STORIES

On Oct. 7, 2026, the University of St.Francis (USF) celebrated a long-awaited milestone: the grand opening of the Student Success Center (SSC). The SSC has been in the works since the 2025 fall semester. Located in between the two wings of Tower Hall, the building includes a student common area/dining space, the registrar's office, the Academic Resource Center (ARC), the Career Success Center (CSC), and more amenities. The ceremony started off with a prayer from Sister Sue Br

At the end of last women’s volleyball season, Cara Currier, former coach of the program for the past 24 seasons, announced that she would be retiring from the position. While searching for a new women’s coach, the University of St. Francis (USF) also introduced a men’s volleyball program to the school, further raising the qualifications of the position to managing two programs. Tom Welsh got his start in volleyball as a former junior college (JUCO) player. He started in the

I will be honest, when it comes to holidays, hot takes, or pretty much anywhere my opinion is needed, I am a hater by nature. Usually, my initial instinct is to squint and judge as if everything personally wronged me. But even I have my exceptions, and pumpkin spice is one of them. The minute the weather dips below gross and sweaty, my inner fall lover wakes up. I love fall the way people love their pets, so naturally I am pro-pumpkin spice. It is cozy, nostalgic and pretty m

Transformation and change are surrounding us this semester at the University of St.Francis (USF). First-year students are taking their first steps into adulthood, staff and faculty are transitioning into new positions with new responsibilities and changes are being made to the physical parts of campus. We are seeing a transition at USF unlike anything we have experienced before. Last year was the hard kind of transition, the kind that we didn’t quite understand. While we kn

This year at University of St. Francis (USF), a lot of change is happening around campus with the addition of the new Student Success Center building. With the new building expanding into Tower Hall, departments have had the opportunity to move around campus. These changes have raised many questions among students and faculty. There is a shared concern among students about the relocation or closures of various departments, resources, and social gathering spots. To get deeper

When it comes to being in college, there is a lot of pressure; especially during the start of the school year. On top of academic stress, the fall season comes and the shorter days and longer nights make it seem like time is going by slowly. With these two factors, college students may feel drained and unmotivated. Having a fall bucket list can help the time go by a little faster and be much more enjoyable. Having a fall bucket list gives students something to look forward t

As the dog days of summer are winding down, and the hum of a new academic year fills the quad at the University of St. Francis (USF), a shift signals the start of an electric fall. Saturday football games at Joliet Memorial Stadium are back. For the Fighting Saints, the return to campus brings more than lectures and lively campus life. It brings back Mid-States Football Association (MFSA) rivalries and a chance to channel energy into momentum. For the 2026 season, the Fightin

For many college students, campus life revolves around the residence hall or around the quad. Though for commuters, the day can start with a long drive and end right after the last class. The Commuter & Transfer Assistants Team (CTA) here at the University of St. Francis (USF) has made its goal to ensure off-campus students feel just as supported and connected as everyone else. Even with ongoing changes in campus leadership and strategic priorities, the CTA is staying focused

As a new semester begins, students in the College of Arts and Sciences will notice a change to the nameplate on the Dean's office. Previous Dean Beth McDermott is transitioning to Provost while Professor David Veenstra is settling in as the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Previously, Veenstra served as the department chair of the History, Political Science, and Criminal and Social Justice Department. “I do love teaching,” Veenstra said, “but I also foun

Have you been to the movie theatre this year? Perhaps more than once? As we are already in the last stretch of 2026 and the numerous successful releases in many different genres, it is likely you have! Directors have been on a summer hot streak with movie releases this year. Cinema is back baby and it is better than ever! Let’s look at the top movies this year and how they changed the game. It is not at all surprising that horror has dominated the box offices this year. Thi

There are many beautiful places to look at here at the University of St. Francis, but nothing compares to the art gallery found at the entrance to the Performing Arts Center. With the photographs of Micheal “Chester” Alamo-Costello and the art of Chris Beaty currently on display, there is no better time to look and admire the beauty behind the first exhibitions of the 2026-27 school year. Micheal “Chester” Alamo-Costello is not just an artist, a historian and a writer, he has

Being a student-athlete requires a lot of responsibility. An athlete's diet is crucial, especially eating meals before and after training. With long days packed with classes, training and homework there is a lot to manage, leaving limited time to eat during their busy schedule. At the University of St. Francis (USF), some student-athletes say reliable dining options can be difficult when their practice schedules do not line up with the hours provided. The Terrace Cafe serves

Anyone who has followed University of St. Francis (USF) sport programs over the past year will have noticed that there are many new leaders at the helm of programs. In total, eight programs have new head coaches for their 2026-27 seasons out of the 19 teams that the school boasts. This is a 42% turnover rate, a mark over four times the national average of 10.2% as reported in a study done by coachad.com over the last two school years. Of the six coaches that are gone, three

Students and faculty have found themselves learning how to renavigate campus as construction continues to complete the Student Success Center. While there will be a major benefit in the near future by having this new space on campus, it currently brings a lot of readjustments for everyone involved. All across campus, students and staff are feeling the changes in a variety of ways. Staff have to adjust to new workspaces and students have to figure out where their professors, a

This fall semester at the University of St. Francis (USF), students are witnessing a noticeable shift within the dining landscape as Bernie’s Pub is officially closed and the Saint’s Snack Shop makes a comeback. For years, Bernie’s Pub has served as a central afternoon, late-night dining, and social spot for students; making this closure quite notable. While Bernie’s Pub has closed its doors, the space still lives on through the return of the Saint’s Snack Shop. Deriving it

I came to USF not expecting to join the publication. Joining the newspaper management class, I did not know I would be the producer for the next two years, but it was one of the best memories I have had here. I knew something was missing at our university when there were no podcasts when the podcasting space was only growing bigger by the day. So, when I pitched the idea to the Editor-in-Chief at the time, they loved the idea. It started off small with only about 15 minutes o

The Encounter has been one of my favorite parts of my USF experience. I appreciate getting to see my work enjoyed by those around me, learning how to use the dreaded program InDesign and getting to draw Bernie the school mascot as many times as I want. This job has made me more confident in my career path than any other decision at this school. Art has always been a huge part of my life, but it’s a field notorious for being difficult. Through the Encounter, I’ve seen the prev

There's something about that moment every year right when spring starts pretending it's summer that feels like a promise. A subtle reminder that soon, we’ll be trading in our winter coats for summer swimsuits, Uggs for Birkenstocks, and midterm deadlines for day trips. Every year, as the seasons shift, I, like many others, feed myself the same delusion: this will be the best summer ever. Everybody knows spring and summer are peak girlhood, no doubt about it. It’s the era o

It’s that time of year: almost every store you walk into is plastered with pastel colors, seasonal candy takes up three aisles and stuffed bunnies and chicks are sitting on the shelves begging you to take them home. Spring is upon us and Easter solidified its spot in the holiday decor section. As a child, Easter probably meant you got a break from school, got a basket of goodies, went to church and decorated easter eggs. As a college student, I find myself participating in

Ever since he started as a student at the University of St.Francis in 2004, William Linz, now Director of Safety and Security, has been a part of the school community. “I actually went to school here as a student, from 2004 to 2009”, said Linz. “I started in 2004 as a student worker here in a department…Eventually worked my way to full-time and then up to now the Director of Safety and Security here.” Originally a secondary education major, Linz did not plan to permanently g