Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Student Life



Department of Athletics & Recreation

Neumann University’s Department of Athletics & Recreation comprises nine men’s and ten women’s varsity athletic teams, six club sports, an intramural program, #NeuFitness, and the Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development. The Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development (Mirenda Center), a state-of-the-art facility, is the home of the Neumann University Department of Athletics and Recreation. The 72,000-square-foot building features a grand foyer, a 30-seat classroom, a fully equipped weight room, and dance and multi-purpose studios. The main gymnasium also serves as the home venue for the men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s volleyball teams with a capacity of 1,400 spectators. In addition to the Mirenda Center, the department utilizes the Bruder Athletics Fields, Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Courts, and the IceWorks Skating Complex. The Bruder Athletics Fields are near the Mirenda Center and the primary residence halls. The Bruder baseball and softball fields are the home venues for those respective programs, while the turf field is home to field hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s soccer. The Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Courts are home to the men’s and women’s tennis teams. The complex features six fully-lighted courts and a shaded seating structure. IceWorks Skating Complex is the home of the NCAA men’s and women’s ice hockey teams and the club ice hockey program. 

Varsity Athletic Teams

Neumann University has nine Varsity Men’s Athletic Teams and 10 Varsity Women’s Athletic Teams. Below is a list of the varsity athletics teams. To learn more about Varsity Athletics, visit the Neumann Athletics website.

  • Baseball (Men’s)
  • Field Hockey (Women’s)
  • Softball (Women’s)
  • Basketball (Men’s and Women’s)
  • Cross Country (Men’s and Women’s)
  • Ice Hockey (Men’s and Women’s)
  • Lacrosse (Men’s and Women’s)
  • Soccer (Men’s and Women’s)
  • Tennis (Men’s and Women’s)
  • Track & Field (Men’s and Women’s)
  • Volleyball (Men’s and Women’s)

Club Sports

The Neumann University Department of Athletics and Recreation currently fields six club sports teams that are open to current Neumann University students. The clubs are as follows:

Intramurals

The Neumann University Department of Athletics and Recreation offers a variety of intramural sports and activities for current students, faculty, and staff members. The competition features gender-specific and co-ed teams, including league play and one-day tournaments throughout the academic year.

#NeuFitness

The department offers a variety of fitness activities for current students, faculty, and staff members, including the 100-Mile Club, Iron Knight, and fitness classes. All the programs are completely complimentary to join and offered throughout the academic year.

Neumann University Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development

The Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development (‘Center’) at Neumann University is rooted in the Catholic Franciscan tradition and believes that sport possesses an inescapable spiritual and ethical dimension that merits academic exploration and practical application.

The Center strives to transform perspectives and inspire behavior that reflects an awareness of God’s presence in our lives and offers student-athletes a program unlike any other in the United States. Staff members prompt Neumann student-athletes to go beyond “X’s and O’s,” helping them realize the best versions of themselves while connecting authentically with their teammates, values, and faith. The following are ways the Center supports the University community:

  • We organize, supervise, and train team chaplains to support the student-athletes and staff of the Neumann University Athletic Department.
  • We plan and facilitate evenings of reflection for varsity and club athletes over the academic year.
  • We train sports captains in leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
  • We serve as a source of education, counsel, and support for Neumann coaches in their work with student-athletes.
  • We produce practical resources (including reflection guides, training exercises, and team activity templates) for groups seeking to develop programming around sport, spirituality, and leadership.

Mission & Ministry Activities

Mission and Ministry Team

The mission of the Mission and Ministry Unit is to provide for the holistic development of the university community through opportunities for continued understanding and deeper appreciation of our Catholic, Franciscan mission and values.

