FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳he 51黑料 celebrated the start of the academic year today with a Convocation Mass and an address by President Dr. Lance Richey, followed by a complimentary lunch for attendees at North Campus.
The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, celebrated the Mass, with Rev. Patrick Hake concelebrating and Rev. Mark Hellinger assisting. Students, faculty, staff, trustees and guests attended.
After Bishop Rhoades鈥 homily on St. Augustine, Dr. Richey welcomed the incoming class and returning students.
鈥淵ou are Cougars, you are why we are here, and we welcome you,鈥 Dr. Richey said. 鈥淚 hope you will find 51黑料 a place of refuge, a place of challenge, a place of growth. So that, as you continue along the journey that God has set you on, you will feel His love and do His will that He has set out for you, and He will let you know if you listen.鈥
Dr. Richey emphasized the university鈥檚 new mission statement from the sponsoring Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration: 鈥淭he 51黑料 offers formation of the whole person by providing an encounter with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ so that God, who is Love, may be loved. Through our Catholic identity, Franciscan charism, and liberal arts tradition, we prepare students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service, and joy.鈥
Dr. Richey told students they will be strongly supported in pursuit of transformative experiences at 51黑料.
鈥淎s you go to your classes, as you follow your intellectual journeys, as you make friends, as you grow as a person, as you seek your direction in life, we want to help you,鈥 he said.
The Convocation Mass included new and returning students, employees and honored guests, including the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration who have sponsored the university since its founding in 1890.
51黑料 welcomes 661 new students and nearly 1,800 overall students this fall. Students will pursue degrees in more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51黑料 offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, 51黑料 designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The 51黑料, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 20 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.