University of Bridgeport
Encyclopedia
The University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound
in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport
, Connecticut
. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
(NEASC-CIHE). The University is known for its diverse student population, currently ranking as the eleventh most racially diverse national university in the country by U.S. News & World Report
.
The University School, a high school, is also on the University's grounds.
The university had financial troubles in the 1990s and was the subject of controversy when the trustees were obligated to enter into serious negotiations with and subsequently gave control of the institution to the Professors World Peace Academy (PWPA), an affiliate of the Unification Church
, a new religious movement
founded by Sun Myung Moon
in Seoul, South Korea in 1954, in order to save it from closure.
, Vietnam War
veterans eligible for a higher education under the G.I. Bill, and international students who wanted to attend college in the United States. Enrollment peaked at 9100 students in 1969. Enrollment declined in the 1970s and 1980s after the waves of baby boom and Vietnam era veterans eligible for the G.I. Bill declined. By 1990, the University had cut tuition, room and board fees to $18,000 per year, but the school's reputation had not improved. More than a third of the 50 campus buildings were empty. To cut costs, the university decided to terminate 50 tenured faculty, and asked the other faculty to accept a 30% wage cut. In addition, the University decided to eliminate its liberal arts college, alienating many students. This led to the longest faculty strike
in the history of American higher education. Dr. Greenwood, the president at the time, quit abruptly, and around 1,000 students left the school, contributing to the cash crisis.
or Sacred Heart University
.
The University was approached by the Professors World Peace Academy (PWPA), an affiliate of the Unification Church
, but their offer to bail out the University was spurned by the trustees who said the school was "not going to have anything to do with the offer" and were concerned that such an affiliation would damage the University's reputation.
Problems continued to plague the University; enrollment fell to 1,300 in 1991. Debt rose to over $22 million in 1991–92. Serious plans to merge the University with Sacred Heart fell through in 1992; the law school instead wanted to associate with Quinnipiac University
, but Sacred Heart maintained that any takeover would have to include the law school. There were other universities willing to take over the school, but were unwilling to take on its debt. The University's charter required the trustees to enter into "serious negotiations", and they accepted the offer, giving the PWPA sixteen spots as trustees, constituting a majority. The PWPA invested $50.5 million in the university on May 30, 1992, enabling the university to keep its accreditation.
A two year faculty strike, started in the midst of the University's financial troubles, intensified when the trustees gave control to the PWPA. Eventually, sixty-six professors and librarians agreed to a "divorce" with the University in return for compensation of up to a year's salary. In a similar move, the law school decided to cut ties with the University, separating from it. In order for the law school to remain open it had to merge with a financially-sound university. The law school faculty and students voted to merge with Quinnipiac University and the name was officially changed to the Quinnipiac University School of Law
.
After the PWPA assumed control of the University, the trustees retained the president at the time, Dr. Edwin G. Eigel, Jr. (1932–2008). Eigel served as president till 1995. He was succeeded by distinguished professor and former PWPA president Dr. Richard L. Rubenstein, who served from 1995–1999. Neil Albert Salonen
, a member of the Unification Church, was the Chairman of the University's Board of Trustees when he was chosen to serve as ninth University president in 1999. He had earlier managed several Unification Church related organizations, and had served as President of the Unification Church of the United States
from 1973 to 1980, and as Chairman of the International Cultural Foundation, prior to becoming the chief executive of the university.
The University of Bridgeport received funding from the PWPA from 1992 until 2002. In 1995 the University awarded an honorary degree to Moon. Since 2003 the University has been financially independent from PWPA. Members of the Unification Church hold other administrative positions at the University besides the presidency: the University's Board of Trustees includes Gordon L. Anderson and has included Chung Hwan Kwak
. The PWPA considers University of Bridgeport one of its affiliates.
score of 1000 (Math and Verbal), 80% go on to get their masters. In its 2006 annual college rankings, The Washington Monthly
ranked University of Bridgeport 147th of all 245 National universities, with criteria based on research, community service, and social mobility. The University of Bridgeport is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
. The University is also accredited by the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.