The Mission and Ministry Unit supports the entire University community through a variety of activities and services. Campus Ministers coordinate daily and Sunday liturgies, offer a variety of prayer experiences and Bible Study, facilitate sacramental preparation, and offer diverse retreats and service immersion experiences. The Director of Pastoral Ministry supports the residence life staff and resident assistants. The office of Service-Learning and Community Engagement provides volunteer opportunities for all members of the Neumann community and assists faculty and students to develop service-learning experiences within academic courses. The Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development helps student-athletes become the best versions of themselves while connecting authentically with their teammates, values, and faith. The Center coordinates the team chaplaincy program and supports team retreats. The Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies provides ongoing dialog about the Franciscan charism and values as they apply to the intellectual, affective, and ethical development of the Neumann University community. The Institute promotes the integration of the Catholic Franciscan tradition into the curriculum and supports course development by providing resources and research assistance. The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion coordinates efforts to ensure that Neumann is a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive campus community. 

Worship

The Mission and Ministry Unit Staff recognizes diversity within the Neumann University community and supports ecumenism. The staff strives to provide inclusive, welcoming worship experiences, while, at the same time, remaining ever faithful to its Catholic roots and Franciscan charism. Throughout the school year, many opportunities for prayer, liturgy, spiritual direction, the sacraments, retreats, and Bible study are made available. All are welcome.

Education

Faith and values are an integral part of education at Neumann University. We believe, however, that education is more than just knowledge. The Catholic faith and the Catholic principles of peace and social justice are promoted through ongoing catechesis as well as through various educational and consciousness-raising programs and events. Sponsored by the Mission and Ministry Unit Staff, these programs are designed to foster the intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development of administration, faculty, staff, and students.

Service

The Franciscan tradition of service and outreach to the poor and marginalized is lived out at Neumann University. The Mission and Ministry Unit Staff is faithful to this commitment through ongoing service and outreach programs, which make service a lived experience for students, administration, faculty, and staff.

Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs supports student success, well-being, and the development of servant leaders through comprehensive programs and services connected to our RISES values that foster a vibrant and inclusive campus community. Student Affairs strives to foster an environment where students feel supported, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential. Through our commitment to student engagement, we aim to enhance the overall student experience by offering various co-curricular experiences, leadership development opportunities, and supportive interactions at Neumann. In return, we hope our Knights develop into academically successful individuals committed to positively contributing to their communities and the world.

Student Affairs includes the following units:

Community Standards & Student Support

The Community Standards & Student Support team comprises three units that support students in developing an understanding of community expectations, supporting students as they face adversity, and cultivating skills to help them thrive at Neumann & beyond. The team is responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing policies and guidelines that promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students. Community Standards & Student Support staff work closely with faculty, staff, and students to provide support, guidance, and resources to address behavioral or disciplinary concerns. For additional information, please email [email protected]

Community Standards

The Community Standards team facilitates education and the disciplinary process outlined in the Student Handbook in alignment with the Catholic Franciscan tradition of Neumann University. The Student Handbook is located on MyNU under the Student Affairs Policies and contains the Student Code of Conduct, a list of community expectations for all Neumann University students. More information about the unit’s initiatives and resources can be found on the Community Standards & Student Support website.

Commuter Life

Commuter Life, part of the Community Standards & Student Support unit at Neumann University, provides essential support for students who commute to campus or reside in off-campus housing in Aston, PA. Our dedicated team offers tailored programs and services to enhance the commuter experience, fostering a sense of belonging throughout their time at Neumann. More information about the unit’s initiatives and resources can be found on the Commuter Life website.

Office of Prevention Education

The Prevention Education team educates students and promotes awareness on various topics such as healthy relationships, violence prevention, alcohol and other drug education, collegiate recovery, mental health, and other topics impacting student well-being. Within the office is the Peer Education team, which includes a group of nationally certified NASPA peer educators who facilitate peer-to-peer education on the health and well-being topics that are core to the office. More information about the unit’s initiatives and resources can be found on the Office of Prevention Education website.

Counseling, Health & Well-Being

The Counseling, Health, and Well-Being Unit comprises the Counseling Center, Student Health Services, and well-being programming to support students’ thriving mental and physical health. Within each unit, licensed medical and mental health providers support undergraduate students in person in the Neumann University community. The unit also coordinates care through the University’s virtual care telehealth program, TimelyCare, which offers remote and after-hours medical and emergency care. 

