Joliet, Ill. – 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.
The sight was astonishing for bystanders who had been sheltering in the lower level of the building.
“I thought I was seeing things,” said one employee. “I just kept staring at it, trying to comprehend what I was looking at.”
Employees expressed sadness and felt a sense of nostalgia at the sight of the iconic steeple from the building, which was constructed in 1881 by the university’s founders, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.
President Ryan Hendrickson issued a message to the USF community last night, stating, “I want to thank those who were on campus and took all emergency precautions—their response was impressive. Our security officers and maintenance team are working right now to address the damage. They are truly living examples of our Franciscan values of compassion and service and I am so grateful for their immediate assistance and outreach.”
The university is working with its insurance provider to address campus damages.
Said Hendrickson, “We will indeed restore our Motherhouse steeple back to its full glory!”
Click HERE to support the University of St. Francis in its impending campus restoration efforts.
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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.
