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