From its earliest days as a teacher-training school to its current status as a degree-granting liberal arts institution, the University of Saint Francis has remained true to its core mission while always evolving with the times.
1890
USF is founded (as Saint Francis Normal School) by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Lafayette, Indiana.
1923
The college’s Education program was accredited by the state of Indiana. The college was able to approve students for state licensing for teaching.
1939-1940
A new charter leads to expanded programs, including four-year bachelor degrees in Education, Nursing, Science, Art, and Music.
Enrollment opens to laywomen. All households in the region receive a letter from Sister M. Bernarda stating, “Now, to keep our school and get it accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges, we need a larger enrollment.”
1944
Home, Sweet Home! The college relocates to Fort Wayne after the Sisters purchase part of the Bass estate and 65 acres for $65,000 ($918,000 in 2018 terms).
The College is formally dedicated on October 1, with Bishop John F. Noll in attendance.
1945
The first Fort Wayne Commencement is held in June. Five lay students and 11 Sisters receive degrees.
1945-47
A downtown site, including an office, large classroom, lavatory and storage room, was utilized for English, philosophy, music and education classes in addition to classes held on the main campus.
1949
Trinity Hall opens after construction was delayed five years due to war time complications.
1952
Sister M. Evodine becomes the first resident president of the college.
1957
The first male students register (as part-time); by 1959, the college is co-ed.
1958
Sister Rosanna Peters becomes President, serving 12 years.
1959
Students participating in a “school raising” of a new science hall were featured in a two-page photo in The Saturday Evening Post.
1962
Bonzel and Bonaventure Halls open
The first group of graduate students earn their master degrees.
Programs in Business Administration and Business Education are added.
1964
The college hosts its first athletics-related Homecoming event.
The baseball and basketball teams play their first games.
1966
New programs in the Social Services are added and the college joins the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Mid-Central Conference.
1969
Achatz Hall of Science opens with an observatory, greenhouse, planetarium and more.
Bosco Hall opens, the first residence hall built for male students.
1970
Sister M. JoEllen Scheetz becomes President, leading the institution for 23 years.
1975
The college changes its mascot from the Troubadours to the Cougars.
1981
The men’s golf team wins the college’s first NAIA championship title.
The college establishes a cooperative relationship with Saint Joseph School of Nursing.
1990
Happy 100th Birthday!
The Hutzell Athletic Center opens.
1993
Sister M. Elise Kriss, O.S.F., is inaugurated as President.
1996
Sister Elise announces plans for a football program.
Coach Kevin Donley is named inaugural coach the following year.
1997
Professor Sufi Ahmad sculpts the Saint Francis statue.
1998
The college acquired Lutheran College of Health Professions.
University Bound! Saint Francis College Becomes the University of Saint Francis.
1999-2011
USF experiences an era of growth as the following facilities open to accommodate a growing student body and expanded programming:
2012
Plans for a USF Downtown take hold with the purchase of the historic Scottish Rite Center and Chamber of Commerce building in Fort Wayne.
2016
The USF Performing Arts Center opens in the Scottish Rite Center, which also houses the Music Technology and Media Entrepreneurship Training in the Arts (META) programs. The Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership opens in the restored Chamber of Commerce building.
2017
St. Elizabeth School of Nursing (Lafayette, Ind.) officials signed an education partnership agreement with USF. With the agreement, graduates receive a diploma in nursing from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from USF.
2018
The new St. Francis Chapel opens.
2018-2019
Achatz Hall of Science and Research Center is expanded and renovated.
A new Welcome Center opens on North Campus.