St. Mary's University, Texas

St. Mary's University

Type	Private
Established	1852
Affiliation	Roman Catholic (Marianist)
Endowment	$154 million[1]
President	Thomas Mengler
Administrative staff	212 full-time 147 part-time
Undergraduates	2,393[2]
Postgraduates	1,475
Location	San Antonio, Texas, U.S. 29°27′11″N 98°33′44″W / 29.4531°N 98.5623°W / 29.4531; -98.5623Coordinates: 29°27′11″N 98°33′44″W / 29.4531°N 98.5623°W / 29.4531; -98.5623
Campus	Urban, 135 acres (0.55 km2)
Colors	Gold and blue[3]
Athletics	NCAA Division II – Heartland Conference
Nickname	Rattlers
Mascot	Rattler Man
Affiliations	ACCU NAICU
Website	www.stmarytx.edu

St. Mary's University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on 135 acres (0.55 km²) northwest of Downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Mary's is a nationally recognized master's level school ranked among the top colleges in the west for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News and World Report.^[4][5] In 2010, St. Mary's was named by Washington Monthly as first in the nation in the category of Master's Universities for promoting an ethic of service to country; fostering scientific and humanistic research; and performing as an engine of social mobility.^[6]

Founded by the Society of Mary (Marianists) in 1852, St. Mary's is the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the American Southwest. With a diverse student population of nearly 4,000, St. Mary's is home to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; the School of Science, Engineering and Technology; the Bill Greehey School of Business; and the St. Mary's University School of Law.

History

Founded as St. Mary's Institute, the school opened on Aug. 25, 1852, with a faculty of five and an enrollment of 12 boys. In 1921 all college classes were transferred from downtown to the St. Louis College campus. In 1923, St. Louis College became St. Mary's College with an enrollment of 12 in the freshman class. Grade school and high school students remained at the downtown school, which adopted the name St. Mary's Academy. The new St. Mary's College quickly gained senior college status and in 1927 the first class of bachelor's degree candidates graduated from the newly renamed St. Mary's University.^[7]

In 1932, the high school programs at St. Mary's Academy relocated from the College Street campus to become Central Catholic High School.^[8] Personal attention and powerful academic programs have made St. Mary's, located on 135 acres (0.55 km²) 3 miles northwest of Downtown San Antonio, a nationally recognized liberal arts institution with a diverse student population of nearly 4,000 of all faiths and backgrounds. After over a century as an all-male institution, St. Mary's opened its doors to female students in 1963 and became a coeducational university. In 1987, Polish-American silent film star Pola Negri left most of her estate to St. Mary's University, including a collection of memorabilia and several rare prints of her films. St. Mary's University also set up a scholarship in her name.^[9]

Academic programs

St. Mary's offers more than 75 academic programs, in addition to pre-professional programs in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, allied health, and law. St. Mary's graduate studies offer 19 master's programs and 2 Ph.D. programs. A student-faculty ratio of 12 to 1 assures personal attention designed to help students excel in their chosen fields. St. Mary's has some 200 full-time faculty members, 94 percent of whom hold doctorate or terminal degrees.

St. Mary's University integrates liberal arts and professional studies in each student's degree. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest school at the University.

St. Mary's is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the Bill Greehey School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, [Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business], making St. Mary's the only Catholic university in Texas to achieve this status. Electrical and industrial engineering programs in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology are recognized through accreditation by ABET [Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology].

Law School

In October 1927, the San Antonio Bar Association established the San Antonio School of Law, and for seven years after its founding was administered by a board of governors under the control of the bar association. Until the School of Law became associated with a physical campus, classes were held at the Bexar County Courthouse. In an attempt to maximize educational and material resources of the fledgling institution, the Board of Governors negotiated with St. Mary's University regarding a transfer of the School of Law's administrative control. The transfer was completed on October 1, 1934, and St. Mary's University School of Law was officially established.

The School of Law was then housed at St. Mary's University's then downtown campus at 112 College Street, situated near the San Antonio River Walk. Possessing several military bases, San Antonio experienced a surge of population and industry in the years immediately following the World War II. This exponential growth resulted in more law students. To meet these new demands adequately, the School of Law organized itself to meet the requirements of the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools. It received accreditation from the ABA in February 1948 and became a member of the AALS in December 1949.

On December 19, 1967, the School of Law relocated from the College Street campus to join the main campus of St. Mary's. A multimillion-dollar expansion project had provided for the addition of eight new buildings to the main University campus, including a lecture hall, law library, and faculty building comprising the Law Center. The school held its first classes the next month, in January 1968.

Since 1968, the school has had several structures rededicated, renovated, or expanded, including the Law Administration Building, housing the office of the dean; the Law Classroom Building; and the Sarita Kenedy East Law Library, dedicated in 1984 after the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation gave the School of Law $7.5 million to fund its construction in January 1982.

