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{{Short description|Catholic university in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{sources|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox university
| name                  = Christian Brothers University
| image                 = Christian Brothers University seal.png
| image_size            = 150
| former_names          = Christian Brothers College (1871–1990)
| motto                 = ''Virtus et Scientia'' {{small|(Latin)}}
| mottoeng              = ''Virtue & Knowledge''
| established           = {{start date and age|1871}}
| founder               = Brother Maurelian Sheel 
| type                  = [[Private university]]
| accreditation         = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Roman Catholic Church]], [[Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools|De La Salle Christian Brothers]]
| academic_affiliations = [[Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities|ACCU]], [[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]
| endowment             = $35,000,000<ref name="About">{{cite web |title=About CBU |website=Christian Brothers University |date=13 January 2020 |url=https://www.cbu.edu/about/ |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref>
| faculty               = Full-time - 85<br>Part-time - 123<br>(spring 2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Christian+Brothers+University&s=all&id=219833|title = College Navigator – Christian Brothers University}}</ref>
| president             = Chris Englert
| students              = 920 (fall 2023)
| address               = 
| city                  = [[Memphis, Tennessee]]
| country               = United States
| coordinates           = {{coord|35.1274|-89.9823|type:edu|display=title,inline}}
| campus                = Urban, {{convert|76|acres|sqm}}
| colors                = Red {{color box|#CC092F}} and {{color box|#A49791}} Gray
| sports_nickname       = [[Christian Brothers Buccaneers|Buccaneers & Lady Buccaneers]]
| sporting_affiliations = [[NCAA Division II]]<br> [[Gulf South Conference]]
| mascot                = The Buccaneer
| website               = {{URL|https://www.cbu.edu/|cbu.edu}}
| logo                  = Christian Brothers University logo.png
| logo_size             = 150 
}}

'''Christian Brothers University''' is a [[Private university|private]] Catholic university in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], United States. It was founded in 1871 by the [[De La Salle Christian Brothers]], a Catholic teaching order.

== History ==
[[Image:John baptist de la salle 1.jpg|thumb|left|Saint John Baptist de la Salle]]
Founded on November 19, 1871, it was established by members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a [[Catholic religious order]] founded by [[Jean-Baptiste de la Salle|St. John Baptist de la Salle]], the [[patron saint]] of teachers. At foundation the educational institution was named Christian Brothers College, which was changed to Christian Brothers University when the school became a university in June 1990.<ref name="CBU History">[http://www.cbu.edu/About/history.html CBU History.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427205925/http://www.cbu.edu/About/history.html |date=2005-04-27 }} Christian Brothers University. Accessed October 1, 2007.</ref>

Christian Brothers awarded the first post-secondary degree in the city in 1875.<ref name="About CBU">[http://www.cbu.edu/About/mission.html "About CBU."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223185102/http://www.cbu.edu/About/mission.html |date=2010-12-23 }} Christian Brothers University. Accessed March 2, 2008.</ref> LeMoyne College (one of the two constituent parts of present-day [[LeMoyne-Owen College]]) has a founding year of 1871, but it was an elementary and secondary school at the time. The city's largest university, the [[University of Memphis]], was not founded until 1912. Although [[Rhodes College]] was founded in 1848, it did not move from [[Clarksville, Tennessee]] to Memphis until 1925.

Maurelian was appointed the first president. His three terms as president totalled 31 years.

In 2021, the university began to experience severe issues with [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accreditation]] caused by emerging financial challenges. The university's physician's assistant program was placed on probation by its accreditor, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA); its accreditation was denied entirely in 2023 and the program is being closed.<ref name="PA_accreditation">{{cite web |author=Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant |date=2023 |title=Christian Brothers University Accreditation History |url=https://www.arc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Accreditation-History-Christian-Brothers-F-168.pdf |accessdate=November 24, 2023}}</ref> In 2022, the university's education programs were placed on probation by the [[Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation]] (CAEP).<ref name=education_accreditation>{{cite web |url=https://caepnet.org/provider-details/caep?i=Christian+Brothers+University&c=Memphis&s=TN |title=Accredited Provider Details - Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation |author=[[Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation]] |date=2023 |accessdate=November 16, 2024}}</ref> The university as a whole was also placed on probation by its institutional accreditor, the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges]].<ref name=SACSCOC_accreditation_2023_probation>{{citation |url=https://sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2023/12/Disclosure-Statement-Christian-Bros-Univ-Dec-2023.pdf |title=Disclosure Statement Regarding the Status of CHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERSITY |author=Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |date=December 5, 2023}}</ref> Full accreditation was restored to the university's undergraduate education programs in October 2022 and the university's graduate education programs in October of 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://caepnet.org/provider-details/caep?i=Christian+Brothers+University&c=Memphis&s=TN |title=Accredited Provider Details |publisher=[[Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation]] |date=2025 |accessdate=January 6, 2025}}</ref>