Health Sciences Division: Programs in Chiropractic Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant, Human Nutrition, Acupuncture, Dental Hygiene
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. is the U.S. regional accreditation association providing educational accreditation for all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to the doctoral level, in the six-state New England region. It also provides accreditation for some...
(NEASC-CIHE). The University is known for its diverse student population, currently ranking as the eleventh most racially diverse national university in the country by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
.
The University School, a high school, is also on the University's grounds.
The university had financial troubles in the 1990s and was the subject of controversy when the trustees were obligated to enter into serious negotiations with and subsequently gave control of the institution to the Professors World Peace Academy (PWPA), an affiliate of the Unification Church
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
, a new religious movement
New religious movement
A new religious movement is a religious community or ethical, spiritual, or philosophical group of modern origin, which has a peripheral place within the dominant religious culture. NRMs may be novel in origin or they may be part of a wider religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, in...
founded by Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon is the Korean founder and leader of the worldwide Unification Church. He is also the founder of many other organizations and projects...
in Seoul, South Korea in 1954, in order to save it from closure.
Founding
The school was founded in 1927 as the Junior College of Connecticut, under a charter by the state legislature. In 1947 it became the University of Bridgeport, when it gained state authority to grant baccalaureate degrees. The university acquired Arnold College, formerly of Milford, Connecticut, in 1953.Expansion and decline
The University grew rapidly in the 1960s by capitalizing on the increased number of people seeking to attend a U.S. college resulting from the baby boomBaby boom
A baby boom is any period marked by a greatly increased birth rate. This demographic phenomenon is usually ascribed within certain geographical bounds and when the number of annual births exceeds 2 per 100 women...
, Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veterans eligible for a higher education under the G.I. Bill, and international students who wanted to attend college in the United States. Enrollment peaked at 9100 students in 1969. Enrollment declined in the 1970s and 1980s after the waves of baby boom and Vietnam era veterans eligible for the G.I. Bill declined. By 1990, the University had cut tuition, room and board fees to $18,000 per year, but the school's reputation had not improved. More than a third of the 50 campus buildings were empty. To cut costs, the university decided to terminate 50 tenured faculty, and asked the other faculty to accept a 30% wage cut. In addition, the University decided to eliminate its liberal arts college, alienating many students. This led to the longest faculty strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
in the history of American higher education. Dr. Greenwood, the president at the time, quit abruptly, and around 1,000 students left the school, contributing to the cash crisis.
PWPA and Sun Myung Moon
In 1990, discussion began about affiliating or possibly merging the University with either the University of New HavenUniversity of New Haven
The University of New Haven is a private university that combines a liberal arts education with professional training. The university comprises five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the Tagliatela College of Engineering, the Henry C...
or Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University is a Roman Catholic university located in suburban Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. Sacred Heart was founded in 1963 by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Sacred Heart University was the first Catholic university in...
.
The University was approached by the Professors World Peace Academy (PWPA), an affiliate of the Unification Church
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
, but their offer to bail out the University was spurned by the trustees who said the school was "not going to have anything to do with the offer" and were concerned that such an affiliation would damage the University's reputation.
Problems continued to plague the University; enrollment fell to 1,300 in 1991. Debt rose to over $22 million in 1991–92. Serious plans to merge the University with Sacred Heart fell through in 1992; the law school instead wanted to associate with Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in Hamden, Connecticut, United States at the foot of Sleeping Giant State Park...
, but Sacred Heart maintained that any takeover would have to include the law school. There were other universities willing to take over the school, but were unwilling to take on its debt. The University's charter required the trustees to enter into "serious negotiations", and they accepted the offer, giving the PWPA sixteen spots as trustees, constituting a majority. The PWPA invested $50.5 million in the university on May 30, 1992, enabling the university to keep its accreditation.
