Bryn Athyn College
Encyclopedia
Bryn Athyn College is a small, private
Christian liberal arts college
located 20 miles (32.2 km) northeast of Philadelphia in the borough of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
, a National Historic Landmark District. Bryn Athyn is affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem
.
, a religious body based on the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg
. A generous endowment from John Pitcairn
and others enabled the Academy of the New Church to very quickly expand from a seminary into a high school and a two-year college. In 1914 it became a four-year college and by 1922 the College was conferring both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. In 1997, the Academy of the New Church College adopted a new name: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.
Today, while remaining grounded in the tenets of the New Church and the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, the College is growing rapidly. In August 2008 the College opened several new student residence cottages, and broke ground for a new science center and a new admissions and student life building, both of which were completed in September 2009.
in New York City
. The campus is located in the borough of Bryn Athyn, in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
Much of the College's 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) campus is undeveloped open land, and the nearby Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust supplements the natural surroundings with eight miles (13 km) of trails following a creek through woods and fields.
Completed Fall 2008, a set of five family-style residence buildings are home to many of Bryn Athyn's upperclass students.
Grant R. Doering Center for Science and Research (2009)
The College’s state-of-the-art LEED
certified science building contains classrooms, offices, and research facilities.
Theodore and Sally Brickman Center for Student Life and Admissions (2009);
The Brickman Student Life Center houses admissions offices, the president's office, student dining, and spaces for student life activities.
Glencairn Museum's ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman, medieval Christian, Islamic, Asian, and Native American collections educate visitors on the history of religion. The Museum was built between 1928 and 1939 as a home for Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn. In 1979 the building was donated to the Academy of the New Church to serve as the school's museum of medieval and religious art.
At Glencairn, Bryn Athyn students take classes, volunteer, intern, attend events, and of course, take advantage of the Museum's collections.
Bryn Athyn Cathedral
Bryn Athyn Cathedral is the center of an active New Church community and serves as a religious center for Bryn Athyn College students. Construction on the Gothic revivalist architecture began in 1913, and carried on until the late 1920s.
In Bryn Athyn Cathedral there are no right angles or straight lines. The walls of the building are skewed against each other, bowing out in the middle only to return at the opposite wall. Bryn Athyn students attend Sunday worship services, stroll through the gardens, and attend the student-organized vespers services on Sunday evenings.
Cairnwood Estate
Cairnwood was designed by the renowned architectural firm Carrére and Hastings
and was completed in 1895. It served as the home of John Pitcairn
, founder of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company
, and his wife Gertrude until 1916, after which it stood vacant for years. In 1994, the Academy of the New Church renovated the building. Cairnwood now functions as a cultural and hospitality center serving the College, community, and surrounding area.
, a branch of Christianity based on the Bible
and the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg
. The College regularly offers religious courses, a religion major, and a number of worship services.
Education at Bryn Athyn emphasizes the practical application of truth to life and encourages students to connect their spiritual beliefs to both their studies and their daily lives. Student conduct policies are guided by moral principles, with a particular emphasis on acting honestly, respectfully, and charitably and living a life of useful service.
Mission Statement: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church serves as an intellectual center for all who desire to pursue a higher education in the liberal arts and sciences, enriched and structured by the Old
and New Testament
s and the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg
. The purpose of this education is to enhance students' civil, moral, and spiritual lives, as well as to contribute to human spiritual welfare.http://www.brynathyn.edu/academics/philosophy.html
The College’s educational philosophy is grounded in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg and the benefits of a liberal arts
program. The curriculum is supported by a strong emphasis on experiential learning.
The College offers majors in Biology, Education, English, History, Religion, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The Interdisciplinary Studies (ID) program allows students to combine two curricular areas into a single area of study.
Interdisciplinary Areas of Study:
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1 and an average class size of 9, all courses are taught by professors. The academic program focuses on experiential learning and a solid liberal-arts foundation known as the Core Program.