In 2023, the university publicly acknowledged severe financial challenges. By the end of 2024, the university projected a deficit of between $5 and $7 million. It declared [[Financial crisis|financial exigency]] and began plans to make significant budget cuts, including the potential firing of tenured faculty and closure of academic programs.<ref name=2023_financial_exigency>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/christian-brothers-university-faces-major-202305555.html |title=Christian Brothers University faces major deficit, plans to cut $4M from operating budget |first=John |last=Klyce |publisher=[[Memphis Commercial Appeal]] |date=September 29, 2023 |accessdate=November 20, 2023}}</ref> In December of 2023 the university announced that it was eliminating 28 faculty positions at the end of the academic year and dropping programs including Chemistry, Cultural Studies, Ecology, Engineering Physics, English, History, History Education, Liberal Studies, Physics, Politics and Law, and Political Science; the university also planned to close the Master of Education program. Art Therapy and Philosophy concentrations was also planned to be cut.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-09 |title=Christian Brothers University announces multiple faculty cuts, eliminates a dozen programs |url=https://news.yahoo.com/christian-brothers-university-announces-multiple-202204364.html |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Yahoo News |publisher=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |place=Memphis |language=en-US}}</ref> In November of 2024, the university again made faculty and staff cuts, eliminating 20 full-time and part-time positions. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Muckerman |first=Brooke |last2= |first2= |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Christian Brothers University announces job cuts, pay reductions in effort to better financials |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/education/2024/11/12/christian-brothers-university-job-cuts-pay-reduction-financial-probation/76227562007/ |journal=[[The Commercial Appeal]]}} </ref>

== Academics ==

=== Schools ===
The university has four schools:
* Rosa Deal School of Arts
* Gadomski School of Engineering
* School of Business
* School of Sciences

The Rosa Deal School of Arts supports undergraduate programs in Psychology, Creative Writing, English for Corporate Communications, Neuroscience, BFA programs in Studio Arts and in Graphic Design, as well as, Religion and Philosophy. It also offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Education, leading to licensure and add-on endorsements. The School houses a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

=== Accreditation ===
The university is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]. The university is currently on probation due to a number of major shortfalls including financial struggles and student recruitment and retention issues.<ref name=SACSCOC_accreditation_2023_probation />

The university's Gadomski School of Engineering has four engineering programs, including Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, that are accredited by the [[Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology]] (ABET).

In 2023, the physician's assistant program was accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) but lost its accreditation in 2023 after being placed on probation in 2021.<ref name=PA_accreditation />

The university's teacher education programs are accredited by the [[Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation]] (CAEP).<ref name=education_accreditation />

=== Study abroad ===
As a member of the Lasallian Consortium,<ref>[http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/Academics/StudyAbroad/SemestersAbroad/index.htm "Semesters Abroad"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223012257/http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/Academics/StudyAbroad/SemestersAbroad/index.htm |date=2009-02-23 }} Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.</ref> i.e. the seven Lasallian universities in the United States, CBU offers study abroad semesters in Australia, Brazil, China, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, and Spain.<ref>[http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/Academics/StudyAbroad/index.htm "Travel/Study Abroad 2008–2009"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081124021357/http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/Academics/StudyAbroad/inde}}</ref>

== Facilities ==

=== Campus ===
[[Image:CBUbuckman.gif|right|thumb|Buckman Hall]]
Christian Brothers University is located on a {{convert|75|acre|m2|adj=on}} wooded campus in the heart of [[Midtown, Memphis]], four miles (6&nbsp;km) east of [[Downtown Memphis, Tennessee|Downtown]]. It is across from the Memphis Fairgrounds, home of the [[Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium]], and diagonally positioned from the [[Cooper-Young, Memphis|Cooper-Young]] Neighborhood.

The first building on campus, Kenrick Hall, constructed in 1939 as the original [[Christian Brothers High School (Memphis, Tennessee)|Christian Brothers High School]], was demolished in 2015 to make room for the Rosa Deal School of Arts, set to open in January 2017. In 2021, CBU installed a manufactured building, which houses the nursing program. The campus includes the Rosa Deal School of Arts, Cooper Wilson Sciences Building, and the Benilde Hall Engineering Lab, which is currently{{when|date=November 2024}} being expanded, as well as sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, and softball.

The university's architecture follows the [[Georgian architecture|Georgian style]] popular at the time of the campus' relocation to [[East Parkway (Memphis, Tennessee)|East Parkway]]. Arch-covered walkways traverse the main campus, allowing students and faculty to get to most buildings shielded from the weather. The campus is enclosed by an iron fence with brick accents with entrances on East Parkway South, Central Avenue, and Avery Avenue. Security gates have been added to facilities on the north side of the campus in 2023.

