CHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERSITY

650 E. Parkway South
Memphis, TN 38104
President: Br. Vincent Malham, F.S.C.
(901) 321-3200
FAX (901) 321-3494
Web: www.cbu.edu

It was the late 1600s and a young French priest named John Baptist De La Salle saw a growing chasm separating the educated from the uneducated. The poor could not afford the private tutors available to the rich, so De La Salle founded tuition-free schools where "Brothers" provided young people an ethical and practical education. He pioneered education in the local vernacular (instead of Latin) and championed the grouping of students into classes based on age and skill. Christian Brothers University was founded in 1871 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Today, the tradition is very much alive at Christian Brothers University. The Brothers and other Lasallians (the lay faculty and staff) strive to uphold St. La Salle's vision in every aspect of the curriculum and campus life. CBU awarded the first college degree in the City of Memphis in 1875. CBU celebrated its 131^st anniversary in Memphis in November 2002. CBU is ranked in U.S. News and World Report's Top Tier of Southern Universities Granting Master's Degrees.

CBU's students, faculty, administration, and alumni are part of a much larger educational network. The Lasallian Community is active in 81 countries of the world and in more than 1,000 educational institutions. More than 4,000 de La Salle Christian Brothers, along with 52,000 Lasallians, serve more than 750,000 students worldwide. In the United States, CBU is one of seven Lasallian colleges and universities.

At CBU, a well-rounded education is built on individualized attention, hands-on learning, an encouragement of ethical development, and a passion for achievement above and beyond one's potential.

Today, 109 full-time faculty members, of which 84% hold doctorates or the highest degrees in their field, provide a comprehensive education to 1,888 students from more than 19 states and 26 countries, representing 32 different faiths (23% Catholic). CBU still follows the LaSallian mission begun by St. John Baptist de LaSalle, to provide a quality education to deserving students regardless of their socioeconomic status. CBU was the first private institution in Memphis to integrate. It has always welcomed people of all faiths.

CBU is the largest, most comprehensive private university in West Tennessee, offering degrees in Engineering, Business, Science, Liberal Arts, and Education. Academically CBU is ranked fourth in the state, however, its endowment is a fraction of larger, private universities in Tennessee. Our freshman students have an average 23 ACT score and a 3.4 grade point average. 81% of our students are from the Memphis area and 52% of our alumni live in the Memphis area. (4,637 alumni of the 9,181 total). 34% of our students are African-American. The male/female ratio is 43/57. Christian Brothers University has 54 international students enrolled from 25 countries.

CBU students receive more than $7 million in scholarships and grants provided by the University and its benefactors. In addition to University scholarships and grants, 30% of CBU students qualify for federal Pell Grants. More than 90% of day undergraduate students receive some type of financial assistance.