Stritch launches 85th anniversary celebration
July 17, 2022, marked the 85th anniversary of the founding of Cardinal Stritch University by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi.
“It is my privilege to serve and help build upon the rich legacy that began when Stritch was founded in 1937,” said Stritch President Dr. Dan Scholz. “The vision of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi who founded St. Clare College remains true today: we are rooted in the values of Catholic Christianity and inspired by the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and the heritage of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and called to transform individuals to ‘approve the better things’ as they discover their purpose in life.”
In 1937, St. Clare College was chartered by the State of Wisconsin as a teacher preparation college for members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. The College was located on Milwaukee’s south side, on property adjacent to the Sisters' Motherhouse.
St. Clare College was renamed Cardinal Stritch College in 1946 to honor Samuel Cardinal Stritch, the former Archbishop of Milwaukee who first encouraged the Sisters to start a college.
In 1962, the institution moved to its current location in northern Milwaukee County. In 1997 the Board of Trustees approved a motion to move to University status, and Cardinal Stritch College became Cardinal Stritch University.
Since its founding, Stritch has prepared students of all ages, faiths, races and socio-economic backgrounds to succeed in the communities where they live, work, serve and lead.
For more about the University's history, please visit this page.
A special 85th anniversary photo gallery has been created to share special moments in Stritch history. Additional photos will be added each week through June 2023.
Over the next 12 months the University will celebrate its anniversary in a number of special ways:
Displays of historic artifacts will be installed throughout campus in August.
Alumni and current players from the men's and women's soccer teams gathering will be held Saturday, September 17. The women's game against Trinity Christian College will start at 1 p.m. at the Bavarian United Soccer Complex; The men's game against Trinity Christian College will begin at 3:30 p.m. A recognition of former coaches will be held between games. After the games, former student-athletes, coaches and supporters of the programs will gather at Three Lions Pub in Shorewood at approximately 5:30 p.m.
The annual Kendall Lecture will be held on Wednesday, October 5, and will feature Fr. Steve Avella, who will reflect on the significant impact the University, the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and Samuel Cardinal Stritch have had on the people and community they have served.