2009-2010 Mercyhurst North East Profile
Founded: In 1991, Mercyhurst purchased the former home of the Redemptorist Fathers in North East, a seminary built in 1868.
Type of College: Catholic comprehensive
School Colors: Blue/Green/White/Black
Motto: Carpe Diem- Seize the Day
Enrollment: 1,050
Freshmen: 519 new students from 19 states, 2 U.S. territories and 3 foreign countries
Full-Time Employees: 126
Faculty: 40 full-time
Campus: 84-acre campus with 14 buildings in North East, Pa., located 15 minutes east of Erie and an hour west of Buffalo.
Revenue Budget: $16.8 million
Alumni: 2,000
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
3624 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Degrees: 32 academic programs, including 24 associate degrees, seven certificates and one bachelor's degree (RN to BSN)
Library Holdings: More than 12,000 items at Ridge Library
Athletics
Team Name: The Saints
Sports: Basketball (M/W), Baseball (M), Softball (W), Soccer (M/W), Volleyball (W), Wrestling (M), Lacrosse (M)
Conference Affiliations: National Junior College Athletic Association and the Western New York Athletic Conference
Recent Campus Developments:
2009
- Mercyhurst North East welcomed 519 new students from 19 states, two U.S. territories and three foreign countries this fall, gains that are particularly rewarding in a recruiting year marked by tough economic times. All told, MNE is enjoying a record total enrollment of 1,050 students.
- Mercyhurst officials dedicated the new Janet L. Miller Center for Growth and Academic Excellence at North East this fall. The former National Bank building at 5999 Station Road was purchased by the college in 2007 in response to the growing enrollment and addition of new programs at Mercyhurst North East (MNE). A longtime benefactor of the college, The Robert S. and Janet L. Miller Family Foundation was instrumental in making the new building become a reality for MNE. Currently, the 29,000-square-foot structure houses Mercyhurst's police academy, public safety institute, and nursing programs.
- Also within the Miller building is the new Hirtzel Human Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, a $1.2 million mega-lab that opened in fall 2009. The lab provides an unprecedented learning opportunity for science and nursing students on both the Erie and North East campuses while taking its place among the best-equipped and staffed forensic labs in the country.
- For the first time, registered nurses can now earn a bachelor of science in nursing at MNE through the school's newly approved R.N. to B.S.N. completion program. This is the first bachelor's degree to be offered at MNE which also has 24 associate degrees and seven one-year certificates, including an associate of science degree in nursing and a practical nursing certificate.
- MNE completed the finishing touches on its new softball field with the addition of $30,000 in dugouts. The playing surface was completed in 2007 at a cost of $130,000; the dugouts in September 2009. The field is located on the west side of Pearl Street, just up the hill from the soccer field.
2008
- A new $3 million residence hall opened in the fall of 2008. The two-story brick structure, which houses 75 students, is situated directly north of the existing eight-unit townhouse building and encompasses 22,000 square feet.
- Three new associate degree programs were introduced: medical laboratory technician, occupational therapy assistant and respiratory therapist. The programs will operate out of classrooms and labs that are currently being renovated in Miller Hall. The new residence hall has allowed the college to reclaim classroom space on the lower level of Miller, which had been converted to student housing to accommodate growing enrollment. The classrooms and labs are expected to be completed by January 2009.
- MNE hit an exciting milestone in its 17-year history by reaching a total student population of 1,000. MNE began with a modest 53 students in 1991. The previous record for total enrollment was 900 in 2007.
- Mercyhurst North East formed an agreement with the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority to offer free bus service to MNE students. "The e" provides free transportation between Erie and North East for all MNE students, and they can use "the e" system for free, anytime, anywhere.
2007
- The $2.9 million Vineyard Primary Care Center, a Hamot Healthcare Center, at Mercyhurst North East opened in the fall. This joint venture brought a wider range of healthcare services to the North East community and houses an infirmary for Mercyhurst North East students and employees. In addition, the new facility will enable Mercyhurst and Hamot to collaborate on new health-oriented academic offerings on the North East campus. Among those being explored are medical lab technician, occupational therapy assistant and respiratory therapy assistant.
- Mercyhurst North East (MNE) is among 11 Pennsylvania colleges and universities to share more than a half-million dollars for nursing education programs from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation (PHEF). In September, PHEF officials and state Senator Jane Earll presented college representatives with a $50,000 check, the first of three installments totaling $150,000.
- WYNE 1530 AM officially launched Aug. 16, as MNE's very first teaching radio station. With the station's launch comes the creation of a new concentration at MNE: radio/broadcasting, which falls under the liberal arts associate degree program.
- New record set for total number of applications received: 1,550 applications for 2007-08 surpassed last year's record of 1,358. Plus, the total number of new students was 482, eclipsing the previous record of 461 set in 2006-07, and more students are living on campus than ever before, with 200 new residents, up from 175 last year.
- Cafeteria received a complete renovation, including the installation of air-conditioning, a new drop ceiling and new wallpaper and paint; a new parking lot was built just east of the soccer/lacrosse field, off North Pearl Street; Wireless internet service was added to several locations around campus, including the cafeteria, Miller Hall east and west, the second through fourth floors of Neumann Hall, and the east, west and south townhouses.
2006
- New record set for total number of applications received: 1,350 applications for 2006-07 surpassed old record of 1,303.
- Launch of Mercyhurst College Public Safety Institute, expected to become the leader in public safety training, education and research in the Erie region.
- Introduction of the Mercyhurst North East Dance Institute.
- Several renovations to Neumann Hall, including a new roof, new bathrooms and carpeting on the second floor of the dormitory section. Cable installed in all campus apartments, dorms and the student union. Four more "smart classrooms" added to the existing 17.
2005
- Dedicated the Michele and Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building on Aug. 26. It has 33,720 square feet with 5 classrooms, 2 nursing labs, a computer lab and a library.
- New townhouse apartment complex with room for 60 students opens on campus.
- Learning Differences program opens fall term.
