STORIES

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

For many, our mornings start with the sharp, blaring noise of an alarm, forcing us to wake up. Some of us are ready to tackle the day, while others may groan in an attempt to silence the echo in our minds of a new monotonous day; a list plays through: class, brush your teeth, draft paper, get dressed, reply to peers’ discussion posts, and so on.  As a student, you’ve probably shared this sentiment numerous times. The absolute dread of an early morning or the hallucinogens of

The information I am about to share is highly confidential and must be taken seriously. It is with great trust that I share my life’s work. I have accomplished the greatest endeavor one can achieve. With endless testing, the countless hours I have dedicated to this and more than my fair share of failed attempts, I know how to catch a leprechaun. First and foremost, there is a limited window of opportunity to catch a leprechaun. Preparation is crucial, since they only make an

This past weekend, staff from the Encounter attended the annual Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference in downtown Chicago. The attendees this year included Editor-in-Chief Rodolfo Flores, Assistant and Sports editor Scarlett LaBuda as well as Head of Public Relations and Feature and Entertainment editor Kathleen Norton.  The ICPA conference features all college press across the state of Illinois coming together for two days to share work, attend sessions run by

The Encounter Podcast once again strikes with expansive stories on the issue released TODAY!! Starting off the episode with the Men's Baseball Preview with two coaches John McGuire and Luke Ketchum. Then to the Archway Review with Rodolfo Flores. Going from there we move to the Rec Club Rebrand and Cara Currier's Retirement. Lastly we start our new segment for Point Counter Point, you loved our Presidential Debate and now we introduce Girl Talk with "is Valentines Day good or

This past week, excitement has been buzzing as the Archway Review held its launch party, celebrating the publication of its fifth issue! Such a milestone truly highlights the hard work and dedication from students and faculty alike that brought this magazine to where it is today. However, this success did not come overnight, but rather through the advocacy and vision of Dr. Anna Ioanes and Dr. Elizabeth McDermott, who both wanted to establish a platform that would be able to

One of the fastest rising sports in the United States, softball has had no shortage of success here at the University of St. Francis (USF). They have finished as a top two team in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) the last three seasons, including winning the conference title in 2023 and 2024. Finishing behind St. Xavier University last season under rookie head coach Alyssa Moreno, she will look to lead the team to their first NAIA tournament under her dir

Despite it all, the University of St. Francis (USF) keeps on digging, gaining a new ace up its sleeve! We have all witnessed the women’s volleyball team break records year after year, and now, USF has proudly announced its 21st intercollegiate athletic program: a men's volleyball team.  This new addition to our athletic program will compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level and in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC).  With

With the rise of reorganization from budgets to curriculum and faculty, the University of St. Francis (USF) President, Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson, announced the creation of a Strategic Initiatives Task Force that would undergo efforts to strengthen USF and build the foundation for a vibrant, sustainable future. This Task Force is composed of three distinct groups that each maintain differing areas of necessity, balancing USF’s Catholic, Franciscan heritage with the harsh financi

Over the past few months, there have been numerous announcements made regarding the current financial situation at the University of St. Francis (USF). Following a series of budget cuts that have altered job positions as well as undergraduate programs, concern and frustration have carried a cold weight across campus due to the unexpected plot twists filled with a lack of transparency. In an effort to reinforce its financial foundation, USF is currently aiming to restructure p

Every year like clockwork, Valentine’s Day shows up in red, pink and sparkles acting like it owns the place. Suddenly, the world is drowning in heart-shaped everything and even the grocery store strawberries are dressed like they’re going to a high school homecoming. It’s always made me wonder: Is Valentine’s Day actually about love, or is it just a glitter‑covered Hallmark holiday we all pretend to enjoy? Let’s be honest, Valentine’s Day only works if you believe in the kind