The Core Program is made up of skills and perspectives. Skills courses include instruction in information literacy; language, mathematics, or programming; public presentation; quantitative analysis; service learning and internships; and writing. Perspectives focused courses address issues of spiritual, moral, and civil issues and include instruction in aesthetics, history and the social sciences, physical health, sciences, and world views.
Internships
Students can undertake intern positions as early as the spring of freshman year, and many students participate in multiple internships and service opportunities during their time at Bryn Athyn. The College has several established internship opportunities: technical director at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, biology research at the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, medical research at Thomas Jefferson University
in Philadelphia, and an education internship at Glencairn Museum
. Since all Bryn Athyn students are required to participate in experiential learning, they are encouraged to pursue internships worldwide in their fields of interest.
Service Learning
Service is an active part of Bryn Athyn College’s culture. Students can earn credit for their service in a variety of ways: internships, community service, College newspaper editor, coaching, service trips, choir, or joining the College’s student-led service group Charity, Action, Responsibility, Experience (CARE). CARE organizes local activities like campus clean-ups, field trips to spend time with the children at HELP Philadelphia, or longer service trips over weekends or breaks. Some past service trip locations were Pittsburgh, Boston
, Mississippi
, the Dominican Republic
, and the Bahamas. In fall 2008, for the third year in a row, students traveled to Pearlington, Mississippi
to help in the Hurricane Katrina
relief effort.
Study Abroad
Bryn Athyn College's study abroad program is rapidly expanding. The College’s premier program is the Bordeaux Exchange Program with the Université Michel Montaigne-Bordeaux
in southwest France, and they also have exchange agreements with Universities in Korea
, Germany
, and Sweden
. Whether or not they know the language, students can study there for one or two terms as early as sophomore year. In addition to formal study abroad programs, the College also helps students arrange internships or service trips throughout the world. In the past, students have studied, served, and worked in England
, Sweden
, Australia
, New Zealand
, Brazil
, South Africa
, Nepal
, Costa Rica
, Mexico
, Ghana
, and more.
Deer Study
In conjunction with the nearby Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, the College is conducting a Deer Study to track white-tailed deer in the area. Beginning in 2006, the team has been following deer tagged with GPS/GSM radio collars to investigate deer management strategies, habitat restoration, and molecular genetics.
Women's Volleyball
Volleyball Club
Men's Indoor Soccer
Men's Lacrosse
Men's Soccer
Men's Ice Hockey
Badminton Club
Softball Club
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Dance Ensemble
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Students with any level of experience can participate in the College’s annual winter production, a main-stage play or musical with students serving as cast and crew members, costume and set designers. Some recent Bryn Athyn College productions include The Glass Menagerie
, Antigone
, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
, Wit
, Into the Woods
, The Crucible
, The Miracle Worker
, and more. College plays are performed at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, a newly renovated theater on campus.
The Bryn Athyn Orchestra and College Chorale are the primary opportunities for musicians at the College. Students can audition to be a part of the Orchestra, and anyone can take the chorale class. Some students join other community members in participating in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir, which sings regularly at worship services at Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Special choirs are formed to present the Bach Magnificat
at Christmastime and Faure Requiem on Good Friday. A joint student-faculty group, Bryn Athyn College ROCKS!, regularly hosts concerts to raise money for the new science center for the College or the Hurricane Katrina
relief effort.
CARE – community service organization
Social Committee – plans social activities
Outing Club – plans outdoor recreation and adventures
Business Club – promotes interest in business
International Student Organization – supports and celebrates international students
The Beacon – College newspaper
Sunday Night Thing – student-led vespers service and discussion groups
Private university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
Christian liberal arts college
Liberal arts college
A liberal arts college is one with a primary emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences.Students in the liberal arts generally major in a particular discipline while receiving exposure to a wide range of academic subjects, including sciences as well as the traditional...
located 20 miles (32.2 km) northeast of Philadelphia in the borough of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
Bryn Athyn is a home rule municipality, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was formerly a borough, and its official name remains "Borough of Bryn Athyn". The population was 1,375 at the 2010 census...