A two year faculty strike, started in the midst of the University's financial troubles, intensified when the trustees gave control to the PWPA. Eventually, sixty-six professors and librarians agreed to a "divorce" with the University in return for compensation of up to a year's salary. In a similar move, the law school decided to cut ties with the University, separating from it. In order for the law school to remain open it had to merge with a financially-sound university. The law school faculty and students voted to merge with Quinnipiac University and the name was officially changed to the Quinnipiac University School of Law
Quinnipiac University School of Law
Quinnipiac University School of Law is the law school of the Quinnipiac University. The School is the youngest law school in the U.S. state of Connecticut, having received full accreditation from the American Bar Association in 1995. It is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. It is...
.
After the PWPA assumed control of the University, the trustees retained the president at the time, Dr. Edwin G. Eigel, Jr. (1932–2008). Eigel served as president till 1995. He was succeeded by distinguished professor and former PWPA president Dr. Richard L. Rubenstein, who served from 1995–1999. Neil Albert Salonen
Neil Albert Salonen
Neil Albert Salonen is president of the University of Bridgeport, a private university in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He is a member of the Unification Church and became the president of the Unification Church of the United States in 1972...
, a member of the Unification Church, was the Chairman of the University's Board of Trustees when he was chosen to serve as ninth University president in 1999. He had earlier managed several Unification Church related organizations, and had served as President of the Unification Church of the United States
Unification Church of the United States
The Unification Church of the United States is a new religious movement in the United States of America. It began in the 1950s and 1960s when missionaries from Japan and South Korea were sent to the United States by the international Unification Church's founder and leader Sun Myung Moon...
from 1973 to 1980, and as Chairman of the International Cultural Foundation, prior to becoming the chief executive of the university.
The University of Bridgeport received funding from the PWPA from 1992 until 2002. In 1995 the University awarded an honorary degree to Moon. Since 2003 the University has been financially independent from PWPA. Members of the Unification Church hold other administrative positions at the University besides the presidency: the University's Board of Trustees includes Gordon L. Anderson and has included Chung Hwan Kwak
Chung Hwan Kwak
Chung Hwan Kwak is a prominent leader of the international Unification Church, having been appointed to many leadership positions in Unification Church affiliated organizations by church founder Sun Myung Moon. Kwak has been the Chairman and President of News World Communications since 2002...
. The PWPA considers University of Bridgeport one of its affiliates.
Admissions
Enrollment has grown dramatically in recent years, from 1,383 total students in 1992 to 5,323 students in Fall 2008.Academics
In its 2011 rankings, University of Bridgeport placed in Tier 2 of National Universities by U.S. News and World Report. According to the university's website incoming students have an average GPA of 2.8, and an average SATSAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
score of 1000 (Math and Verbal), 80% go on to get their masters. In its 2006 annual college rankings, The Washington Monthly
The Washington Monthly
The Washington Monthly is a bimonthly nonprofit magazine of United States politics and government that is based in Washington, D.C.The magazine's founder is Charles Peters, who started the magazine in 1969 and continues to write the "Tilting at Windmills" column in each issue. Paul Glastris, former...
ranked University of Bridgeport 147th of all 245 National universities, with criteria based on research, community service, and social mobility. The University of Bridgeport is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. is the U.S. regional accreditation association providing educational accreditation for all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to the doctoral level, in the six-state New England region. It also provides accreditation for some...
. The University is also accredited by the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.
Health Sciences Division: Programs in Chiropractic Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant, Human Nutrition, Acupuncture, Dental Hygiene
Campus safety
The University, in the South End of Bridgeport, has had numerous instances where students' safety and security have been threatened. This is true on campus, but especially in surrounding areas. To ameliorate this, the University instituted a program whereby students were issued portable alarm units that pinpoint their position and enable campus security to get to them in under two minutes, earning the school the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Award. Reduced crime has been attributed to increased security on campus, but problems still arise in surrounding areas because relatively few students live on the campus.University Seal
Bridgeport's seal combines 4 core elements of its traditions and distinct character. In the upper left quadrant, the lamp of learning, which has been an element of the official Bridgeport's seal since 1931, is shown. In the upper right quadrant of the seal, the tree of life is shown, symbolizing personal and institutional growth. The lower left shows Bridgeport's seascape, illustrating the university’s campus on Long Island Sound. The lower right quadrant shows the Perry Arch, representing tradition, solid foundations, and performance.Notable alumni
- Ellen AlemanyEllen AlemanyEllen Alemany is CEO, and chairman of Citizens Financial Group, a division of Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Alemany is presently the only female CEO of a division of a nationalized UK bank.-Biography:...
