FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis proudly announces that its sponsoring congregation—the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration—has developed and presented a new mission statement for the university.
The mission statement:
“The University of Saint Francis offers formation of the whole person by providing an encounter with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ so that God, who is Love, may be loved. Through our Catholic identity, Franciscan charism, and liberal arts tradition, we prepare students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service, and joy.”
Provincial Superior Sr. Margaret Mary Mitchel, OSF, outlined the purpose of the mission statement.
“The most important sentence is first and represented in bold font,” she said. “This first sentence is the heart of our mission and the direction the (Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration administration) has agreed upon for the university. The second sentence further elaborates upon and indicates how the heart of the mission is carried out and measured.”
Saint Francis President Dr. Lance Richey expressed his excitement about the new mission statement, including its emphasis on the university’s Catholic nature and desire to be a welcoming place to all.
“Saint Francis has always been rooted in its Catholic faith and Franciscan charism,” Richey said. “This mission statement brings those to the forefront. The most important aspect is that this is a mission for everybody; it is about the good news and good things we want to do for every student and our larger community.”
The mission statement will guide Saint Francis’ forthcoming strategic plan and the work the university embarks upon for decades to come, Richey said. “We hope our alumni and donors will share in our excitement and support us as we continue the great work of Saint Francis,” he said.
Saint Francis Board of Trustees Chair Richard A. Poinsatte also expressed his enthusiasm for the new mission statement.
“The Board of Trustees looks forward to embracing and promoting the mission statement and doing everything we can to support, guide and ensure the ongoing success of the University of Saint Francis,” Poinsatte said.
Saint Francis will incorporate the mission statement into its strategic plan, policies and marketing in the coming months and beyond to ensure the university faithfully carries out its mission.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 20 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.