admin In the grand theatre of education, where the curtains are drawn back on the stage of learning, we find ourselves gazing at a narrative that dances between the shadows of disruption and the spotlight of resilience. Almost three years have passed since the symphony of academia was interrupted by an unforeseen intermission called the pandemic.
The campuses, once cloaked in an eerie silence, have now undergone a remarkable transformation. Dormant lecture halls and vacant courtyards, reminiscent of an academic ghost town, have stirred back to life with the animated cadence of students exchanging ideas, forging connections, and rediscovering the palpable energy that only in-person learning can evoke.
D’Youville, positioned as a top private institution in its region, demonstrated remarkable agility during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Swift and proactive, the college swiftly devised market-ready, innovative solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of both students and the community.
Persistent Service Culture
D’Youville College traces its origins to the 1700s through the legacy of Saint Marguerite d’Youville. Renowned for her resourcefulness and keen business acumen, the Grey Nuns’ foundress rescued the Montreal General Hospital from financial crisis. Under her leadership, the sisters not only revitalized and expanded the hospital but also constructed a church and established a home for abandoned children. In August 1857, the Grey Nuns extended their mission to Buffalo, where they initiated an academy. Securing a college charter from the state of New York in 1908, D’Youville College was established as the pioneer institution in Western New York to grant baccalaureate degrees to women. President Lorrie Clemo, Ph.D., emphasizes that while D’Youville’s primary focus is on educating students in the humanities, business, and health professions, the institution is guided by a fundamental commitment to ‘never refuse to serve.’
Wide Spectrum of Learning Opportunities
“Aligning programs with problem-solving in various areas, the college sets students on purposeful career paths” – Lorrie Clemo, PhD
Recognizing the privilege associated with university settings, D’Youville’s leadership emphasizes critical thinking about community roles. The college serves around 3000 students in 54 majors across four schools:
Patricia H. Garman School of Nursing: Offers various degrees in Nursing, Nursing Education, Nursing Management, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
School of Health Professions: Houses departments in Chiropractic, Exercise, Health Administration, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant.
School of Pharmacy: Offers degrees in Pharmaceutical Science, Pre-Pharmacy Early Assurance Program, and Doctor of Pharmacy.
School of Arts, Science, and Education: Includes departments in Biology, Business, Chemistry, Educational Leadership, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
D’Youville also provides thirteen online certificates through doctoral programs in majors like Business Management, Health Professions Education, Nursing Education, and Medical Ethics, accessible to students globally.
Inclusive Environment
“At D’Youville, students collaborate with forward-thinking, socially conscious faculty within a nurturing environment, enabling them to comprehend and tackle contemporary challenges,” affirms Lorrie. Situated in a residential neighborhood surrounded by parks, the college offers proximity to a vibrant city with a thriving startup sector, a robust healthcare economy, and a diverse sports and recreation scene.
Whether supporting one of D’Youville’s 15+ NCAA DII sports teams, attending a performance at the Kavinoky Theatre, studying in newly renovated student spaces, or engaging in one of the 40+ campus clubs, students fully embrace their college experience. Lorrie emphasizes that D’Youville’s mascot, the St. Bernard—strong, noble, service-oriented, yet playful and lovable—aptly mirrors the camaraderie, collaboration, and mutual respect found at D’Youville.
Providing Engaging, Experiential Learning
“D’Youville Without Boundaries focuses on beneficial partnerships with community organizations, offering students and employees opportunities to develop skills and values”
D’Youville focuses to asking students about the problems they are passionate about solving. According to Lorrie, when students are passionate, they succeed, and the college’s role is to equip them with the tools to fuel that passion. Aligning programs with problem-solving in various areas, the college sets students on purposeful career paths.
Lorrie emphasizes D’Youville College’s commitment to community service, with students engaging in thousands of hours annually. Programs like the Honours Program, Leadership Scholars, Cultural Enrichment Sector, and Student-Athlete Experiences enhance students’ leadership potential.
Emphasizing Collaborations
“D’Youville Without Boundaries focuses on beneficial partnerships with community organizations, offering students and employees opportunities to develop skills and values,” says Lorrie. The college has 43 local, 25 regional, and additional statewide and international partnerships. In 2020, D’Youville launched the Health Professions HUB, a 59,000 sq ft teaching clinic with interdisciplinary care and exclusive access for students.
Lorrie notes D’Youville’s proactive digitization efforts, making it the first in Western New York to transition to remote learning. The college introduced quick-to-market programs, free summer workshops, and partnerships to support high school students. Despite challenges, the Philanthropy Department achieved a successful online Giving Day, and over 5000 attended the digital graduation celebration on YouTube.
In 2021, new programs like SaintsCare provide students with mental health counseling through TimelyMD, aligning with D’Youville’s vision for increased digitization and accelerated learning.
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