PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The merger of two of Philadelphia’s oldest colleges — Saint Joseph’s University and the University of the Sciences — became official Wednesday.
Banners on the former USciences campus in University City now read “The Hawk Will Never Die,” a reference to St. Joe’s wing-flapping mascot. The mascot of USciences, the red devil, however, is dead, along with the USciences name.
The combined school, known as St. Joseph’s University, will serve 9,000 students between University City and its Hawk Hill campus on City Avenue.
USciences was founded as the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1821. St. Joseph’s was established as a Jesuit university in 1851.
University leaders, supporters and alumni gathered Wednesday at Parenti Plaza on 43rd Street for a ceremony to commemorate the merger. St. Joseph’s president Dr. Mark Reed said the ceremony marked the culmination of nearly two years of discussions.
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“We looked around and said, ‘Where can we grow, and where do we have gaps and where are we missing?’” Reed said. “So when this opportunity presented itself, we were prepared to respond.”
St. Joseph’s is adding former USciences programs in areas including pharmacy, neuroscience and occupational therapy.
Adding health sciences allows St. Josephs to offer a wider range of programs, Reed said. “If students, for example, are looking for a specific kind of a program, and you don’t offer it, they’re going to move on to look at some other school,” he said.
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St. Joe’s health sciences grad Abi Ladipo said the expanded science offerings will benefit students of the combined school. “I think it’s very amazing to see that we are expanding health sciences, and we’re expanding into occupational therapy and pharmaceutical marketing. A lot of different things that I wish I could have a chance to be a part of.”
Former USciences undergraduates, however, will now have to adjust to a Catholic university culture.
“We try to do our best to incorporate them into everything we do,” said Ladipo, a member of St. Joseph’s student government. “We have talked to a couple of USciences students and a couple of them aren’t happy, and a couple of them are a little bit weary, because at the end of the day your school is no longer, really, your school. But I think that, moving forward, as long as both parties are open, then we can make this work.”
The student health center said it will no longer dispense birth control, following Catholic doctrine. Reed asks students for patience.
“For students at the University of the Sciences who may have some concern about being part of a Jesuit Catholic institution, I would say give it a little time. And I think you probably are going to find that it’s a pretty good place to be,” Reed said. “When you compare the mission statements of the two institutions, we have a lot more in common than we have different.”
Reed is leading the combined university for only two months. He is leaving in August to become president of Loyola University Chicago. Provost Cheryl McConnell will then act as interim president.