Benedictine University Mesa: An Overview
Benedictine University is a private Catholic university with campuses in Lisle, Illinois, and Mesa, Arizona. Founded in 1887 by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey in Chicago, the institution maintains a close relationship with the Benedictine Order. The university was initially established as St. Procopius College with the intention of educating men of Czech and Slovak descent. It later transitioned to Illinois Benedictine College in 1971 before becoming Benedictine University in 1996.
Historical Development
The university's journey began in the Pilsen community on Chicago's West Side. In 1901, the institution moved to Lisle, Illinois, and began offering post-secondary courses. It achieved full accreditation in 1957, coinciding with the transformation of the surrounding area from rural to suburban. Also in 1957, the institution's high school component began operating independently of the college and is now called Benet Academy.
Further expansion led to the establishment of campuses in Springfield, Illinois, in 2003 and Mesa, Arizona, in 2012. Additions to the Lisle campus include the Kindlon Hall of Learning and the Birck Hall of Science in 2001, the Neff Alumni Center in 2012, and the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business in 2015.
Springfield Campus
The Springfield, Illinois, branch campus traces its origins to 1929 as Springfield Junior College, later renamed Springfield College in Illinois in 1967. In 2003, a partnership between Springfield College in Illinois and Benedictine University allowed Benedictine to offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Springfield. This partnership culminated in a merger, and in 2010, Benedictine University established a branch campus named Benedictine University at Springfield. Springfield College in Illinois ceased all academic programs in August 2011. However, on February 27, 2018, the Benedictine University Board of Trustees and the Board of Springfield College in Illinois announced the sale of the Springfield property.
The Move to Lisle and Subsequent Growth
Benedictine University relocated to Lisle, Illinois, in 1901. New buildings were constructed throughout the early 1900s, following the dedication of Benedictine Hall. While the college had occasionally admitted women, it became fully coeducational in 1968. In 1971, the institution was renamed Illinois Benedictine College. Graduate, doctorate, and adult learner programs were introduced in response to community needs. The college was renamed Benedictine University in 1996.
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The Birck Hall of Science and the Kindlon Hall of Learning were constructed in 2001. The Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, a collaborative project between a governmental body and a private university, was dedicated in 2005. The rapid expansion of the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business led to the construction of the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business, a 125,000-square-foot building that houses the college's undergraduate and graduate business programs, as well as doctoral programs in Organization Development and Values-Driven Leadership.
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
The Lisle campus is also home to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, located on the second floor of the Birck Hall of Science. The museum showcases the work of Frs. Edmund and Hilary Jurica, who collected specimens for their students, and Fr. Theodore Suchy, who served as museum curator for over 30 years. The museum's collection includes more than 10,000 specimens, ranging from invertebrates to a rorqual skeleton.
Demographics
Benedictine's Lisle campus has 2,885 undergraduate students, with 44 percent male and 56 percent female. The student body represents 50 states and territories, and 15 countries.
Benedictine University Mesa
Benedictine University Mesa, situated in Mesa, Arizona, became the first four-year Catholic university in Arizona when classes began in 2013. The athletic teams are known as the Redhawks and compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as a member of the California Pacific Conference.
In 2019, Mesa established a partnership with Co+Hoots, a private co-working business based in Phoenix, Arizona, to explore innovative educational opportunities, including a "certificate program in entrepreneurship". The partnership, part of the city's plan to create a "downtown innovation district," involved the renovation and expansion of Mesa's downtown campus facility at 225 E. Main Street.
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Location Advantage
Located in the vibrant heart of downtown Mesa, students can enjoy the city’s diverse cuisine, attend concerts and plays at various entertainment venues, or take part in the city’s numerous indoor and outdoor activities. Phoenix is just a short ride on the light rail system and offers students access to even more big city amenities.
Academics
Benedictine University offers 59 undergraduate majors through The College of Science, The College of Liberal Arts, The Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business, and The College of Education and Health Services. More than 1,000 students have graduated with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or Master of Science in Management Information Systems (M.S.M.I.S.) from Benedictine University through its partnerships with two Chinese universities - Shenyang University of Technology (SUT) and Shenyang Jianzhu University (SJZU) - formed in the early 2000s. In 2009, Benedictine partnered with two universities in Vietnam-the Vietnam National University (VNU) in Hanoi and Binh Dong University in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)-to offer graduate programs in business administration and management information systems.
Athletics
The athletic teams at the Lisle campus are called the Eagles. Benedictine-Mesa competes in 15 intercollegiate athletic programs: men's sports include baseball, basketball, golf, soccer and volleyball, while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball. Both campuses also offer intramurals, group fitness classes and club sports.
Additional Information
Academics and Admissions
Benedictine University has been empowering students for over 135 years. The focus is on fostering communities and meaningful connections, while embracing the unique identities, experiences, and perspectives of students, faculty, and staff. Students are encouraged to maximize their passion by adding a minor or pursuing a double major alongside their primary area of study.
As a private Catholic liberal arts institution, Benedictine University is dedicated to making a four-year education accessible and affordable. Prospective students benefit from a straightforward admissions process-no application fee, standardized tests, letters of recommendation, or personal statements are required. Every student admitted to Benedictine University receives academic merit-based scholarships.
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Rankings and Recognition
In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Benedictine University is ranked No. #61 in Regional Universities Midwest. It's also ranked No. #29 in Best Colleges for Veterans.
University Scholars Program
Housed in the Goodwin College of Business and Liberal Arts, Benedictine University’s Scholars Program offers academically talented students from across the University special opportunities to develop their skills as thinkers, readers and writers through a coordinated program of seminar-style coursework that emphasizes discussion and debate about vital intellectual questions. Incoming students who meet academic criteria are eligible to apply for the University Scholars Program. A student that meets application requirements, has a successful interview and offered a position in the Scholars Program receive this award amount. Please note, an individual that receives our Scholars Program award is no longer eligible to receive their Benedictine Academic Scholar Award.
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