University of Saint Francis (Indiana)


The University of Saint Francis is a private Catholic university in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The university promotes Catholic and Franciscan values. The school's 2017–18 enrollment was 2,364 undergraduate and graduate students, the majority of whom come from states in the Midwest, primarily Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio.

History

The University of Saint Francis was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1890. The campus moved to its current Fort Wayne location in 1944 to the estate of the former industrialist John H. Bass. The school, originally known as Saint Francis College, has remained in Fort Wayne and gradually expanded, adding a graduate school in 1960. Increased athletic programs for the Cougars, primarily football, as well as construction of athletic fields and residence halls and acquisition of the Lutheran College of Health Professions in the 1990s produced remarkable enrollment growth. It was renamed University of Saint Francis in 1998.

Campus

The university's campus covers and has some 40 buildings, including four residence halls.

Brookside Mansion

, a castle-like mansion that was originally the home of the John H. Bass family, is a focal point of the university and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building originally housed the entire college, and has served as the university's library, as well as dorms and a dining area. The mansion is now primarily used for offices, although special events and meetings often take place in the building as well. In 2009, the building was renovated, including interior and exterior touch-ups of the original artwork and design.

Pope John Paul II Center

The Pope John Paul II Center is also a main place of activity at the university. Completed in 2006, the building houses the Lee and Jim Vann Library, Registrar's Office, faculty offices, the Campus Shoppe, and classrooms.

The Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center

In the summer of 1998, the university purchased the former property of the Standard Oil warehouse, which had become polluted with oil residue. In the spring of 1999, the university—with a grant from the City of Fort Wayne and the State of Indiana—cleaned the ground, water, and surrounding area.

Satellite facilities

The university maintains a satellite campus in Crown Point, Indiana, about northwest of the main campus in Fort Wayne.

Academics

The university comprises the following schools:
The School of Creative Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

EPIC Program

The Busse EPIC programs give students the opportunity to earn 2+ years of paid, for-credit work experience and graduate in 4 years. EPIC students spend 4-6 month rotations in each of the key functional areas of successful businesses while taking a reduced course load.

Athletics

USF's mascot is the Cougars. The university competes at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as a member of the Crossroads League, formerly known as the Mid-Central College Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

Notable alumni