Holy Cross College was initially established in 1966 by the Mid-West Province of the Brothers of the Holy Cross as a two-year junior college, primarily to educate Holy Cross Brothers. The first president and dean was John Driscoll, C.S.C.
Academics
The college’s baccalaureate program focuses on experiential learning, founded upon a program of Four Pillars: Service Learning, Global Perspectives, Professional Internship, Classroom Experience which culminates in a Capstone Presentation. Each student completes the same multidisciplinary core courses. Electives may be taken which allows each student to gain knowledge and experience preferred areas of interest. Students have academic advisors for each major and minor they are pursuing. Students may take courses at any of the local universities participating in the Northern Indiana Consortium for Education. After amassing 30 credit hours, students may take classes at the University of Notre Dame at no extra cost, provided they maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average. Current accreditation at the Baccalaureate level includes ten Bachelor of Arts degrees and 17 minors. As of 2018, Business was the most popular major, although History and Liberal Arts have received favorable reviews.
Student life
Campus ministry is described as "Distinctively Catholic, Open to All" Mass is offered on weekdays at 12:25 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Adoration takes place on Tuesday nights from 7:00 p.m. until midnight. Confession is offered during the first hour of adoration on Tuesdays, along with before and after mass on Fridays.
Mission Team
The Mission Team is a faith development program. This team forms a critical mass of faith-filled students who contribute dynamic leadership and vitality to the school. They act as a catalyst for stirring up the interest and spiritual yearnings of the rest of the college.
Housing
Holy Cross has six residence halls for students: four male residence halls and two female residence halls. The six residence halls are: Anselm, Basil, James, North, Pulte, and South. Anselm Hall and Basil Hall are traditional male dorms, James Hall and North Hall are traditional female dorms, and Pulte Hall and South hall are apartment-style male dorms. In addition to the residence halls on campus, upperclassmen are allowed to live off-campus in a co-ed apartment complex called University Edge, located roughly one mile north of Holy Cross.
Intramural sports
Holy Cross offers students the opportunity to play intramural sports, including flag football, basketball, indoor volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. Additionally, kickball, dodgeball, and sand volleyball tournaments are held throughout the year. Holy Cross students are also eligible to try out for Club Sports teams at the University of Notre Dame. A list of available sports can be found at http://recsports.nd.edu/club-sports/. Additionally, students, faculty, and staff members at Holy Cross or Saint Mary's College may participate in Notre Dame's Bookstore Basketball Tournament, the largest 5-on-5 tournament in the country held every spring. In 2012, a team from Holy Cross won the championship, a feat that had never before been accomplished. This same team then defended their title, winning the championship in 2013 and 2014 as well.
Holy Cross College requires all Bachelor of Arts students to go on a Global Immersion Experience and costs are covered by tuition. There are three primary locations
Uganda
Peru
India
Alternative programs for psychology students are available in the form of an international psychology conference, while theology students may opt to travel to Rome, Italy as part of a course entitled "Rome Through The Ages". Additionally, the Campus Ministry department, in conjunction with the University of Notre Dame, offers a pilgrimage to Montreal, Canada, each fall break to visit the St. Joseph Oratory. Many miracles have occurred at this famous shrine established through the efforts of Holy Cross Brother St. André Bessette, the first saint of the Congregation of Holy Cross and patron of Holy Cross College.
