Divine Mercy University Celebrates Twentieth Year Anniversary

 Divine Mercy University (DMU) will kick off its twentieth year anniversary with the dedication of its new campus, president's picnic, and Mass on September 8th from 2pm to 7pm. The event will take place at the school's new campus, located at 45154 Underwood Lane in Sterling, Virginia. (RSVP here)

Highlights

By Divine Mercy University
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
9/5/2019 (5 years ago)

Published in College & University

Keywords: Divine Mercy University

Sterling, VA (September 4, 2019) --Bishop Michael Burbidge (Diocese of Arlington) is scheduled to lead Mass and bless the building. Additional anticipated guests include Board of Supervisors Chair at Large Phyllis J. Randall (Loudoun County, VA) and local county officials.  

"This event signifies a monumental moment that reminds us of God's providence," said Fr. Charles Sikorsky, L.C., J.D., J.C.L., president of Divine Mercy University. "Our school's ability to launch a new academic program, gain and maintain accreditation status, and transform from a dozen students to nearly 400 is a reflection of His unfailing guidance along the way. We are here to not only serve the local community with open arms, but we also want to help our neighbors flourish through educational enrichment, spiritual growth and business partnerships." 

In 2016, the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) expanded into a university through the development of the online-hybrid M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, offered by the School of Counseling. The IPS, or School of Psychology, offers two degree programs: the online M.S. in Psychology and the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology. Since achieving university status, DMU has had steady enrollment growth in each program -- 45% (M.S. in Counseling), 20% (M.S. in Psychology), and 18% (Psy.D.). 

"We are grateful for being at this point of the journey," said Dr. Harvey Payne, academic dean for the School of Counseling. "It has been great seeing how each one of the students in their own uniqueness have found their niches for how they can serve as healers in the field of professional counseling."

Dr. Suzanne Hollman, academic dean for IPS, shares equal excitement for the university's continued success. "It is a privilege to know that we are equipping our students to assist those who experience anxiety, depression, marital conflict, childhood trauma, and other mental health challenges. Through our curriculum, we equip our students with evidence based theory, and we provide practical experience through our clinic, internships, and externships. Through this combination of science and practice, we can proudly say that our students are effectively prepared to go into the field and help those who are suffering."

The clinic, known as the IPS Center, is staffed by students of the Psy.D. program who are supervised by faculty. It offers affordable and integrated therapeutic services to the public, which will now serve Loudoun County and the surrounding areas. 

The university's 2019 - 2020 efforts include hosting special events to celebrate the 20th year anniversary, offering tuition benefits--including $1.6 million in scholarships anticipated for this school year--and efforts to build an on-site chapel.

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Divine Mercy University (DMU) is an institution of higher education offering Master's and Doctoral degrees. It is affiliated with the Legionaries of Christ. The University is dedicated to the renewal of the Catholic-Christian intellectual tradition and the integration of the theoretical and empirical bases of psychology and a Catholic-Christian view of the human person.  

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