Walsh University


Walsh University is a private Roman Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio. It enrolls approximately 2,700 students and was founded in 1960 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction as a liberal arts college. Walsh College became Walsh University in 1993. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and seven graduate programs. Walsh has a satellite campus in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

History

The school's namesake is Bishop Emmett Michael Walsh of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.
Walsh University was first founded as LaMennais College in Alfred, Maine in 1951 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction on an idea by Ferdinand Waldo Demara, who was then posing as a monk, to educate young men as brothers and teachers. LaMennais College continued in Alfred, Maine from 1951 until 1959. Because of a chance 1957 conversation between Brother Francoeur of La Mennais College and Monsignor William Hughes of Youngstown, Ohio about the Brothers' wish to move LaMennais College from Alfred, Maine, Bishop Walsh invited the Brothers to choose Canton, Ohio as the new location. Bishop Walsh donated $304,000 to the Walsh College project. In 1959 the present location of Walsh University began as of farm land on which two buildings were constructed, College Hall and LaMennais Hall which continues to house the Brothers and international priest-students. The Founding Brothers include: Dacian J. Barrette, Thomas S. Farrell, Henry J. Vannasse, Edmond Drouin, Paul E. Masse, Robert A. Francoeur, and Alexis Guilbeault.
Throughout the school's history, the Brothers have played an active role, serving as faculty during the original years and playing a part in the growth and development of facilities and programs. Several have served as President.
In 2013, Walsh University joined Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Walsh previously competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as a member of the American Mideast Conference, while its football team competed in the Mid-States Football Association.

Presidents

On July 1, 2019, Walsh University announced that Timothy J. Collins, Ed.D was appointed to serve as the University's seventh president.
Former presidents include:
The campus covers and is made up of 27 buildings along East Maple Street in North Canton.
Buildings include:
The campus includes dormitory residences named:
The Walsh University Peace Pole outside Farrell Hall represents visitors including Willy Brandt, Coretta Scott King, Mother Teresa, and Elie Wiesel who came to Walsh University to advocate for peace.
Walsh also oversees the Hoover Historical Center which they acquired in April 2004.

Academics

Graduate

Walsh University offers the following graduate degrees: Doctorate of Physical Therapy ; Master of Occupational Therapy ; Master of Science in Nursing ; Master of Arts in Education ; Master of Business Administration ; Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development; and a Master of Arts in Theology. Several of the graduate programs are offered in online and in an accelerated format so that working adults may pursue their degrees at their preferred pace.

Undergraduate

The university offers 70 majors, seven graduate programs, and accelerated degrees for working adults, including RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs for registered nurses with an associate degree, or another type of diploma, who want to earn a bachelor's degree or master's degree. Undergraduate degrees offered include: Bachelor of Arts ; Bachelor of Science ; Bachelor of Science in Education ; Bachelor of Science in Nursing ; Associate of Arts ; and Associate of Science in Computer Science.

School for Professional Studies

Walsh University offers accelerated degrees as part of their School for Professional Studies. The programs are designed to work with the schedules of busy or working adults and classes are held in five and eight week sessions. The School for Professional Studies has an educational alliance with Stark State College. The following programs are offered within the School for Professional Studies: Accelerated Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting, Marketing, or Management; Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication; Accelerated Nursing degrees including a BSN to RN, MSN for the RN, and accelerated BSN; and an accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Development and Leadership.

Digital Campus

Walsh University offers online undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as certificates and licensures through Digital Campus.

Professional development

Walsh University offers several opportunities for professional development, including a certificate in healthcare management, FNP certificate, and several educator certificates or licensures.

Accreditation

While both are Catholic educational institutions of the same name, school colors, and close location, Walsh is unaffiliated with nearby Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls.

Scholars programs

James B. Renacci Government Scholars

The Renacci Government Scholars Program was established in 2013 to provide students at Walsh University with an opportunity to enhance their experiences in pursuit of a career in government or community service at the state, local or federal level and is available to students who are in need of financial assistance.
To qualify, applicants must:
As part of the program, each year Walsh University hosts a community speaker series in the fall and spring on a topic related to the field of Government & Foreign Affairs. This series provides an opportunity to network with alumni and other personnel and to stay on top of current issues. In addition, students host the nationally recognized All Politics is Local Conference.

Br. Francis Blouin Global Scholars

The Blouin Scholars Program in Global Studies at Walsh University provides students with an opportunity to become part of a community of students and faculty dedicated to using scholarship and service to address major global issues. Blouin Scholars have the opportunity to live and take classes with a cohort of students who are similarly dedicated to become leaders in service to the global community. All classes are built into the Walsh University core curriculum and participants still choose their own individual majors and minors, but are then centered on a common global theme. The Blouin Scholars have opportunities to study abroad in Africa and Europe; attend special lectures and co-curricular activities; and receive priority registration and advising procedures.
The Blouin Scholars are named after Walsh University's third President, Br. Francis Blouin, who exemplified servant-leadership and global service.

Thea Bowman Scholars Program

The Thea Bowman Scholars Program is designed to help African-American students achieve success and mature as leaders throughout their lifecycle at Walsh University. The program aligns with the University's mission and overall commitment to create an environment that is inclusive and supportive to the student's cultural, spiritual and personal development and their academic success. Students accepted into the Thea Bowman Scholars Program will have opportunities to explore various cultures, politics and history within the United States and abroad. Sister Thea Bowman visited campus on September 18, 1989.

STAR Chemistry

The STAR program at Walsh University is a National Science Foundation supported program designed to foster young science talent and prepare chemistry majors for the workforce.
STAR Scholars are trained in:
Inspired by the example of global citizenship of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, the Walsh University Office of Global Learning provides opportunities for students to develop into leaders in service with an international perspective. Global Learning promotes study abroad programs led by Walsh faculty to various locations including:
Walsh has twenty athletic teams and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The university's football team play their home games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, part of Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio.

Varsity teams

Walsh sponsors nine men's varsity teams: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, and track & field. The school also sponsors nine women's varsity teams: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.

Mascot and colors

The team name is the "Cavaliers" and the athletics teams are represented by Sir Walter the Cavalier at events. Sir Walter also makes appearances at various school events outside of Athletics. A carved replica of Sir Walter stands outside the Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex and was created from an oak tree in 2016. The name Cavalier was chosen after the school newspaper, The Spectator, ran a contest in 1963 asking for possible team names. Sean Keenan, Walsh class of 1964, then a junior, submitted for "Cavaliers". He took home a $15 prize.
School colors are maroon and gold.

National championships

Championships include:

Alumni

Br. Francis Blouin spearheaded an effort to have Nobel Peace Prize winners visit Walsh's campus. Visitors included: Mother Teresa in 1982, Willy Brandt in 1983, Coretta Scott King in 1986, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel in 1986, and Elie Wiesel in 1987.
Mother Teresa, Willy Brandt, and Elie Wiesel were all given an Honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from the university.
Photographs from the various Nobel Laureates' talks are permanently displayed within Farrell Hall.