One of the aspects of Carlow that is unique is that our heritage emanates from service. Carlow was conceived of and built by women who embodied the principle of service.

When the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Pittsburgh from Carlow, Ireland, in 1843, they came with a simple yet boundless mission: to serve the poor, the sick and the uneducated. They established numerous orphanages, schools and the Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh. In 1929 the Sisters of Mercy founded Mount Mercy College, which has become Carlow University. Their legacy established Carlow as a community for "the true scholar and the true woman with the ability for real service" - an institution shaped by women's rights, responsibilities and leadership duties.

The Tradition Continues in the Core Curriculum

Carlow's new revised undergraduate core curriculum recognizes the importance of student engagement in learning environments beyond the campus, the University's continuing active involvement to strengthen communities in the greater Pittsburgh region, and the exercise of civic responsibility in a democratic society. The fundamental structure of service learning supports a combination of service objectives with learning objectives through community activities in ways that benefit both the recipient and provider of service. It is not unusual for the student to be transformed through these structured activities that range from planting a flower garden to visiting the elderly, from clearing a trash-filled lot or riverbed to tutoring in an after school program, and from reading to small children in a community program to working with Habitat for Humanity. These activities offer students valuable links to self-reflection, self-discovery, and the acquisition and comprehension of values, skills, and knowledge.

Beginning in Fall, 2008, all incoming undergraduate students in the Day Program will complete one service learning course experience as part of their graduation requirements. This experience must be embedded in a course and also must include a reflection component as an important part of the experience. 

The Service Learning experience needs to be of adequate duration and quality so that the student providing service can reflect upon it meaningfully and experience some growth, insight, or learning.  A student's reflection essay must be placed in the e-Portfolio. The service experience best involves an off-campus experience or an experience that stretches the individual and moves her beyond her immediate experience and familiar environment.

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