St. Thomas University (Florida)
Encyclopedia
St. Thomas University is a private Roman Catholic university
in the Miami, Florida
, United States
suburb of Miami Gardens
.
, founded in 1946 in Havana
, Cuba, named after Saint Thomas of Villanova
, by American Augustinians with assistance from European Augustinians. When the Castro government expelled the Augustinians from Cuba in 1961, several of the American Augustinians came to Miami where they founded Biscayne College in 1961. Its first president was Vice Rector of Villanueva. The college was accepted as a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
and first accredited by the Commission on Colleges in 1968. Through continued growth and development, Biscayne College earned university status in 1984 after the addition of 10 Master degree programs and the opening of the School of Law. At that point, its name changed to St. Thomas University. The University came under the sponsorship of the Archdiocese of Miami in 1988, conferring upon St. Thomas the distinction of being the only Catholic Archdiocesan sponsored university in the state of Florida.
The Miami Dolphins
NFL team trained at St. Thomas University, from 1970 until 1993.
The academic buildings are located along the east side of the campus, from north to south: the Carnival Cruise Line Science & Technology Building, Kennedy Hall and the University Library includes the George & Evelyn Goldbloom Convocation Hall, President's Office and the Office of Development. It also contains the Archbishop John C. Favalora Archive and Museum. The Law School is south of the Library.
St. Thomas has four residence halls and apartments, which house approximately 360 students. There is also a University Inn located next to the Student Center in the middle of the campus.
The west and south sides of the campus are athletic facilities. On-campus athletics facilities include a new soccer field, the Frank R. Esposito Baseball Field, and the Bobcat softball field. The Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness, which was dedicated in September 2009 is the home of Bobcat athletics. This 62000 sq ft (5,760 m²). multipurpose facility houses basketball and volleyball, intramural sports and a state-of-the-arts fitness and wellness center.
St. Thomas has the following academic units:
St. Thomas University offers B.A., M.A., M.S., M.B.A., M.Acc., J.D., Ed.D., and Ph.D. programs through its college and various schools.
The university offers several joint degree programs and an accelerated B.A./J.D. as well.
The St. Thomas University experience, which includes a Study in Spain program, a United Nations internship and travel to Haiti, is a laboratory for life in the coming decades with people of many cultures sharing ethical values and bringing about positive change in their local communities.
is one of only three accredited Roman Catholic law schools located in the United States that is south of Washington, D.C.. The School of Law at St. Thomas was fully accredited by the American Bar Association in February 1995, and offers the Juris Doctor
degree (J.D.) as well as the Masters of Law (LL.M).
St. Thomas has an enrollment of 4,140 students - 2,436 in the traditional undergraduate program, 963 in its graduate program and 741 in the law school. Students come from 42 states and nearly 50 foreign countries. As of 2008, St. Thomas University has an endowment of $23.4 million.http://www.nacubo.org/Images/All%20Institutions%20Listed%20by%20FY%202007%20Market%20Value%20of%20Endowment%20Assets_2007%20NES.pdf
St. Thomas' Sports Administration programs were some of the first in the country.
, the U.S. Representative; Miguel Diaz, the Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See (Vatican) nominated by President Barack Obama; the current head coach of the Orlando Magic
Stan Van Gundy
; the former mayor of Miami-Dade County Alex Penelas
; the actor Dom Irrera
; the Major League Baseball
players Kiko Calero
and Vinnie Chulk
; and former NBA Basketball player Kenny Anderson
. Among notable graduates are: Andy Elisburg, Vice President of Operations for the Miami Heat; Christina Fernandez, Chief Marshall for the Southern Region U.S. Marshals Service; and John Dooner, CEO of Interpublic Group of Companies.
http://icie.net/presentation/ICIE_Press_Release_Miami_2011_August2.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/28/idUS304378+28-Jul-2011+PRN20110728
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in the Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
suburb of Miami Gardens
Miami Gardens, Florida
Miami Gardens is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name comes from one of the major roadways through the area, Miami Gardens Drive. According to the 2010 U.S...
.
History
The University traces its roots to the Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de VillanuevaUniversidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva
Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva was a private Roman Catholic university founded on August 15, 1946, in Havana, Cuba. It was founded by American Augustinians with assistance from European Augustinians and named after Saint Thomas of Villanova. In 1957, it was declared a pontifical...
, founded in 1946 in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba, named after Saint Thomas of Villanova
Thomas of Villanova
St. Thomas of Villanova, O.S.A. , was a preacher, ascetic, writer andSpanish friar of the Order of Saint Augustine....
, by American Augustinians with assistance from European Augustinians. When the Castro government expelled the Augustinians from Cuba in 1961, several of the American Augustinians came to Miami where they founded Biscayne College in 1961. Its first president was Vice Rector of Villanueva. The college was accepted as a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
and first accredited by the Commission on Colleges in 1968. Through continued growth and development, Biscayne College earned university status in 1984 after the addition of 10 Master degree programs and the opening of the School of Law. At that point, its name changed to St. Thomas University. The University came under the sponsorship of the Archdiocese of Miami in 1988, conferring upon St. Thomas the distinction of being the only Catholic Archdiocesan sponsored university in the state of Florida.
The Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
NFL team trained at St. Thomas University, from 1970 until 1993.
Campus
The campus is located in Miami Gardens, Florida, on 150 acre (0.607029 km²) bounded on the north by the Palmetto Expressway on the west by NW 37th Avenue and on the east by NW 32nd Avenue. The northern side of the campus is occupied by woods and a monastery.The academic buildings are located along the east side of the campus, from north to south: the Carnival Cruise Line Science & Technology Building, Kennedy Hall and the University Library includes the George & Evelyn Goldbloom Convocation Hall, President's Office and the Office of Development. It also contains the Archbishop John C. Favalora Archive and Museum. The Law School is south of the Library.
