Susquehanna University


Susquehanna University is a private [Liberal Art school|arts colleges in the United States|liberal arts college] in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States. Its name is derived from the original Susquehannock settlers of the region. Founded in 1858 as a missionary institute, it became a four-year liberal arts college in 1895. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In addition to an arts and sciences focus, Susquehanna has a business school, master's degrees in education, and joint-degree programs in engineering and for a Master of Business Administration.
The academic programs are within the four schools of the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, and the AACSB International-accredited Sigmund Weis School of Business. Susquehanna University enrolls more than 2,200 undergraduate students from 33 states and 23 countries, and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.
WWW susqu.edu/𝕏 susquehannauFB SusquehannaU

History

Founding and early years

The institution was founded by Benjamin Kurtz, its first president. Having already assisted in the founding of Gettysburg Seminary, Kurtz wanted to create another institution to serve American Lutheranism.
Kurtz's mission was to "educate men for the gospel ministry... who cannot take a full course of training adapted to their age and circumstances." The American Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, provided 50 students, pledged $22,000, and offered the provisional use of its church facilities. However, they stipulated that the institute be expanded to a junior college and that a sister college for women also be formed.
On September 1, 1858, the Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Susquehanna Female College were established and legally recognized 23 days later. It had two departments: the theology department and the classical department. In 1873, the sister college disbanded and the institute became co-educational.
The institute officially became known as Susquehanna University in 1895.

20th century

The 20th century brought many changes. The institution had recently begun offering bachelor degrees and changed its name to reflect that. In 1903, the board approved Susquehanna’s colors, orange and maroon.
By the 1920s, student enrollment skyrocketed, accommodations were refurbished and the campus expanded, and academic departments and offerings were enhanced.

Academics

Susquehanna University is devoted primarily to undergraduate education. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Susquehanna has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 with 93% of full-time faculty holding a doctorate or highest equivalent degree.
The institution offers more than 100 majors, minors and programs and allows students to design their own major, complete a double degree, or start undeclared. Susquehanna offers pre-professional programs in pre-law, pre-veterinary medicine and teaching, and coordinates degrees with several other universities. In 2016, an average of 96% of graduates were enrolled in graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.

Organization and administration

Susquehanna University consists of four schools: School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural and Social Sciences, and the Sigmund Weis School of Business.

Rankings

PublicationRankYearReferences
Wall Street Journal191st best college in the United States2026
U.S. News & World Report96th best liberal arts college in the United States2026
U.S. News & World Report38th best value school in the United States2026
Forbes25th best private schools with generous aid in the United States2026
New York Times71st top U.S. college for students’ economic diversity2024
MoneyBest Colleges in America2025
Princeton Review"Best 391 Colleges" in the United States2026
Princeton Review"Best Green Colleges" in the United States2025
Princeton Review"Best Mid-Atlantic Schools" in the United States2026

Study abroad

The GO Program, as part of a school policy adopted in 2009, requires all Susquehanna students go off-campus for cross-cultural learning. Students have a choice between GO Short programs of 2–3 weeks or semester-long GO Long programs. In 2013, the GO Program was awarded the Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education

Campus

The Susquehanna University campus spans in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. There are more than 50 buildings on campus, primarily in the style of Georgian architecture. The campus has four buildings that are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council: two residence halls, the Natural Sciences Center, and the Admission House.
Students are guaranteed housing all four years, and nearly all students live on campus.

Selinsgrove and Seibert halls

Selinsgrove Hall is a -story brick structure constructed in 1858 in the Italianate style. The roof features a wooden cupola and the structure was previously featured on the institution's logo. Seibert Hall is a -story brick structure constructed in 1902 in a restrained Colonial Revival style. Both Selinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Admission House

In 2017, the institution dedicated a $7 million space to welcome prospective students and families. According to the Susquehanna's website, Admission House was funded through contributions from the board of trustees. Unlike most other buildings on campus, the Admission House has a white facade instead of a naturally red-brick exterior. The building was designed by architect Peter Bohlin of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson as a modern take on a barn.

Natural Sciences Center

The Natural Sciences Center is a $32-million academic building that houses Susquehanna’s biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, neuroscience, ecology, health care studies, and pre-professional programs. It received Silver LEED certification. The building was dedicated in 2010.

