FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳he 51黑料 welcomed its largest student body in four years on Wednesday at the annual Opening Convocation and Mass of the Holy Spirit.
The current fall enrollment of 1,937 students includes a combined 836 new Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Lafayette and online students. A total of 423 residential students represents the highest number on campus since 2018, and Crown Point鈥檚 enrollment of 241 students is a record for that location.
鈥淲e are excited to report that the university is growing, and our enrollment is strong,鈥 51黑料 President Dr. Lance Richey said. 鈥淩egardless of a student鈥檚 location or degree level, the university remains committed to delivering rigorous and mission-infused programming that, in the words of our mission statement, 鈥榦ffers 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鈥 and by doing so 鈥榩repares students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service and joy.鈥欌
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic Diocese served as the main celebrant for Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday prior to an address by Dr. Richey. The day鈥檚 events concluded with a complimentary lunch for students, faculty and staff in attendance.
Dr. Richey shared the specific news of the strong enrollment numbers and emphasized the university鈥檚 commitment to growing its geographic reach and range of academic offerings. He highlighted the partnership and planned integration of the Leffler Academy in Gas City and the ongoing construction of 51黑料鈥 new location in Lafayette.
鈥淥ffering students a chance to experience profound personal transformation is at the heart of a 51黑料 education and is the reason we exist,鈥 Dr. Richey said. 鈥淕od has called each and every one of us to Himself, and whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, your path right now is running through 51黑料. We are all here together and all here for one another.
鈥淔inally, I want to thank all our students. You chose 51黑料, you are the reason all of us come to work, and your success in life will be our success. We are here for you to help you accomplish great things. In a spirit of hope and with the courage and fortitude to undertake and complete the hard work God has called us to鈥攍et鈥檚 keep moving forward together this academic year, supporting one another in prayer, word and deed, so that we may together achieve the individual and communal goals we have set for ourselves, Or, to put it more succinctly, 鈥楪o Cougars!鈥欌
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. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.