FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis welcomed its largest student body in four years on Wednesday at the annual Opening Convocation and Mass of the Holy Spirit.
The current fall enrollment of 1,937 students includes a combined 836 new Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Lafayette and online students. A total of 423 residential students represents the highest number on campus since 2018, and Crown Point’s enrollment of 241 students is a record for that location.
“We are excited to report that the university is growing, and our enrollment is strong,” Saint Francis President Dr. Lance Richey said. “Regardless of a student’s location or degree level, the university remains committed to delivering rigorous and mission-infused programming that, in the words of our mission statement, ‘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’ and by doing so ‘prepares students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service and joy.’”
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic Diocese served as the main celebrant for Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday prior to an address by Dr. Richey. The day’s events concluded with a complimentary lunch for students, faculty and staff in attendance.
Dr. Richey shared the specific news of the strong enrollment numbers and emphasized the university’s commitment to growing its geographic reach and range of academic offerings. He highlighted the partnership and planned integration of the Leffler Academy in Gas City and the ongoing construction of Saint Francis’ new location in Lafayette.
“Offering students a chance to experience profound personal transformation is at the heart of a Saint Francis education and is the reason we exist,” Dr. Richey said. “God has called each and every one of us to Himself, and whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, your path right now is running through Saint Francis. We are all here together and all here for one another.
“Finally, I want to thank all our students. You chose Saint Francis, you are the reason all of us come to work, and your success in life will be our success. We are here for you to help you accomplish great things. In a spirit of hope and with the courage and fortitude to undertake and complete the hard work God has called us to—let’s keep moving forward together this academic year, supporting one another in prayer, word and deed, so that we may together achieve the individual and communal goals we have set for ourselves, Or, to put it more succinctly, ‘Go Cougars!’”
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. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.