The University of St. Francis regrets to inform the community of the passing of its sixth president, Dr. John “Jack” C. Orr, who served the then-College of St. Francis community for 23 years—as president from 1974-1995, and as chancellor until 1997. Orr held the position for the longest of any president to date.
Students who have attained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher at the end of a semester in which they have taken at least twelve credit hours are named to the Dean’s List.
The Joliet Symphony Orchestra (JSO) is pleased to announce the third concert set of its 2025-2026 Season, its 21st, with Artistic Director & Conductor, Dr. Sean Paul MILLS, leading a program of American music
The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products, as severe winter weather and cold and flu season
USF is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian C. Dilger, CPA, as vice president of business affairs, effective February 16.
As the new year begins, the USF is celebrating a strong student retention rate—an encouraging sign that students are finding purpose, support
U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2026 Best Online Programs rankings, and the University of St. Francis is proud to announce that five of its online programs—including three named as the best private programs in Illinois—were honored this year.
USF is proud to announce the addition of men’s volleyball as its newest intercollegiate athletic program, expanding opportunities for student-athletes and further strengthening the university’s commitment to competitive excellence and student development.
USF Welcomed Diocese of Joliet Bishop Ronald Hicks to campus on Thursday, October 30, 2025 for the annual Diocesan Mass for College Students.
University of St. Francis and Diocese of Belleville create accessibility in Catholic education through a guaranteed admission program
The Joliet Symphony Orchestra (JSO) is pleased to announce the second concert set of its 2025-2026 Season, its 21st, with Artistic Director & Conductor, Dr. Sean Paul Mills, leading a program of music by Hector BERLIOZ, Johannes BRAHMS, and Ludwig van BEETHOVEN, and featuring violinist Rebekah COPE-EVERS and cellist Patricia WHITE as soloists.
The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Assembly Hall Gymnasium at USF’s St. Clare Campus, which is located at 1550 Plainfield Road in Joliet.
USF’s Leach College of Nursing is celebrating an outstanding achievement after its nursing graduates recorded a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX during the second quarter.
The USF and KCC announced a new guaranteed transfer agreement designed to help more students earn higher credentials while staying, working
Students who have attained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher at the end of a semester in which they have taken at least twelve credit hours are named to the Dean’s List.
Hanoi, Vietnam – In April 2026, University of St. Francis officially launched its fourth Master of Business Administration cohort in Vietnam at VNU University of Economics & Business (UEB-VNU).
The Joliet community was taken aback late yesterday afternoon as strong winds swept through the area, downing trees and power lines, damaging houses and vehicles, and unfortunately, toppling the steeple on the historic Motherhouse building at the University of St. Francis.
Dr. Elizabeth McDermott has a distinguished record of leadership at the University of St. Francis, having served for four years as dean and interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.
The University of St. Francis is proud to celebrate Dr. Donna Metlicka, who recently earned certification as an associate member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy. This will allow her to better advance structured literacy practices and support students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
Eight senior Information Technology and Computer Science majors at USF worked on a Capstone Project to build a new Linux Operating System (named Lady Linux) through the semester.
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, on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Orr’s family and friends will be in attendance at the Mass, which will begin at 1 p.m. in USF’s St. Joseph Chapel in the Motherhouse on the Main Campus.
The USF is grateful to share the success of the 69th Caritas Scholarship Celebration held on April 25. This year’s event, themed “The Future is Bright,” brought together members of the USF community in a shining display of generosity, resulting in an impressive fundraising total of nearly $250,000
The USF College of Education proudly announces the installation of its first-ever Little Free Library, marking a meaningful step toward fostering literacy, community engagement, and a love of reading across campus and in the community.
Students from the Bachelor’s in Substance Abuse Counseling and Post-master’s Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling programs at the University of St. Francis recently attended the annual spring conference