Quincy University

Quincy University is a private Catholic institution in Quincy, Illinois. Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, the university is rooted in the Franciscan and Catholic intellectual traditions and emphasizes the development of the whole person. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs across liberal arts, sciences, business, education, and professional fields, along with intercollegiate athletics. Quincy University serves a diverse student body, including traditional undergraduates and adult learners, and provides both on-campus and online programs. Its location along the Mississippi River in western Illinois shapes its regional engagement and community connections, attracting students seeking a smaller campus environment with a faith-based educational foundation.

Quincy University was founded in 1860 in Quincy, Illinois, by Franciscan friars of the Order of Friars Minor as St. Francis Solanus College. Established to educate young men for the priesthood and to provide broader higher education opportunities in the region, the institution was led by its first president, Fr. Servatius Altmicks. In 1917, St. Francis Solanus College was renamed Quincy College and Seminary, reflecting its expanding academic mission. The institution gradually broadened its programs and student population, admitting women in the early twentieth century. In 1993, Quincy College officially became Quincy University, marking its transition to a comprehensive university structure. Over time, Quincy University expanded academic offerings, campus facilities, and athletic programs while maintaining its Franciscan Catholic identity in western Illinois.