{{Short description|Catholic university in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.}} {{primary sources|date=December 2010}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox university | name = Alvernia University | image_name = Seal of Alvernia University.svg | image_size = 150 | logo = Alvernia University Logo.PNG | former_name = Alvernia College (1958–2008) | motto = {{langx|la|Doceat Christus vos facere.}} | mottoeng = To Learn, To Love, To Serve | established = 1958 | type = Private university | religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic (Bernardine Sisters) | president = Glynis Fitzgerald | city = Reading | state = Pennsylvania | country = U.S. | students = 2,796 (fall 2024)<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Demographics |url=https://www.alvernia.edu/sites/default/files/documents/Studetnt%20Demographics.pdf |publisher=Alvernia University}}</ref> | undergrad = 2,314 (fall 2024) | postgrad = 482 (fall 2024) | other = | campus = Suburban, {{convert|121|acre|ha|1}} | coordinates = {{coord|40.309|-75.936|region:US-PA_type:edu|display=title,inline}} | mascot = Golden Wolves<ref name=New_nickname /> | colors = {{Color sample|#aa2840}}{{Color sample|#F7BE38}} Maroon and gold | athletics_affiliations = NCAA Division III – MAC Commonwealth Conference, ECAC | academic_affiliations = ACCU<br>AFCU<br>CIC<br>NAICU | website = {{url|http://www.alvernia.edu/}} | logo_size = 200 }}

'''Alvernia University''' is a private Franciscan university in Reading, Pennsylvania. Founded as '''Alvernia College''' in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of St. Francis, the school gained university status in 2008.

==History==

Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis first as college for the sisters and then as a four-year liberal arts college.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alvernia.edu/about/franciscan-heritage/founding-history-alvernia-university|title=Founding History of Alvernia University {{!}} Alvernia University|website=www.alvernia.edu|access-date=2019-02-21}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alvernia.edu/about/franciscan-heritage/history-timeline|title=History & Timeline {{!}} Alvernia University|website=www.alvernia.edu|access-date=2019-02-21}}</ref> Many of the college's renovated classrooms and offices had been used for elementary and secondary education before 1958. The college's first building, Francis Hall, was built in 1926 and originally housed an orphanage.<ref name=":0" /> Alvernia received its charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1960 and was first accredited in 1967 by the Commission of Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.<ref name=":1" /> In 1961, the college accepted its first lay female students. In 1971, it admitted its first male commuting students, and in 1973, the first male resident students were admitted.<ref name=":1" />

In 2008, Alvernia College celebrated its 50th anniversary and was granted university status, taking on the name Alvernia University, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.<ref name=":1" />

==Academics== {{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}} thumb|left|alt=Alvernia University Franco Library in Reading, PA|Alvernia University Franco Library Alvernia offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors. Pre-professional programs are available in dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary studies. Master's degrees are awarded in occupational therapy, business administration, nursing, community counseling, education, and liberal studies. Alvernia offers a seven-year Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program. A Doctor of Philosophy in leadership is also available.

Since 1967, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools or its successor has granted Alvernia accreditation. The Education program for elementary and secondary teachers is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Occupational Therapy program is fully accredited by the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing has approval by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Athletic Training. The Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Behavioral Health courses are certified by the Pennsylvania Certification Board. The Business Department is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

===Library=== Library holdings include 100,000 print, audiovisual, and computer materials; approximately 900 periodicals; and 400 current subscriptions. The library supports Polish-American and Italian-American cultural centers.<ref name="library">{{cite web | url = http://www.alvernia.edu/library/index.html | title = Dr. Frank A. Franco Library Learning Center | publisher = Alvernia University | access-date = December 24, 2011}}</ref>

== List of presidents == * John Loyack * Glynis Fitzgerald (2023-present)

==Athletics== thumb|Alvernia athletics wordmark Alvernia's intercollegiate teams, now known as the Golden Wolves but previously known as the Crusaders,<ref name=New_nickname>{{cite web |url=http://www.alvernia.edu/news/university-nickname-june17/nickname-news-release.html |title=Alvernia University Announces New University Nickname |author=Alvernia University |date=June 15, 2017 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617235112/https://www.alvernia.edu/news/university-nickname-june17/nickname-news-release.html | archive-date=June 17, 2017}}</ref> compete at the NCAA Division III level in the Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC), a highly competitive conference, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alvernia University Athletics |url=http://athletics.alvernia.edu/sports/2005/8/17/aboutathletics.aspx?tab=aboutathletics|work=Division III level MAC ECAC|publisher=AU Athletics|access-date=3 May 2012}}</ref> Men's sports include football, since 2018, wrestling, since 2019, baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track & field and volleyball, while women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance, field hockey, ice hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}} * [https://auwolves.com/ Athletics website]

{{Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania}} {{Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities}} {{Reading, Pennsylvania}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown}} {{Middle Atlantic Conferences navbox}} {{authority control}}

Category:Alvernia University Category:Franciscan universities and colleges Category:Catholic universities and colleges in Pennsylvania Category:Universities and colleges in Berks County, Pennsylvania Category:Buildings and structures in Reading, Pennsylvania Category:Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Category:Universities and colleges established in 1958 Category:1958 establishments in Pennsylvania