St. Mary's University, Texas

St. Mary’s University

Type	Private
Established	1852
Endowment	$116.5 million
President	Charles L. Cotrell
Undergraduates	2,372
Postgraduates	1,517
Location	San Antonio , Texas , USA
Campus	Urban, 135 acres (0.55 km2)
Endowment	$136 million
Colors	Gold and Blue
Nickname	Rattlers
Mascot	Rattlerman
Website	www.stmarytx.edu

St. Mary’s University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on 135 acres (0.55 km²) northwest of downtown San Antonio. St. Mary’s is a nationally recognized master’s level school ranked among the top colleges in the West for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News and World Report.

Founded by the Society of Mary (Marianists) in 1852, St. Mary’s is the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the Southwest. With a diverse student population of nearly 4,000, St. Mary’s is home to five schools: Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Engineering and Technology; Bill Greehey School of Business; Graduate; and Law.

History

St. Mary's University, founded in 1852 by Marianist brothers and priests, is the first institution of higher learning in San Antonio and the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the Southwest. Personal attention and powerful academic programs have made St. Mary's, located on 135 acres northwest of downtown San Antonio, a nationally recognized liberal arts institution with a diverse student population of nearly 4,000 of all faiths and backgrounds.

St. Mary’s Programs

St. Mary’s offers 44 academic programs, in addition to pre-professional programs in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, allied health, and law. A student-faculty ratio of 13 to 1 assures personal attention designed to help students excel in their chosen fields. St. Mary’s has some 200 full-time faculty members, 94 percent of whom hold doctorate or terminal degrees.

St. Mary’s University integrates liberal arts and professional studies in each student's degree plan to develop creativity, analytical skills and an understanding of the human condition. Learning is enhanced through the use of notebook computers—complete with software and technical support—which connect students on campus and with the world with wireless connectivity featured virtually all over campus The School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the largest school at the University, is the hallmark of the University with successful programs that improve creativity, analytical skills and an understanding of the human condition. The school has a long history of offering service-learning courses to strengthen academic development and producing ethical leaders in education and public service, as well as other fields.

The Bill Greehey School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, the [Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business], making St. Mary’s the only Catholic university in Texas to achieve this status. Electrical and industrial engineering programs in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology are recognized through accreditation by ABET, the [Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Honors

The Honors Program offers an academically challenging and personally enriching course of study designed to cultivate critical analysis, clear oral and written expression, aesthetic awareness and ethical judgment. In and out of the classroom, students are prepared for lives of leadership and service to their communities. Internships in the summer or during the semester give students an ambitious advantage as they prepare for their future careers. Through the nationally acclaimed Career Services Center, students put their academic experiences to practice and pursue internships with businesses and nonprofit organizations. St. Mary’s students have completed internships in Texas, around the country, and all over the world.

Research

Students at St. Mary’s have an opportunity to participate in undergraduate research and impact the world of science. They are conducting progressive research and using critically emerging technology in robotics, bioengineering and biology. Research is used as a teaching tool for students who contribute their knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence, diabetes therapy and hip stem replacement research.

Internationally-oriented degrees and study-abroad programs encourage a global consciousness on the part of both faculty and students. Study abroad programs are designed to take academic or service experiences to a new level, stretch the imagination, deepen a student’s understanding of the world that surrounds him and create memories that will last a lifetime.

An involved student community

St. Mary’s promotes a campus culture of service and change in the community. Students who live on campus become a part of more than just the campus community as organizations offer academic, political, cultural, social and community service activities. Students also actively participate in 60 University-sponsored clubs and organizations, or in programs such as R.O.T.C., the Ethics Bowl, and Coffee and Politics.

University Ministry fosters a spirit of community and faith. All members of the University community are invited to participate in liturgical ministries, retreat planning, Bible study, Sacramental preparation, community service projects, faith-sharing groups, and much more.

In April of 2000, Dr. Charles L. Cotrell was chosen as the University’s 12th president and first lay Marianist to take the helm. The St. Mary's University School of Law features full- and part-time postgraduate studies toward the attainment of the degree of juris doctor and the Master of Laws.

St. Mary’s University is a member of NCAA Division II and the Heartland Conference. Of the 12 varsity-level men’s and women’s sports that are offered, five national titles in men’s basketball (1989), baseball (2001), softball (1986 and 2002) and golf (2006) have been won. The University has also been recognized by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the top schools in the nation to play both men’s and women’s golf.

Athletics

Main article: St. Mary's Rattlers

Interscholastic athletics competition began with baseball in 1902. Before St. Mary’s was recognized as a senior college in 1925, there was no formal conference competition, so the rivalry between the downtown and Woodlawn campuses was fierce.

The colorful history of St. Mary’s athletics includes a stellar 1910 baseball team, which lost only to Ty Cobb’s Detroit Tigers in an exhibition game, and a stint by future President Eisenhower as coach of the 1916 football team.

St. Mary’s was an all-male school for more than a century, so it’s not surprising that its two longest-running sports are baseball and men’s basketball. But from 1925 until 1941, football – with its flashy uniforms and players, and even more flamboyant managers and coaches – captured the imaginations of fans everywhere. Unfortunately the football team had to be disbanded due to World War II.

Records show the 1902 baseball team went 6–0, and the 1910 squad also went undefeated except for the aforementioned game against the Tigers. With the onset of the Depression, intercollegiate baseball disappeared only to be resurrected in 1947 by then-athletics director Brother Bill Siemer, S.M.

Over the years, St. Mary’s baseball has won local, regional and national fame. Accomplishments include 24 conference championships, four NAIA College World Series appearances and, most recently, the 2001 NCAA Division II conference, regional and national championships.