Research

As a liberal arts institution, students at St. Mary's are encouraged to undertake undergraduate research. Conference travel funds and summer programs support student research in the sciences, humanities, and business. Students contribute to research in both the humanities and STEM fields using cutting edge theoretical frameworks and critically emerging technology in robotics and bioengineering. Research serves as both teaching tool and training ground for students who contribute their knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence, diabetes therapy, hip stem replacement research, interactive digital maps as well as social justice issues relating to migration, law, among others.

Internationally oriented degrees and study-abroad programs encourage a global consciousness on the part of both faculty and students. Study abroad programs are designed to take academic or service experiences to a new level, stretch the imagination, deepen a student's understanding of the world that surrounds him and create memories that will last a lifetime.

An involved student community

St. Mary's promotes a campus culture of service and change in the community. Students who live on campus become a part of more than just the campus community as organizations offer academic, political, cultural, social and community service activities. Students also actively participate in 60 University-sponsored clubs and organizations, or in programs such as Army ROTC, the Ethics Bowl, and Coffee and Politics.

University Ministry fosters a spirit of community and faith. All members of the University community are invited to participate in liturgical ministries, retreat planning, Bible study, Sacramental preparation, community service projects, faith-sharing groups, and much more.

Athletics

Official athletics logo.

The Rattlers women's soccer team in action against the Texas A&M–Commerce Lions in 2014

St. Mary's University is a member of NCAA Division II and the Heartland Conference and sponsors 12 men's and women's sports at the varsity level. St. Mary's has won four team national championships in men's basketball (1989), baseball (2001), softball (1986 and 2002), and one individual national title in men's golf (2006).^[13]

Athletics honors

Buddy Meyer has also been inducted into the Heartland Conference Hall of Fame.^[14]

Mascot

The Rattler mascot has its own stories of how it came to be. Legend holds that the football practice field had to be cleared of diamondback rattlesnakes on a regular basis, thus leading to the designation. The truth is that Brother Kinsky thought "Rattlers" would be fitting because there was already on campus Rattler Club whose members had recently begun The Rattler newspaper. There was debate as to whether the name was being run into the ground, but the students quickly said they wanted the Rattler nickname.^[15]

Alton Seekatz (B.S.C. '32), a member of the Rattler Club, described the organization as a spirit and social organization. "It was called the Rattler Club when I got here in 1926, and I'm not sure how it got its nickname," he said, although his stories of the club members' antics and efforts to raise school spirit would certainly "rattle" some and "shake" up others.

Student organizations

There are a total of 68 registered organizations:

• Honor societies: Alpha Sigma Lambda, Beta Beta Beta, Beta Gamma Sigma, Gamma Sigma Alpha, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Order of Omega, Phi Alpha Theta, Phi Beta Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Sigma Iota, Phi Sigma Tau, Pi Sigma Alpha, Psi Chi, Society of Honor Scholars.
• Religious organizations: University Ministry. Catholic Student Group.
• Minority and international student organizations: Black Student Union, Indian Student Association, International Students Association, League of United Latin American Citizens, Mexican Student Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Students for Native American Affairs, Hispanic Law Students Association, Muslim Student Association.
• Other organizations: IEEE Student Branch, Inter-Fraternity Council, National Panhellenic Council, Lambda Chi Alpha, Chi Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Phi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Delta Zeta, Alpha Phi Omega, Omega Delta Phi, Kappa Delta Chi, Beta Sigma Phi, Delta Sigma Pi, Kappa Theta Chi, and Sigma Beta Chi Residence Hall Assoc., Student Bar Assoc., Student Government Assoc., Cheerleaders, Code Blue Dance Team, Emerging Leaders, President's Ambassadors, University Programming Council, Accounting Club, American Chemical Society of Students, Criminal Justice Student Assoc., Finance Club, Graduate International Relations Society, International Business Club, Psychology Club, Society of Physics, St. Mary's Society of Mathematicians (SM)^2, Student Educators Assoc. for Dynamic Leadership, Women in Science & Engineering, Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, Capoeira Club, Chess Club, Coro Santa Maria, Non-traditional Students, Society of Poets & Writers, Swim Club, Fiesta Physics, Society for Applied Ethics, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity

