Rivier University

Rivier University, formerly Rivier College,[3][4] is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Nashua, New Hampshire. Rivier is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC). Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The institution is also regulated by the New Hampshire Department of Education.[1] Rivier is recognized for its on-campus and online degree programs.

Rivier University
The Rivier Science and Innovation Center opened in fall 2020.
MottoAltiora et Meliora
Motto in English
Higher and Better
TypePrivate
Established1933 (1933)
Religious affiliation
Catholic Church
Endowment$41.4 million (2019)[1]
PresidentSister Paula Marie Buley, I.H.M.[2]
Vice-presidentKurt Stimeling, Doug Howard, John Parker
Academic staff
74 full time faculty members, 30 members on Board of Trustees, 12 members on Alumni Council
Students2,242
Undergraduates1,437
Postgraduates805
47
Location
Nashua
,
New Hampshire
,
United States

42°44′20″N 71°27′19″W
CampusSuburban 68 acres (0.28 km2)
ColorsBlue and White   
AthleticsNCAA Division III
NicknameRaiders
AffiliationsNHCUC
MascotBen the Raider
Websitewww.rivier.edu

History

Rivier University, formerly Rivier College, was founded in 1933 by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in Hudson, New Hampshire. The congregation named the college in honor of its foundress, Anne-Marie Rivier.[1] In 1941, the college moved to its present campus location in Nashua.[5] The university was incorporated in 1935 and granted the authority to offer both graduate and undergraduate level programs.[6] The university is dedicated to Anne Marie Rivier's mission of Catholic social teaching and serving the economically disadvantaged.[6]


On January 15, 1960, Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, visited Rivier College[7] shortly after leaving the City Hall Plaza in Nashua, where he announced his candidacy for president of the United States.[8]

In 1991, the college became coeducational, admitting its first male undergraduate students. Rivier College was renamed Rivier University on July 1, 2012.[3]

Presidents of Rivier University
Presidents Term of office
1. Sr. Madeleine of Jesus, p.m. 1933 - 1946
2. Sr. St. Pascal, p.m. 1947 - 1953
3. Sr. Marie-Carmella, p.m. 1953 – 1955
4. Sr. Adelard-Marie, p.m. 1955 – 1957
5. Sr. Clarice Dion, p.m. 1957 – 1969
6. Sr. Gloria Lemieux, p.m. 1969 – 1973
7. Sr. Doris Benoit, p.m. 1974 – 1980
8. Sr. Jeanne Perreault, p.m. 1980 – 1997
9. Sr. Lucille Thibodeau, p.m. 1997 – 2001
10. William Farrell 2001 - 2011
11. Sr. Paula Marie Buley, IHM 2011 - present

Academics

Rivier University enrolls approximately 2,500 students. It includes the School of Undergraduate Studies, which includes traditional day programs and a Professional Studies Division for undergraduate online and evening programs, and the School of Graduate Studies.[1] Rivier is a member of the New Hampshire College & University Council,[9] a consortium of institutions of higher learning. The university offers traditional courses, online courses, and hybrid courses. Rivier University's campus consists of 44 buildings spread over 68 acres (28 ha) in Nashua, New Hampshire.

As of 2006, the largest major at Rivier is teacher education, which comprises 30% of the undergraduates, while the second largest major is nursing, which comprises 26% of the undergraduates. Other popular majors include criminal justice, psychology, and business.[10]

Student life

Rivier University has four residence halls - Trinity, Guild, Presentation, and Brassard - which accommodate 421 students.[11] Rivier offers intercollegiate club sports and has a student activities office, a multicultural office, counseling center, career development center, and campus ministry. Rivier has a chapter of Habitat for Humanity. There is a Model United Nations Club, a Business Club, a Biology Club, an Alliance Club (Gay-Straight Alliance), and numerous other organizations. Students typically join clubs based on the focus of their undergraduate education, but club membership is open to any interested student. Student clubs and activities are student-run, some with faculty advisors. Club funding is delineated through the school's Student Government Association.

Athletics

Rivier University teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III.[12] The Raiders are a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.

Notes and references
  1. "Facts & Statistics". Rivier University. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  2. "Sr. Paula Marie Buley, IHM appointed 12th President of Rivier University". Rivier University. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  3. "Rivier College to Become Rivier University". Rivier University. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  4. "Putting the 'U' in Nashua: Change to Rivier University brings new signs, apparel, programs". nashuatelegraph.com. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  5. Fritz Wetherbee: Rivier University, November 14, 2019, retrieved May 8, 2020
  6. "History | About Us". Rivier University. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  7. Shearman, Christine (February 15, 2019). "Presidents Day". Rivier University Archives. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  8. Brindley, Michael. "In Nashua, Remembering the Day John F. Kennedy Launched His Campaign". www.nhpr.org. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  9. "Our Campuses". New Hampshire College & University Council. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  10. "Explore Rivier University". Niche. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  11. "Residence Halls | Student Life". Rivier Student Life. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  12. jjackson (July 29, 2014). "NCAA School Websites - R". NCAA.org - The Official Site of the NCAA. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
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