, a National Historic Landmark District. Bryn Athyn is affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem
General Church of the New Jerusalem
The General Church of the New Jerusalem is an international church based in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, and based on the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg...
.
History
Bryn Athyn College has been educating undergraduates since its incorporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1877. Then known as the Academy of the New Church, its original purpose was (like most institutions of higher learning in those days) to train ministers. In 1890 the Academy established a separate organization: the General Church of the New JerusalemGeneral Church of the New Jerusalem
The General Church of the New Jerusalem is an international church based in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, and based on the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg...
, a religious body based on the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg
Emanuel Swedenborg
was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian. He has been termed a Christian mystic by some sources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica online version, and the Encyclopedia of Religion , which starts its article with the description that he was a "Swedish scientist and mystic." Others...
. A generous endowment from John Pitcairn
John Pitcairn, Jr.
John Pitcairn, Jr. was a Scottish-born American industrialist. With just an elementary school education, Pitcairn rose through the ranks of the Pennsylvania railroad industry, and played a significant role in the creation of the modern oil and natural gas industries...
and others enabled the Academy of the New Church to very quickly expand from a seminary into a high school and a two-year college. In 1914 it became a four-year college and by 1922 the College was conferring both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. In 1997, the Academy of the New Church College adopted a new name: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.
Today, while remaining grounded in the tenets of the New Church and the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, the College is growing rapidly. In August 2008 the College opened several new student residence cottages, and broke ground for a new science center and a new admissions and student life building, both of which were completed in September 2009.
Campus
The College's original campus and surrounding community of Bryn Athyn were designed in 1893 by Charles Eliot of the firm Olmstead, Olmstead, and Eliot – the renowned firm responsible for the design of Central ParkCentral Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The campus is located in the borough of Bryn Athyn, in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
Much of the College's 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) campus is undeveloped open land, and the nearby Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust supplements the natural surroundings with eight miles (13 km) of trails following a creek through woods and fields.
Facilities
- Pendleton Hall (Classrooms, Main College Office, Offices, Auditorium)
- Swedenborg Library (Library, Archives, Computer Lab)
- Asplundh Field House (Athletic Facility)
- Mitchell Performing Arts Center (Theater)
- Fine Arts Center (Fine Arts Facilities, Classrooms)
- Dining Hall
- Childs Hall (Housing)
- Grant Hall (Housing)
- Residence Cottages (Housing)
- College Grounds Café
- Grant R. Doering Center for Science and Research (Completed Fall 2009)
- Brickman Center for Student Life and Admissions (Completed Fall 2009)
- Jungé Ice Rink and Pavilion (Athletic/Recreational Facility)
- Social Center
- Glencairn MuseumGlencairn MuseumGlencairn Museum, located on 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, is a New Church-affiliated museum of religious history on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses a collection of about 8,000 mostly religious artwork from many cultures as diverse as ancient Egyptian, ancient...
- Bryn Athyn CathedralBryn Athyn CathedralBryn Athyn Cathedral is the episcopal seat of The General Church of the New Jerusalem, a denomination of "The New Church." The main building is of the Early Gothic style, while the adjoining structures are of a transitional period reflective of a combination of both Gothic and Norman styles...
- Cairnwood Mansion (Special Events Facility)
New Constructions
Residence CottagesCompleted Fall 2008, a set of five family-style residence buildings are home to many of Bryn Athyn's upperclass students.
Grant R. Doering Center for Science and Research (2009)
The College’s state-of-the-art LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certified science building contains classrooms, offices, and research facilities.
Theodore and Sally Brickman Center for Student Life and Admissions (2009);
The Brickman Student Life Center houses admissions offices, the president's office, student dining, and spaces for student life activities.
Historic District Buildings
Glencairn MuseumGlencairn Museum
Glencairn Museum, located on 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, is a New Church-affiliated museum of religious history on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses a collection of about 8,000 mostly religious artwork from many cultures as diverse as ancient Egyptian, ancient...
