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{{Short description|Catholic university in Arlington County, Virginia, US}}
{{distinguish|Marymount College (disambiguation){{!}}Marymount College|Marymount Manhattan College|Loyola Marymount University}}
{{other uses|Marymount (disambiguation)}}

{{COI|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Marymount University
 | former_names           = Marymount College (1950–1986)
 | native_name            = 
 | image                  = MUseal.png
| image_size              = 150
 | caption                = 
 | motto                  = ''Tua Luce Dirige''
 | mottoeng               = "Direct Us by Thy Light"
 | established            = {{Start date and age|1950|4|26}}
 | type                   = [[Private university]]
 | religious_affiliation  = [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] ([[Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary]])
 | endowment              = $43 million
 | Faculty                = 
 | faculty                = 162 full-time/201 part-time
 | president              = [[Irma Becerra Fernandez|Irma Becerra]]
 | principal              = 
 | rector                 = 
 | chancellor             = 
 | vice_chancellor        = 
 | dean                   = 
 | head_label             = 
 | head                   = 
 | students               = 4,257
 | undergrad              = 2,606
 | postgrad               = 1,651
 | doctoral               = 
 | city                   = [[Arlington County, Virginia]]
 | country                = U.S.
 | campus                 = Suburban
 | campus_size            = {{Convert|21|acre}}
 | colors                 = {{color box|#10069F}} {{color box|white}}<br>(Royal blue and white)
 | logo                   = Marymount_University.svg
| logo_size               = 150
 | athletics_affiliations = [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]] – [[Atlantic East Conference|Atlantic East]]
 | sports_nickname        = Saints<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marymountsaints.com/landing/index|title=Marymount University|website=Marymount University}}</ref>
 | mascot                 = Bernie The Dog
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities|ACCU]]<br />[[Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area|CUWMA]]<br />[[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]<br />[[National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities|NAICU]]
 | website                = {{URL|https://marymount.edu/|marymount.edu}}
}}

'''Marymount University''' is a [[Private university|private]] Catholic university with its main campus in [[Arlington County, Virginia]], United States. It was founded as '''Marymount College''' in 1950. Marymount offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It has approximately 4,257 students enrolled,<ref>{{Cite web | title=Marymount at a Glance| url=https://marymount.edu/about-mu/marymount-at-a-glance/| access-date=2021-01-14| website=Marymount University| language=en-US}}</ref> representing 50 states and 70 countries.

== History ==
Marymount was founded in 1950 by the [[Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary]] (RSHM) as "Marymount College", a two-year women's school. It was a member school of the [[Marymount colleges]] operated by the sisterhood in several states. The campus was located on the former estate of Admiral [[Presley Marion Rixey]], Naval Surgeon General and personal physician to Presidents [[Theodore Roosevelt]] and [[William McKinley]]. Classes and activities were centered around the former Rixey Mansion, renamed as the university's "Main House."

Marymount became a four-year college in 1973. It added [[master's degree]] programs in 1979, and its first doctoral program, the clinical [[Doctor of Physical Therapy]], in 2005. Its first male students were admitted into the nursing program in 1972, and the college became fully coeducational and changed its name to "Marymount University" in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Marymount University - History|url = http://www.marymount.edu/About-Mu/History|website = marymount.edu|access-date = 2015-08-25}}</ref>

[[File:Marymount University - Ballston Center (52368078955).jpg|thumb|left|Ballston Center, opened in 2017]]
In October 2010, Marymount celebrated its 60th anniversary with the grand opening of Caruthers Hall, a {{convert|52,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} academic facility focused on the sciences and health sciences, and Rose Benté Lee Ostapenko Hall, a {{convert|77,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} residence hall providing apartment-style housing for 239 students. The Malek Plaza is a gathering area between the two buildings and features a statue of Sister Majella Berg, RSHM, who was president of Marymount from 1960 to 1993.<ref>Marymount University Release. "Marymount University Celebrates Blessing of Cornerstones" May 3, 2010. http://www.marymount.edu/newsEvents/newsDetails.aspx?Channel=%2FChannels%2FSite+Wide+Content&WorkflowItemID=e71ffc5c-23f1-4097-89b3-7dd54f9fb56b {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103224706/http://www.marymount.edu/newsEvents/newsDetails.aspx?Channel=%2fChannels%2fSite+Wide+Content&WorkflowItemID=e71ffc5c-23f1-4097-89b3-7dd54f9fb56b |date=2011-11-03 }}. Retrieved on 2011-11-13</ref>

In August 2017, Marymount opened the Ballston Center. The LEED Gold Certified multi-use complex comprises a nine-story academic office tower and Placemaker Marymount Ballston, a 12-story student housing/extended stay hotel, each boasting multi-level underground parking. Ballston Center is anchored by a public plaza and the Reinsch Pierce Family Courtyard.

