STORIES

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

It's been a few months since the announcement of the University of St. Francis (USF) deficit. The news was a shock to many, but it's well known that universities across the nation are facing a decrease in enrollment; combined with the debt accumulated under past administrations, the situation has gotten dire. Many lost their jobs, and students are getting increasingly worried, especially after March 17, 2026, when the suspension of numerous programs was announced as part of

This school year at the University of St. Francis (USF) has been a rollercoaster. Our small community has taken hit after hit, cut after cut. Majors have been cut, SGA clubs got their budgets slashed by 25% and campus favorite faculty and staff members have been laid off. Being a third-year student at USF, this school year was unlike anything I have experienced before. Specifically, as a resident who lives on campus, is involved in a variety of activities and whose major was

At the beginning of March, the University of St. Francis (USF) and Joliet Junior College (JJC) officially announced their partnership project that is intended to make higher education more accessible to all students. This partnership, called “The Bridge Forward Partnership,” is intended to encourage current JJC students to continue their education locally at our four-year institution. This partnership is making an effort to alleviate the stress of transferring from a two-yea

As construction continues on the long-anticipated student center addition to Tower Hall, the project has encountered a small hiccup marked less by underground surprises and more by unpredictable spring weather. While last semester’s delays came from old piping, electrical rerouting and the “mystery tunnel,” the more recent setback came from something more simple: rain. “Right now we’re dealing with rain delays,” said Vice President of IT & Planning, Terry Cottrell, who has o

On March 18 the President of the University of St. Francis (USF), Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson, provided an update on the academic reorganization process to the USF community. Throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, the University of St. Francis has worked to restructure academically with the focus to strengthen academic excellence, enhance student support, sustain financial stability, while upholding Franciscan values. To implement this academic reorganization, President Hendric

The University of St. Francis (USF) men’s bowling team has proven it can compete and outlast other teams throughout the regular season. However, as post-season lingers within arms length, the team will have to work to secure their spot at the Intercollegiate Team Championship (ITC). Dylan Holtz, a senior who was named second team WHAC All-Conference for the 2025-2026 season, described the season as a success. The men’s varsity team has consistently finished in the top five i

On Feb. 21, the University of St. Francis’ (USF) women’s bowling team clutched up in the WHAC championship title, punching their ticket to NAIA Nationals. With the length of the bowling season, this win was long awaited. For most sports at USF, there is a designated season in which the team competes; whether that be fall, winter or spring. Exceptions can be found to this precedent like the bowling season, which extends from September to March, as highlighted by senior team me

Over the past year, immigration enforcement has become one of the greatest concerns all around the country. It has created uncertainty for students and has led to planned walkouts in many schools to advocate for their rights. While no one hopes to experience a situation where immigration enforcement is present on campus, understanding what to do and knowing the available resources can help students feel more prepared and supported. According to the Dean of Student Life, Cedri

1) In America, using the metric system can get you in legal trouble 2) I just broke up with my mathematician girlfriend. She was obsessed with an X 3) When I die, I want to be cremated. It’s my last chance to have a smokin’ hot body. 4) What do you call a sad cup of coffee? Depresso. 5) What’s green and has wheels? Grass. I lied about the wheels. 6) Women should not have children after 36—really, 36 children is enough. 7) My friend said that if he went off a cliff, it would

Spring semester has started and you may have noticed some things. Doors opened to classrooms you’ve never seen. Art supplies taking over a basement level room in the library. A short guy named Chester is walking everywhere, all the time, at every corner you turn. If you haven’t put the clues together, the Rialto campus is no longer. The Art Department has moved back to the main campus. For the university, this is the solution to some problems: We’re saving money on rent and t

Many of us are prone to skimming the masses of emails that flood our inbox everyday. Sometimes, hidden gems stay hidden because more often it is easier to delete the spam and move on with our day. An email that we see hit our inbox annually this time of year is the opening of the application to become a Schmitt Scholar. Schmitt Scholars are supported by a grant gifted by the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation. This foundation supports leadership development programs intended to pr

The University of St. Francis (USF) has numerous places across campus where students can go to dine, including the Cafe and Bernie’s Pub. One of these places, the Bistro, is located on the first floor of Motherhouse. Found at the Bistro is one of the local USF celebrities of campus, Lisa Walters, known as Ms. Lisa to the students and staff. An employee of the university since 2010, Ms. Lisa got her start through her friend and former cafeteria worker Ms. Diane. Since then, s

As of next year, the University of St. Francis (USF) is sunsetting four majors: political science, English, theology and substance abuse counseling, a decision that has left many USF students frustrated, confused and unsure about their academic future. For Noah Daufenbach, a double major in psychology and substance abuse counseling, the news felt abrupt. He had never imagined that the program he chose, which is one rooted in service and community impact, would be on the chopp

Six straight conference titles, a top-25 national finish and they’re just getting started. The Fighting saints men’s track and field team is dominating their conference, turning every meet into a highlight reel. As this season rolls to an end, the focus of many shifts toward the indoor oval in Florida for the 61 st Annual NAIA National Championships. However, while stats may tell one story, Montrell Chapman provides an inside look at the team chemistry driving this year’s su

We all remember at one point or another pursuing the brochure for the University of St. Francis (USF), gazing at each picture and imagining ourselves there in the moment. However, as we all know, such picturesque fantasy is not complete fiction as each hallway, classroom, and dining location tells a unique story. These brochures are one dimensional; they don’t truly capture the actual rhythm of a Tuesday morning on campus. To fully understand and appreciate the USF experience