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The breadth of tradition at John Carroll University is wide. From long-standing traditions like painting the Pacelli Hall Lion to a new tradition in our weekly Tower Time, there are dozens of reasons to love our school. In fact, we've compiled 86 -- a nod to our 1886 founding.

 

1

At John Carroll University we prepare students to live an INSPIRED FUTURE. Students learn to apply the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom to real-world situations, and in doing so, they become leaders empowered to take on the future of work. 

 

2

We welcome all students without regard to race, ethnicity, culture, gender, ability, privilege, sexual orientation, political ideology, religious affiliation, or citizenship. As an inclusive community, we encourage students to challenge stereotypes and expect all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect.

 

3

Jesuits have been educating tomorrow’s leaders for close to 500 years. Our rich JESUIT HERITAGE is rooted in academic rigor, service learning, ethics, and spirituality.

 

4

500 companies and organizations in Northeast Ohio are owned or operated by John Carroll alumni, offering a networking pipeline, internships, and job opportunities.

 

5

OUR SMALL CLASS ENVIRONMENT, with an average class size of just over 20 students, allows for positive, productive dialogue between students and faculty. You really get to know your classmates and professors.

 

6

THE BOLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS maintains a dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction held by only 5% of business schools worldwide.

 

7

Students of all faith backgrounds are able to find a comfortable home within one of our small CARROLL FAITH COMMUNITIES. These peer-led groups of 8-10 students meet weekly for prayer, reflection, and discussion.

 

8

JCU is proud of its FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE of 70%. Compared to a national average of 56% for private schools and 41% for public colleges, John Carroll students love their undergraduate experience and are positioned to achieve success while graduating on time.

 

9

Rock the quad with your classmates! Each year, the University Club (U Club) sponsors a "Welcome Back" concert on the quad. The evening concert is the marquee student-planned event to kickoff each academic year. And, did we mention there are also food trucks?!

 

10

Cleveland is home to award-winning chef-inspired restaurants; a thriving arts and music scene; and biomedical and ‘smart’ manufacturing start-ups.

 

11

We’re only 10 miles away from the thriving atmosphere of Downtown Cleveland, but in a safe and quiet neighborhood filled with beautiful homes and many families.

 

12

DOING SERVICE IS COOL AT JCU. Students perform more than 138,000 hours of service to the community each year.

 

13

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND. There’s no waiting around at Carroll: Students regularly assume leadership roles in their first year on campus.

 

14

John Carroll empowers you to discover your strengths, pursue your passions, and do what you love. 80% of our alumni say that the John Carroll experience contributed to their SUCCESS IN LIFE.

 

15

John Carroll will open a new, state-of-the-art ATHLETIC, WELLNESS & EVENT CENTER in Fall 2024. It will feature a new 200m indoor track, fitness studio, locker rooms, event spaces, and new academic and lab spaces for the exercise science program.

 

16

Nearly 250 organizations actively recruit our students each year for full-time and part-time employment, volunteer service, and internships through our online recruiting database, on-campus interviews, and our annual CAREER FAIR.

 

17

John Carroll’s ENTREPRENEURSHIP MINOR focuses on developing creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial mindset, and is a perfect complement to any major. JCU Entrepreneurship students along with the The Center for Service-Learning and Social Action, built a successful Food Buggy business that provides meals to those experiencing homelessness. 

 

18

OUR CAMPUS is beautiful in all seasons, and offers a traditional “college feel” with red brick buildings and numerous green lawns.

 

19

IGNATIAN HERITAGE WEEK, a series of events designed to celebrate our Jesuit heritage of being women and men for and with others, offers a number of opportunities for reflection, recognition, and discussion.

 

20

Students form LASTING FRIENDSHIPS and find their place on campus within many different organizations, teams, activities, and residence halls. Students often have multiple friend groups across multiple class years because of these activities and relationships.

 

21

“JESUIT EDUCATED” offers unique, worldwide networking. John Carroll is one of only 27 Jesuit universities in the United States and as part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), JCU is linked to approximately 189 Jesuit institutions of higher learning throughout the world. 

 

22

Students in the ARRUPE SCHOLARS PROGRAM make a difference in our community by working each fall to provide 150 disadvantaged families in the Cleveland area with a week’s worth of groceries around Thanksgiving. 

