Robert Morris University

Robert Morris University (RMU) is a private, coeducational university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The school was founded in 1921.

Like its Illinois namesake, Robert Morris University is named after Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and financier of the American Revolution. However, the two like-named universities are not affiliated with each other.

History
Robert Morris University originated in 1921 as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy, founded by Andrew Blass.

In 1962 the school purchased 230 acre in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania then granted the school permission to award associate degrees, and the school became Robert Morris Junior College. The school's main campus moved to suburban Moon Township during the 1964-65 academic year.

Before 2002, the university used the name "Robert Morris College". However, it is not affiliated with Robert Morris College in Chicago, Illinois. In 2009, that school was renamed "Robert Morris University Illinois."

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Robert Morris University. enrollment is approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

On May 20, 2005, University officials announced the selection of Gregory G. Dell'Omo, an administrator at St. Joseph's University, to replace long-time president Edward Nicholson. Dell'Omo was installed as president on August 1, 2005.

Campus
The core campus consists of a 230 acre (931,000 m²) tract in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh (near Pittsburgh International Airport).

The Robert Morris University 84 Lumber Arena is a sports and recreation facility located on Neville Island in the Ohio River just nine miles (14 km) from Downtown Pittsburgh. The Center is open to the public year-round. The 32 acre contain: an indoor hockey arena and a sports and golf dome, which accommodates an indoor 100 yr golf driving range, and field sports including soccer, lacrosse, softball, and youth baseball. The Center also has an outdoor 18-hole miniature golf course. The Center also features a health club and fitness center.

In the fall of 2011, Robert Morris University bought nearby Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport Hotel due to the university's growth and subsequent housing needs. Prior to the purchase, RMU had a relationship with Holiday Inn Pittsburgh. There are currently 144 students housed at the hotel, in separate floors from the hotel guests. The transition to student-only housing will begin slowly. The hotel will operate as a Holiday Inn through 2012 and possibly until the fall of 2013 with no major changes. The hotel has a conference room, banquet room and fitness center.

On September 27, 2012 the university opened the three floor Wheatley Center.

Academics
RMU offers 60 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs.

The university consists of five academic schools:


 * 1) the School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, which are AACSB accredited
 * 2) the School of Education and Social Sciences (TEAC accredited) offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs.
 * 3) the School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs.
 * 4) the School of Communications and Information Systems offers undergraduate (ABET accredited), graduate, and doctoral degree programs
 * 5) the School of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science offers undergraduate degree programs, including ABET-accredited engineering programs, and one graduate program.

RMU offers graduate degrees in 20 programs including:
 * Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership
 * Doctor of Nursing Practice
 * Doctor of Science in Information Systems and Communications
 * Master of Business Administration.

RMU additionally offers eight undergraduate and graduate degrees in a fully online format. These degrees include:
 * B.S. in Applied Psychology
 * B.S. in Organizational Studies
 * B.S. in Health Services
 * B.A. in English Studies
 * Pre-MBA Program
 * Master of Business Administration
 * M.S. in Organizational Studies
 * M.S. in Instructional Leadership
 * M.S. in Business Education

RMU also functions as a provider institution for the Online Consortium of Independent Colleges and Universities (OCICU).

Of the 3,773 undergraduate students, 84.7% are studying full time. The undergraduates are 55.5% male. Ninety percent of undergraduates receive financial aid.

Library
The library has branches at both the Moon Campus and at the Downtown Pittsburgh Campus. RMU participates in inter-library lending consortia PALINET and PALCI that allow RMU students to borrow books on site from most of the college and university libraries in the Pittsburgh area.

Athletics
Robert Morris' sports teams, nicknamed "the Colonials", use the school colors of blue and white. The Colonials compete in NCAA Division I (FCS, formerly Division I-AA, in football). Most of the school's sports participate in Northeast Conference. The men's ice hockey team competes in Atlantic Hockey, women's ice hockey team is a member of the College Hockey America, and women's rowing, which competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Robert Morris field men's teams in: basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and track & field. Women's teams are: basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

Notable alumni

 * Joseph Hogan, CEO of ABB Group
 * Hank Fraley, offensive lineman for the St. Louis Rams originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles
 * Tim Hall, former NFL running back with the Oakland Raiders
 * Kevin Colbert, General Manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Jerry Bowyer, American radio and broadcasting host
 * Musa Shannon, Liberian footballer
 * Ryan Cruthers, professional ice hockey player
 * Brianne McLaughlin, 2010 Winter Olympics women's ice hockey team
 * Robin R. Sanders, United States Ambassador to Nigeria (2007-2010)