Aurora University

Summary

Aurora University is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational liberal arts college located in Aurora, Illinois, United States, 40 miles west of Chicago. Additional university locations include the George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin and the Woodstock Center in Woodstock, Illinois. Approximately 4,400 students enroll in bachelor, master's and doctoral degree programs at Aurora University. The institution describes itself as "an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning."[2]

Academics

Aurora University offers 40 undergraduate majors, 34 minors, nine master’s degrees, several graduate certificates in education and business, and doctoral degrees in education and social work[3] . The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Aurora University at the bachelor, master's and doctoral levels[4] .

The university is composed of four colleges:

The university states that its student-faculty ratio is 15:1, and that the average class size is 23 students.[6]

Aurora University operates on a semester-based academic year. The school also offers an international- and service-focused “May Term” program at the conclusion of the spring semester, as well as summer courses.

History

Aurora University was originally founded as Mendota Seminary in Mendota, Illinois, in 1893. At that time, the school was focused on education and training rooted in the Advent Christian Church. Within a few years of its founding, the seminary changed its name to Mendota College, and broadened its programs into a traditional liberal arts curriculum.

In 1911, residents of the nearby town of Aurora raised funds to construct a new college, led by funding from businessman Charles Eckhart, who founded the predecessor company to the Auburn Automobile Company. Recognizing mutual benefits, administrators of Mendota College moved their operations to Aurora and the school became known as Aurora College.

In 1971, Aurora College separated from the Advent Christian Church, and in 1985, changed its name to Aurora University to better reflect the breadth of its academic programs.

The school grew further in 1992, when it entered into an affiliation agreement with nearby George Williams College (42°34′01″N 88°33′25″W / 42.567°N 88.557°W / 42.567; -88.557 (George Williams College)), which was followed by a full merger in 2000. George Williams College had been founded in 1884 to train young men for service in the YMCA, and was named after Sir George Williams. As part of the merger, Aurora University took ownership of 133 acres of property and facilities on the shore of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin. The site, located 70 miles north of the university’s main campus, had previously been a retreat location for George Williams College and the YMCA.[7]

Aurora University added a third location in 2009 with the opening of the Woodstock Center, which offers part-time MBA and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. The center is located in Woodstock, Illinois, approximately 50 miles north of the university’s main campus.[8]

Presidents

2000-Present: Rebecca L. Sherrick

1988-2000: Thomas Zarle

1978-1988: Allan Stone

1974-1978: Lloyd M. Richardson

1962-1973: James E. Crimi

1933-1962: Theodore Pierson Stephens

1911- 1932: Orrin Roe Jenks

1906-1911: Bert J. Dean

1901-1906: Nathan C. Twining

1898- 1901: M.L. Gordon

1895-1898: C.V. Clum

1894: A.W. Sibley

1893: J. Oscar Campbell

Aurora Campus Facilities

The Aurora campus is based primarily around a traditional quadrangle and adjacent areas. In total, the campus is approximately 32 acres. All buildings constructed by the university have red tile roofs (with the exception of two, which continue the red theme on exterior wall panels), a stipulation of Charles Eckhart in his initial donation in the early days of Aurora College.[9]

Buildings include:

Alumni Hall: Includes the primary student dining hall, the University Banquet Hall, Thornton Gymnasium, athletic offices and a weight room. In 2010, construction began on a new wing for Alumni Hall, which opened in 2011 to house several academic programs and classrooms primarily for the nursing and social work programs.

Davis Hall and Memorial Hall: Originally built in 1912 to house male students, Davis Hall was renovated in 2004. Memorial Hall was built in 1955 as a women-only extension to Davis Hall, and was renovated in 2002. Both buildings are now co-educational residence halls.

Dunham Hall: Includes the university bookstore, Dunham School of Business, a student dining area and classrooms. Dunham Hall also is home to the Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures, which holds more than 8,000 Native American artifacts.

Eckhart Hall: Includes central administration functions, classroom space and Lowry Chapel. Along with Davis Hall and Wilkinson Hall, Eckhart was one of the three original buildings of Aurora College.

The Institute for Collaboration: Includes a partnership school with West Aurora School District 129, which provides classes for 200 local elementary students; the Caterpillar Center for Teaching and Learning; and classrooms. The Institute also houses the 500-seat Crimi Auditorium, which includes a new pipe organ that was dedicated in 2010.

Jenks Hall: Built in 1957, Jenks Hall is a residence hall primarily for upperclassmen, and also includes the university fitness center and wellness center.

Parolini Music Center: Named for alumni and supporters Roger and Marilyn Parolini, the facility includes a music ensemble room, art studio, two teaching studios and music practice rooms.

Phillips Library: Built in 1962, the library’s collection includes more than 99,000 books and 7,000 multimedia materials. The building includes a computer lab, the Center for Teaching & Learning and study rooms.

