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Benedictine University

Lisle, IL

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Ut In Omnibus Glorificetur Deus(That in all things God may be glorified)

1887
Founded
Private university
Type
1,817
Total Students
1,972
Undergrad
945
Graduate
$34K
Tuition (In-State)
$34K
Tuition (Out-State)
$24K
Avg Net Price
77%
Acceptance Rate
51%
Graduation Rate
6-year
69%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification
President: Joseph J. Foy

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Benedictine University

Benedictine University: Rooted in tradition, expanding global horizons since 1887.

Benedictine University stands as a vibrant private Catholic institution, deeply rooted in the Benedictine tradition established by the monks of St. Procopius Abbey in 1887. With its primary campus nestled in suburban Lisle, Illinois, and an additional campus extending its reach to Mesa, Arizona, the university embodies a commitment to faith-based education. Guided by its inspiring Latin motto, "Ut In Omnibus Glorificetur Deus"—"That in all things God may be glorified"—Benedictine fosters an environment where academic excellence and spiritual growth converge.

Originally founded as St. Procopius College to serve men of Czech and Slovak descent, Benedictine's journey reflects a remarkable evolution. After relocating from Chicago to Lisle in 1901, the institution steadily grew, gaining full accreditation by 1957. A pivotal moment arrived in 1968 when it became fully coeducational, broadening its community significantly. The university adapted its identity over the years, transitioning from Illinois Benedictine College in 1971 to its current designation as Benedictine University in 1996, while also strategically expanding its footprint to new locations like Mesa.

Academically, Benedictine University offers a dynamic learning experience, leveraging its location near national research facilities like Argonne and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratories. Modern facilities, including the Kindlon Hall of Learning, Birck Hall of Science, and the state-of-the-art Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business—complete with a Trading Lab and a 600-seat auditorium—provide students with cutting-edge resources. With a diverse student body of nearly 3,000, including robust undergraduate and postgraduate programs, Benedictine also champions a global perspective through partnerships offering Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Management Information Systems programs in China, preparing students for an interconnected world. The Eagles (Lisle) and Redhawks (Mesa) embrace a rich student life on their 108-acre suburban campus.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1887 by Benedictine monks, maintaining a strong Catholic identity.
  • Operates main campus in Lisle, Illinois, and a branch campus in Mesa, Arizona.
  • Enrollment of 2,917 students (Fall 2024), comprising 1,972 undergraduates and 945 postgraduates.
  • Motto: "Ut In Omnibus Glorificetur Deus" (Latin for "That in all things God may be glorified").
  • Features state-of-the-art Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business, including a Trading Lab and a 600-seat auditorium.
  • Engages in international partnerships, offering MBA and MSIM programs in China.
  • Its Lisle campus is strategically located near Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

Timeline

1887
Founded as St. Procopius College by Benedictine monks in Chicago.
1901
Moved from Chicago to its current main campus location in Lisle, Illinois.
1957
Achieved full accreditation and its high school component became independent (now Benet Academy).
1968
Became a fully coeducational institution.
1971
Renamed Illinois Benedictine College.
1996
Attained university status, becoming Benedictine University.
2001
Opened Kindlon Hall of Learning and Birck Hall of Science.
2012
Established the Mesa, Arizona campus and opened the Neff Alumni Center.
2015
Unveiled the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business, featuring a Trading Lab.
2018
Ceased operations at the Springfield, Illinois branch campus.
🏛️
139 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Joseph J. Foy
President
Katherine (Kate) Lang
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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