet for student reporting has been growing ever since, telling the news and giving students a voice on campus. TV Club is Widener's student-run television program. WDNR is the student-run campus radio station that plays a variety of music including hip-hop, rock, metal, and punk.
Fraternity and sorority life[edit]
Widener has six fraternities and six sororities.[38] Approximately 12% of all undergraduates are members.[37] Widener's Greek organizations include: