DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

www.desales.edu

Overview
Shortly after being named to lead the new
Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1960,
Bishop Joseph McShea began to plan for a
Catholic college. Allentown, located between
the Philadelphia metropolitan area and for-
mer coal towns of northeast Pennsylvania,
was one of the few growing cities in the state.
The need for a new college in the five-county
diocese seemed clear.
The responsibility for developing this vi-
sion fell to the Oblates of Saint Francis de
Sales, and the Allentown College of St. Fran-
cis de Sales welcomed its first students in quick facts
1965. Graduate programs were offered in the
Founded: 1965
1980s and, reflecting its expanding role, the
Type of institution: Medium-size university
institution was renamed DeSales University Setting: Suburban
in 2001. Undergraduate enrollment: 1,445 (2006–07
The fact that the school chose to change academic year)
Total undergraduate cost: $31,750 (tuition,
its name from a well-known locality, Allen-
room and board for 2007–08)
town, to its Catholic roots, DeSales, under-
Undergraduate majors: 32
scores its support for the spiritual identity
that launched it two generations ago. Five Key Points
The campus is located on 400 acres in
1. The Salesian tradition is important to
Center Valley, a small town only a few miles the campus.
from the state’s third largest city. Allentown
2. The theology and philosophy
and the neighboring city of Bethlehem pres-
departments are solid.
ent a gritty industrial appearance as reflected
3. Offers several unique and popular
in Billy Joel’s popular 1982 song “Allentown.”
undergraduate programs.
The university also offers adult and graduate
4. The drama and performing arts
programs in nearby cities of Easton and Lans-
programs are extensive.
dale.
5. Spiritual life and campus ministry could
While taking advantage of this metro- be strengthened.
politan location, DeSales provides an attrac-

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DeSales University
tive campus where students from 16 states
and several countries can pursue 32 under-
graduate majors and prepare for the various
professions. In addition to offering study in
traditional areas, students can focus on e-
commerce, forensics, pharmaceutical market-
ing and two of the university’s standout dis-
ciplines, drama and the physician assistant
program.
Undergraduates can choose up to 16 cours-
es in a core program, which includes: Basic
Requirements—two communications and
three physical fitness courses; Cultural Litera-
cy—six Western Civilization-related courses;
Modes of Thinking—five courses covering
broad liberal arts areas; and Christian Values
and Theology—three courses.
Among recent graduate school develop-
ments, DeSales began an M.B.A. program
with the Romanian-American University at
Bucharest in September 2007.
Governance
The 35 members of the board of trustees
include 10 Oblates of St. Francis de Sales,
including the president, Father Bernard
O’Connor, O.S.F.S. Previous presidents have
been Oblates, as is the senior vice president.
Father O’Connor, who assumed the presi-
dency in 1999, has been a faculty member or
administrator at DeSales for 33 years. Father
John Harvey, O.S.F.S., founder of Courage,
the Church’s primary outreach to faithful and
chaste homosexual Catholics, is a life member
of the board.
Public Identity
The consensus is that not so long ago DeSales
was in the middle of the road regarding its
Catholic identity, but it is growing stronger.
188
One faculty member told us, “It has become
noticeably stronger during the seven or eight
years that I’ve been here. When I first came,
there were people here who definitely did not
buy into the Catholic mission of the univer-
sity but, for the most part, those people have
left.”
The university website has a page on its
Catholic identity and includes a quote and
support for Ex corde Ecclesiae. In discussing its
Faith and Reason Honors Program, the web-
site prominently features a quote from Pope
John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio. The
university also supports an annual Heritage
Week that commemorates its patron, St. Fran-
cis de Sales, each January.
In addition to faculty and staff commit-
ment, there is “a growing number of students
who are ‘on fire for God,’” according to one
university official. Part of the resurgence is
due to the continuing presence of the Sale-
sian Fathers who reside on campus at Wills
Hall and who also are scattered throughout
leadership positions and university depart-
ments. Further supporting the Catholic iden-
tity are strong theology and philosophy de-
partments.
A Salesian Center for Faith and Culture
promotes the congregation’s mission through
research, dialogue on a number of vital issues
and several university-community partner-
ships. Among their initiatives are the Baran-
zano Society, which provides a forum on bio-
ethics; the DeSales Leadership Institute; and
a monthly Bulldog Breakfast (with prayer ser-
vice) for DeSales student athletes.
Most of the notable speakers who have
come to campus have been part of the Rev.
Thomas J. Furphy Lecture Series, which was
started in 1984 to honor a late Salesian faculty
member. Among its annual speakers have
been the late John Cardinal O’Connor, Vati-
can Ambassador to the United Nations Arch-
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bishop Celestino Migliore, Supreme Court
Justice Antonin Scalia, former FBI director
Louis Freeh and William Bennett. Former at-
torney general John Ashcroft was scheduled
to speak at the 24th Furphy Lecture in Octo-
ber 2007.
Other than this series, campus speakers
have been generally low key, including recent
appearances by a chastity promoter and a
state legislator.
There was a bit of a surprise and furor,
however, with a talk given by former News-
week religion writer Kenneth Woodward in
January 2007. Woodward was invited to speak
during Heritage Week, presumably about the
journalistic craft; St. Francis de Sales is the
patron saint of journalists. But he launched
a caustic attack on the Catholic Church. The
Minstrel, the student newspaper, reported:
“There were a number of times during the
lecture that most everyone agreed that Wood-
ward stepped over the line.” Such an event is
unusual.
DeSales sponsors a National Catholic Es-
say Contest, which awards three scholarships.
It also provides financial assistance pools for
Catholic high school students; there is a Tu-
ition Incentive Program for those within the
diocese and a Catholic Schools Grants for
those outside.
Spiritual Life
While proud of its Salesian heritage, the uni-
versity does not seem to reflect much of its
dynamism in the campus ministry. Almost
all of our interviewees noted that participa-
tion in campus religious activities is limited.
There are eight Masses per week at the
Connelly Chapel or the Oblates’ Wills Hall
Chapel: Monday through Friday at 5 p.m., a
largely faculty and staff Mass on Wednesday
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DeSales University
at 12:05 p.m. and a morning and evening Mass
on Sunday. Daily Masses attract anywhere
from 10 to 35 students despite being, as one
reporter noted, “excellent, faithful and with
nice music.” Sunday morning Masses attract
about 40 students and the 8 p.m. has around
180 students.
Confessions are scheduled once a week
and by appointment. Currently, there is a
Friday afternoon Eucharistic adoration, but it
has low participation. Retreats have had to be
cancelled because of lack of interest.
There appears to be little outreach or evan-
gelization in the campus ministry. There is
some social justice activity represented among
the student groups, including participation in
OXFAM, but, again, there is little sense of ac-
tive campus ministry involvement.
Catholicism in
the Classroom
All DeSales freshmen participate in Charac-
ter U, which orients them to several of the
Golden Counsels of St. Francis de Sales, in-
cluding love, hope and forgiveness. Comple-
tion is noted on the student’s transcript and
some prizes are awarded. As part of this
program—and to promote understanding of
other cultures and develop an understanding
of the HIV/AIDS crisis—a group of students
undertook a two-week trip to South Africa in
December 2006–January 2007.
Each year up to 15 high-achieving first-year
students are invited to join the Faith and Rea-
son Honors Program, which is administered
by the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture.
The four-year program includes seminars,
cultural events and a senior thesis.
All students are required to take the in-
troduction to Catholic theology course, one
“intermediate theology” course and a Values
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Seminar. The theology department offers 34
courses plus special topics, readings, inde-
pendent study and internships.
The theology courses, according to the
2006–07 catalogue, “encourage students to re-
flect upon the meaning and value of the Cath-
olic faith, and to live in a manner consistent
with Catholic teaching and tradition.” One of
those courses must be Theology 109, “Catho-
lic Theology: An Introduction.”
The theology faculty is solid. All full-time
professors are strong, orthodox Catholics who
have received the bishop’s approval through
the mandatum. One campus administrator
told us, “They are very good teachers and are
very well liked by the students. They are very
outgoing about the faith and they are very
good examples for being Catholic.” Other in-
terviewees agreed.
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Students can major in theology or philoso-
phy, another discipline that is regarded as
dependably Catholic. The college also offers
what it identifies as the only major in mar-
riage and family studies at any Catholic col-
lege. This unique major, sponsored by the de-
partment of philosophy and theology, draws
from the works of Pope John Paul II.
DeSales generally promotes “marketable
majors,” and these include a highly regarded
undergraduate degree in medical studies and
a fifth-year master of science in physician as-
sistant studies. Graduates of the eight-year-old
physician assistant program have achieved a
near-perfect passing rate on the National Cer-
tifying Examination—10 percent higher than
the national average—and all of the 200-plus
graduates have been employed in the grow-
ing field.
Another niche program is an interdis-
ciplinary pharmaceutical marketing de-
gree available through the business depart-
ment. Students take courses ranging from
microbiology to marketing research as part of
the 16-course major requirement.
The sports management major, also in the
business department, prepares students to
hold positions in schools and nonprofits. This
is one of only 20 such undergraduate pro-
grams endorsed by the Sport Management
Program Review Council.
Among requirements for this major, stu-
dents need to organize a sports event. Dr.
Douglas Turco, the head of the program,
told us, “Some set up a running race and the
money raised was donated to New Bethany
Ministries for the Homeless. There is an effort
in this program to apply Catholic teaching
across the curriculum.”
