Benedictine University

Benedictine University is a private Catholic university in Lisle, Illinois, with an additional campus in Mesa, Arizona. Founded in 1887 by Benedictine monks, the university is rooted in the Benedictine intellectual and spiritual tradition. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across fields such as business, health sciences, liberal arts, education, and sciences. The Lisle campus is located in the western suburbs of Chicago, providing access to metropolitan academic and professional opportunities. Benedictine University attracts students seeking a values-based education grounded in Catholic social teaching, as well as adult learners and graduate students pursuing professional advancement.

Benedictine University was founded in 1887 in Chicago as St. Procopius College by Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey. Established to educate men of Czech and Slovak descent, the institution initially operated in the Pilsen neighborhood before moving to Lisle, Illinois, in 1901. The first building on the Lisle campus was dedicated that same year, marking the beginning of its long-term presence in DuPage County. Benedictine University expanded academically through the twentieth century, achieving full accreditation in 1957 and becoming fully coeducational in 1968. In 1971, it was renamed Illinois Benedictine College, reflecting broader enrollment and program growth. The institution adopted the name Benedictine University in 1996 after introducing graduate and doctoral programs. In the twenty-first century, Benedictine University added facilities in Lisle and opened a campus in Mesa, Arizona, further extending its mission and academic reach.