Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (English: University of the Sacred Heart), abbreviated "USC" and often called simply Sagrado, is a private Catholic university in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is one of the oldest and largest educational institutions in Puerto Rico with origins dating back to the 1880 establishment of an elementary school by the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Quick Facts Motto, Motto in English ...
University of the Sacred Heart
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
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Logotype of the University of the Sacred Heart
MottoLatin: Danti Mihi Sapientiam Dabo Gloriam
Motto in English
I will give glory to Him who gives me wisdom
TypePrivate university
Established1935; 89 years ago (1935)[1]
PresidentGilberto Marxuach Torrós
Academic staff
126
Students5,261
Undergraduates4,643
Postgraduates618
Location,
Puerto Rico

18.4425°N 66.0586°W / 18.4425; -66.0586
CampusUrban and suburban
Colors  Burgundy
NicknameDolphins
AffiliationsLiga Atlética Interuniversitaria
MascotDelfy and Daphne[2]
Websitewww.sagrado.edu
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The university is situated in an area which was urbanized in the first decades of the twentieth century with great residences that belonged to the privileged families of the time and is rich in architectural styles. Renowned architect Antonín Nechodoma located his residence in Monteflores and some residences designed by him are still in the area. Including buildings with the unique French-style neoclassic architectural characteristics of the residence of Pablo Ubarri, Count of Santurce, which is now the center of the university's main campus. Such buildings abound along with Puerto Rican adaptations of Victorian architecture. There are also homes in the "tropical" U.S. influenced Mission Revival, French-gothic, Spanish Colonial Revival, Prairie School, and several apartment structures of the "Art Deco" periods in Bouret street.[3]

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Seal of the Sacred Heart

History

It was the year 1880 when three nuns of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus landed on the docks of San Juan, coming from Havana, Cuba. Their mission was to establish in Puerto Rico the educational and spiritual work that just 80 years before Mother Madeleine Sophie Barat had begun in France.

At the beginning of the 20th century the institution acquired the Count of Santurce Estate and established the foundations of what makes-up today's campus.

In 1935, the local government issued the Letter Foundation, whereby it established the College of the Sacred Heart. Four years later, in 1939, the institution granted its first academic degrees. The original founding purpose was as an educational center for women in Puerto Rico to achieve ample knowledge, not only for their personal enrichment, but for the benefit of the territory.

In 1970, the religious order opted to transfer ownership and governance of the institution to the Board of Trustees (composed of some religious, but mostly lay members). This transition allowed for the notable expansion of academic offerings and student body.

In February 1972, a change in the institution's original vision took place. The Board of Trustees approved the establishment of an entirely co-ed institution. In December 1976, the Board of Trustees authorized the use of the new official name: "Universidad del Sagrado Corazon" (USC) or University of the Sacred Heart (USH). In 1985, the university established the first three graduate programs in: Education, Communications, and Business Administration.

In October 1984, Pope John Paul II held a mass at the university during the first and only Papal visit to Puerto Rico.[4]

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Emilio S. Belaval Theater (2012)

In 1990, the university began to limit the number of undergraduate students accepted, in order to raise academic standards.

In January 2019, the division of continuing education was rebranded Sagrado Global, the School of Professional Studies at Sagrado, and started offering professional certificates in Digital marketing, Data Analytics, and Graphic Design, among others. These professional certificates, some of which are also offered remotely, require taking 6 courses and can be completed in 1 year or less.

In 2019, the university had its first School of Music graduates with seven obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in music.[5] In 2019, Socorro Juliá- one of the oldest faces of the university was interviewed by El Vocero. She stated that she has been affiliated with the university since she was 5 years old, long before her religious calling.[6]

In 2019, the university joined forced with the Santurce Cultural Center in an initiative to help business owners by offering free business workshops and help local business explore ways to grow their business.[7]

Campus

Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...
Administration Building
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Panoramic view of the Administration Building, commonly known as El Portico.
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Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
LocationSanturce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Coordinates18°26′33″N 66°3′32″W
Built1906
ArchitectLuis Gonzalez, Jose Antonio Vilaro Canals
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.83004195
Added to NRHPOctober 26, 1983
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Campus collage

The campus of the University of the Sacred Heart is composed of 33 acres (130,000 m2) of undulating terrain and shading, from whose height can see panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding urban areas. In its abundant vegetation, highlighting forest of tropical plants that contribute to the freshness and beauty of the land University.

For the development of its activities, the university has the following facilities: the broad main building architecture classical, lifted at the beginning of the twentieth century, which today accommodates the administrative offices and in whose center is home to the Chapel of the Institution, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983,[8] the residence of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, the Information and Resource Center Modern facilities of the library. Then followed the student Residences, modern style, and south of the earlier, a complex structure consisting of classrooms, administrative and faculty offices, and an amphitheater.

The Mother Maria Teresa Guevara Library, one of the vital units of the university for his significant educational role, offers services to teachers, students, administrators and other members of the university community.

The Emilio S. Belaval Theater serves the development of a comprehensive program of artistic, cultural and academic development. A modern student center and sports complex to accommodate several service offices and fitness facilities, indoor stadium, tennis court, Olympic pool, meeting rooms and cafeteria.

Among the major academic resources at the disposal of the university, can be singled out the library, laboratories, Communication and technology education, science laboratories, languages, nursing and television studios and recordings.

Courses and certificates for working professionals are offered through Sagrado Global, the School of Professional Studies at Sagrado. With close to 4,000 annual participants, the primary disciplines taught at Sagrado Global include Data Science & Analytics, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, Entrepreneurship, Languages, Technology, Web Design, among others.

Accreditation and affiliations

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Logo of Sagrado's School of Professional Studies

The University of the Sacred Heart is accredited by the following regional institutions:

The school is affiliated with the following organizations:

  • Alliance Française
  • American Library Association
  • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
  • American Association for Higher Education
  • American Medical Association
  • American Association of University Administration
  • Association for Educational Communications and Technology
  • Association of Private Colleges and Universities
  • Manufacturers' Association of Puerto Rico
  • Association of University Presidents of Puerto Rico
  • Association of Universities and Research Institutes in the Caribbean
  • Association of American Colleges
  • Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
  • Association of Colleges and Universities Auditors
  • Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
  • Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico
  • College Entrance Examination Board
  • Council of International Education
  • International Federation of Catholic Universities
  • Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
  • International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
  • Institute of Internal Auditors
  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers
  • National Association of Colleges and Universities
  • National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
  • National Association of Student Financial Aid
  • National Student Exchange.

Presidents and rectors

  • 1951: Madre Dolores Sarre, RSCJ
  • 1951 - 1954: Madre Consuelo Herrera
  • 1954 - 1955: Madre Raquel Pérez
  • 1955 - 1967: Madre Rosa Aurora Arsuaga
  • 1968 - 1969: Madre Eleanor O'Byrne
  • 1969 - 1970: Madre María Milagros Carbonell
  • 1970 - 1972: Rafael García Bottari
  • 1972 - 1986: Pedro González Ramos
  • 1986 - 1992: José Alberto Morales
  • 1992 - 2014: José Jaime Rivera
  • 2014–Present: Gilberto Marxuach Torrós

Notable alumni

References

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