St. Lawrence University

St. Lawrence University
Name	St. Lawrence University
Established	1856
Type	Private liberal arts college
Endowment	$350 million (2021)
President	Kathryn A. Morris
City	Canton
State	New York
Country	United States
Campus	Rural, 1,000 acres
Students	2,431 (Fall 2021)
Faculty	200
Colors	Scarlet and brown
Nickname	Saints
Affiliations	Annapolis Group, New York Six Consortium

St. Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college in the village of Canton, within St. Lawrence County, New York. Founded in 1856, it is the oldest continuously operating coeducational institution of higher learning in the state of New York. The university is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which defines the region's northern border with the Canadian province of Ontario.

History

The institution was originally chartered as the St. Lawrence Academy by the Universalist Church of America, with early leadership from founders like the Reverend Benjamin Raymond. It gained university status in 1858 under its first president, Laurens Hickok. A significant early milestone was the 1870 graduation of Celia Burleigh, one of the first women ordained as a Unitarian minister in the United States. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the campus expanded with buildings like Richardson Hall, named for architect H.H. Richardson. The university's modern era has been shaped by presidents including Frank P. Piskor, who oversaw major growth, and its affiliation shifted to a non-denominational status while maintaining its liberal arts mission.

Academics

The university offers a curriculum centered on the B.A. and B.S. degrees across more than 40 majors and 30 minors. It is organized into divisions including the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Notable interdisciplinary programs include Canadian Studies, Environmental Studies, and a renowned First-Year Program that emphasizes living-learning communities. The university maintains a student-faculty ratio of 11:1 and emphasizes undergraduate research, with many students participating in projects funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and presenting at conferences like the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Off-campus study is facilitated through programs in New York City, Washington, D.C., and international locations such as Kenya, Denmark, and Spain.

Campus

The 1,000-acre rural campus is located in the St. Lawrence Valley, approximately 20 miles from the Adirondack Park. Historic structures include Gunnison Memorial Chapel, built in 1926, and the Owen D. Young Library, named for the industrialist and alumnus Owen D. Young. Modern facilities feature the Johnson Hall of Science for biology and chemistry, the Griffiths Arts Center, and the Peterson Quantitative Resource Center. The university also manages the 300-acre Kip Tract for ecological research and the Wachtmeister Field Station on the Raquette River. Residential life is organized around thematic halls and townhouse complexes, with a central dining facility in Dana Dining Center.

Student life

Student governance is led by the Thelomathesian Society, one of the oldest student government bodies in the nation. Over 100 student organizations exist, ranging from the debate team and the improvisational comedy group Saints of the Round Table to cultural groups like the Black Student Union and the International House Association. The university hosts annual traditions such as Winter Carnival and the Festival of the Arts. A significant number of students participate in community service through the Center for Civic Engagement, which partners with local organizations in Canton and the wider North Country region. Greek life includes chapters of national fraternities like Beta Theta Pi and sororities such as Kappa Delta Sigma.

Athletics

The university's varsity teams, known as the St. Lawrence Saints, compete in NCAA Division III as a member of the Liberty League for most sports. Its ice hockey teams have a storied history, with the men's team competing in the elite ECAC Hockey conference of NCAA Division I and the women's team also in Division I. The men's hockey team won the NCAA national championship in 1988 and has made multiple appearances in the Frozen Four. Other successful programs include men's and women's cross country, which have won numerous Liberty League titles. Athletic facilities include Appleton Arena for hockey, Newell Field House, and the Sandy MacAllaster Golf Course.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch), the acclaimed actor and film producer; E. Annie Proulx, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of *The Shipping News*; and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Ann McLaughlin Korologos. In government and law, notable figures include former Vermont Governor Philip H. Hoff and judge John M. Walker Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Distinguished former faculty include the poet and critic Northrop Frye, who taught English in the 1940s, and biologist John M. Kingsbury, a noted expert on poisonous plants. The university's alumni also include several Rhodes Scholars and Fulbright Program recipients.

Category:Universities and colleges in New York (state) Category:Liberal arts colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1856