University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne is a private Catholic university located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, it was founded in 1890 and is rooted in the Franciscan tradition. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across disciplines including health sciences, business, education, liberal arts, and the creative arts. Its main campus is situated near downtown Fort Wayne, with additional instructional sites in other Indiana locations. The institution emphasizes values-based education, service, and community engagement. Students are often drawn to its faith-centered environment, professional programs in nursing and health fields, and its blend of liberal arts and career-focused study.

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne was founded in 1890 in Lafayette, Indiana, as Saint Francis Normal School by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. Originally established to prepare teachers, the institution expanded its academic offerings in the early twentieth century and received state accreditation for its education programs in 1923. In 1944, the college relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it formally dedicated its new campus and continued to grow. By the mid-twentieth century, it introduced four-year degrees, became coeducational, and added programs in nursing, business, and the sciences. In 1998, Saint Francis College officially became the University of Saint Francis, reflecting its broader academic scope. Over the decades, University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne has expanded facilities, launched graduate programs, and developed additional sites across Indiana, shaping its present identity as a Catholic university in Fort Wayne.