Christian Brothers University

Christian Brothers University is a four-year private university in Memphis, Tennessee founded in 1871 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, a Catholic teaching order. CBU fosters academic excellence in a range of programs to prepare students from all faiths and backgrounds for careers and lives informed by the Lasallian values of faith, service, and community.

Christian Brothers University
Former names
Christian Brothers College (1871–1990)
MottoVirtus et Scientia (Latin)
Motto in English
Virtue & Knowledge
TypePrivate
Established1871 (1871)
Religious affiliation
Catholic Church (Christian Brothers)
Academic affiliations
IALU, ACCU, SACS, CIC
Endowment$35,000,000
PresidentDavid Archer
Academic staff
113 Full-time and 123 Part-time (Spring 2022)[1]
Students1,918 (Spring 2022)
Undergraduates1,548
Postgraduates370
Location
Memphis, Tennessee
,
United States

35.1274°N 89.9823°W / 35.1274; -89.9823
CampusUrban, 76 acres (310,000 m2)
Colors   Red & gray
NicknameBuccaneers & Lady Buccaneers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II – Gulf South
MascotThe Buccaneer
Websitewww.cbu.edu

History
Saint John Baptist de la Salle

Christian Brothers University was founded on November 19, 1871, by members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious order founded by St. John Baptist de la Salle, the patron saint of teachers. At foundation the educational institution was named Christian Brothers College which was changed to Christian Brothers University when the school became a university in June 1990.[2][3]

Founding

Brother Maurelian was appointed the first president. His three terms as president totalled 31 years.

Oldest degree-granting institution in Memphis

Christian Brothers awarded the first post-secondary degree in the city in 1875.[4] LeMoyne College (one of the two constituent parts of present-day LeMoyne-Owen College) has a founding year of 1871, but it was an elementary and secondary school at the time. The city's largest university, The University of Memphis, was not founded until 1912. Although Rhodes College was founded 1848, it did not move from Clarksville, Tennessee to Memphis until 1925.

Lasallian tradition

Christian Brothers University traces its origins to priest and educational innovator, St. John Baptist de la Salle.[5] De la Salle began a system of Christian schools in which teachers assist parents in the educational, ethical, and religious formation of their children. To continue his spiritual and pedagogical vision, de la Salle founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, known today as the De La Salle Christian Brothers.

The university currently has a lay interim president following the fatal car accident of former president Brother Vincent Malham in 2008.[6]

Higher education

The Master of Arts in Executive Leadership was added in 2005.

When another Catholic college in Memphis (the all-female Siena College) closed, Christian Brothers University became coeducational in 1970. Currently, women comprise approximately 55% of the student body.[7] Christian Brothers College officially became Christian Brothers University in June 1990.[2]

Academics

Schools

The university has four schools:

  • Gadomski School of Engineering
  • Rosa Deal School of Arts
  • School of Business
  • School of Sciences

Study abroad

As a member of the Lasallian Consortium,[8] i.e. the seven Lasallian universities in the United States, CBU offers study abroad semesters in Australia, Brazil, China, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, and Spain.[9] Additionally, CBU offers study abroad courses during spring and fall vacations. Upcoming courses include travel in England, France, Italy, Mexico, and Uganda. Medical missions to Haiti are available but have been postponed for the present.[10] Study abroad is optional for students but is required for completion of the global studies minor.[11]

Demographics

CBU has one of the most diverse student bodies in the South.[12] 51% of students are White-American (non-Hispanic), 33% are African-American (non-Hispanic), 5% are Asian-American or Pacific Islander-American, 2% are Hispanic-American, and 2% are international students. 6% of students have an unknown ethnicity.[13] Students hail from more than 28 states and 28 countries.[14]

Although CBU is a Catholic university, only 23% of students are Catholic. Religious observances are not required, and 32 different faiths are represented in the student body.[14]

Notably, 99% of Christian Brothers University undergraduates receive financial aid, broken down as institutional grants (98%), state/local grants (68%), federal grants (29%), and student loans (58%).[7]

There are 110 full-time faculty members. All of them hold at least master's degrees, and 89% hold doctorates or terminal degrees. No courses are taught by teaching assistants. The student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1.[14] School of Sciences graduating classes from 2002 to 2006 boasted a 91% acceptance rate for medical school, and an 87% acceptance for pharmacy school.[15]

Facilities
Buckman Hall

Campus

Christian Brothers University is located on a 75-acre (300,000 m2) wooded campus in the heart of Midtown, Memphis, four miles (6 km) east of Downtown.

The first building on campus, Kenrick Hall, constructed in 1939 as the original Christian Brothers High School, was demolished in 2015 to make room for the Rosa Deal School of Arts, set to open in January 2017.

The university's architecture follows the Georgian style popular at the time of the campus' relocation to East Parkway. Arch-covered walkways traverse the main campus, allowing students and faculty to get to most buildings shielded from the weather. The campus is enclosed by an iron fence with brick accents with entrances on East Parkway South, Central Avenue, and Avery Avenue.

Outside organizations housed on campus
  • Barret School of Banking

Canale Arena
Main article: Canale Arena

Canale Arena, originally called De La Salle Gymnasium, was completed in 1950.[16] At that time, it was the largest indoor arena in the city of Memphis.[17]

The arena was fully renovated in 2004 and has a capacity of 1,000.[17]

Student life

Athletics
Main article: Christian Brothers Buccaneers

CBU is an NCAA Division II team and a member of the Gulf South Conference. Buccaneer teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and soccer. Lady Buccaneer teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball.