Notable alumni

Politics, law, and service

• Fernando Andrade, M.A. 1979, Congressman at the Congress of the Republic of Peru (2011–present) and former Mayor of the Miraflores District, Lima (1996–1999 and 2003–2006)
• David Berchelmann, B. A. 1970, J. D. 1973, lawyer and retired judge of two state district courts and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; San Antonio native
• Stuart Bowen, J.D. 1991, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
• James R. Clapper Jr., M.S. 1970, Political Science, Director of National Intelligence
• Tom Corbett, J.D. 1975, current governor of Pennsylvania and the state's former attorney general
• John Cornyn, J.D. 1977, U.S. Senator from Texas; former justice, Texas Supreme Court; St. Mary's Distinguished Law School Graduate (1994)
• David Alan Ezra, B.B.A. 1969, J.D., 1972, Senior Judge, United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, former Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Hawaii
• Blake Farenthold, J.D. 1989, U.S. Representative for Texas's 27th congressional district.
• Rick Galindo, B.S. in Finance and Risk Management, c. 2003, Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 117 in Bexar County^[16]
• Delia Garcia, M.A., 2004, First Latina and youngest female legislator at age 27 elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, 2004
• Charlie Gonzalez, J.D. 1972, U.S. Congressman
• Henry B. Gonzalez, LL.B. 1943, former U.S. Congressman
• Paul W. Green, J.D. 1977, Texas Supreme Court Justice
• Joe A. Guerra, B.S. 1957, Laredo businessman and city councilor
• Thad Heartfield, B.A. 1962, J.D. 1965, chief judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• Glenn Hegar, M.A., Texas state senator since 2007; member of the Texas House from 2003–2007, candidate for Comptroller of Public Accounts in 2014 Republican primary election
• Peter Kinder, J.D. 1979, lieutenant governor of Missouri
• Nico LaHood – Current District Attorney of Bexar County, Texas
• Alma Lopez, J.D. 1968, Chief Justice, Texas Fourth Court of Appeals
• Frank L. Madla, B.A. 1959, M.A. 1962, Texas state senator and representative
• Marina Marmolejo, M.A., J.D. 1996, District Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• Mercurio Martinez, Jr., BBA 1959, Webb County county judge from 1991 to 2002
• Michael McCaul, J.D. 1987, U.S. Congressman
• Scott McInnis, J.D. 1980, U.S. Congressman
• Ken Mercer, M.B.A., member of the Texas State Board of Education since 2007^[17]
• Mario G. Obledo, LL.B. 1960, co-founder of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Tom Rickhoff, B.A. 1966, J.D. 1969, state court, appeals court, and probate court judge in San Antonio
• Tony Sanchez, B.A. 1965, J.D. 1969, unsuccessful candidate for governor of Texas, 2002 gubernatorial election
• Frank M. Tejeda, B.A. 1970, Texas state representative, Texas state senator, U.S. Congressman
• Alfred Valenzuela, B.A. 1970, M.A. 1979, United States Army major general
• Don S. Wenger, U.S. Air Force major general
• Kevin Patrick Yeary, B.A. 1988, Law 1991, judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in San Antonio

Business

• Benjamin Biaggini, B.S. 1936, former president of the Southern Pacific Company, parent company of Southern Pacific Railroad
• Felix Stehling, co-founder of Taco Cabana^[18]

Religion

• Richard Gaillardetz, M.A. 1984, Joseph McCarthy Chair of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College
• The Most Rev. Raymond Roussin, S.M., B.A. 1960, first Marianist archbishop, Archbishop of Vancouver 2004–09
• The Most Rev. J. Arturo Cepeda, M.A. 2001, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
• The Most Rev. Bernard Ferdinand Popp, M.A. 1975, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of San Antonio

Athletics

• Melvin Allys "Bert" Gallia, Class of 1911, former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns and Philadelphia Phillies
• Danny Heep, former Major League Baseball outfielder and 1988 World Series Champion
• George Koch, American football player
• Jeff Kubenka, B.A. 1996, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Robert Reid, B.A. 1977, former National Basketball Association player for the Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Philadelphia 76ers
• Marcus Session, B.A. 2004, former National Basketball Association (Pre-Season) and FIBA – International Player.

Arts, entertainment, and media

• Theodore Albrecht, B.M.E. 1967, musicologist
• Brian Anderson, broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers
• Charles Fincher, J.D. 1971, American cartoonist ("Thadeus & Weez")
• Michele Lepe, stage name of Michelle Ockenfels, Class of 1997, Emmy Award-winning host of The Good Night Show, a program on PBS Kids Sprout, a 24-hour cable channel for preschoolers
• Larry Levinson, B.A. 1979, executive producer of more than 160 made-for-television movies
• Bobby Pulido, Class of 1995, Mexican-American Tejano music recording artist
• John Quiñones, B.A. 1974, ABC News correspondent and co-anchor of ABC News' Primetime

Education

• José Ángel Gutiérrez 1968, attorney, co-founder of the Mexican American Youth Organization, president of Raza Unida Party, professor at the University of Texas at Arlington

References

External links

• Official website
• St. Mary's Athletics website
• St. Mary's University from the Handbook of Texas Online