All University of St. Francis students, faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees, along with members of the Joliet and Will County community, are invited to a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the life of USF’s sixth president, Dr. John “Jack” C. Orr, who passed away in February. The Mass will be held in USF’s St. Joseph Chapel in the Motherhouse (520 Plainfield Road, Joliet) on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 1 p.m. A reception with Dr. Orr’s family and friends will follow in San Damiano Hall.
Dr. Orr served as president of then-College of St. Francis for 21 years, from 1974-1995, and as chancellor until 1997. As CSF’s leader, Dr. Orr made many contributions, including robust enrollment gains, the expansion of undergraduate and graduate programs, growth in the university endowment and a significant increase in university athletics.
Dr. Orr is also remembered for his deep commitment to the university’s Franciscan tradition and education. He and his wife, Madonna (Plese ’56), remained longtime donors of the university throughout his retirement, attending galas and golf outings and supporting other events sponsored by the school.
Those seeking to provide memorials in the name of Dr. Orr may be offered to the John and Margaret Plese Scholarship at the University of St. Francis or to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.
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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves more than 3,200 students worldwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 54,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.
University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.
