Georgian Court University
Encyclopedia
Georgian Court University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Lakewood
in Central New Jersey. The university is operated by the Sisters of Mercy
. In 2004, the institution received university status from the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education.
, the university offers more than 30 majors through two colleges – the Women's College and the University College. Georgian Court University's academic departments are divided into (listed here alphabetically) the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Nursing and the School of Science and Mathematics. Georgian Court University (GCU) is non-discriminatory and welcomes people of all faiths, ethnicities, etc.
Georgian Court University is widely known for its majors in the School of Education, which include bachelor and masters degrees as well as many certifications in education including concentrations in early childhood development, elementary school, secondary school and special education. The School of Business offers both undergraduate and MBA programs. The other schools host the many other majors, both undergraduate and graduate (masters). The School of Arts and Sciences prides itself especially on its small class sizes and intense laboratory experiences. GCU sees itself as a vibrant learning community adapting to the needs of today's students in all of its majors. Three of the newest major offerings on campus are the Bachelor of Arts in Dance, the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Wellness, and Sports, and the Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management.
The women's college
at the main Lakewood campus offers programs during the day and on-campus residency. It offers a liberal arts education tailored to women's learning styles. The University College (located at the Lakewood and other sites) encompasses the coeducational, nonresidential undergraduate, graduate, and certificate offerings of GCU. Evening, weekend, and online classes cater to women and men with busy schedules. Programs are offered in the evening at the GCU main campus in Lakewood, and during the day and evening at GCU at Woodbridge, GCU at Cumberland County College, and GCU at the New Jersey Coastal Communiversity in Wall. Total enrollment exceeds 3,000 students (undergraduate: approximately 2,000 and graduate: about 1,000). The GCU Lions compete in NCAA Division II and CACC athletics, including basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
, son of railroad tycoon Jay Gould
(1836–1892). The estate, which the Goulds named Georgian Court, was built by New York architect, Bruce Price
. Price designed three of the gardens that remain on the campus today - the Italian Garden, the Sunken Garden, and the Formal Garden, while Takeo Shiota
designed the peaceful Japanese Garden. In addition to the gardens, GCU has maintained much of the original architecture and it is also home to the Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum
. The name of Georgian Court University is derived from its architectural style, i.e. Georgian.
On February 4, 1985, Georgian Court was designated a National Historic Landmark
. One of the many historic aspects of the campus is that it houses the only real tennis
court at an American school. There are approximately forty-five real tennis courts remaining in the world today.
In 2004, University status was granted by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and the name changed from Georgian Court College to Georgian Court University.
The school colors are blue and gold and the mascot is a lion. There are three residence halls: St. Joseph's Hall, Maria Hall, and St.Catherine's Hall. There is a large commuter population among the students as well.
Lakewood Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 60,352 people, 19,876 households, and 13,356 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,431.8 people per square mile . There were 21,214 housing units at an average density of 854.8 per square mile...
in Central New Jersey. The university is operated by the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
. In 2004, the institution received university status from the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education.
History
Founded in 1908 by the Sisters of MercySisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
, the university offers more than 30 majors through two colleges – the Women's College and the University College. Georgian Court University's academic departments are divided into (listed here alphabetically) the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Nursing and the School of Science and Mathematics. Georgian Court University (GCU) is non-discriminatory and welcomes people of all faiths, ethnicities, etc.
Georgian Court University is widely known for its majors in the School of Education, which include bachelor and masters degrees as well as many certifications in education including concentrations in early childhood development, elementary school, secondary school and special education. The School of Business offers both undergraduate and MBA programs. The other schools host the many other majors, both undergraduate and graduate (masters). The School of Arts and Sciences prides itself especially on its small class sizes and intense laboratory experiences. GCU sees itself as a vibrant learning community adapting to the needs of today's students in all of its majors. Three of the newest major offerings on campus are the Bachelor of Arts in Dance, the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Wellness, and Sports, and the Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management.
The women's college
Women's colleges in the United States
Women's colleges in the United States are single-sex U.S. institutions of higher education that exclude or limit males from admission. They are often liberal arts colleges...
at the main Lakewood campus offers programs during the day and on-campus residency. It offers a liberal arts education tailored to women's learning styles. The University College (located at the Lakewood and other sites) encompasses the coeducational, nonresidential undergraduate, graduate, and certificate offerings of GCU. Evening, weekend, and online classes cater to women and men with busy schedules. Programs are offered in the evening at the GCU main campus in Lakewood, and during the day and evening at GCU at Woodbridge, GCU at Cumberland County College, and GCU at the New Jersey Coastal Communiversity in Wall. Total enrollment exceeds 3,000 students (undergraduate: approximately 2,000 and graduate: about 1,000). The GCU Lions compete in NCAA Division II and CACC athletics, including basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
Location
The university is located on the sprawling former winter estate of millionaire George Jay Gould IGeorge Jay Gould I
George Jay Gould I was a financier and the son of Jay Gould. He was himself a railroad executive, leading both the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and the Western Pacific Railroad ....
, son of railroad tycoon Jay Gould
Jay Gould
Jason "Jay" Gould was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. He has long been vilified as an archetypal robber baron, whose successes made him the ninth richest American in history. Condé Nast Portfolio ranked Gould as the 8th worst American CEO of all time...
(1836–1892). The estate, which the Goulds named Georgian Court, was built by New York architect, Bruce Price
Bruce Price
Bruce Price was the American architect of many of the Canadian Pacific Railway's Château-type stations and hotels...
. Price designed three of the gardens that remain on the campus today - the Italian Garden, the Sunken Garden, and the Formal Garden, while Takeo Shiota
Takeo Shiota
Takeo Shiota was a Japanese-American landscape architect, best known for his design of the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden....
designed the peaceful Japanese Garden. In addition to the gardens, GCU has maintained much of the original architecture and it is also home to the Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum
Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum
The Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum, on the campus of Georgian Court University, in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, USA, was once the landscaped park for the winter home of George Jay Gould, millionaire son of railroad tycoon Jay Gould....
. The name of Georgian Court University is derived from its architectural style, i.e. Georgian.
On February 4, 1985, Georgian Court was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. One of the many historic aspects of the campus is that it houses the only real tennis
Real tennis
Real tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original indoor racquet sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis , is descended...
court at an American school. There are approximately forty-five real tennis courts remaining in the world today.
In 2004, University status was granted by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and the name changed from Georgian Court College to Georgian Court University.
The school colors are blue and gold and the mascot is a lion. There are three residence halls: St. Joseph's Hall, Maria Hall, and St.Catherine's Hall. There is a large commuter population among the students as well.