St. Thomas has four residence halls and apartments, which house approximately 360 students. There is also a University Inn located next to the Student Center in the middle of the campus.
The west and south sides of the campus are athletic facilities. On-campus athletics facilities include a new soccer field, the Frank R. Esposito Baseball Field, and the Bobcat softball field. The Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness, which was dedicated in September 2009 is the home of Bobcat athletics. This 62000 sq ft (5,760 m²). multipurpose facility houses basketball and volleyball, intramural sports and a state-of-the-arts fitness and wellness center.
Organization
St. Thomas is led by a 35-member Board of Trustees. Each board member is required to give a gift to the annual campaign and a one time gift to the capital campaign. Each Trustee serves two consecutive three-year terms. The board meets four times per fiscal year and each board member serves on a university standing committee.St. Thomas has the following academic units:
- BISCAYNE COLLEGE
- (Institute for World Languages)
- SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
- (Institute for Global Entrepreneurship)
- (Institute for Sports Administration and Hospitality/Tourism Management)
- SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP STUDIES
- (Institute for Communication, Entertainment, and Media)
- (Institute for Education)
- (Institute for Professional Studies)
- (Institute for STU-China Executive Forum for Leadership Development)
- SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
- (Institute for Applied Computer Applications and Engineering Management)
- SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY
- (Institute for Pastoral Ministries)
- SCHOOL OF LAWSt. Thomas University School of LawSt. Thomas University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The School of Law is located on the main campus of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida...
- (J.D. Degree)
- (LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights)
- (J.S.D. in Intercultural Human Rights)
- (J.D./M.B.A. joint degrees:)
- (M.B.A. Accounting)
- (M.B.A. International Business)
- (M.B.A. Sports Administration)
- (J.D./M.S. Joint Degrees:)
- (M.S. Marriage & Family Counseling)
- (M.S. Sports Administration)
St. Thomas University offers B.A., M.A., M.S., M.B.A., M.Acc., J.D., Ed.D., and Ph.D. programs through its college and various schools.
The university offers several joint degree programs and an accelerated B.A./J.D. as well.
The St. Thomas University experience, which includes a Study in Spain program, a United Nations internship and travel to Haiti, is a laboratory for life in the coming decades with people of many cultures sharing ethical values and bringing about positive change in their local communities.
Modern status
The St. Thomas University School of LawSt. Thomas University School of Law
St. Thomas University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The School of Law is located on the main campus of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida...
is one of only three accredited Roman Catholic law schools located in the United States that is south of Washington, D.C.. The School of Law at St. Thomas was fully accredited by the American Bar Association in February 1995, and offers the Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree (J.D.) as well as the Masters of Law (LL.M).
St. Thomas has an enrollment of 4,140 students - 2,436 in the traditional undergraduate program, 963 in its graduate program and 741 in the law school. Students come from 42 states and nearly 50 foreign countries. As of 2008, St. Thomas University has an endowment of $23.4 million.http://www.nacubo.org/Images/All%20Institutions%20Listed%20by%20FY%202007%20Market%20Value%20of%20Endowment%20Assets_2007%20NES.pdf
St. Thomas' Sports Administration programs were some of the first in the country.
Athletics
St. Thomas competes in the Sun Conference in the NAIA. Varsity sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis for men and softball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and volleyball for women.Notable alumni & attendees
St. Thomas University has produced thousands of alumni over the years. The most notable alumni of St. Thomas University are Mike FitzpatrickMike Fitzpatrick
Michael G. "Mike" Fitzpatrick is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He was reelected to Congress in 2010, and previously represented the district from 2005 to 2007, but lost to Patrick Murphy in 2006....
, the U.S. Representative; Miguel Diaz, the Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See (Vatican) nominated by President Barack Obama; the current head coach of the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
Stan Van Gundy
Stan Van Gundy
Stanley A. "Stan" Van Gundy is the head coach of the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. From 2003 to 2005, he was the head coach of the Miami Heat but resigned in 2005 mid-season, turning the job over to Pat Riley...
; the former mayor of Miami-Dade County Alex Penelas
Alex Penelas
Alexander "Alex" Penelas is the former mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida.-Schooling and personal life:Penelas, an American of Cuban descent, attended college at St. Thomas University...
; the actor Dom Irrera
Dom Irrera
Domenick Jack Irrera , originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a stand-up comedian. Much of his material is in the form of stories about his life, especially his childhood years and growing up in an Italian-American family, which contributes to the "natural" feel of his...
; the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
players Kiko Calero
Kiko Calero
Enrique Nomar "Kiko" Calero is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Professional career:...
and Vinnie Chulk
Vinnie Chulk
Charles Vincent "Vinnie" Chulk is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays in the Oakland Athletics organization. He is of Cuban heritage.-Early life:...
; and former NBA Basketball player Kenny Anderson
Kenny Anderson
Kenneth "Kenny" Anderson is a retired American basketball player. After a college career at Georgia Institute of Technology, he played point guard professionally from 1991 to 2006, mostly in the National Basketball Association....
. Among notable graduates are: Andy Elisburg, Vice President of Operations for the Miami Heat; Christina Fernandez, Chief Marshall for the Southern Region U.S. Marshals Service; and John Dooner, CEO of Interpublic Group of Companies.
External links
- Official website of St. Thomas University
- School of Law
- School of Business
- School of Leadership Studies
- School of Science
- School of Theology
- School of Biscayne College
- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/sports/basketball/13vecsey.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
http://icie.net/presentation/ICIE_Press_Release_Miami_2011_August2.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/28/idUS304378+28-Jul-2011+PRN20110728