During the tenure of current president [[Irma Becerra Fernandez|Irma Becerra]], Marymount received designation as the first Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Virginia. The university has also restructured its academic programs into three highly-focused colleges to create broader educational and research opportunities, launched several fully-online doctorate programs and opened both the Saints Service Network and the ABIDE (Access, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity) Hub.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Our History |url=https://marymount.edu/about-mu/our-history/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Marymount University}}</ref> As of June 30, 2017, endowments total $43 million.<ref>{{cite web | title = U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2016 to FY 2017| work = 2017 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments | publisher = National Association of College and University Business Officers | url = https://wcm.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2017-Endowment-Market-Values.ashx?la=en&hash=E71088CDC05C76FCA30072DA109F91BBC10B0290| format = PDF | access-date = February 8, 2018}}</ref>

== Academics and accreditation ==
Marymount University is accredited by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges]] to award doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees. It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] by Carnegie among "Doctoral/Professional Universities."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marymount University |url=https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=232706 |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education}}</ref>

The school grants bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, undergraduate and graduate certification and pre-professional programs in teaching, law, medicine and [[physical therapy]] through the College of Health and Education, College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology and College of Science and Humanities.

Marymount is a member of the [[Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area]], which allows students to take courses at any of the other 17 member institutions and to borrow books from their libraries.

=== Liberal arts program removals ===
In Fall 2023, the Marymount Board of Trustees voted to eliminate eight majors from its undergraduate offerings: Art, English, History, Philosophy, Mathematics, Sociology, Secondary Education, and Theology and Religious Studies, as well as one M.A. program.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-24 |title=Marymount University votes to cut 10 liberal arts degree programs |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/marymount-university-votes-to-cut-10-liberal-arts-degree-programs |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Fox 5 DC |language=en-US}}</ref> This decision was met with significant disapproval from students, alumni, and faculty, resulting in protests.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=7News |date=2023-02-24 |title=Marymount University unanimously votes to eliminate 9 majors; some students protest |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/marymount-university-board-trustee-vote-remove-major-minor-elimination-students-protest-rally-arlington-virginia-college-dmv-education-art-humanities-theology-catholic-sociology-math-english-enrollment-graduation-program-rates |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=WJLA |language=en}}</ref>

Former director of the School of Humanities Ariane Economos spoke to local news on television channel [[WTTG]] (FOX5), stating, "If they want to change the mission, then say that and say what that change is... But getting rid of theology and religious studies at a Catholic university, that doesn’t fit with the mission."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonsu |first=Nana-Sentuo |date=2023-02-21 |title=Marymount University ready to ax core majors like theology, English to fund more popular programs |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/marymount-university-ready-to-ax-core-majors-like-theology-english-to-fund-more-popular-programs |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Despite community pushback, the university proceeded to discontinue all eight undergraduate programs, in addition to the M.A. program in English & Humanities. Nick Munson, Marymount director of communications, stated that the decision was driven by enrollment numbers for the programs, not financial reasons.<ref name=":0" />

== Campuses ==

=== Main Campus ===
Marymount's Main Campus is located on {{convert|21|acre|ha|abbr=off|lk=on}} in the [[North Arlington, Virginia|North Arlington]] area of Arlington, Virginia. The campus includes six residence halls: Rose Benté Lee Ostapenko Hall, Rowley Hall, Butler Hall, St. Joseph's Hall, Berg Hall and Gerard Phelan Hall; three academic buildings: Rowley Academic Center, Caruthers Hall and Gailhac Hall; St. Joseph's Hall computer labs; the Rose Benté Lee Center, which includes two gyms, Bernie's Cafe, mail facilities and recreational and meeting spaces; the Gerard Phelan Cafeteria; the Emerson G. Reinsch Library and Auditorium; The Lodge; Ireton Hall; the Administration Building; the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Mary; and a synthetic-turf practice field.<ref name=autogenerated1>Marymount University Website. "Campus Map." http://www.marymount.edu/map/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826131227/https://www.marymount.edu/Admissions/Visiting/Resources-and-Accommodations/Locate-Us |date=2019-08-26}}. Retrieved on 2009-02-16</ref> In 2023, the first Amazon Just Walk Out store on any university campus in the U.S. was established in the Gerard Hall lobby,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Denham |first=Hannah |date=March 10, 2023 |title=Marymount University opens campus store with Amazon's checkout-free tech |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/03/10/amazon-marymount-just-walk-out.html |website=Washington Business Journal}}</ref> and Ireton Hall is being renovated to create a new Campus Hub.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Denham |first=Hannah |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Marymount University gets private donation to renovate historic campus building |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/03/01/marymount-university-reinsch-pierce-construction.html |website=Washington Business Journal}}</ref>

