Cardinal Stritch University was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in 1937 and was chartered by the State of Wisconsin as a fully-accredited, degree granting institution. At one time, Stritch was one of the largest Franciscan institutions of higher education in North America with more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs that helped students develop new skills, gain career-related experience and build professional networks. These academic programs prepared students of all ages, faiths, races and socioeconomic backgrounds to succeed.
Stritch provided a high-quality liberal arts education with majors for those interested in studying business, education, liberal arts, leadership, nursing and the sciences. Students with diverse faith and cultural backgrounds embraced and lived the core Franciscan values of creating a caring community, showing compassion, reverencing creation and making peace.
A vibrant campus life offered shared and meaningful experiences through a vast array of student clubs and organizations, diverse activities, intercollegiate athletics, performing arts, community service projects and leadership opportunities.
More than 40,000 Stritch alumni are recognized worldwide for their leadership roles in businesses, health care organizations, corporations, educational institutions, entrepreneurial ventures and non-profit organizations. Responsive to the needs of their communities, Stritch graduates are critical thinkers, ethical decision-makers and lifelong learners.
Our Franciscan Heritage
Cardinal Stritch University was founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. The university was rooted in the liberal arts tradition, transformed lives and communities through servant leadership, learning and service. The University was guided by the Catholic, Franciscan values of creating a caring community, making peace, showing compassion and reverencing all of creation as we embrace and cultivate the diversity of all of God’s creation.
Rooted in the values of Catholic Christianity and inspired by the spirits of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and the heritage of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Cardinal Stritch University was an academic community called to transform individuals to “approve the better things” as they discover their purpose in life. The University encouraged academic excellence, along with intellectual, spiritual and social growth among its entire community – faculty, staff and students of all ages, faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
Learn about the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi here.