University of Dallas

University of Dallas. The University of Dallas is a private Catholic university in Irving, Texas. Founded in 1956 by the Dallas area diocese and the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, it is known for its core curriculum grounded in the Western canon and its Rome Program. The institution emphasizes a liberal arts education informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition and is recognized for its programs in philosophy, theology, and literature.

History

The establishment was spearheaded by Bishop Thomas K. Gorman of the Diocese of Dallas, with significant support from the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. It initially operated as a women's college before becoming coeducational in the 1960s. A pivotal development was the 1964 founding of its Rome Campus in Due Santi, Italy, one of the first such permanent American programs. The university's graduate school, including the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts, was established early, attracting notable scholars. Throughout the latter 20th century, it grew its reputation as a center for Thomistic thought and the Great Books tradition, navigating the changes of the Second Vatican Council. Its leadership has included presidents like Donald A. Cowan and Thomas W. Keefe.

Academics

The university is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences, the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business, the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts, and the Ann & Joe O. Neuhoff School of Ministry. Its undergraduate core curriculum is renowned for mandatory courses in philosophy, theology, literature, Western civilization, American civilization, fine arts, mathematics, natural science, and foreign language. The Rome Program is a semester-long requirement for most undergraduates. Graduate offerings include distinctive programs in philosophy, theology, and politics, and it awards the only Ph.D. in politics at a Catholic university in Texas. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Campus

The main campus is located on a 744-acre tract in the Las Colinas area of Irving, featuring a blend of modern and Spanish Colonial-style buildings. Key facilities include the Church of the Incarnate Word, the Haggerty Art Village, the Margaret Jonsson Theater, and the William A. Blakley Library, which houses special collections like the St. Catherine of Siena Manuscript. The separate Rome Campus is situated on a vineyard estate near the Appian Way southeast of Rome. The Texas campus also features the Scientific Research and Modeling Center and the Art History building named for Garrett Boone.

Athletics

Athletic teams, nicknamed the Crusaders, compete in the NCAA Division III as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The university fields teams in sports including basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, golf, tennis, and cross country. Its athletic facilities include the Maher Athletic Center and the Crusader Softball Field. The mascot, "Crusader," reflects the institution's historical and religious identity. The athletic program emphasizes the NCAA Division III philosophy of balancing competitive sports with academic achievement.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include former U.S. Representative and Ambassador to the Holy See Francis Rooney, Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, Fox News anchor Shannon Bream, and author Sophia Institute founder John B. Larson. Distinguished faculty have included philosopher and Dallas Institute founder Donald A. Cowan, literary scholar Louise Cowan, theologian and Vatican II advisor Frederick Copleston, and political philosopher Willmoore Kendall. Other notable figures are NEH chairman Bruce Cole and Fifth Circuit judge Edith H. Jones.

Category:Universities and colleges in Texas Category:Catholic universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1956