DeSales University

The 2020 edition of Best Colleges from US News & World Report ranked DeSales University as 59th (tie) in the "Regional Universities North", 36th in "Best Value Schools", and 33rd (tie) in "Best Colleges for Veterans".[2]

DeSales is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Physician Assistant Program also holds accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). Business and business related programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). DeSales University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Financial planning programs are CFP Board Registered Programs.[6]

Established in 2000, the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture is the first center for research and development at DeSales University. On campus, the Salesian Center sponsors annual events for students, including the Heritage Week celebrations, the Center Valley Forum series, the Ruggiero Lectures, and the John Paul II Arts & Culture series. Students can also become members of the Salesian Center through enrollment in the Faith & Reason Honors Program or the Ryan Leadership Institute. Students may also participate in special research projects directed by the center.[7]

The Salesian Center administers the Forum for Ethics in the Workplace[8] whose mission is "to provide opportunities for people to come together for study, reflection, conversation, and action on ethical issues in the workplace, especially in the Greater Lehigh Valley." The Societas Award is awarded annually to one or more companies that demonstrate responsible business conduct. This award program honors those employers who meet the needs of others through the production of goods and services, the organization of good and productive work, and the creation of sustainable wealth distributed justly. The 2017 award winners were BerkOne (large company), Concannon Miller (mid-size company), and KMRD Partners (small company).[9]

Dooling Hall is named in honor of Fr. J. Stuart Dooling, OSFS, first president of Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales. Dooling Hall is the main academic building consisting of four wings and a central area and is home to the majority of liberal arts classrooms.[7]

The Gambet Center for Business and Health Care Education includes simulation laboratories, globally integrated classrooms and administrative operations for undergraduate and graduate health care and business degree programs. This building is named for Fr. Daniel G. Gambet, OSFS, president emeritus of DeSales University.[7]

The Hurd Science Center is a 36,000 square foot facility located on Station Avenue (on the Brisson Campus side). The center is named in honor of Mrs. Priscilla Payne Hurd, a generous benefactor of numerous buildings and programs throughout the Lehigh Valley. The building features 24-seat laboratories designed specifically for the various science disciplines offered at DeSales, a 99-seat lecture hall, conference rooms, faculty offices, and small individual laboratories for faculty and student research.[7]

The Labuda Center is home to the theatre, dance, and TV/film departments. The Labuda Center has three stages, a dance studio, and a TV/Film studio. The production facilities include two dressing rooms, a scene shop, costume shop, and an electric shop. The Iacocca Studio has television and film equipment. The Main Stage Theater is the primary performance space for the theater and dance programs. Its auditorium seats 473 in an orchestra and balcony arrangement. The Schubert Theater is a 200-seat, black-box performing space that offers a non-proscenium experience with the furthest seat no more than 25 feet from the stage. The Labuda Center was named for Monsignor Felix Labuda, pastor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Bethlehem, who was the major contributor for the building. The dedication and first production were held on February 26, 1982. The Albert M. Iacocca TV/Film Studios were named in honor of Albert M. Iacocca, the late co-owner of Yocco's restaurants and benefactor of the university.[7]

The Trexler Library, dedicated to the memory of local industrialist Harry C. Trexler, is located in the center of campus. Built in 1988, the 36,000 sq. ft. facility hosts the 55-seat theatre-style Air Products Room, two computer classrooms, the McFadden Room which houses the Salesian collection, and ten group study rooms. The collection includes over 141,000 paper books and 130,000 electronic books, 265 newspaper and paper journal subscriptions, access to over 12,000 full text online journals, and over 8,000 educational streaming videos. The Trexler Library serves as both a university and a community library.

Billera Hall is an 82,500 sq. ft. recreational facility with a fitness center with weights and aerobic areas, a gym with 3 full basketball courts, a running track and roll down curtains that can separate the large space into 3 smaller stations as needed for basketball, volleyball, or tennis. As one large space, the courts can be used for lacrosse, baseball, or track practice. Outdoor facilities include a soccer field, turf field for lacrosse field, softball field, baseball field, and track.

DeSales has 18 varsity athletic teams.[11] They compete in NCAA Division III within the MAC Freedom of the Middle Atlantic Conferences. Club sports include: swimming, tennis, cheerleading, the dance team, equestrian team, men's and women's rugby, men's ice hockey and men's volleyball.[12]

In 2017, DeSales women's basketball earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.[13]

Frankie the Bulldog is a french bulldog, and varsity athletic teams use the nickname "Bulldogs".

Before 2001, the mascot for Allentown College was a centaur, and teams had the moniker "Allentown College Centaurs".[14]

The Minstrel is the university's only student-run newspaper. WDSR is the university's internet radio-only station.

The Division of Performing Arts hosts the annual Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and features a 473-seat theater commercially operated by students.[15]

The DeSales University Division of Business hosts the Kamran Afshar Data Analytics Center (KADAC).[16]

A student-run, student-funded clinic provides completely free primary and acute care, laboratory services and medications to the men seeking shelter or enrolled in a recovery program at the Allentown Rescue Mission. [17] [18]

• 
  Steve Burns, former host, Blue's Clues on Nickelodeon
• 
  Alexie Gilmore, actress, Dr. Sara Dillane on the Fox television series New Amsterdam[19]
• 
  Dee Roscioli, actress, Elphaba in the Broadway production of the musical Wicked[20]

• Father Jim Chern, Catholic priest and co-host of "The Catholic Guy Show" on Sirius XM Satellite Radio
• Peter Augustine Lawler, member of President Bush's Council on Bioethics and award-winning professor, author, and lecturer.
• Joseph F. Leeson Jr., a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
• Marnie Schulenburg, actress.
• Michele Knotz, voice actress.
• Lee Knorek, professional basketball player.
• Stacie Lynn Renna, actress.

• Wayne Turney, Emmy Award-winning writer and co-host of Hickory Hideout[21]
• Brennan Pursell, historian and author[22][23]
• Katherine Ramsland, true-crime author
• Chuck Gloman, cinematographer