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center staff is comprised of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), board-certified master-level providers, and master-level interns who practice as generalists, which allows us to work with a wide variety of needs. We provide positive and supportive treatment that is designed to focus on the student’s overall wellness. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, medication management, and workshop facilitation. More information about the Counseling Center’s initiatives and resources can be found on the Counseling Center website or by emailing [email protected].

Student Health Services 

The mission of Student Health Services is to attend to students’ physical and informational health needs, enabling them to attain their highest potential in all aspects of life. Our services are based on the belief that a healthy mind and body contribute to greater well-being and student thriving. Services include well visits, blood pressure screenings, flu vaccines, allergy injections, sick visit appointments, and more! Student Health Services is staffed by two nurses and a doctor. More information about Student Health Services, including their walk-in hours and the link to the Student Health Services Portal are listed on the Student Health Services website.

Dean of Students

Parent & Family Engagement Team

Residence Life

Student Engagement & Orientation

Student Health Services

The Arts Guild at Neumann University

The Arts Guild at Neumann University was established in 1991 as a coordinating agent to enhance and extend the high level of cultural activities at Neumann University to the communities of the Delaware Valley. As reflected in its mission and vision of the performing arts at Neumann University, the Arts Guild believes that of “the great many goals in life, finding one’s own voice and at the same time being able to listen to others are among the most important. The arts facilitate this process through a rich cultural heritage, stimulated creativity, and the development of perspective and relatedness that result in good citizenship, productive lives, and personal fulfillment.”

The Arts Guild was originally comprised of three member organizations which offered musical and theatrical events to the surrounding community. Since 1991, the Guild has grown to nine member organizations: Center Stage Productions, the Cultural Arts Forum, the Delaware County Symphony, International Ballet Classique, the Neumann University Art Gallery, the Neumann University Concert Chorale, the Neumann University Jazz Band, and the Neumann University Players. These member organizations present a wide range of vocal and dance performances, diverse children’s and adult theatrical performances, as well as a variety of lectures, art exhibits, and seminars at the Fred P. Meagher Theatre, located in the University’s Life Center, and at various locations in the surrounding tri-county area.

  • Center Stage Productions seeks to make the theater experience an educational, enlightening, and enjoyable event. Summer workshops and productions are open to any students who are interested in some aspect of the performing arts. Mainstage Productions, offered under the auspices of Center Stage Productions, encourages all members of the community to audition for roles in its shows.
  • With the primary goal of fostering cultural programming and enriching the educational experiences both of the University and of the larger community, the Cultural Arts Forum hosts a lecture series each year, annual field trips, and other cultural events. Proceeds from these events benefit the Dr. Margaret Mary Kearney Scholarship Fund, which assists financially deserving non-traditional students.
  • Founded in 1969, the Delaware County Symphony promotes the welfare of musical art by providing an opportunity for qualified non-paid musicians to perform classical music. With a company of approximately 70 musicians, the Symphony offers four full-orchestral concerts and four chamber music concerts each season. Performances often feature soloists of renown and new works by living composers. Neumann University students may audition for membership in the orchestra. If accepted for membership, students may register for academic credit on a semester basis for this orchestral experience. For this option, students are urged to consult with their academic advisor.
  • The International Ballet Classique (IBC) is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to preserving Russian classical ballet, advancing new and creative ideas in the arts, and bringing the art of ballet to a wide and diverse population. The professional dancers who work and perform with IBC are dedicated to the development of a new generation of qualified ballet artists.
  • The McNichol Art Gallery serves as a host site for emerging artists from the surrounding area to exhibit a body of their artwork. Art exhibitions are displayed in the Thomas A. Bruder, Jr. Life Center, and each show typically runs for two months. All displayed works are in congruence with the Franciscan Mission of Neumann University.
  • The Neumann University Concert Chorale provides opportunities to gain experiences in group and ensemble singing to both students as well as members of the surrounding communities. Theoretical and musical concepts are presented through the choral literature which is selected. The Chorale performs annual holiday concerts, spring concerts, and special feature performances as requested. Neumann University students may register for academic credit for this vocal experience.
  • The Neumann University Jazz Band, established in 2002, has become a significant and entertaining component of the performing arts at Neumann University. Open to all members of the Neumann community, the Jazz Band explores a wide variety of repertoire, from standards of the swing era to contemporary pieces that fuse jazz, pop, and rock styles. Students assume an active role in the life of the organization by selecting music for performance each semester, and by seeking opportunities for the group to perform off-campus as a service to the surrounding community. Neumann University students may register for academic credit for this music performance experience.
  • The Neumann University Players comprises a production company which designs, builds, manages, and performs at least two plays during the academic year. Members from surrounding communities are welcome to participate. Neumann students who register for theater production courses for academic credit may function in one or more “roles” in the company, such as performance, design and technical theater, or marketing. Students may continue to develop their theater skills at advancing levels of proficiency in each of these areas through subsequent semesters of study, or they may choose to explore a different area of theater-related activities. For additional information, please consult the Theater Course Descriptions   section of this catalog.

The Arts Guild, organized as a Council which operates under the auspices of Neumann University, maintains the full autonomy of each member organization. Members of the Guild’s governing body are drawn from four general areas: the arts, business, the University, and the community. For further information about the Arts Guild at Neumann University, please contact the Coordinator of Cultural Programming at Neumann University by calling 610-558-5626.

Neumann University Alumni Association

All Neumann University and Our Lady of Angels College alumni are part of the Neumann University Alumni Association. The Association serves to foster and maintain a loyal and active relationship between Neumann University, current students, and alumni through networking, involvement, and institutional advancement activities. The vision of the Alumni Association is to be a significant influence in helping Neumann University achieve its full potential as an institution of higher learning which offers a values-based education to all of its students.

Under the auspices of the Office of Institutional Advancement and University Relations, the Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations and Special Programs collaborate to bring together more than 12,500 alumni for such planned events as Homecoming and Family Weekend, golf outings, outreach projects, and regional alumni receptions.

The Office of Alumni Relations and Special Programs is continually looking for volunteers to help with various projects and committees, including the Alumni Executive Board, a group of volunteer professionals who help advance the Mission and Vision of Neumann University.

Neumann University Parents’ Committee

The Neumann University Parents’ Committee provides opportunities for parents to become more closely involved in the life of the University and, at the same time, preserve, enhance, and improve the quality of the Neumann experience for all students. Serving as ambassadors on and off campus, Neumann parents are recognized for their commitment to their children’s alma mater.

Giving at Neumann University

Giving is a tradition at Neumann University.  Each year alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, graduating students, corporations and foundations support The Neumann Fund, capital improvement and endowed funds to further the mission of the University. 

The Neumann Fund is a key source of operating support that impacts virtually everything on campus.  The Neumann Fund includes the support of the Annual Fund, Scholarship Fund and Athletic Fund.  Students participate through the student philanthropy group, phonathons, outreach activities and the Class Campaign sponsored by the Office of Institutional Advancement and University Relations.

At the Commencement Ceremony, graduating students participating in the Class Campaign receive a Philanthropy Cord which is a blue and gold cord worn as a symbol of philanthropic pride demonstrating the reciprocal commitment between the graduate and their alma mater.

Neumann Media

The student media department at Neumann University, provides a dynamic platform for students to unleash their creativity through diverse content creation opportunities, including 98.5 WNUW (student radio), television, podcasting, and more. Students gain invaluable hands-on experience and guidance from industry professionals in audio and video production, collaborating on projects like sports programs, late-night shows, music videos, and more. 98.5 WNUW is Neumann’s free format FM college radio station.  Students craft engaging radio shows on topics such as sports, career advice, college life, and current events, with opportunities for both on-air speaking and behind-the-scenes management. Neumann Media’s studios enable students to create diverse audio and video podcasts on any topic they are passionate about, such as sports, album reviews, career insights, and more, allowing them to share their expertise with a broader audience. Neumann Media also operates as an in-house professional production company, providing audio and video services to the community. Additionally, we work closely with NeuPress, the online student news outlet, and Knightflix, the student film club. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major, Neumann Media fosters skills and experiences that prepare students for success in the dynamic media industry. For more information, contact Sean McDonald, Executive Director of Neumann Media, at [email protected].