University of Saint Francis (Illinois)
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The University of St. Francis is a private-sector Franciscan-led Catholic university located in Joliet, Illinois serving approximately 4,500 students. It is named for St. Francis of Assisi. The university was established in 1920 by the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for the education of its own members. In 1925, under the title Assisi Junior College, its doors opened to women outside the congregation. With the beginning of the fall term of 1930, a senior college curriculum was established and a new name, the College of St. Francis was adopted. In 1971, during an aborted merger with nearby Lewis University, the college became co-educational, and the first off-campus degree programs were begun in the fall of 1972.
The University of St. Francis is a leader in adult education. In 1972, the then college initiated a program for registered nurses to complete the bachelor's degree. Under the direction of Dr. Arnie Good, the program soon expanded to several Midwestern states. By 1985, the program enrolled almost 2500 students at over 100 locations in 19 states. In 1997, the University launched its first online Internet course. Piloted by Dr. Michael LaRocco, this MBA course soon expanded to include all courses as the MBA program became completely available online.
In 1972, shortly after becoming coeducational, the college inaugurated collegiate sports. Coach Elmer Bell established a soon to be successful men's basketball program as well as a cross country team. In the fall of 1976, the college landed a nationally recognized coach in the person of Gordon Gillespie. Gordie brought with him an up and coming basketball coach named Patrick Sullivan. These two men expanded the number of collegiate sports and established the first women's programs in volleyball, basketball and softball, all under the auspices of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). St. Francis soon became a national powerhouse eventually winning a national baseball title in 1993 under one of America's most successful coaches, Gordon Gillespie.
In 1980, a master’s program in health services administration was offered and this was followed in the early 1990s by several more graduate offerings. In 1997, the College acquired the Saint Joseph College of Nursing. This school, also founded in 1920, had at first been a diploma nursing school. In 1987, it became a baccalaureate institution that awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The Board of Trustees of the College of St. Francis voted in May of 1997 to move to university status; effective January 1, 1998, the institution became the University of St. Francis.
[edit] The University today
The University of St. Francis is currently undergoing a period of expansion. In 2004, the university purchased the recently vacated Motherhouse from the founding congregation, and has since renovated it into a conference and meeting center as well as a new home for the College of Nursing and Allied Health. The CONAH provides students with high tech classroom space, an all new SIM lab for hands on critical care practice, skills lab and extensive computer support.
In the summer of 2005, the University renovated Marian Residence Hall. The 1967 building was fitted with life-safety protection, new restrooms, upgraded windows, wireless Internet, community lounges, computer/study lounges and all new modular furniture in student rooms. The ground floor Abbey features a student commons area, juice bar, TV and game room.
Long-term plans call for further expansion of the University into the surrounding neighborhood, though great care is being taken to respect the Upper Bluff National Historic District and the Cathedral Area Preservation Association, both of which have interests in the area.
The University is well known for its academic quality. Nursing graduates consistently experience a pass rate well into the 90 percentile. Placements rates of graduates into jobs or graduate school is on average 93%. Teacher certification candidates are highly sought after and experience high placement rates. Many academic programs have specialized accreditation in addition to the institutions overall accreditation.
The current president of the University of St. Francis, Dr. Michael Vinciguerra, was appointed to office in 2002 and is the University's seventh president.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Dr. Therese Southgate, former editor, AMA Journal
- Joseph Shankland, President/CEO, Jay Food Corporation
- Carolyn Murphy, Vice President for Operations (ret.), CNA Insurance
- Craig Herkert, executive Vice President/CEO, The Americas Wal-Mart International Division
- James P. Thompson, Senior Vice President/COO, United Parcel Services
- James R. Hamilton, Senior Vice President, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
