Holy Cross College is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, residential institution of higher education in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States â€" as are Saint Mary's College and the University of Notre Dame. The college was founded in 1966 and is administered by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Academics
The college’s baccalaureate program focuses on experiential learning, founded upon a program of Four Pillars: Service Learning, Global Perspectives, Professional Internship, Classroom Experience which culminates in a Capstone Presentation. Each student completes the same multidisciplinary core courses. Electives may be taken which allow each student to gain knowledge and experience preferred areas of interest. Students have academic advisors for each major and minor they are pursuing. Students may take courses at any of the local universities participating in the Northern Indiana Consortium for Education (NICE). After their first year, students may take classes at the University of Notre Dame at no extra cost.
Current accreditation at the Baccalaureate level includes ten Bachelor of Arts degrees: Biology, Business, Communications, English Literature, History, Liberal Studies, Psychology, Theology, Visual Arts, and Education with dual licensure in Elementary Education and English as a New Language (ENL).
The college also offers 17 minors: Biology, Business, Communications, Education, English Literature, Global Perspectives, History, Leadership & Management, Liberal Studies, Marketing, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Spanish, Sports Management, Theology, and Visual Arts (Studio, Art History, or Graphic Design). An academic track for students interested in Pre-Law is also offered. By combining a major and minor with independent study, students are encouraged to customize their Bachelor of Arts degree to fit their career objectives. An Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies is also available.
The history program is positively reviewed by the National Association of Scholars.
According to Holy Cross College's results in the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the college's senior scores are 10 to 20 points above the national averages in four out of the five NSSE benchmark measures of student engagement. In three out of five categories, Holy Cross ranks significantly higher than the top 10% nationally. The NSSE survey measures key practices associated with student learning, persistence, and graduation.
Holy Cross College was named as college of distinction for the years 2012-2013.
Student life
Campus ministry is described as "Distinctively Catholic, Open to All" Mass is offered on weekdays at 12:25Â p.m. and Sundays at 7:30Â p.m. Adoration takes place on Tuesday nights from 7:00Â p.m. until Midnight. Confession is offered during the first hour of adoration on Tuesdays, along with before and after mass on Fridays.
Mission Team
The Mission Team is a faith development program. This team forms a critical mass of faith-filled students who contribute dynamic leadership and vitality to the school. They act as a catalyst for stirring up the interest and spiritual yearnings of the rest of the college.
Housing
Holy Cross has six residence halls for students. Pulte Hall and South Hall resemble apartment style housing. Anselm Hall and Basil Hall are traditional male dorms, while and James Hall and North Hall are traditional female dorms.
Intramural sports
Holy Cross offers students the opportunity to play intramural sports, including flag football, basketball, indoor volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. Additionally, kickball, dodgeball, and sand volleyball tournaments are held throughout the year.
Holy Cross students are also eligible to try out for Club Sports teams at the University of Notre Dame. A list of available sports can be found at http://recsports.nd.edu/club-sports/.
Additionally, students, faculty, and staff members at Holy Cross or Saint Mary's College may participate in Notre Dame's Bookstore Basketball Tournament, the largest 5-on-5 tournament in the country held every spring. In 2012, a team from Holy Cross won the championship, a feat that had never before been accomplished. This same team then defended their title, winning the championship in 2013 and 2014 as well.
Athletics
Holy Cross College teams are known as the Saints. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). The HCC men's ice hockey team competes at the Division III level of the American Collegiate Hockey Association while the HCC men's lacrosse team competes in the Great Lakes Lacrosse League. Men's sports include basketball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, golf, tennis, and soccer. Basketball games are covered by the Regional Radio Sports Network.
International experience
Holy Cross College requires all Bachelor of Arts students to go on a Global Immersion Experience and costs are covered by tuition. There are three primary locations
- Uganda
- Peru
- India
Alternative programs for psychology students are available in the form of an international psychology conference, while theology students may opt to travel to Rome, Italy as part of a course entitled "Rome Through The Ages".
Additionally, the Campus Ministry department, in conjunction with the University of Notre Dame, offers a pilgrimage to Montreal, Canada each fall break to visit the St. Joseph Oratory. Many miracles have occurred at this famous shrine established through the efforts of Holy Cross Brother St. André Bessette, the first saint of the Congregation of Holy Cross and patron of Holy Cross College.
Notable alumni
- Herbert Clemens - mathematician noted for "Clemens conjecture"
- Skip Holtz ’84 - Son of Lou Holtz. Coach of the Louisiana Tech Football Team.
- Jeff Smoke - 2004 U.S. Olympic Kayak racer and two-time Gold Medalist in the Pan American Games.
- Rudy Ruettiger - Football player for University of Notre Dame. His life story inspired the movie Rudy.
- Timothy J. DeGeeter
- Tim Fitzpatrick - Actor. Just Married, Just for Kicks, Big Fat Liar.
References
External links
- Official website
- Official athletics website