Glencairn Museum's ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman, medieval Christian, Islamic, Asian, and Native American collections educate visitors on the history of religion. The Museum was built between 1928 and 1939 as a home for Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn. In 1979 the building was donated to the Academy of the New Church to serve as the school's museum of medieval and religious art.
At Glencairn, Bryn Athyn students take classes, volunteer, intern, attend events, and of course, take advantage of the Museum's collections.
Bryn Athyn Cathedral
Bryn Athyn Cathedral
Bryn Athyn Cathedral is the episcopal seat of The General Church of the New Jerusalem, a denomination of "The New Church." The main building is of the Early Gothic style, while the adjoining structures are of a transitional period reflective of a combination of both Gothic and Norman styles...
Bryn Athyn Cathedral is the center of an active New Church community and serves as a religious center for Bryn Athyn College students. Construction on the Gothic revivalist architecture began in 1913, and carried on until the late 1920s.
In Bryn Athyn Cathedral there are no right angles or straight lines. The walls of the building are skewed against each other, bowing out in the middle only to return at the opposite wall. Bryn Athyn students attend Sunday worship services, stroll through the gardens, and attend the student-organized vespers services on Sunday evenings.
Cairnwood Estate
Cairnwood was designed by the renowned architectural firm Carrére and Hastings
Carrère and Hastings
Carrère and Hastings, the firm of John Merven Carrère and Thomas Hastings , located in New York City, was one of the outstanding Beaux-Arts architecture firms in the United States. The partnership operated from 1885 until 1911, when Carrère was killed in an automobile accident...
and was completed in 1895. It served as the home of John Pitcairn
John Pitcairn, Jr.
John Pitcairn, Jr. was a Scottish-born American industrialist. With just an elementary school education, Pitcairn rose through the ranks of the Pennsylvania railroad industry, and played a significant role in the creation of the modern oil and natural gas industries...
, founder of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company
PPG Industries
PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion...
, and his wife Gertrude until 1916, after which it stood vacant for years. In 1994, the Academy of the New Church renovated the building. Cairnwood now functions as a cultural and hospitality center serving the College, community, and surrounding area.
Religion
Bryn Athyn College is affiliated with the New ChurchThe New Church
The New Church is the name for a New religious movement developed from the writings of the Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg . Swedenborg claimed to have received a new revelation from Jesus Christ through continuous heavenly visions which he experienced over a period of at least...
, a branch of Christianity based on the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg
Emanuel Swedenborg
was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian. He has been termed a Christian mystic by some sources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica online version, and the Encyclopedia of Religion , which starts its article with the description that he was a "Swedish scientist and mystic." Others...
. The College regularly offers religious courses, a religion major, and a number of worship services.
Education at Bryn Athyn emphasizes the practical application of truth to life and encourages students to connect their spiritual beliefs to both their studies and their daily lives. Student conduct policies are guided by moral principles, with a particular emphasis on acting honestly, respectfully, and charitably and living a life of useful service.
Mission Statement: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church serves as an intellectual center for all who desire to pursue a higher education in the liberal arts and sciences, enriched and structured by the Old
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
and New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
s and the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg
Emanuel Swedenborg
was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian. He has been termed a Christian mystic by some sources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica online version, and the Encyclopedia of Religion , which starts its article with the description that he was a "Swedish scientist and mystic." Others...
. The purpose of this education is to enhance students' civil, moral, and spiritual lives, as well as to contribute to human spiritual welfare.http://www.brynathyn.edu/academics/philosophy.html
Academics
Bryn Athyn College operates on a trimester system. Fall Term usually begins in late August and continues until Thanksgiving break; Winter Term runs from after Thanksgiving until March (with a break over the Christmas holiday); Spring Term then runs from late March until the end of May.The College’s educational philosophy is grounded in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg and the benefits of a liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
program. The curriculum is supported by a strong emphasis on experiential learning.