Solar array

In 2018, Susquehanna University completed a solar array with WGL Energy to supply 30 percent of the institution's electricity. At the time, it was the largest college- or university-sponsored solar array in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest solar projects in the Commonwealth. The 12,000-panel array is estimated to produce over 5,300 megawatt hours of electricity per year.

Student life

Susquehanna University offers more than 150 student clubs and organizations, a variety of honor societies and professional organizations, and 13 Greek organizations, including four National Panhellenic Conference sororities, one National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority, one National Interfraternity Music Council fraternity for women, four Interfraternity Council fraternities, one National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity, one National Interfraternity Music Council fraternity, and the Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service fraternity.

Traditions

First-Year Students' Move In Day welcomes first-year students by sending team members to help carry new students' belongings into their dorm rooms. Many faculty and staff assist.
Thanksgiving Dinner is held prior to students leaving for Thanksgiving vacation. Students are served a turkey dinner by faculty, staff, and the president.
Christmas Candlelight Service is held in Weber Auditorium with songs, readings, and prayers.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas sees students come to the campus center dressed in their pajamas and indulge in cookies and cocoa while enjoying a reading of the classic Christmas tale.

Clubs and organizations

Academic interest

There are a variety of academic clubs and organizations in the fields of business, education, music, sciences, foreign languages, and communications.

Publications and media

  • Writing majors have publication opportunities in the student-run Essay Magazine and Rivercraft in addition to the writing departments' annual magazine, The Susquehanna Review, which seeks submissions from undergraduate writing majors internationally.
  • Topic specific student publications include Sanctuary, a literary magazine that features sci-fi and fantasy; Flagship, a publication that features creative work and photography that focuses on students' GO program experiences; and The Squirrel, a student-run newspaper that offers a humorous, critical, and constructive perspective on the news.
  • The institution's student-run newspaper, The Quill, covers campus events, activities, and athletics, and provides a forum for the opinions of members of the campus community.
  • WQSU, The Pulse, is the institution's 12,000-watt radio station, making it the third most powerful college radio station and the tenth most powerful non-commercial radio station in Pennsylvania. Broadcasts can be heard at a 70-mile radius, which is approximately one-third of the state of Pennsylvania. The station is operated by students, faculty and staff as well as community volunteers, and features a wide variety of music and talk programs including regularly scheduled news broadcasts.
  • The Lanthorn is Susquehanna's yearbook.

Performing arts

In addition to the student-run clubs and organizations that focused on music and dance, many ensembles are sponsored and count toward major or elective credit requirements.
The University Choir, Chorale, and Chamber Singers are the three vocal performance groups open to all students by audition, and the instrumental offerings range from small ensembles to pep bands to the University Symphonic Band.

Religious life

There are eight religious life organizations at Susquehanna. In addition, students as well as the general public have the opportunity to attend Lutheran services held Sunday mornings on campus.

Athletics

Susquehanna competes in 23 varsity sports in Division III of the NCAA. All sports compete as part of the Landmark Conference with other Northeastern colleges.
Susquehanna is also a member of the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference. Cheerleading is Susquehanna's 24th varsity team.
The athletics complex includes a field house, 3,500-seat Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium, Douglas Arthur '49 Field, Clyde H. Jacobs Fitness Center, 1,100-seat Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium, a natatorium with a 25-yard swimming and diving pool, tennis courts, racquetball courts, and Sassafras Softball Field and a multipurpose field.
In 2022, Susquehanna won the Landmark Conference President's Trophy for the best overall athletics program, which is based on conference regular-season and postseason competition. It was the fifth time Susquehanna won the trophy, tying it with Moravian University, as one of two conference teams to most often win the trophy since it was created in 2008.
The football team competes in two annual trophy contests. The Goal Post Trophy goes to the winner of the annual football game with rival Juniata College. Susquehanna football also plays Lycoming College for The Stagg Hat Trophy.
In October 2015, Susquehanna University's board of trustees elected to replace the Crusaders nickname and mascot. On April 2, 2016, the University announced River Hawks as the new nickname. “Benny the Hawk” was introduced on October 29, 2016 as the new mascot.

Notable alumni

Notable faculty and administration