 

23

Our unparalleled and successful ALUMNI NETWORK consists of more than 45,000 active, supportive, and passionate Blue Streaks, helping you to advance in your career. 

 

24

Who doesn’t love food? In Cleveland, you can enjoy just about any cuisine you like, including the latest creations from award-winning chefs. American, Cambodian, French, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Polish, and Thai are just a few dining options you’ll find.

 

25 

Both the Boler College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences offer a unique PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM that prepares students for their future careers through a series of courses to practice and build professional skills. 

 

26

JCU’s new BSN in NURSING offers applicants direct admission into the program. Students begin taking nursing courses as soon as their sophomore year.  

27

JCU students learn from professors at the top of their fields, like biology professor Dr. Ralph Saporito, one of the world's leading researchers on tropical poison frogs. JCU professors are more than instructors, they’re mentors—winning awards for their research while remaining personally invested in every JCU student. For Dr. Saporito, that means inviting students to work alongside him as peers, even bringing groups to Costa Rica to gather vital data and conduct on-the-ground experiments.

 

28

The recent SCHOTT DINING HALL renovation modernized the student dining experience in one of the largest student spaces on campus, providing current and future students with spaces to gather in community and spaces to study/work independently. 

 

29

THE CELEBRATION OF SCHOLARSHIP is an annual campus-wide event showcasing the scholarship, creative activity, and intellectual achievement of the John Carroll community with a particular emphasis on undergraduate research.

 

30

You’ll be taught by experts. 97% of our 144 full-time faculty members hold doctoral degrees or the terminal degree in their field. 

 

31

STREAK WEEK, our fall orientation program, gives you many ways to meet your new classmates. Students especially love the Graffiti Party, where you get a free t-shirt and collect the signatures or phone numbers of all your new friends!

 

32

OUR CURRICULUM will teach you critical thinking and problem-solving skills through

linked courses—classes that, though they are taught separately, combine disciplines. This approach encourages you to stretch your mind and evaluate issues and situations from multiple points of view.

 

33

THE PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS PROGRAM is run by a full-time director and a physician-in-residence who offer mentoring and advising on the process of applying to healthcare professional schools and programs. The Health Professions Advisory Committee

also plays a critical role by preparing students for interviews and producing letters of evaluation that are valuable in the admission process.

 

34

The entire John Carroll community takes a break and comes together for conversation, community, and coffee each week during TOWER TIME.

 

35

SCHOLAR-ATHLETES learn, develop, and improve through a competitive, championship-winning Division III varsity athletic experience. Coaches are regularly recognized for their ability to mentor our students and prioritize a balance between academics, athletics, and other aspects of campus life.

 

36

John Carroll has a celebrated SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM, laying claim to four national championships and competes in more than a dozen tournaments per year. 

 

37

Sure, we’re proud of the championship hardware our CAVALIERS basketball, GUARDIANS baseball, and MONSTERS hockey teams have earned, but we’re also proud of the “Emerald Necklace” that surrounds our city. Hundreds of square miles of TRAILS, PARKS, and BEACHES form a ring around Cleveland, some a short distance from campus.

 

38

THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY contains state-of-the-art dedicated research space that allows students and faculty to collaborate on advanced research. The facilities include 20 individual, interconnected testing rooms, as well as a centrally located control room and three observation rooms, separated by one-way mirrors.

 

39

Fraternities and sororities spend months practicing dance routines, selecting the perfect costumes, and constructing props, preparing to put on a show for a sell-out crowd during one of the year’s most talked-about events, the annual GREEK WEEK LIP SYNC performance.

 

40

JCU’s “Summer in the City” Social Action and Advocacy Internships offer students placements at several different community partner sites, which focus on topics of homelessness, advocacy, service, solidarity, and social change and culminate with a research project delivered to the community partners.

 

41

MASSES ON CAMPUS are geared toward students and involve them as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, and musicians. In particular, students interested in exploring or practicing their faith have the option to attend 9 p.m. mass at the Saint Francis Chapel each Sunday night, a great way to kick off the week surrounded by friends, classmates, and even some professors!

 

42

Nothing beats ENJOYING THE QUAD on a nice day.

 

43

Professors and staff members are focused on STUDENTS’ OVERALL WELL-BEING and their intellectual, spiritual, and social development. They care about creating valuable student learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom, and serve as mentors for our students.

