The University of St. Francis Centennial Campaign Brochure

THE CENTENNIAL C A MPAIG N

Join us as we enhance USF’s campus and transform students’ lives.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

The University of St. Francis was founded and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.

For the past 100 years, the university has carried on the traditions of Saint Francis of Assisi and educated students with the values of respect, integrity, service and compassion. Our 49,000 alumni have, in turn, carried out those values and made the world a better place.

The University of St. Francis has come a long way since its establishment in 1920 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. Since that time, we have become a coeducational institution (1971), have become affiliated with the Saint Joseph College of Nursing (1997), and have become the University of St. Francis (1998). Each year along that path, your university maintained its focus on offering a Catholic, comprehensive educational experience focused on Franciscan values and rooted in the liberal arts to each and every student. All of us at USF are excited to celebrate this milestone.

As part of its 100-year celebration, USF is embarking on a Centennial Campaign with strategic initiatives that will help beautify campus, increase scholarships and honor our heritage. This campaign is an important part of how USF is enhancing the learning environment, showing its commitment to affordable excellence and ensuring a USF education remains within reach of bright, hard-working students and their families.

Donations to the Centennial Campaign would make meaningful tribute gifts to the university’s 100-year history. To those of you who have invested in the strategic priorities of this campaign, thank you. If you have not yet made a gift to our Centennial Campaign, I urge you to join us as we turn the initiatives into realities.

With your help, your participation and your prayers, I know that we will fulfill the needs of our university today as we continue to build a Franciscan future.

Pace e Bene,

Arvid C. Johnson President

Scholarships Student support is the highest priority of the university. Throughout USF’s 100-year history, we have welcomed students based on their talent and academic potential.

By raising $1 million in new scholarship support by 2020, the University of St. Francis Centennial Campaign demonstrates USF’s commitment to affordable excellence and will ensure a USF education remains within reach of bright, hard-working students and families. USF is emphasizing two scholarship support areas that are critical to the university’s recruitment success and the overall quality of USF’s student body.

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

While 96 percent (1,240 out of 1,291) of traditional, full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance and 40 percent (520 out of 1,291) of traditional, full-time undergraduate students qualify for Federal Pell Grants, the university is only able to meet a fraction of the growing student financial need that exists. This is the university’s greatest need.

MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

USF aims to strengthen its ability to attract the best and brightest students from Illinois, the region and the country through competitive scholarship support.

Centennial Gate The new Centennial Gateway will celebrate the 100-year legacy, recognize USF supporters and provide a warm welcome to campus. The new landscape design features a new stone gateway and signage, a stone patio and seating area, a bronze statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, and thriving trees and plants. These special features will welcome current students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors to campus. The university believes the charm, color and beauty of the well-placed landscape elements will enhance the campus environment and help bolster recruitment efforts. Spaces, such as this one, are at the heart of the university’s mission as a welcoming community of learners.

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Centennial Qua The Quad 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 new Quad will create a peaceful setting conducive to learning. Illinois native plants and gardens will be incorporated into the design as well as a new water feature. The commons area will provide space for students to study, collaborate, dine and enjoy fellowship. Spaces like these are a critical means by which student success is made.

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Recognition and Naming Opportunities There are many recognition and naming opportunities available in the Centennial Campaign that will transform students’ lives for the better. A priority is to offer scholarships to offset the cost of higher education for deserving students. Donors can name an endowed scholarship for gifts of $50,000 and above. Donors can also add investments to the Professor LaRocco Scholarship and the Centennial Scholarship.

With a $5,000 investment, you will help build the Centennial Gateway and have your name on the donor wall. There are many other naming opportunities for the quad, water feature, and more. Please contact Kristin Short at 815-740-3613 for a listing of opportunities.

Centennial Campaign Leadership CHAIRS

Annette Jelinek

Frances Naal

Diane & Bill Habiger

Sr. MaryAnn Jerkofsky, OSF

Margaret & John Peifer

Gloria & Ed Dollinger

Arvid & Anne Johnson

Caroline Portlock

Maria Jevitz Patterson

Steph & Tyler Qualio

CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

Dolores Kenney

Ann & Steven Randich

Jayne Airola

Laurie Knick

Mary Roa

Jo Ann Barber

Aubrey Knight

Jodi Schager

Margaret & Bill Benoit

Dave Laketa

Keith Schomig

Chuck Beutel

Rosemary Lux

James Sefcik

Mary Kay Blake

Natalie Manley

Brian Sharp

Rick Cronholm

Bill Manner

Elaine Smith

Jeanette D’Arcy

Sue & John Manner

Cheryl Stepney

Judy & Tom DeMint

Carol McCafferty

Kathleen Sullivan

Jo Ann & Tony Delgado

Vincent McGirr

Sr. Rose Marie Surwilo, OSF

Arlene Finkle

Patrick McGuire

Willie & Jay Vidmar

Rebecca Fry

Raquel Montoya

Jason Whiteside

Joseph Gaul

Anthony Mravle

Colleen Wyse

Jeremy Grachan

Michael Mravle

Nancy & Tony Zordan

Carolyn Murphy Marianne Murphy

We are deeply grateful to the loyal benefactors who have already committed to the Centennial Campaign.

To make an investment in the Centennial Campaign and the university’s second century, please contact Vice President for Advancement Kristin Short at 815-740-3613 or kshort@stfrancis.edu or Major Gifts Officer Regina Block at 815-740-5065 or rblock@stfrancis.edu.

500 Wilcox Street Joliet, Illinois 60435