Lourdes University

Lourdes University

Former names	Lourdes Junior College, Lourdes College
Type	Private
Established	1958
Religious affiliation	Roman Catholic
Endowment	$11.5 Million
President	Mary Ann Gawelek
Academic staff	151
Students	1,530
Undergraduates	1,237
Postgraduates	293
Location	Sylvania, Ohio, U.S. 41°42′35″N 83°42′22″W / 41.709839°N 83.706132°W / 41.709839; -83.706132Coordinates: 41°42′35″N 83°42′22″W / 41.709839°N 83.706132°W / 41.709839; -83.706132
Campus	127 acres (0.51 km2) Suburban
Colors	Terracotta and Black[1]
Sporting affiliations	NAIA –WHAC
Mascot	Gray Wolves
Website	www.lourdes.edu

Lourdes University is an independent, Roman Catholic and Franciscan university located on 127 acres (0.51 km²) in suburban Sylvania, Ohio, 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Toledo. Established in 1958, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania.^[2]

Academics

As a Franciscan university, Lourdes students benefit from the liberal arts curriculum and professional studies focus.^[3] Lourdes has a diverse community of students and an 11:1 student to faculty ratio.^[4]

Classified as a master’s university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education,^[5] Lourdes offers baccalaureate degree programs in the arts and sciences, business and leadership, education and human services, and nursing. Students can also pursue several pre-professional programs and graduate degrees.

History

Founding and early history

In 1916 Mother Adelaide Sandusky traveled from Minnesota to northwest Ohio to establish a province of the Rochester Franciscans that eventually became the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania.^[6] For nearly 50 years, she cultivated the Sylvania Franciscan community establishing thriving ministries including the Catholic and Franciscan institution known today as Lourdes University.^[7]

Initially created as an extension campus of the College of St. Teresa (in Winona, Minnesota), Lourdes Junior College was founded in 1958 to educate the Sisters of St. Francis. In 1964, the liberal arts institution was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As time passed and there were fewer candidates in formation, Lourdes began admitting lay students with women enrolling in 1969 and men in 1975.^[8]

Recent history

In 2010, Lourdes embarked on a growth period which culminated in its transition to Lourdes University.^[9] Today, Lourdes offers students a unique residential campus experience with apartment-style on-campus housing. In addition to its robust National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program, Lourdes offers a fun and eclectic array of student activities and recreation and campus ministry programming.^[10][11]

Campus

Lourdes University is located in the suburban city of Sylvania, Ohio

Facilities

Ebeid Recreation Center & Mid-Campus Expansion

In September 2016, Lourdes University opened the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center. The center will serve as home court for the Gray Wolves basketball and volleyball teams. Lourdes athletics coaches will also call the center home.

Lourdes University embarked on The University Campaign in February 2011 to build a dining hall and recreation center, and to strengthen the endowment through scholarships and the creation of endowed chairs and professorships. A $10 million funding goal was set. To date over $12 million has been raised.

The first phase involved building the dining hall and establishing new endowment programs to better meet our students’ needs. The second phase involved the mid-campus expansion. In 2014, the lighted pathway, practice fields, bonfire and spirit rock area were completed successfully connecting our historic academic campus with the residential area. With the dedication of the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center, Lourdes University has successfully provided a dedicated fitness center for the campus community and a home court for our Gray Wolves teams.

The Grille

Adjacent to the planetarium lobby and Mother Adelaide Hall, The Grille is a 9,500 square foot dining hall featuring an open floor plan, large seating area, food stations set up in a circular pattern and a full range of food choices from traditional to international dishes. Space has also been designated for an outdoor dining patio and for a lounge/study space with a widescreen TV.

The Canticle Center

The Canticle Center is home to the Graduate School, the Art Department offices and studios, the Music Department office and classrooms, music practice rooms, undergraduate and graduate classrooms, a 40-seat computer classroom, a Student Lounge, a conference room, and a gym for student recreation and Athletic Team practices. The Canticle Center also houses offices for the Sophia Center, another sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis.

Residence Halls

Residential students choose from 1 and 2 bedroom apartment-style living spaces in six separate residence buildings (Pioneer, Justinian, Bonaventure, Ambrose, Rosaria and Emmanuel). Each residential apartment offers a living room, kitchen with dining area, bedroom, bathroom and shower, air conditioning, and internet access. ^[12]

Athletics

Known as the Gray Wolves, Lourdes University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and plays in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).^[13] Offering 18 men’s and women’s sports, the teams play under the university’s colors of terra cotta and black. Their mascot is Gubi, named after the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the Wolf of Gubbio. ^[14]

Scholarships

Lourdes University has scholarship available for academics, band, choir, e-sports, campus ministry and athletics.

References