You might have heard of Bellarmine University recently and thought 鈥榟ey, who is that?鈥
That makes sense. Bellarmine鈥檚 name is getting out there now, more than ever before.
We are a small, thriving university on the rise, earning accolades for our excellent, student-centric education. And, our athletics program just moved to NCAA Division I in the ASUN Conference, so our teams are fiercely competing throughout the Southeast.
But, there鈥檚 so much more to the story. You need a proper introduction.
Here are a few things that define Bellarmine and make us who we are:
1. Liberal arts.
We鈥檙e a private, liberal arts university. A liberal arts degree is a highly sought-after degree because it emphasizes critical thinking, diverse learning, research skills and the ability to work productively with others. Ours is a tradition of academic excellence that鈥檚 accessible to everyone.
2. We鈥檙e affordable.
Bellarmine guarantees a scholarship award to 100 percent of admitted first-year students. Last year, the Financial Aid鈥痮ffice鈥痮ffered an average comprehensive award鈥痮f nearly鈥$38,000 (including loan opportunities) for the incoming class.鈥疊ellarmine鈥檚鈥疨ublic Price Promise鈥痝rants qualifying students the opportunity to attend Bellarmine by matching the overall cost of their state鈥檚 flagship university.
3. We鈥檙e in Louisville, Kentucky.
There鈥檚 a lot to love about鈥 living in Louisville, a major urban center that embodies the charms of the Midwest and the South. It鈥檚 a mecca for music, art, great restaurants鈥痑nd the outdoors. And, it has a bustling economy for employment opportunities. Bellarmine鈥檚 campus is nestled in the Highlands, an eclectic, walkable neighborhood near downtown, filled with independent businesses, coffee shops and art galleries.
4. We value inclusivity.鈥
Hospitality has long been a cultural cornerstone at Bellarmine. 鈥淗ospitality is woven into everything we do on campus among all students, faculty and staff. Inclusivity is a key aspect of that,鈥 said Bryan Hamann, director of strategic initiatives and special projects at Bellarmine.鈥疶he university not only welcomes鈥痵tudents of all backgrounds but has also established initiatives and programs to help create an even more equitable academic environment. The 鈥疍iversity Peer Educator鈥(DPE)鈥疨rogram, which strengthens inclusivity through student leaders who serve as ambassadors and educators, is a good example. 鈥淭hese students work in partnership with housing and residence life to promote diversity and inclusion within our residence halls,鈥 Hamann said. 鈥淎nd they also partner with our鈥 Office of Identity and Inclusion鈥痶o advise, train鈥痑nd coach.鈥
5. We鈥檙e civic-minded.
If you鈥檝e always felt a duty to give back to your community, you鈥檒l quickly find common ground with other students at Bellarmine. Volunteer involvement on campus and the surrounding community is more common than not. You could even start something entirely new, which is exactly what happened when one student recognized that food insecurity was an issue.鈥淭hey helped create our first food pantry, which is now called鈥Knights Pantry,鈥濃疕amann says.鈥淚t鈥檚 now overseen by鈥痑 completely student-run board.鈥濃
The university is laser-focused on giving students the experiences they need in the classroom and work world to begin and progress through their careers.
6. We鈥檙e outcomes-oriented.
At Bellarmine, students start with their end goals in mind. The university is laser-focused on giving students the experiences they need in the classroom and work world to begin and progress through their careers. Experiential learning is a critical part of the Bellarmine experience, so much so, the鈥痷niversity guarantees鈥痚very student will have the opportunity to land an internship, develop a career plan and build a professional network. That solid start spells lasting success. Bellarmine tracks and analyzes graduate outcomes on an ongoing basis and finds that:
- On average, Knights get hired and make more money than graduates from other universities. The average starting salary for BU grads is $50,000. For those who choose to pursue a graduate degree, the average salary is $68,000.
- Bellarmine graduates have the highest earning potential of any Kentucky university 10 years after graduation and earn the highest mid-career salaries of any university in the state.
- 91 percent of Bellarmine graduates are working within their field of study.
7. We鈥檙e a tight-knit bunch.
Bellarmine鈥檚 small, welcoming campus and numerous support groups make for an environment rich in鈥痳elationships.鈥疶here are more than 70 student-created and led鈥痝roups on campus and鈥痬ost鈥痵tudents belong to at least one of them.鈥Bellarmine鈥檚鈥痩earning communities鈥痑nd specialty programs鈥痑lso help students get鈥痗onnected and make friends, receive support from faculty and staff, and get involved at Bellarmine and beyond. The university also maintains a 12-1 student ratio, which means classroom connections are鈥痚asily made with other students鈥痑nd鈥痯rofessors.
8. Our campus is truly beautiful.
Bellarmine is perched atop rolling hills, overlooking the woods and fields of nearby Joe Creason park. Campus boasts many architectural beauties, including Our Lady of the Woods Chapel, a masterpiece of glass, wood and steel.
That鈥檚 just a little about us. We鈥檇 love to further introduce ourselves and meet you, too! Visit us anytime you like, online or in person.