The Lady Buccaneers and Buccaneers have won multiple athletic competitions, including the 2002 Division II women's soccer championship[18] and the 2008 GSC men's basketball championship.[19] The Men's Soccer Team has won back to back conference titles under coach Clint Browne during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 2011.

Greek life

21% of male students and 24% of female students are members of fraternities and sororities[20]

Campus Greek councils include the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council (NPC), and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).

IFC Fraternities Panhellenic Sororities
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): 1989–present Alpha Sigma Alpha (ΑΣΑ): 1986–1992
------------------------------------ Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ): 2005–2012
Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ): 1979–present Alpha Xi Delta (ΑΞΔ): 1994–present
Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): 1996–present Zeta Tau Alpha (ΖΤΑ): 1985–present
NPHC Fraternities NPHC Sororities
Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ): 1977–present Alpha Kappa Alpha (ΑΚΑ): 1978–present
Phi Beta Sigma (ΦΒΣ): 1996–present Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣΘ): 1998–present
Kappa Alpha Psi (ΚΑΨ): 1999–present Sigma Gamma Rho (ΣΓΡ): 2001–present
Professional Fraternity
Delta Sigma Pi (ΔΣΠ): 1964–present
Theta Tau (ΘΤ): 2015–present
Local & Non-Traditional Fraternities & Sororities
Gamma Theta Phi (ΓΘΦ / Gamma): 1964–1997
Knights of Columbus (K of C): 1972–1988

Honor societies and professional organizations

Chapters of a number of honor societies exist at CBU to recognize excellence in academia and leadership. Active honor societies and their specialties include: Alpha Chi (general academic), Beta Beta Beta (biology), the Order of Omega (fraternity and sorority members), Phi Alpha Theta (history), Psi Chi (psychology), Sigma Tau Delta (English), Alpha Psi Omega (theatre), and Tau Beta Pi (engineering).[21]

Professional organizations include: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institute of Electrical Engineers, Society of Physics Students, and the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society.[21]

ASCE / AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition

Civil engineering students also compete in the annual Student Steel Bridge Competition, sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. Scale bridges are constructed; judging is based on speed of construction, strength and durability of the bridge, and more.[22]

ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition

Civil engineering students construct concrete canoes to compete at annual Deep South regional conferences for student chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers. These canoes must be able to float and support the weight of several students as they will be raced.[23]

IEEE Robotics Competition

Electrical and computer engineering students annually participate in a robotics Competition organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The 2008 competition was held in Huntsville, Alabama.[24]

NASA Great Moonbuggy Race

Mechanical engineering students gear up against competitors from schools across the country to build and race vehicles that can travel over simulated lunar terrain. The competition is held annually at the United States Space & Rocket Center.[25]

Notable CBU people

Notable alumni

Notable faculty (current and former)

See also

References
  1. "College Navigator - Christian Brothers University".
  2. "CBU History." Archived 2005-04-27 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed October 1, 2007.
  3. name="CBU History">"CBU History." Archived 2005-04-27 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed October 1, 2007.
  4. "About CBU." Archived 2010-12-23 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed March 2, 2008.
  5. "Lasallian Terminology." Archived July 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed October 1, 2007.
  6. Aarons, Dakarai I. (May 3, 2008). "CBU president Malham killed in car wreck in Louisiana: Had been named school head in 2005". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  7. Christian Brothers University. National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 30, 2008.
  8. "Semesters Abroad" Archived 2009-02-23 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.
  9. "Travel/Study Abroad 2008–2009" Archived 2008-11-24 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.
  10. "Haiti Medical Missions – Fall and Spring Breaks*" Archived 2009-02-23 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.
  11. "Global Studies Minor" Archived 2008-12-01 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.
  12. America's Best Colleges 2008. "Campus Ethnic Diversity: University-Master's (South)." U.S. News & World Report. Accessed October 1, 2007.
  13. "Christian Brothers University." National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed October 18, 2007.
  14. "Take a Closer Look at CBU." Archived 2005-04-25 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed October 1, 2007.
  15. School of Sciences Newsletter: September 2006. "Featuring 'Natural Science' and the 'Professional School Acceptance Stats'" Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.
  16. "CBU Chronology". Christian Brothers University. Archived from the original on 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  17. Kerr, John (December 1, 2004). "Canale Family Foundation Provides Lead Gift: CBU to Dedicate Renovated Arena on December 10". Christian Brothers University. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  18. Yovich, Rudy (December 9, 2002). "Christian Brothers University Women's Soccer Team 2002 NCAA Division II Champions!". Christian Brothers University. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  19. "Bucs Hold On For First GSC Championship, 93-89: Kohs named Most Outstanding Player, Weybright All-Tournament". Christian Brothers University Athletics. March 9, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  20. America's Best Colleges 2008. "Christian Brothers University." U.S. News & World Report. Accessed October 1, 2007.
  21. "Clubs & Organizations" Archived 2009-01-26 at the Wayback Machine Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.
  22. "Student Steel Bridge Competition: 2008 Rules (page 4)". ASCE/AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC). 2008. Archived from the original on 2007-10-27. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  23. "ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition". American Society of Civil Engineers. 2008. Archived from the original on 2007-10-27. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  24. "IEEE SoutheastCon 2008 – Huntsville, Alabama". Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. March 31, 2008. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  25. "Competition, The". NASA. March 9, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
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