University News

Saint Francis University honored the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with in-person and virtual discussions, group activities and educational displays. The MLK Day Celebration was a day of education and reflection on Dr. Kings’ philosophy of nonviolent social change and conflict-reconciliation. This year’s Martin Luther King Day coincided with SFU’s Convocation, and featured keynote speaker, Mr. Bill Strickland, founder, and Chairman of Manchester Bidwell Corporation . Mr. Strickland is the author of “Make the Impossible Possible”, which speaks of his personal crusade to inspire

Saint Francis University is proud to announce a new annual accolade titled the ‘Shields School of Business Dare-to-Dream Award’, a homage to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s iconic "I Have a Dream Speech". Each year, $500 will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate Black or African American student, or a student of Black or African American descent, who is working toward their degree within the Shields School of Business (SSOB) at Saint Francis. “I’m very grateful for the generosity of the Shields School of Business faculty and staff, in graciously creating and funding this award. It is just one of

2020 March on the Mountain Event Join the Saint Francis University community as we gather for our 7th Annual March on the Mountain on Wednesday, January 22nd . We gather to unite our prayers and proclaim the sanctity of human life with Pro-Life advocates around the country on the 47th Anniversary of Roe v Wade. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited prior to the March in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, located on the Loretto campus, beginning at 10:30 a.m. This will be followed by several guest speakers. The March itself will begin with a short prayer at 11:00 a.m. in front of the

The fullest and most far-reaching expression of the mission of Saint Francis University are the Franciscan values which were lived by its founding brothers. Humbleness, respect, and service are just a few of the G oals of Franciscan Higher Education . These goals reach well beyond the comfy confines of Loretto and extend to the surrounding community. Recently, Saint Francis University donated over a dozen laptop computers to the Flood City Youth Fitness Academy’s virtual learning center, a charitable organization serving the needs of children and their families living in the Johnstown area. We

Congratulations to Shields School of Business students, Hunter Longenecker, Urska Medvesek and Yanessa Shabbick, on winning the 2020 America250 PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge in the final state round. Under the direction of Dr. Tricia McFadden, the students competed against ten universities and colleges across the Commonwealth of PA and presented a comprehensive integrated marketing campaign, "Small Businesses Build Big Dreams" #BuyPA. The students were each awarded a stipend and internships with the American250PA Commission. About America250PA The Pennsylvania Commission for the United

The 27th Annual STEAM day was held virtually on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. There were 409 high school students and 32 high school teachers from 21 schools who participated. The day featured 32 one-hour sessions, including three Keynote presentations, an Esports Rocket League Gaming competition, and an Ethics Debate Team competition. The presenters included three alumni in Keynote sessions Ms. Margaret Everson from the National Parks Service , Mr. Jim Morhard from NASA , and Dr. Stephen O'Brien from the National Institute of Health , and additional alumni presenters Ms. Jaci Bray a 2020

Saint Francis University has established its first “named” academic program in honor of Dr. Philip Woo. The Dr. Philip Woo Economics Program is part of the Shields School of Business, housed in historic Schwab Hall. Dr. Woo was a respected scholar, dedicated teacher, and successful businessman with a sharp mind for real estate and banking. During his 26 year stellar teaching career, Dr. Woo shared his passion for economics with hundreds, if not thousands, of students, and helped launch many of them into their own successful business careers. The University held a ceremony in the Kudrick/Oravec

Student tradition: As a new class enters Saint Francis University, incoming students gather around the campus bell tower for a ceremony that marks the beginning of their university careers. A short four years later, seniors gather to listen to the bells signify the successful conclusion of their college careers. Tradition maintained: For the seniors in the Class of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made gathering at the bell tower physically impossible. Yet University President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell TOR wanted to make sure the class received the traditional honor of closing bells. View the Class

On April 24, 2020, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope celebrated the 30th anniversary of its launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery with the release of a stunning new Hubble image! The Science Outreach Center at Saint Francis University is pleased to have been selected as one of a limited number of locations across the nation to unveil the anniversary photo to the public. While were we unable to celebrate in person, we were able to wish Hubble a happy birthday virtually by enjoying this new image, titled “Cosmic Reef,” pictured above. These national unveilings were the brainchild of the Space

Saint Francis University President, Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R. Ph.D., has shared the following message with the University community, announcing a move to remote instruction starting March 18th in response to the global Coronavirus outbreak . President Malachi’s message to the University community: Dear Members of University Community: I am writing to you today to share updates and decisions relative to Saint Francis University’s response to the global Coronavirus (COVID-19). While there are no confirmed cases on our campus, the institution has made several decisions that are