The St. Mary’s University basketball program also has enjoyed success over many years. In 1926, the school’s first intercollegiate basketball team posted a 12–7 record. In the late 1930s and early ’40s, the Rattlers, with their big man Ken “Arky” Croswell (B.A. ’42), dominated the short-lived Alamo Conference.

Since 1951, men’s teams have captured 26 Big State and Heart of Texas conference championships and made 16 NAIA National Tournament appearances. After entering NCAA Division II competition, the Rattlers won the Heartland Conference co-championship and advanced to the regional tournament in 2001, the team’s first year of post-season competition eligibility.

Women’s intercollegiate athletics, begun in 1968, also have enjoyed many triumphs. The softball team has led the way, winning several conference titles, appearing in 12 NAIA national tournaments and two NCAA Division II national tournaments and winning the 2002 Division-II National Championship

In the Fall of 2010 St.Mary's University will be fielding a Men's Collegiate Rugby team which will enter Texas Rugby Union Division III

The Mascot

The Rattler mascot has its own stories of how it came to be. Legend holds that the football practice field had to be cleared of diamondback rattlesnakes on a regular basis, thus leading to the designation. The truth is that Brother Kinsky thought “Rattlers” would be fitting because there was already on campus Rattler Club whose members had recently begun The Rattler newspaper. There was debate as to whether the name was being run into the ground, but the students quickly said they wanted the Rattler nickname.

Alton Seekatz (B.S.C. ’32), a member of the Rattler Club, described the organization as a spirit and social organization. “It was called the Rattler Club when I got here in 1926, and I’m not sure how it got its nickname,” he said, although his stories of the club members’ antics and efforts to raise school spirit would certainly “rattle” some and “shake” up others.

Notable alumni

• Brian Anderson, broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers
• Fernando Andrade, M.A. 1979, Mayor for two periods of the Miraflores District, in Lima, Peru. Currently running for Mayor of the city of Lima, Peru.
• Stuart Bowen, J.D. 1991, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
• Tom Corbett, J.D. 1975, Pennsylvania attorney general
• John Cornyn, J.D. 1977, U.S. Senator; former Texas Supreme Court Justice; St. Mary’s Distinguished Law School Graduate (1994)
• Julio A. Garcia, J.D., District attorney in Laredo, 1980–1988
• Charlie Gonzalez, J.D. 1972, U.S. Congressman
• Henry B. Gonzalez, J.D. 1943, former U.S. Congressman
• William E. Greehey, B.B.A 1960, Chairman of Valero Energy Corporation
• Paul Green, J.D. 1977, Texas Supreme Court Justice
• Joe A. Guerra, B.S. 1957, Laredo businessman and city councillor
• José Ángel Gutiérrez 1968, Co-founder of MAYO and President of La Raza Unidad Party. Attorney and Professor at University of Texas at Arlington
• Thad Heartfield, B.A. 1962, J.D. 1965, Chief judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• Danny Heep, former Major League Baseball outfielder and 1988 World Series Champion
• Barbara Hervey, J.D. 1979, judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
• Peter Kinder, J.D. 1979, lieutenant governor of Missouri
• Jeff Kubenka, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Alma Lopez, J.D. 1968, Chief Justice, Texas Fourth Court of Appeals
• Michael McCaul, J.D., 1987, U.S. Congressman
• Scott McInnis, J.D., 1980, U.S. Congressman
• Tony Sanchez, B.A. 1965, J.D. 1969, Texas gubernatorial election, 2002 Candidate
• Frank M. Tejeda, 1970, Texas representative, senator, U.S. Congressman
• Carlos Uresti, J.D. 1992, Texas state senator
• Don S. Wenger, U.S. Air Force Major General
• John Quiñones, B.A. 1974, ABC News correspondent and co-anchor of ABC News’ Primetime
• James R. Clapper Jr., M.S. 1970, Political Science, confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence on April 11, 2007
• Karen Burnis McGovern, B.B.A 1981, First Vice President of Kemper Financial Services

Student organizations

There are a total of 68 registered organizations:

• Honor societies: Alpha Sigma Lambda, Beta Beta Beta, Beta Gamma Sigma, Gamma Sigma Alpha, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Order of Omega, Phi Alpha Theta, Phi Beta Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Sigma Iota, Phi Sigma Tau, Pi Sigma Alpha, Psi Chi, Society of Honor Scholars.
• Religious organizations: University Ministry.
• Minority and international student organizations: Black Student Union, Indian Student Association, International Students Association, League of United Latin American Citizens, Mexican Student Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Students for Native American Affairs, Hispanic Law Students Association.
• Other organizations: IEEE Student Branch, Inter-Fraternity Council, National Panhellenic Council, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Pi Omega, Omega Delta Phi, Kappa Delta Chi, Beta Sigma Phi, Delta Sigma Pi, Residence Hall Assoc., Student Bar Assoc., Student Government Assoc., Cheerleaders, Code Blue Dance Team, Emerging Leaders, President’s Ambassadors, University Programming Council, Accounting Club, American Chemical Society of Students, Criminal Justice Student Assoc., Finance Club, Graduate International Relations Society, International Business Club, Psychology Club, Society of Physics, St. Mary’s Society of Mathematicians (SM)^2, Student Educators Assoc. for Dynamic Leadership, Women in Science & Engineering, Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, Capoeira Club, Chess Club, Coro Santa Maria, Non-traditional Students, Society of Poets & Writers, Swim Club, Fiesta Physics, Society for Applied Ethics.

External links

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• University Web site
• St. Mary’s University from the Handbook of Texas Online