=== Ballston Center ===
{{anchor|Marymount University School of Business Administration}}
The primary, modern facility of Marymount University's College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology is located in the [[Ballston, Virginia|Ballston]] neighborhood of [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington, Virginia]], south of Main Campus.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Map & Directions| url=https://marymount.edu/contact-us/locate-us/| access-date=2021-02-24| website=Marymount University| language=en-US}}</ref> Across the courtyard, Placemakr Marymount Ballston offers space for student residential apartment housing as well as extended stay hotel rooms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hertzfeld |first=Esther |date=September 20, 2022 |title=Placemakr, Marymount alliance offers students real-world experience |url=https://www.hotelmanagement.net/operate/placemakr-partners-marymount-university |website=Hotel Management}}</ref>

The [[Washington Metro]]'s [[Ballston–MU station]] is within walking distance from the Ballston Center. Additionally, free shuttle services operate between the Ballston-MU Metro Station, Main Campus, 4040 Center, and Ballston Center.

=== 4040 Center ===
[[File:MarymountU-5281-012122.jpg|thumb|Marymount University]]
Marymount's 4040 Center houses its physical therapy doctoral program and MedStar Clinic. The clinic, a partnership between Marymount and MedStar NRH Rehabilitation Network, provides physical therapy services to the community while allowing for an enriching environment in which Marymount physical therapy students gain valuable clinical education experience.

The 4040 Center location is just minutes from Main Campus and within walking distance of the Ballston-MU Metro Station. Students travel to and from locations on free Marymount shuttles.

== Athletics and recreation ==
[[file:Marymount-va logo from NCAA.svg|thumb|Marymount Saints logo]]
Marymount's athletic teams, known as the Saints, compete in [[NCAA Division III]] in the [[Atlantic East Conference]] and sponsor 23 sports. Men's sports include [[baseball]], [[basketball]], [[Cross country running|cross country]], [[golf]], [[lacrosse]], [[soccer]], [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[tennis]], [[Track and field|track & field]], [[volleyball]] and [[wrestling]]. Women's sports include [[basketball]], [[Cross country running|cross country]], [[flag football]], [[golf]], [[lacrosse]], [[soccer]], [[softball]], [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[tennis]], [[track and field]], [[volleyball]] and [[wrestling]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marymount University|url=https://www.marymountsaints.com/landing/index|access-date=2025-03-04|website=Marymount University|language=en}}</ref>

After nearly 29 years as a founding member of the Capital Athletic Conference (now the [[Coast to Coast Athletic Conference]]), Marymount joined with six other institutions in the region to form a new league, the [[Atlantic East Conference]], which received NCAA approval to begin competition on September 1, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.d3sports.com/notables/2018/03/atlantic-east-has-name-formal-announcement|title=Atlantic East has name, formal announcement|date=March 1, 2018|work=D3Sports.com|access-date=September 7, 2018}}</ref>

In 2020, a record 50 percent of Marymount student-athletes were named to the [[Atlantic East Conference]] All-Academic Team.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2020-07-13|title=Marymount has 131 honored on the Atlantic East All-Academic Team|url=https://marymount.prestosports.com/general/2019-20/releases/20200713g1l5ag|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Marymount University|language=en}}</ref> Additionally, six student-athletes earned a spot on the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Academic All-State team.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 15, 2020|title=Six Saints honored on VaSID Academic All-State team|url=https://marymount.prestosports.com/general/2019-20/releases/20200615hpw2vc|access-date=|website=}}</ref>

Marymount also offers recreation and intramural programming throughout the year. Intramural offerings include basketball, volleyball, soccer, [[Ultimate frisbee|ultimate]], [[kickball]], [[Wiffle ball|wiffleball]] and canoe battleship.

