USJ IN 2021: CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Dear Friends, 

After the evolution to University status in 2012 and to full coeducation in 2018, the University of Saint Joseph – with the support of alumni, Trustees, faculty, staff, and friends – has continued to move forward, working to enhance our students’ experience while remaining true to the Mission and Core Values that anchor us. You have provided the wisdom, talents, and financial resources that have allowed USJ not only to respond to unforeseen needs and dynamic challenges, but also to continue to pursue new opportunities for the future.  

In Fiscal Year 2021, USJ received more than $4.3 million in charitable contributions as individuals, corporate partners, foundations, and government entities invested in the programs that have made our graduates respected and sought-after professionals in a variety of fields, particularly those that have been so vital during the pandemic: health care, social services, education, and the sciences. We are extraordinarily grateful to all of our supporters, and I’m proud to share some of our recent accomplishments and exciting plans for the future.

► Recent capital investments in McGovern Hall and the O’Connell Athletic Center have created a more vibrant campus culture for our students. Among the changes are improvements to the Athletic Center that have made it a popular place for students to work out or just hang out, while the new gymnasium, locker rooms, and fitness center are the envy of visiting teams; the creation of The Beekley Center for Student Health and Wellness, which has been a vital resource during COVID; and a fully-renovated student center, which includes new dining options that have proven very popular with students and space for them to meet up with their friends.

► The Morasutti Lee Nursing Simulation Center, which opened in fall 2021, provides essential hands-on practice for our Nursing students; this has been especially crucial during the pandemic when clinical placements were limited. The lab is filled each day with students eager to learn the skills that will make them sought-after nurses upon graduation.

Now, as we look forward to the fall of 2022 we are planning:

► The relocation of the Pharmacy program to the West Hartford campus, which will fundamentally elevate collaborative research and scholarship within USJ’s science programs, expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary education.

► An innovative “upside down” major in Computer and Data Science, where students start with the courses within their major while working in USJ’s Information Technology department. This will prepare them to be workforce-ready within 21 months, allowing them to enter full- or part-time employment while finishing their remaining General Education and Capstone requirements.  

► Construction of a new turf softball field on campus to provide an appropriate home for our GNAC Championship team, as well as the addition of men’s baseball to USJ’s roster of team sports. USJ’s athletic programs provide students with real world skills in leadership and teamwork, build a fabric of community on campus, and engage visitors and the community in the life of our campus.

None of this would be possible without the financial support of our many generous donors, and we are incredibly grateful for the financial support that provides USJ the fiscal strength to confidently plan our future. This University will continue to seek new ways to provide students with an outstanding education that prepares them to become valued employees and members of the communities in which they live. Our success has always been a result of many people working together toward that goal; I hope you will continue to be a part of our growth and success in the years ahead. 

Rhona C. Free, Ph.D.

President