The Marian University’s goal? To become ‘a great Catholic university’
Franciscan Sister Barbara Piller, congregational minister of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, talks with Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein at the Oct. 25 press conference in Indianapolis announcing the name change of Marian College to The Marian University. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
Even before Daniel Elsener made the announcement, it had already been a remarkable year for Marian College in Indianapolis.
The college opened the academic year with a record enrollment and a new sense of spirit as the school fielded its first-ever football team—a team that won its first game on Oct. 27.
The college celebrated the news that it has raised more than $3.5 million for scholarships this year, and it also cheered its cycling team which won its 10th national championship in 13 years in September.
So there was already a spirit of pride in the present and a hope for the future when Elsener, the school’s president, announced on Oct. 25 that the college is changing its name to The Marian University—signifying Marian’s commitment to become “a great Catholic university for a great city.”
“It is my observation that almost every major city in America and many nations have at least one great Catholic university,” Elsener said. “In each case, the university plays an indispensable role of providing Christian knowledge, perspective and understanding, and often provides the challenging questions to the culture that are critical to the plight of humanity.
“In this role, Catholic universities provide an enormous contribution to improving the economic, cultural and intellectual life of every city, state and country in which they exist. In becoming an exemplary Catholic university, we will provide those many benefits to Indianapolis, Indiana and beyond.”
Elsener also announced a $100 million campaign for Marian, noting that $40 million has already been raised to improve and expand the faculty, facilities and programs at the college that has 2,010 students.
Elsener made the announcement in the lobby of the college’s new, gleaming physical education center, a center that prominently displays a banner that pays tribute to Marian’s founders and foundation.
As Elsener, Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein and others spoke at the Oct. 25 press conference, they looked in the direction of the banner that proclaimed:
“Our Franciscan Values
“Dignity of the Individual
“Peace and Justice
“Reconciliation
“Responsible Stewardship”
In his brief remarks, Archbishop Buechlein saluted the Sisters of St. Francis, who started Marian in 1851 as a training school for teachers. He credited the sisters for sharing and exemplifying the foundation of Franciscan values that has endured through 156 years at the college, values that have been instilled in generations of Marian students.
The connection between Marian and the Sisters of St. Francis continues. Many still serve the college, and the order was represented at the press conference by Sister Barbara Piller, the congregational minister of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
“This is very exciting,” Sister Barbara said before the press conference. “The lay leaders came to the council of the sisters and asked us what we thought of the name change. I felt the decision to go with The Marian University was a very collaborative process. We really feel the lay leaders of the college have built upon the legacy of the Sisters of St. Francis. We’re very proud of what they have done and what they will continue to do.”
The Catholic roots of Marian continue to grow through the school’s Rebuild My Church program. The program is designed to help students “assess how their lives and vocations can be pursued in the light of the call to serve God”—as lay leaders, priests or members of religious communities.
Officials also have set the foundation for physical growth on campus. A new residence hall, an athletic field and a theater are part of its expansion plans.
The fundraising campaign also includes plans to improve and expand academic programs in nursing, the arts and teacher-education.
“These investments will insure that Marian can do so much more to build the capacity of our city and state in addressing some of the most critical needs of our community in health care, education, math, science and math/science education,” Elsener noted.
Students seem to favorably view the name change as a reflection of the school’s new direction.
“Marian is putting on a new face, and the name change reflects how different we are now,” said Jacinta Fernung, 21, a junior and a nursing student from Tipton, Ind. “Adding the football team is making the school bigger. There’s a lot more clubs and events than when I started here. I’ve noticed a lot more spirit than I have in previous years. I’m excited about all the progress and changes that Marian is making.” †
