Manhattan College: An Inside Look
Deepika Mehra
Issue date: 8/31/05 Section: Features
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Manhattan College was established in 1853, says the Manhattan College Student Handbook, "the College is founded upon the Lasallian Catholic tradition of excellence in teaching, respect for individual dignity, and commitment to social justice inspired by the innovator of modern pedagogy, John Baptist de la Salle."
According to the Student Handbook, the mission of Manhattan College is to "provide a contemporary, person-centered educational experience characterized by high academic standards, reflection on values and principles, and life-long career preparation."
Signum Fidei is an organization of Lasallian communities of Brothers and lay people, motivated by their drive to improve human lives, especially among the poor and outcasts, to bring the Gospel principles to present-day culture. People who abide by these principles become symbols of God's love. They set the examples of selfless giving of themselves, particularly with the poor. This is most visible in their work as professional educators. With this trait, they become perceiving Christians who constantly mold themselves to be living examples as they strive for continued growth. They constantly re-invent themselves to develop in all facets of the human person to grow more Christ-like in their lives. Signum Fidei means "sign of faith," in this instance the faith, which leads each Signum Fidei member to respond to a special call of God to the Lasallian apostolate. This call is special because it requires sharing in the ministry of the Christian Brothers by following the journey of St. John Baptist de La Salle. Also, it means undertaking a mission, a gospel ministry, which must be nurtured by a life of private and shared prayer.
Br. Thomas J. Scanlan, F.S.C., was appointed president of Manhattan College in 1987. Every year Manhattan celebrates Founder's day in April. This whole week is celebrated in order to remember De La Salle who founded Manhattan College. It is one way to make students aware of college's heritage and its traditions. On the cover of the undergraduate course catalogue is the symbol of college that distinguishes it from other colleges and the sign shows that it is a catholic institution.
The unique nickname of the Manhattan College athletic teams, the Jaspers, comes from one of the College's most memorable figures, Brother Jasper of Mary, F.S.C., who served at the College in the late 19th century.
One of the greatest achievements of Brother Jasper was that he brought the then little-known sport of baseball to Manhattan College and became the team's first coach. Since Brother was also the Prefect of Discipline, he supervised the student fans at Manhattan College Baseball games while also directing the team itself. During one particularly warm and humid day when Manhattan College was playing a semi-pro baseball team called the Metropolitans, Brother Jasper noticed the Manhattan students were becoming restless and edgy as Manhattan came to bat in the seventh inning of a close game. To relieve the tension, Brother Jasper called time-out and told the students to stand up and stretch for a few minutes until the game resumed.
Since the College annually played the New York Giants in the late 1880's and into the 1890's at the Polo Grounds, the Manhattan College practice of the "seventh inning stretch" spread into the major leagues, where it has now become a time-honored custom practiced by millions of fans annually.
Today, Manhattan College includes five undergraduate schools: Arts, Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Education and Human Services, as well as a Graduate Division. "Full-time undergraduate enrollment is approximately 3,000 students in 42 major fields of study. Including graduate and evening session students, Manhattan College's total enrollment is 3,500."