==Student life==

=== Athletics ===
{{Main|Christian Brothers Buccaneers and Lady Buccaneers}}
CBU is an [[NCAA Division II]] program and a member of the [[Gulf South Conference]]. Buccaneer teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. Lady Buccaneer teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, STUNT, tennis, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field and volleyball.

The Lady Buccaneers and Buccaneers have won multiple conference and national championships, including the 2002 [[NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship|Division II women's soccer championship]]<ref>{{cite web | date= December 9, 2002 | url =http://www.cbu.edu/News/Releases/WomenSoccerChamps.html | title =Christian Brothers University Women's Soccer Team 2002 NCAA Division II Champions! | publisher =Christian Brothers University | last =Yovich | first =Rudy | access-date =2008-05-29}}</ref> and the 2008 GSC men's basketball championship.<ref>{{cite web | date= March 9, 2008 | url =http://gobucsgo.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030908aaa.html | title =Bucs Hold On For First GSC Championship, 93-89: Kohs named Most Outstanding Player, Weybright All-Tournament | publisher =Christian Brothers University Athletics | access-date =2009-02-23}}</ref>
The men's soccer team won back-to-back conference titles under coach Clint Browne during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 2011, and most recently won the Gulf South Conference Tournament title in 2022 under coach Enda Crehan and advanced to the NCAA National Tournament.

=== Greek life ===
21% of male students and 24% of female students are members of [[fraternities and sororities]].<ref name="ABC 2008">America's Best Colleges 2008. [http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3482_brief.php "Christian Brothers University."] U.S. News & World Report. Accessed October 1, 2007.</ref>

Campus Greek councils include the [[North American Interfraternity Conference|Interfraternity Council]] (IFC), the [[National Panhellenic Conference|Panhellenic Council]] (NPC), and the [[National Pan-Hellenic Council]] (NPHC).

=== Honor societies and professional organizations ===
Chapters of a number of [[honor society|honor societies]] exist at CBU to recognize excellence in academia and leadership. Active honor societies and their specialties include: [[Alpha Chi]] (general academic), [[Beta Beta Beta]] (biology), the [[Order of Omega]] (fraternity and sorority members), [[Phi Alpha Theta]] (history), [[Psi Chi]] (psychology), [[Sigma Tau Delta]] (English), [[Alpha Psi Omega]] (theatre), and [[Tau Beta Pi]] (engineering).<ref name="clubsorg">[http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/StudentLife/ActivitiesOrganizations/StudentGovernment/ClubsOrganizations/index.htm "Clubs & Organizations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126022645/http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/StudentLife/ActivitiesOrganizations/StudentGovernment/ClubsOrganizations/index.htm |date=2009-01-26 }} Christian Brothers University. Accessed February 23, 2009.</ref>

Professional organizations include: [[American Institute of Chemical Engineers]], [[American Society of Civil Engineers]], [[American Society of Mechanical Engineers]], [[Institute of Electrical Engineers]], [[Society of Physics Students]], and the Student Affiliates of the [[American Chemical Society]].<ref name="clubsorg" />

==Notable people==

===Alumni===
* [[Harry B. Anderson]] – [[United States district judge]] for the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee|Western District of Tennessee]]
* [[Charles Bartliff]] – soccer player and Olympian
* [[Ray Crone]] – professional baseball player
* [[Zach Curlin]] – college basketball coach
* [[Robert B. Hawley]] – U.S. representative for [[Texas's 10th congressional district]] from 1897 to 1901 and accomplished businessman
* [[Thomas Aquinas Higgins]] – senior [[United States district judge]] of the [[United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee]]
* [[Bill Justis]] – [[rock and roll]] pioneer
* [[Robert W. Marshall]] – Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria
* [[Youssef Naciri]] – professional soccer player
* [[Chandler O'Dwyer]] – current professional soccer player
* [[David Parker (Mississippi politician)|David Parker]] – member of the [[Mississippi State Senate]]
* [[Malcolm R. Patterson]] – [[governor of Tennessee]] (1907–1911)
* [[Chip Saltsman]] – Republican political strategist and presidential campaign manager
* [[Kevin H. Sharp]] – [[United States district judge]] of the [[United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee]]

===Faculty (current and former)===
* [[Arun Manilal Gandhi]], scholar and peace activist
* [[Jeffrey Gros]], Catholic theologian and ecumenist

== See also ==
* [[Eiffel Tower (Paris, Tennessee)]]
* [[Christian Brothers High School (Memphis, Tennessee)]]
* [[La Salle University]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{ccat}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://cbubucs.com/ Athletics website]

{{Lasallian universities and colleges in the United States}}
{{Gulf South Conference navbox}}
{{Tennessee private colleges and universities}}
{{Colleges and universities in the Memphis Metro Area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Christian Brothers University| ]]
[[Category:Lasallian colleges and universities]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:1871 establishments in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Catholic universities and colleges in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1871]]