The College offers majors in Biology, Education, English, History, Religion, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The Interdisciplinary Studies (ID) program allows students to combine two curricular areas into a single area of study.
Interdisciplinary Areas of Study:
- Art/Art History
Biology
Business Management
English
History
Mathematics
Philosophy
Psychology
Religion
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1 and an average class size of 9, all courses are taught by professors. The academic program focuses on experiential learning and a solid liberal-arts foundation known as the Core Program.
The Core Program is made up of skills and perspectives. Skills courses include instruction in information literacy; language, mathematics, or programming; public presentation; quantitative analysis; service learning and internships; and writing. Perspectives focused courses address issues of spiritual, moral, and civil issues and include instruction in aesthetics, history and the social sciences, physical health, sciences, and world views.
Experiential learning
Experiential learning at Bryn Athyn College includes internships, service learning, and study abroad. It is an integral part of the academic experience and a required part of the Core Program – all students have at least one service or internship experience during their four years at the College.Internships
Students can undertake intern positions as early as the spring of freshman year, and many students participate in multiple internships and service opportunities during their time at Bryn Athyn. The College has several established internship opportunities: technical director at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, biology research at the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, medical research at Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is a private health sciences university in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. The university consists of six constituent colleges and schools, Jefferson Medical College, Jefferson College of Graduate Studies, Jefferson School of Health...
in Philadelphia, and an education internship at Glencairn Museum
Glencairn Museum
Glencairn Museum, located on 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, is a New Church-affiliated museum of religious history on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses a collection of about 8,000 mostly religious artwork from many cultures as diverse as ancient Egyptian, ancient...
. Since all Bryn Athyn students are required to participate in experiential learning, they are encouraged to pursue internships worldwide in their fields of interest.
Service Learning
Service is an active part of Bryn Athyn College’s culture. Students can earn credit for their service in a variety of ways: internships, community service, College newspaper editor, coaching, service trips, choir, or joining the College’s student-led service group Charity, Action, Responsibility, Experience (CARE). CARE organizes local activities like campus clean-ups, field trips to spend time with the children at HELP Philadelphia, or longer service trips over weekends or breaks. Some past service trip locations were Pittsburgh, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, and the Bahamas. In fall 2008, for the third year in a row, students traveled to Pearlington, Mississippi
Pearlington, Mississippi
Pearlington is a census-designated place in Hancock County, Mississippi, United States, on U.S. Route 90, along the Pearl River, at the Louisiana stateline. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,684 at the 2000 census. On August...
to help in the Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
relief effort.
Study Abroad
Bryn Athyn College's study abroad program is rapidly expanding. The College’s premier program is the Bordeaux Exchange Program with the Université Michel Montaigne-Bordeaux
Michel de Montaigne University Bordeaux 3
Michel de Montaigne Bordeaux 3 University is a French university, based in Bordeaux . It is under the Academy of Bordeaux.-See also:* University of Bordeaux* List of public universities in France by academy* Michel de Montaigne...
in southwest France, and they also have exchange agreements with Universities in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Whether or not they know the language, students can study there for one or two terms as early as sophomore year. In addition to formal study abroad programs, the College also helps students arrange internships or service trips throughout the world. In the past, students have studied, served, and worked in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, and more.
Deer Study
In conjunction with the nearby Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, the College is conducting a Deer Study to track white-tailed deer in the area. Beginning in 2006, the team has been following deer tagged with GPS/GSM radio collars to investigate deer management strategies, habitat restoration, and molecular genetics.