== Clubs and student organizations ==
Marymount University has over 30 clubs and student organizations,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organizations |url=https://marymount.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=MUEngage}}</ref> which are created based on the interests of Marymount students, and include groups dedicated to community service or philanthropy, cultural appreciation or specific academic interests.

The Student Government Association, Association for Campus Events and Marymount University's student-run newspaper ''The Banner''<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Banner|url=https://marymount.edu/academics/college-of-sciences-and-humanities/school-of-social-and-behavioral-sciences/undergraduate-programs/communication-b-a/the-banner/|access-date=2021-02-24|website=Academics - Marymount University|language=en-US}}</ref> provide students with additional organizational management experience. In addition, students have the opportunity to engage in leadership development opportunities through participation as an Orientation Leader or Resident Assistant.

== Community engagement ==
Each year, Marymount students provide more than 16,000 hours of service in the local and global community. From tutoring children, providing health-assessment services, conducting food drives and cleaning up parks to building a chapel in the Dominican Republic or raising funds for a well in Sierra Leone, Marymount students actively seek out ways to make a difference.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Marymount University - Community Engagement|url = http://www.marymount.edu/Student-Life/Activities-Leadership/Community-Engagement|website = www.marymount.edu|access-date = 2015-08-24}}</ref>

In 2018, Marymount University established the Saints Service Network<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saints Service Network |url=https://marymount.edu/academics/saints-center-for-service/ |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=Marymount University}}</ref> to implement a framework for sustainable service programming. The center supports, promotes and coordinates service opportunities across campus, leveraging Marymount University's commitment to service and providing further opportunities for Marymount's students and faculty to work together on service projects, both inside and outside the classroom.

== Awards and acknowledgments ==
In the ''[[U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking|U.S. News & World Report]]'s'' 2023 Best Colleges Rankings, Marymount University was listed among "Best National Universities" for the first time in the institution's history. Previously, it was listed with "Regional Universities of the [[Southern United States|South]]."<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=MU ranked as a national university for first time in institution's history |url=https://marymount.edu/blog/mu-ranked-as-a-national-university-for-first-time-in-institutions-history/ |website=Marymount University}}</ref> Marymount's newest rankings include:

* #299 overall among Best National Universities<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Marymount University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/marymount-university-3724 |website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref>
* #23 nationally for Campus Ethnic Diversity<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Campus Ethnic Diversity |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/campus-ethnic-diversity |website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref>
* #20 nationally for Schools with the Most International Students<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Most International Students |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/most-international |website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref>
* #2 Undergraduate Nursing Program among private institutions in Virginia<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/nursing-overall |website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref>

Additional recognitions include:
* Designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and certified by the U.S. Department of Education.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Munson|first=Nicholas|date=2020-11-18|title=Marymount listed as first Hispanic-Serving Institution in Virginia|url=https://marymount.edu/blog/marymount-listed-as-first-hispanic-serving-institution-in-virginia/|access-date=2021-02-24|website=Marymount University|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Named 2017 Educator of the Year by The World Affairs Council, Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marymount.edu/Home/News-Events/News?newsId=320|title=Marymount Honored by World Affairs Council|date=April 4, 2017|website=Marymount University}}</ref>

== Notable alumni ==
*[[Cindy Eckert]], co-founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals
*[[Marguerite M. Engler]], nurse scientist and physiologist 
*[[Tonye Garrick]], Nigerian singer and songwriter
*[[Ryan Hampton (writer)|Ryan Hampton]] (attended, but did not graduate), writer and political activist surrounding addiction<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=70 People You Should Know |url=https://marymount.edu/support-mu/70-people-you-should-know/ |access-date=2021-03-22 |website=Marymount University}}</ref>
*[[Gregg McCrary]], author and former FBI criminal profiler
*[[Rashad Robinson]], President of [[Color of Change]]
*[[Michael D. Smith (government)|Michael D. Smith]], CEO of [[AmeriCorps]]
*[[Doreen Wonda Johnson]], member of the [[New Mexico House of Representatives]]
*[[Mia Yim]], professional wrestler

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Ccat}}
* {{oweb}}
* [https://marymountsaints.com/ Athletics website]

{{Colleges and universities in Virginia}}
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{{Women's colleges that became coeducational}}
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[[Category:1950 establishments in Virginia]]
[[Category:Marymount University|Marymount University]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:Catholic universities and colleges in Virginia]]
[[Category:Former women's universities and colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1950]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington]]
[[Category:Business schools in Virginia]]