University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne, IN

“I am honored and humbled to serve the University of Saint Francis. I look forward to walking alongside students, employees and alumni as together we advance our shared mission to provide an encounter with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ.” — Sister Maria Gemma Salyer, OSF

Read more on the presidential transition in the latest issue of Saint Francis magazine! 💙

A New Chapter - University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne Saint Francis readies for presidential transition in July. Dr. Lance Richey will become president emeritus as Sister Maria Gemma begins her tenure as president.

Welcome to the first digital edition of Saint Francis Magazine! Discover inspiring stories featuring alumni and friends. 💙

✨ Inside this issue…

🔹 Cheers to Love! | Kyle Sovine (BBA ’16, MBA ’17) and Megan (Diagostino) Sovine (BS ’20)

🔹 French Football Frenzy | Sean Boswell (BS ’18)

🔹 Trying to Do Some Good in Life | Jasmin Hoot (BSN ’23)

🔹 The Art of Never Slowing Down | Greg Vick (MSE ’75)

🔹 Cinderella Story | Jennifer Garrison (BSN ’06)

🔹 A Call to Dance | Martine Bartley (BA ’20)

🔹 A New Chapter | Sister Maria Gemma Salyer and Dr. Lance Richey

🔹 On the Rise | Jay Segal (BS ’21, MBA ’22)

🔹 Born to be a Doctor | Dr. Claire (Jackson) Burgardt (AAS ’00)

🔹 The Right Call | Alexis Da Silva (BBA ’16)

Spring 2026 - University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne Featured Stories

Hear ye, hear ye! 🏰 📜 Travel back to the Renaissance at the SF Discovery Academy Saint Francis Faire Camp!

Discover the life of our patron Saint while exploring and building with fellow voyagers. Enjoy crafts and games throughout the week, with campers showcasing all they’ve learned to parents and the community on the final day at the Saint Francis Faire.

🍎 3rd through 6th grade

📅 Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10

🕘 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saint Francis Faire Camp Grades 3rd – 6th grade Cost $300 Dates July 6 – 10, 2026 Times 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Register Now Fleeing from the Black Plague, a small band of travelers set sail from Assisi, searching for a safe-haven.

Is traveling to Italy on your bucket list? ✈️🇮🇹 Join University of Saint Francis President Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer and President Emeritus Dr. Lance Richey on pilgrimage. Experience the beauty of the Catholic faith in Rome and Assisi. Pray in sacred places, explore historic churches and walk in the footsteps of St. Francis. All are welcome! 💙 Learn more and register at go.sf.edu/presidential-pilgrimage.

🎉 Congratulations to our Saint Francis academic all-stars who earned spring semester President’s List, Dean’s List or Graduate Honors! 💙👏

Saint Francis announces President's List, Dean's List and Graduate Honors for spring 2026 - University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis proudly announces academic honors for spring 2026 students. Awards for undergraduate students consist of the President’s List for students with a semester GPA of 3.9 or higher and the Dean’s List for students with a 3.5 to 3.8999 semester GPA. G...

Summer plans? Waste not. ♻️💙🌎

Ella Dubbs (Biology and Chemistry ’26) is spending six weeks with the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, through the International Research Experiences for Students (IRES).

She’ll be researching anaerobic digestion to benefit wastewater treatment and organic waste management. Her discoveries will be applied to biorefining waste based upon underlying microbial ecology, advancing a safer and more sustainable world.

Way to model Franciscan stewardship, Ella! 🤝

Summer plans? Curing cancer. 🧬🥼💙

Elijah Obringer (Pre-Med Biology ’27) stood out from 500+ applicants to earn a spot in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, funded by the National Cancer Institute to train the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians.

Mentored by world-leading expert Dr. Michal Toborek on the blood-brain barrier, Elijah is working to uncover the molecular mechanisms linking adolescent exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the development of depression and social isolation. Banned in the 1970s, these “forever chemicals” are probable human carcinogens that still exist in buildings today.

Keep up the discovery, Elijah! 💪👏

🎓 From high school seniors to Saint Francis Cougars! 🐾

We love welcoming our freshmen to campus! 💙

Haven’t made it to New Student Orientation yet? No worries! Choose your June or July date at go.sf.edu/events.

💙 High school students, you’re invited to Saint Francis for a two-day healthcare camp! 🩺

Explore a variety of professions and test your skills in island-inspired medical survival scenarios.

📅 June 9 & 10
🕗 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Learn more and register now!

A Voyage to Your Career in Healthcare Grades 9th – 12th grade Cost $60 Dates June 9th – 10th, 2026 Times 8 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Register Now At the University of Saint Francis, we believe your unique gifts, interests, and passions are meant…

🩺 Practical nursing, now at Fort Wayne! 🎉 Earn your LPN in just 1️⃣ year. Classes start August 24. Learn more and apply today!

Saint Francis to offer its practical nursing program in Fort Wayne - University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne Leffler Academy at the University of Saint Francis is proud to announce it has received approval from the Indiana State Board of Nursing to offer its Practical Nursing program at the university’s Fort Wayne campus. The approval marks a significant step forward in expanding access to nursing educat...