Stephens Hall: Houses the Aurora Foundation Center for Community Enrichment, Perry Theatre, the School of Nursing and the “Spartan Spot” student commons area.

Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action: Located in a restored modern home designed by the architecture firm Keck and Keck, the Wackerlin Center is home to the University Chaplain and the Department of Religion, and hosts public religious events and discussions.

Watkins Hall: The most recently built residence hall on the Aurora campus, Watkins Hall houses mostly freshmen.

Wilkinson Hall: One of the original residence halls on campus, Wilkinson Hall was built in 1912 and houses freshmen and upperclassmen[10] .

Construction of a new residence hall between the Institute of Collaboration and Watkins Hall is underway. When completed in January 2012, the new hall will accommodate more than 100 students.[11]

Student Activities

Dozens of officially recognized student groups exist at Aurora University. According to the school, they include:

Future Educators at Aurora University (FEAU)

Student Accounting Society (SAS)

Aurora University Student Nurses Association

Aurora University Students' Association (AUSA)

Psychology Club

Social Work Association (SWA )

Circle K

Games Club

Black Student Association (BSA)

Phi Eta Sigma

Future Leaders of the World (FLOW)

Organized Action Council (OAC)

Latin American Student Organization (LASO)

Spartan Athletic Training Student Organization (SATSO)

Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

Sales Club

The Actors' and Playwrights' Society (TAPS)

Art Club

MIT Club

Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

Aurora Criminal Justice Association (ACJA)

Delta Mu Delta

Student Marketing Association(SMA)

Fashion Loves You (FLY)

Spartan Physical Educators Club (SPEC)

Psi Chi

Nolos (AU literary magazine)

Political Science Club

Club Fit

Lambda Pi Eta

Students For Wellness

Kappa Delta Pi[12]

Athletics

Aurora University fields 19 NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic teams. Approximately 40 percent of the student population participates in intercollegiate sports. All Spartan athletic teams compete in the Northern Athletics Conference, except for the men’s lacrosse team, which is part of the Midwest Lacrosse Conference. The primary athletics facilities are Thornton Gymnasium, located in Alumni Hall, and Vago Field, which serves as the football, soccer and lacrosse field. The Vago Field grandstand seats 600 people.

Aurora University athletic teams have captured 123 conference championships in school history. Since joining the NCAA in 1982, AU men’s and women’s teams have won 103 conference championships and appeared in 59 NCAA tournaments.

Men's Teams

Baseball Conference Championships (24) — 2011 / 2010 / 2006 | 2005 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1985 | 1984 | 1978 | 1974 NCAA Appearances (19) — 2011 | 2010 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2002 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1987

Basketball Conference Championships (19) — 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | 1997-98 | 1996-97 | 1993-94 | 1988-89 | 1987-88 | 1985-86 | 1984-85 | 1983-84 | 1982-83 | 1979-80 | 1972-73 | 1971-72 | 1970-71 NCAA Appearances (8) — 2009-2010 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2004-05 | 2002-03 | 2000-01 | 1997-98

Cross Country Conference Championships (1) — 2006

Football Conference Championships (5) — 2008 | 2004 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 NCAA Appearances (4) — 2008 | 2004 | 2000 | 1992

Golf Conference Championships (6) — 2009 | 2006 | 1992 | 1990 | 1984 | 1974 NCAA Appearances (1) — 2009-10

Lacrosse (Started varsity play in 2011)

Soccer Conference Championships (12) — 2004 | 1997 | 1990 | 1985 | 1979 | 1978 | 1977 | 1976 | 1975 | 1973 | 1971 | 1970 NCAA Appearances (1) — 2006

Tennis Conference Championships (5) — 2000 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1981

Track and Field (Indoor and Outdoor) Outdoor: Conference Championships (1) — 2006 Indoor: Conference Championships (1) — 2007

Women’s Teams

Basketball Conference Championships (8) —2002-03 | 2001-02 | 2000-01 | 1995-96 | 1994-95 | 1993-94 | 1992-93 | 1988-89 NCAA Appearances (4) — 2003-04 | 2001-02 | 1994-95 | 1993-94

Cross Country Conference Championships (3) — 2008 | 2006 | 2005

Golf Conference Championships (3) — 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Soccer Conference Championships (13) — 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 | 2002 | 2000 | 1999 | 1997 | 1996 NCAA Appearances (7) — 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2002 | 2001

Softball Conference Championships (17) — 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 1997 | 1993 | 1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1986 | 1985 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 | 1980 | 1979 | 1978 NCAA Appearances (14) — 2010 | 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1988 | 1986 | 1985 | 1982

Tennis Conference Championships (3) — 1995 | 1994 | 1981

Track and Field (Indoor and Outdoor) Outdoor: Conference Championships (1) — 2006

Volleyball Conference Championships (3) — 2006 | 1996 | 1977[13]