Mount St. Mary's College
|
|
For other uses: see Mount St Mary's (disambiguation).
Mount St. Mary's College is a private, independent, Roman Catholic women's liberal arts college in Los Angeles, California. The college was founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and its original classes were held at St. Mary's Academy, then located at Slauson and Crenshaw Boulevards.
| Contents |
Chalon Campus
In 1927, the College purchased 36 acres (150,000 m²) of land in along the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains from the Rodeo Land and Water Company for $162,000. In 1947, the college purchased an additional 20 acres (80,000 m²) of land to complete what is today the College's Chalon campus. The campus contains a blend of architecture familiar to Los Angeles, largely in the tradition of the Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival styles. The Brentwood neighborhood campus' unique location, on a 1,100 foot (340 m) ridge, provides an overlook to both the J. Paul Getty Center and 40 miles (60 km) of the Pacific Ocean.
Chalon is home primarily to the College's undergraduate baccalaureate programs and to the unique Weekend College baccalaureate program.
Doheny campus
The College grew to two campuses in 1962 when it was given 20 acres (80,000 m²), holding two city blocks of Queen Anne-style Victorian mansions, in South Central Los Angeles. The tranquil property was formerly owned by Edward L. Doheny and his wife, the Countess Estelle Doheny, who made their fortune in oil; the Chester Place residences were built at the turn of the century by Judge Charles Silent. The College named the campus after the Countess Doheny and her husband.
Doheny is home to the College's undergraduate associate's, graduate master's, and educational credential programs.
Seal
The College's seal, a circular shield, was designed by Baker's Heraldic office in London. It has four divisions, each representing the college's founding. An open book at the base of the shield holds the college motto, Deus Illuminatio Mea, or God My Light. At the highest point of the shield, a lily surrounded by thorns represents the Immaculate Conception by Mary. The fleur-de-lis of France on the right symbolizes the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, established at Le Put, France, in 1650. On the left, three angel wings with the rose signify the City of Los Angeles.
History
In 2003, the College was rated a top 20 regional university in the West by U.S. News & World Report.
In 1952, the College graduated its first nursing class; the program was Southern California's first baccalaureate degree in nursing.
Facts
- The College's official colors are purple and gold.
- The College's mascot is the Athenian.
- The College's official name is Mount St. Mary's College. Usage of the abbreviated form of "Mount" or the complete form of "St." is discouraged, and the plural form of "Mary" is incorrect.
- The College has awarded more than 15,000 degrees.
- The College's annual enrollment is now just over 2,000.