 

44

IMMERSIONS are 7-10 day experiences to domestic and international locations during school breaks that can truly change one’s perspective of the world. Students learn about issues of poverty and injustice while living in the communities they are serving.

 

45

One of our student’s favorite traditions is the annual CAFSGIVING feast in the dining hall. It’s a great time to celebrate with close friends while enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal served by JCU faculty and staff members!

 

46

Our dining hall and nearby eateries feature locally sourced and Fair Trade products, made-to-order stir fry, brick oven pizzas, grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, delectable baked goods, and STARBUCKS coffee.

 

47

Celebrate the Christmas season a little early with your friends. You can look forward to a week of events before final exams, culminating with CHRISTMAS CARROLL EVE, featuring a musical concert, sing-along, Catholic Mass, and late night feast.

 

48

You will find it easy to get involved right away with nearly 100 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, and the opportunity to create new clubs if you have other interests!

 

49

In our ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from nationally acclaimed authors and poets.

 

50

John Carroll has been ranked in the TOP 10 among regional universities in the Midwest for more than 30 consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report.

 

51

Cleveland is home to a world-renowned orchestra and the second largest performing arts center in the U.S. Through our KULAS GRANT FOR FINE ARTS, you can enjoy musical performances and see major stage productions for free!

 

52

STUDY ABROAD for a short-term trip with academic credit, a semester, a year, or a summer. Do an internship in a foreign country and learn the language while you’re there. Students take part in more than 45 programs, including those in London, Rome, Northern Ireland, China, and more!

 

53

THE CARROLL CRAZIES, the official fan club of JCU Athletics, creates an exciting fan atmosphere and experience on game day. “Blue Streak Nation” consistently celebrates the success of our 24 varsity sports teams, including postseason tournament appearances, conference championships, and individual athlete honors.

 

54

STREAK THE CENTER is a popular, semiannual late-night event in our D.J. Lombardo Student Center. Students enjoy free food and beverages from Cleveland establishments, karaoke, bingo, movies, games, crafts, athletic games and contests, live performances by professionals and fellow students, and more.

 

55

THE MIKE CLEARY PROGRAM IN SPORTS LEADERSHIP, through coursework and internship experiences, helps students to develop the knowledge and abilities needed to become a leader in sports-related careers, such as athletic administration, coaching, and recreation management.

 

56

Students, faculty, and staff can STAY FIT through a variety of group instruction classes such as Zumba, cycling, yoga, stretching, and muscle toning.

 

57

Each year, dozens of JCU students gain world-class research and internship experience in biomedical experimentation, healthcare information technology, educational outreach, marketing, and autism research through our special partnership with the CLEVELAND CLINIC.

 

58

Our compact, 60-ACRE CAMPUS means that your classes are in close proximity to each other and to our residence halls. Everything you need is a short walk away, from the library to recreational facilities.

 

59

Notable alumni include the late TIM RUSSERT ’72, moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press;” DON SHULA ’51, the winningest coach in NFL history; MEG CASWELL ’99, winner of the HGTV “Design Star” competition; DOMINIQUE MOCEANU ’09 and DIANA MUNZ ’07, Oympic medalists; and RICH KRAMER ’86, chairman, CEO, and president of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

 

60

JCU is ranked #15 for best undergraduate teaching among midwest schools according to U.S. News and World Report. Many faculty members at JCU have a particular commitment to working one-on-one with students in independent research.

 

61

THE RELAXATION ROOM, located in Grasselli Library, includes a state-of- the-art massage recliner, biofeedback computer games, guided relaxation recordings, and more. It’s a popular space for students to take a break from their studies and de-stress.

                

62

Our students have many options for dining near campus. Their favorite spots include: Barrio, MELT, Mitchell’s Ice Cream, Phoenix Coffee, and the Van Aken District.

 

63

Renovations for JCU’s GRASSELLI LIBRARY began in January 2023 and will include a new entrance, new group and private study areas, a maker space, reimagined cafe, and new performance and presentation area. Construction will conclude by Fall 2024. 

 

64

We begin each academic year with CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT, a liturgical celebration and community luncheon bringing together students, faculty, and staff of all faith traditions.

 

65

With the pressure that comes during Finals Week, several offices on campus sponsor activities to de-stress, including a stress-free zone, free hot dogs and other refreshments, relaxation recommendations, and therapy dogs!

