USF Embards on a Centennial Campaign

USF Embarks on a Centennial Campaign

Building a Franciscan Future... Together, in Our Second Century!

Almost a century ago, the College of St. Francis was founded by a group of pioneer women, the Sisters of Saint Francis of Mary Immaculate, with a determination of providing high quality education to capable young women. During the course of those 100 years, the university has carried on the traditions of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare by educating young women and men with the values of respect, integrity, service and compassion. The university’s 49,000 alumni have, in turn, carried out those values and made the world a better place.

In the past century, St. Francis became a coeducational institution in 1971, developed an affiliation with the Saint Joseph College of Nursing in 1997, and was re-named University of St. Francis (USF) in 1998. Along the journey, this university has maintained its focus on offering a Catholic, Franciscan value-centered education to every student.

In 2020, the University of St. Francis will celebrate its rich history and 100-year anniversary. As part of this 100-year celebration, USF is embarking on a Centennial Campaign that will support the next 100 years. It includes three strategic initiatives that will increase scholarship support, honor USF’s Franciscan heritage and further beautify the main campus in Joliet. This campaign is critical to USF in enhancing its learning environment, showing is its dedication to award-winning, high quality education and ensuring a USF degree remains within the reach of smart, motivated students ready to make a difference in the world. It inspires the hopes and aspirations of young people today and into the future.

The Centennial Campaign officially kicked-off on September 25, 2018 with an introduction of campaign leadership and volunteers ready to spread the excitement and share the plans with fellow alumni and friends.

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, economic barriers have remained a major factor in college accessibility for students. At a time when a college degree has become essential to success, the University of St. Francis remains committed to assuring that every student who seeks a USF education is able to afford it. A college education,namely a USF education, remains an important investment.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s “Focusing Higher Education on Student Success” fact sheet, college graduates with a bachelor’s degree typically earn 66percent more than those with only a high school diploma and are also far less likely to face unemployment. Over the course of a lifetime, the average worker with a bachelor’s degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker without a post-secondary education. By 2020, an estimated two-thirds of job openings will require post secondary education or training.

The highest priority of the Centennial Campaign is raising $1 million dedicated to scholarships, which is essential to the enrollment of hundreds of students each year.More than half of USF students are the first in their families to attend college. The availability of scholarships often determines whether many talented young women and men are able to attend USF and earn a degree. USF seeks hard-working students with unique talents, brainpower and the desire to make a difference in the world.Scholarships make the USF experience affordable for these students.

Saint Francis of Assisi said, “For it is in giving, that we receive.” The mission of this campaign will be carried out by those who care deeply about the university and understand that endowed scholarships are critical to ensuring the tradition of educating current and future students with Franciscan values continues for the next 100 years.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE #2:

CENTENNIAL GATEWAY—$500,000

The new Centennial Gateway will honor the university’s100-year heritage, recognize USF supporters and provide a warm welcome to campus. The landscape design features a stone gateway and signage, a stone patio and seating area, a bronze statue of Saint Francis of Assisi and thriving plants and trees. These special features will welcome current students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors to campus. Statues on college campuses become an important way to communicate heritage, pride and tradition. USF believes the statue of Saint Francis and the area around it will enhance the campus environment and help bolster recruitment efforts. The university also believes the charm, color, and beauty of the landscaping will be a fitting remembrance of USF’s patron, who was known for his love of nature and creation. Spaces,such as this one, will be the heart of USF’s mission as a welcoming community of learners.

USF aspires to reach 100 alumni, in honor of the university’s100th anniversary, who will make the Centennial Gateway possible.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE #3:

CENTENNIAL QUAD—$500,000

The Quad on the main campus will be transformed.The space will create an attractive outdoor gathering area and walkable link between USF’s LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Science Hall, Tower Hall, the Pat Sullivan Recreation Center and the Motherhouse. With the removal of St. Albert Hall, the campus will be opened up and the Quad will create a peaceful setting conducive to learning. Illinois native plants and gardens will be incorporated into the landscape design as well as a new water feature that will enhance the overall beauty of campus. The commons seating area will provide space for students to study,collaborate on projects and enjoy fellowship. This space,where relationships will flourish, is a critical means by which student success is made. A variety of naming opportunities in the new Quad are available to recognize supporters and make this vision a reality.

Pay Your Blessings Forward When you love something, you support it the best you can. That’s the lens through which Margaret (Kennedy) ’69 and Bill Benoit look at USF, and that is why they have chosen to support the Centennial Campaign and name the new commons seating area in the transformed Quad.

“When I was a student at St. Francis, I majored in English and minored in Music and Education. I had excellent teachers who provided me with a strong foundation in the liberal arts,” Margaret said. “Because of this, I was well prepared for a rewarding career as a teacher. I am looking forward to attending my 50th class reunion in 2019!”

Although Bill is not an alumnus, he began working at USF as an adjunct field experience supervisor in the College of Education after retiring from Joliet District 86 in 2000. He has since developed an affection for the university on a different level.

“You want to pay your blessings forward,” he continued. “If you have blessings, you share them while you can. That’s what it’s all about. Whether it is $10 or $10,000, you have an opportunity to touch someone’s life and they will, most likely, pay that blessing forward and impact the lives of others.”

As for the future of USF, the Benoits hope to see the next 100 years be just as good, if not better, than the first 100 years.

“We want to see the University of St. Francis continue to grow and thrive,” Margaret said. “We realize that a lot can change over the course of 100 years, but it is our hope that USF will continue to provide the wonderful educational opportunities and Franciscan values that it is so well known for.”

stfrancis.edu/giving/centennial-campaign

“There is a great group of people at USF who are dedicated to preparing students to be successful teachers and leaders,” Bill said. “What is accomplished in the College of Education classrooms each day is truly remarkable.”

Regardless of how they individually arrived at it, Margaret and Bill’s love of USF is a common bond they have now shared for years. They also know their support of USF makes a difference and helps to provide opportunities to students that might not otherwise be available to them. This opportunity to impact the lives of those students is important to them.

“We love supporting USF because we know there are students here who are going to make a difference in this world and continue to live the Franciscan values they are learning here,” Margaret said.

Added Bill, regarding their choice to show that support though the Quad project, “When you walk through the Quad, everyone is welcoming. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place, and the new seating area will be a wonderful addition.”

Margaret (Kennedy ’69) and Bill Benoit at the Centennial Campaign kick-off event.