Rivier University


Rivier University, formerly Rivier College, is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Nashua, New Hampshire. Rivier is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.. Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The institution is also regulated by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Rivier is recognized for its on-campus and online degree programs.

History

Rivier University, formerly Rivier College, was founded in 1933 by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in Hudson, New Hampshire. The congregation named the college in honor of its foundress, Anne-Marie Rivier. In 1941, the college moved to its present campus location in Nashua. The university was incorporated in 1935 and granted the authority to offer both graduate and undergraduate level programs. The university is dedicated to Anne Marie Rivier's mission of Catholic social teaching and serving the economically disadvantaged.
On January 15, 1960, Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, visited Rivier College shortly after leaving the City Hall Plaza in Nashua, where he announced his candidacy for president of the United States.
In 1991, the college became coeducational, admitting its first male undergraduate students. Rivier College was renamed Rivier University on July 1, 2012.
PresidentsTerm of office
1.Sr. Madeleine of Jesus, p.m.1933 - 1946
2.Sr. St. Pascal, p.m.1947 - 1953
3.Sr. Marie-Carmella, p.m.1953 – 1955
4.Sr. Adelard-Marie, p.m.1955 – 1957
5.Sr. Clarice Dion, p.m.1957 – 1969
6.Sr. Gloria Lemieux, p.m.1969 – 1973
7.Sr. Doris Benoit, p.m.1974 – 1980
8.Sr. Jeanne Perreault, p.m.1980 – 1997
9.Sr. Lucille Thibodeau, p.m.1997 – 2001
10.William Farrell2001 - 2011
11.Sr. Paula Marie Buley, IHM2011 - present

Academics

Rivier University enrolls approximately 2,500 students. It includes the School of Undergraduate Studies, which includes traditional day programs and a Professional Studies Division for undergraduate online and evening programs, and the School of Graduate Studies. Rivier is a member of the New Hampshire College & University Council, a consortium of institutions of higher learning. The university offers traditional courses, online courses, and hybrid courses. Rivier University's campus consists of 44 buildings spread over in Nashua, New Hampshire.
, the largest major at Rivier is teacher education, which comprises 30% of the undergraduates, while the second largest major is nursing, which comprises 26% of the undergraduates. Other popular majors include criminal justice, psychology, and business.

Student life

Rivier University has four residence halls - Trinity, Guild, Presentation, and Brassard - which accommodate 421 students. Rivier offers intercollegiate club sports and has a student activities office, a multicultural office, counseling center, career development center, and campus ministry. Rivier has a chapter of Habitat for Humanity. There is a Model United Nations Club, a Business Club, a Biology Club, an Alliance Club, and numerous other organizations. Students typically join clubs based on the focus of their undergraduate education, but club membership is open to any interested student. Student clubs and activities are student-run, some with faculty advisors. Club funding is delineated through the school's Student Government Association.

Athletics

Rivier University teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. The Raiders are a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.