 

66

THE UNIVERSITY CLUB (U Club) sponsors events on and off campus every weekend, so you’ll always have something to do! From late-night bingo with awesome prizes to ice skating in Cleveland’s Public Square, U Club plans a wide range of programs to fit our students’ eclectic mix of interests.

 

67

Ride THE LOOP SHUTTLE to experience our area dining and shopping complexes at Legacy Village, Beachwood Place, or Cedar Center. Eat, shop, and relax, then ride back to campus!

 

68

JCU has formed a number of partnerships with other colleges and universities, securing guaranteed or streamlined admission to advance your studies in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, law, engineering, entrepreneurship, and more.

 

69

The newly renovated DOLAN HALL opened in Fall 2022 while PACELLI HALL has been offline for renovations and will reopen in Fall 2023. Renovations for both halls will modernize the space, including social and study lounges on each floor and the addition of a kitchen and air conditioning.

 

70

Student’s enjoy a number of on-campus dining options, including SAXBY’S, an entirely student-run cafe where students learn leadership and management skills while earning a competitive salary and course credits. 

 

71

THE CENTER FOR SERVICE AND SOCIAL ACTION (CSSA) partners with more than 75 nonprofit organizations and organizes a variety of activities each semester. Students learn and engage in meaningful ways at schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, faith-based institutions, social service programs, and neighborhood outreach centers.

 

72

Some of our favorite hidden Cleveland gems can be found in our DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS. From the food options of Ohio City, to the arts and cultural mecca of University Circle, to the quaint village of Chagrin Falls, there is something for everyone.

 

73

Our new Mastrantoni Family Student Success Commons is home to the Academic Success Center and the Center for Career Services where students learn tips and tricks for studying and managing their time and receive career advising, including resume writing, mock interviews, help finding internships and job opportunities, and more. 

 

74

RETREATS at John Carroll are a popular way for students to reflect, relax, have fun, strengthen their spirituality, and form new friendships.

 

75

International students from a variety of countries have accommodations, programs, events, and mentoring to help them get assimilated to the United States, Cleveland, and John Carroll.

 

76

HOMECOMING AND FAMILY WEEKEND is a fun-filled and spirited weekend! Highlights each year include the Homecoming Dance at a Cleveland venue, a street fair featuring Cleveland food trucks, and athletic contests.

 

77

There are few cities where you can view Monet’s “Waterlilies” in the morning then listen to Billy Joel perform in the evening. Concerts, Broadway shows, photos, paintings, sculptures—CLEVELAND’S CULTURAL SCENE has endless opportunities.

 

78

John Carroll University has a rich tradition of SUCCESS IN THE NFL. For decades, alumni coaches, players, and front office members have made an impact on football’s biggest stage. 

 

79

Each year, a graduate begins his or her career working at “Meet the Press” through our NBC/JCU “MEET THE PRESS” FELLOWSHIP. 

 

80

There are many HOUSING OPTIONS, including traditional double rooms, single rooms, and suite-style living. 91% of students who live on campus report that the experience contributed to their sense of belonging. 

 

81

ONE-TIME SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES give students the chance to make a positive impact on our local community. One of these is a first-year orientation experience called “Meet CLE” that provides a dynamic introduction to the mission of JCU, the city of Cleveland, and the community partners with whom we work.

 

82

EDUCATION MAJORS take part in a unique professional year program. Student teachers will first observe and interact with teachers and students in an area school, and then will teach in that same classroom the following semester, learning from and collaborating with a cooperating teacher.

 

83

WJCU 88.7 gives students the opportunity to operate and serve as on-air talent for this fully licensed noncommercial radio station.

 

84

THE LEARNING COMMONS is a collaborative learning center in our library that offers free tutoring and peer-led study tables, help with essay writing, study skill workshops, and a variety of other fun and interactive programs.

 

85

With a competitive, fun, and diverse offerings of INTRAMURAL SPORTS, you can win an awesome t-shirt and make an appearance on our Intramural Sports Wall of Champions!

 

86

Ask any alumn: COMMENCEMENT on campus is special. There is nothing like sitting beside your classmates on the Quad, in your cap and gown, and the pride you feel while walking in front of Rodman Hall to receive your degree.