DeSales also has one of the most extensive
drama and performing arts programs at any
Catholic college. More than 20 percent of un-
dergraduates major in theatre, film or dance;
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the department employs 37 faculty and staff
members. One assistant professor of screen-
writing, Maura Smith, has been working on a
documentary on the Blessed Mother.
The university provides for limited study-
abroad opportunities, especially in conjunc-
tion with the American University in Rome.
It participates in programs with the local Le-
high Valley Association of Independent Col-
leges. It recently reestablished a two-week
study tour in Peru.
Student Activities
DeSales has sanctioned 36 clubs and societies,
including a pro-life club, Knights of Colum-
bus, St. Thomas More Society and Esti Vir, a
men’s virtue and chastity group. None of the
campus groups appears to have elements that
are antithetical to Catholic teachings.
Students have other outlets, including
writing for the biweekly, eight-page newspa-
per, the Minstrel.
The paper covers the typical campus issues
and sometimes touches on religious themes.
In the February 21, 2007 issue, for example,
a box was included with a biblical quote for
Lent and the following admonition: “Let us
ponder these words while undertaking reli-
gious tasks especially during Lent, so that we
may be granted eternal merit.”
The campus community benefits from the
modern Labuda Center, which has two the-
aters with a combined seating capacity of 663.
One recent Act 1 performance was of Thorn-
ton Wilder’s Our Town. Since 1992, DeSales
has housed The Pennsylvania Shakespeare
Festival, which includes Shakespearean,
modern and children’s plays. There also is a
Summer Theatre Institute and Summer Video
Institute.
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DeSales University
Opportunities exist for individual vol-
unteer efforts, including such programs as a
two-day Urban Plunge among homeless peo-
ple in Washington, D.C. There is an Office of
Social Outreach designed for volunteer work
in the Lehigh Valley. The university also has
sponsored a Catholic Volunteer Service Fair
for students interested in post-graduate com-
munity service.
Among other extracurricular opportu-
nities are intramural leagues in six sports.
For the more competitive, the DeSales Bull-
dogs compete in eight women’s and eight
men’s sports at the NCAA Division III (non-
scholarship) level. The baseball and women’s
and men’s basketball teams have been quite
successful in recent years.
Residential Life
Seventy percent of undergraduates live on
campus, and they are housed in eight resi-
dence halls or townhouse complexes. Two of
these are female only; one is reserved for men;
and the others are coed. Residence halls that
are coed are segregated by gender in separate
wings.
The university handbook, which is replete
with quotes from St. Francis de Sales, lists the
hours of opposite-sex visitation for residence
halls and floors. It also notes: “Because the
full expression of love through sexual union
requires the commitment to a total living and
sharing together of two persons in marriage,
the university believes that sexual union
should only occur in marriage.”
Drinking problems, which sadly seem to
be present on many campuses, exist but the
residential staffers are reported to be more
vigilant on the issue. There also is a disciplin-
ary board. The handbook points out in detail
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laws violated by underage drinking and sub-
stance abuse and identifies health problems
associated with such use.
The Community
The Lehigh Valley is a vibrant small metro-
politan area. The city of Allentown, with a
population of about 106,000, offers a number
of economic, shopping and cultural opportu-
nities. An example of the latter is the Allen-
town Art Museum, which contains the works
of a number of masters.
The area, with a strong industrial heritage
associated with Mack Trucks and Bethlehem
Steel, now has a more diversified economy. It
also has a more diverse population, straying
far from its one-time Pennsylvania German
influence. Crime is at or above the national
average in various categories, with a notable
problem with drugs and gangs.
The DeSales campus, located in a quiet
suburban area, is relatively safe. Still, the
campus police have been diligent, recently
initiating a student escort program. Campus
crime violations seem to be for non-violent of-
fenses.
Allentown is located about one hour north
of Philadelphia along Route 309. New York
City is one and one-half-hours away. The lo-
cal road systems provide easy access to these
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major cities as well as to Harrisburg, the state
capital, about 75 miles west of Allentown.
There is no train service, but the Lehigh Val-
ley International Airport accommodates eight
regional commuter carriers. Major airports
are located at Philadelphia and Newark.
The Bottom Line
One long-time staff member at the university
told us, “The difference between DeSales to-
day and 18 years ago is like night and day. In
the 1980s, there was not much going on here
in terms of Catholic identity.” That’s different
now, and the Salesian identity is pervasive.
Today, there are a number of areas worthy
of praise, including a strong, orthodox de-
partment of philosophy and theology. What
is missing, surprisingly, is an engaged cam-
pus ministry that could address student spiri-
tual apathy.
The university has created some very
impressive and marketable majors for those
students whose primary focus is not the
strict liberal arts. These disciplines, includ-
ing sports management, have benefited from
DeSales’s Catholic values. Students here can
be exposed to a quality core curriculum and
receive a good education.
The Newman Guide