Athletics
Bryn Athyn's sports teams participate in several northeast athletic leagues. Intercollegiate and club teams at Bryn Athyn include:Women's Volleyball
Volleyball Club
Men's Indoor Soccer
Men's Lacrosse
Men's Soccer
Men's Ice Hockey
Badminton Club
Softball Club
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Dance Ensemble
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Arts
Bryn Athyn College offers both courses and extracurricular arts opportunities in studio arts, theater, and music. Arts courses at Bryn Athyn include drawing and painting, ceramics, metals, photography, and art history.Students with any level of experience can participate in the College’s annual winter production, a main-stage play or musical with students serving as cast and crew members, costume and set designers. Some recent Bryn Athyn College productions include The Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie is a four-character memory play by Tennessee Williams. Williams worked on various drafts of the play prior to writing a version of it as a screenplay for MGM, to whom Williams was contracted...
, Antigone
Antigone (Sophocles)
Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles written in or before 442 BC. Chronologically, it is the third of the three Theban plays but was written first...
, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a 1967 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts...
, Wit
Wit (play)
Wit is a play written by American playwright Margaret Edson. Edson used her work experience in a hospital as part of the inspiration for her play. Wit received its world premiere at South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa, California, in 1995...
, Into the Woods
Into the Woods
Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Bernadette Peters' performance as the Witch and Joanna Gleason's portrayal of the Baker's Wife brought acclaim...
, The Crucible
The Crucible
The Crucible is a 1952 play by the American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatization of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1692 and 1693. Miller wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the US government blacklisted accused communists...
, The Miracle Worker
The Miracle Worker
The Miracle Worker is a cycle of 20th century dramatic works derived from Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life. Each of the various dramas describes the relationship between Keller—a deafblind and initially almost feral child—and Anne Sullivan, the teacher who introduced her to...
, and more. College plays are performed at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, a newly renovated theater on campus.
The Bryn Athyn Orchestra and College Chorale are the primary opportunities for musicians at the College. Students can audition to be a part of the Orchestra, and anyone can take the chorale class. Some students join other community members in participating in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir, which sings regularly at worship services at Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Special choirs are formed to present the Bach Magnificat
Magnificat (Bach)
The Magnificat in D major, BWV 243, is a major vocal work of Johann Sebastian Bach. It was composed for orchestra, a five-part choir and four or five soloists. The text is the canticle of Mary, mother of Jesus, as told by Luke the Evangelist .Bach composed an initial version in E flat major in 1723...
at Christmastime and Faure Requiem on Good Friday. A joint student-faculty group, Bryn Athyn College ROCKS!, regularly hosts concerts to raise money for the new science center for the College or the Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
relief effort.
Student life
Bryn Athyn student life is largely student-run. Student Government and an active Social Committee plan regular activities both on and off campus. Some of the long-standing student organizations include:CARE – community service organization
Social Committee – plans social activities
Outing Club – plans outdoor recreation and adventures
Business Club – promotes interest in business
International Student Organization – supports and celebrates international students
The Beacon – College newspaper
Sunday Night Thing – student-led vespers service and discussion groups
See also
- The New ChurchThe New ChurchThe New Church is the name for a New religious movement developed from the writings of the Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg . Swedenborg claimed to have received a new revelation from Jesus Christ through continuous heavenly visions which he experienced over a period of at least...
- Emanuel SwedenborgEmanuel Swedenborgwas a Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian. He has been termed a Christian mystic by some sources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica online version, and the Encyclopedia of Religion , which starts its article with the description that he was a "Swedish scientist and mystic." Others...
- Glencairn MuseumGlencairn MuseumGlencairn Museum, located on 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, is a New Church-affiliated museum of religious history on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses a collection of about 8,000 mostly religious artwork from many cultures as diverse as ancient Egyptian, ancient...
- Bryn Athyn CathedralBryn Athyn CathedralBryn Athyn Cathedral is the episcopal seat of The General Church of the New Jerusalem, a denomination of "The New Church." The main building is of the Early Gothic style, while the adjoining structures are of a transitional period reflective of a combination of both Gothic and Norman styles...
- Bryn Athyn, PennsylvaniaBryn Athyn, PennsylvaniaBryn Athyn is a home rule municipality, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was formerly a borough, and its official name remains "Borough of Bryn Athyn". The population was 1,375 at the 2010 census...