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Strong
Vibrant
Regional
Diverse
Transition
  • A Strong Institution
    Lourdes will continue to offer high quality academic programs in the liberal arts & professional studies
  • A Vibrant Institution
    Lourdes will be committed to growth and will strongly position itself as a vibrant institution.
  • A Regional Institution
    Lourdes will position itself as a strong, innovative regional institution.
  • A Diverse Institution
    Lourdes will continue to be a community that has reverence for all people.
  • Transition to University Status
    Lourdes transitioned to university status on August 19, 2011
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  • Strong
    A Strong Institution
    Lourdes will continue to offer high quality academic programs in the liberal arts & professional stu
  • Vibrant
    A Vibrant Institution
    Lourdes will be committed to growth and will strongly position itself as a vibrant institution.
  • Regional
    A Regional Institution
    Lourdes will position itself as a strong, innovative regional institution.
  • Diverse
    A Diverse Institution
    Lourdes will continue to be a community that has reverence for all people.
  • Transition
    Transition to University Status
    Lourdes transitioned to university status on August 19, 2011

Lourdes Strategic Directions 2015

Approved by the Board of Trustees, September 3, 2008

Vision

Lourdes commits itself to serving as a strong and vibrant regional institution providing a holistic education in a supportive environment to a diverse body of 3,000 students.

Lourdes will respond to the needs of our region offering expanded and innovative academic programs and student services that promote the growth of our student body and the economic impact they have on their communities.

Direction #1: A Strong Institution

Lourdes will continue to offer high quality academic programs both in the liberal arts and in professional studies. Placing the success of our students and alumni at the forefront, Lourdes will strengthen its student intellectual life through increased support of faculty scholarship and research, and offer more study abroad opportunities.

We will strengthen physical resources and expand our facilities to meet the needs of the campus community. As a strong community, we will increase our financial resources and demonstrate our commitment to the Franciscan mission and values on which we were founded.

Update

Strengthening physical resources and expanding facilities

  • Lourdes has launched and is in the silent phase of a $10 million comprehensive capital campaign. To date, $6.5 million has been raised. 
  • Expanded dining services offers a cafeteria with a fusion and buffet stations that seats 175; a grab ‘n go café; and an outdoor patio. To date, Café Lourdes and the Lourdes Dining Hall have served nearly 78,000 customers, and 290 students take advantage of the convenient meal plans. 
  • A Campus Ministry House will open in fall 2012, providing a dedicated space for students involved in mission and ministry initiatives.

Strengthening our finances

  • Over 20 new student scholarships have been established. 
  • The percentage of alumni who have contributed to the annual fund has increased by 3%. 
  • An enhanced fall annual fund appeal has resulted in increased donations.

Strengthening our academic programming

  • The Master of Arts in Theology, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, the Master of Science in Nursing in Nurse Anesthesia, and the RN-MSN degree programs have been developed and implemented. 
  • The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Business degree program has been developed and implemented. 
  • Three new certificate programs have been established - 4th-5th Grade, Reading, and Teacher Leadership. 
  • Our undergraduate general education requirements have been enhanced – all academic majors now require a service learning component to align with our Catholic and Franciscan values. 
  • The Education Department’s undergraduate teacher education initial licensure program has been accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) without any concerns. 
  • The Princeton Review has designated Lourdes a Best Place To Work For® in 2009 and 2012. High marks were received in the categories of job satisfaction; teaching environment; connection to institution and pride; professional/career development programs; perception of and confidence in fair treatment; confidence in senior leadership; work/life balance; facilities and security; healthy faculty-administration relations; respect and appreciation; vacation and/or paid time off; internal communications; collaborative governance; and policies, resources and efficiency. 
  • The percentage of full-time employees with terminal degrees has increased 10% and the number of full-time faculty has increased by 2%. 
  • The Higher Learning Commission approved our 2010 Progress Report which addressed the implementation of assessment processes. 
  • Program accrediting organizations and the Ohio Board of Regents have recognized Lourdes for our strong culture of assessment.

Direction #2: A Vibrant Institution

Lourdes will be committed to growth and will strongly position itself as a vibrant institution. Students and alumni will benefit from the increased number of student activities, athletic and alumni opportunities.

To that end, Lourdes will initiate intercollegiate sports, increase participation in student organizations and clubs and increase active membership in the alumni association.

Update

Strengthening student life

  • Lourdes holds membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 
    A member of the NAIA’s Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), Lourdes offers 8 sports – baseball, men’s & women’s basketball, men’s & women’s golf, softball, and men’s & women’s volleyball. 
  • Lourdes has recently announced the addition of two sports for the 2013-2014 academic year – men’s & women’s cross country. 
  • Newly created student organizations reflect the interests and cultures of our diverse student body.
  • Lourdes partners with the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities to offer two annualFranciscan pilgrimages for students and employees.

Enhancing academic offerings

  • The Master of Business Administration degree program and the Ireland Program course offer international immersion experiences. 
  • Internship opportunities have increased. Over 50% of 2011-2012 undergraduate business graduates enrolled in BUS 340 Business Internship. 
  • The newly created January or J session allows students to fulfill spring credit hour courses in an accelerated two-week session.

Strengthening alumni programming

  • Enhanced Lourdes Alumni Association programming includes the establishment of academic-focused branches, events, and networking opportunities.

Direction #3: A Regional Institution

Lourdes will position itself as a strong, innovative regional institution. We will offer a values-centered Lourdes education and housing to an expanded recruitment area to affect even greater economic impact on our region.

Update

Strengthening our economic and educational impact

  • The new Center for Science Education and the Environment provides educational and sustainable programming to school teachers in our region, students and the general public. 
  • A new Director of School and Educational Partnerships position fosters partnerships and offers community outreach with public and private grade-, middle- and high schools in the region.

Strengthening the on-campus student life experience

  • In fall 2010, Lourdes welcomed its first residential students. Now in its third year, Lourdes is home to nearly 300 residential students. 
  • A diverse student body from 17 states, 6 countries and Puerto Rico enriches the academic and student life environments.

Direction #4: A Diverse Institution of 3,000 Students

Lourdes will continue to be a community that has reverence for all people. Our faculty, staff and students will have increased opportunities to engage in cross-cultural experiences. As a strong community, we will achieve an even larger, more diverse student body while maintaining our values-centered and personalized educational experience.

Update

A diverse institution

  • The diversity of staff and faculty has increased by 7% and 1% respectively. 
  • The newly created Master of Business Administration degree program offers a global immersion experience. 
  • The newly created Ireland Program allows students to earn academic credit hours in a study-abroad course. 
  • A diverse faculty from 30 states and 9 countries offers students a dynamic learning experience 
  • A diverse student body from 17 states, 6 countries and Puerto Rico enriches the academic and student life environments. 
  • Overall enrollment and graduate enrollment has increased by 26% and 48% respectively.

Direction #5: Transition to University Status

Lourdes will transition to university status becoming Lourdes University by the year 2015.

Update

University status

After fulfilling many of its strategic directions, the institution transitioned to Lourdes University in August 2011.

Identity

Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, of Sylvania, Ohio, Lourdes expresses its Franciscan identity as first and foremost, a community. We are proud to be a community of learning, reverence, and service.

Mission

Lourdes, rooted in Catholic and Franciscan traditions, provides a values-centered education that enriches lives and advances academic excellence through the integration of the liberal arts and professional studies.

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Copyright © 2013. Lourdes University 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, OH 43560, (800) 878 3210
Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis
Member of the Sylvania Franciscan Village