, CEO, chairman and CFO of Citizens Financial GroupCitizens Financial GroupCitizens Financial Group, Inc. is an American bank headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, which operates in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Citizens is a wholly owned...
. Alemany is presently the only female CEO of top 10 United States bank. - Ivan BarbalićIvan BarbalićIvan Barbalić is a Bosnian and Herzegovinian diplomat serving as a Permanent Representative to the United Nations accredited as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Chief of the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Office of the United Nations...
, Permanent Representative to the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
of Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the... - Manute BolManute BolManute Bol was a Sudanese-born basketball player and activist. At 7 feet, 7 inches , Bol was one of the tallest players ever to appear in the National Basketball Association, along with Gheorghe Mureşan. Unlike Mureşan, however, Bol was naturally tall and did not have a Pituitary disease...
, former professional basketball player, one of the best shot blockers in NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
history - Julius BorosJulius BorosJulius Nicholas Boros was a Hungarian-American professional golfer.-Early years:Boros was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut...
, former professional golfer, winner of 18 PGA TourPGA TourThe PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
events - Fred DeLucaFred DeLucaFrederick "Fred" DeLuca is an American businessman, best known as the co-founder of the Subway franchise of sandwich restaurants. DeLuca is an alumnus of University of Bridgeport and Central High School in Bridgeport, CT.-Career:...
, co-founder of the SubwaySubway (restaurant)Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
franchise of sandwich restaurants - George Dixon, former professional football player, collegiate football coach, and Canadian Football Hall of FameCanadian Football Hall of FameThe Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
member - Michael J. JarjuraMichael JarjuraMichael Jarjura is the Mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut.He was first elected in 2001 and reelected in 2003. In 2005, he was elected to a third term as a write-in candidate after losing the Democratic primary...
, Mayor of the City of Waterbury, ConnecticutWaterbury, ConnecticutWaterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City... - John Rassias, renowned linguist and Dartmouth faculty member
- Faisal ShahzadFaisal ShahzadFaisal Shahzad is a Pakistani American who attempted the May 1, 2010, Times Square car bombing. On , 2010, in Federal District Court in Manhattan he confessed to 10 counts arising from the bombing attempt...
, convicted perpetrator of 2010 Times Square car bomb attempt - Dennis M. Walcott, Deputy Mayor of New York City for Education
Notable faculty
- Robert V. BruceRobert V. BruceRobert Vance Bruce was an American historian specializing in the American Civil War who won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1988 for his book The Launching of Modern American Science, 1846–1876...
, 1988 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for HistoryPulitzer Prize for HistoryThe Pulitzer Prize for History has been awarded since 1917 for a distinguished book upon the history of the United States. Many history books have also been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography... - Bill FineganBill FineganWilliam James Finegan was an American jazz bandleader, pianist, arranger, and composer. He was an arranger in the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the late 1930s and early 1940s.-Life and Career:...
, composer - Richard L. Rubenstein, religious writer
- James ShomateJames ShomateJames Shomate was an American pianist and voice teacher. He was particularly known for his work as an accompanist; notably playing in concerts and recitals for famous singers like Pierre Bernac, Richard Bonelli, Brenda Lewis, Anna Moffo, Lily Pons, Yvonne Printemps, Elisabeth Söderström, Gérard...
, pianist - Igor SikorskyIgor SikorskyIgor Sikorsky , born Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky was a Russian American pioneer of aviation in both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft...
, aviation pioneer - Clark L. Wilson, psychologist
- John WorleyJohn WorleyJohn C. Worley was a college professor, saxophonist, and a composer of classical, as well as more contemporary music for saxophone. He was born in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1919 and died on February 16, 1999.-Education:...
, saxophonist