Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University: A Legacy of Healing and Education

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU), located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has a rich history rooted in the values of service, compassion, and academic excellence. From its humble beginnings as a school of nursing to its current status as a comprehensive health sciences university, FranU has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry and the community it serves.

Origins and Early Years: Nurturing a Legacy of Care

The story of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University began in 1923 when the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, a religious congregation dedicated to both education and healthcare, established the Our Lady of the Lake School of Nursing. This initiative coincided with the opening of Our Lady of the Lake Sanitarium in the Capitol Lake area of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, signifying the intertwined mission of healing and education from the start. The school's primary purpose was to train nurses, equipping women with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve in hospitals and provide care within the community.

The first class comprised nine students, five of whom came from the St. Francis Sanitarium in Monroe, Louisiana. These pioneering students lived, studied, and cared for patients within the walls of the hospital overlooking Capitol Lake, creating a unique learning environment that blended theory and practice.

Over the years, the curriculum was continuously revised to incorporate advancements in medical science, nursing science, nursing practice, and nursing education, ensuring that students received the most up-to-date and relevant training.

Adapting to Change: Responding to Community Needs and Educational Trends

In 1960, recognizing the evolving health needs of the community and a prevailing nursing shortage, the School of Nursing took a bold step by becoming the first school in the South to shorten its program from three calendar years to 27 consecutive months. This innovative approach allowed for a more efficient training process, enabling the school to produce more nurses in a shorter period, effectively addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals.

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The 1970s brought significant changes to the student population. As the number of residential students declined, there was a gradual but steady increase in the number of non-traditional students, defined as those 23 years of age and older, seeking admission to the nursing program. By the end of the decade, the School of Nursing had transitioned into a commuter school, and on-campus housing was no longer offered.

Transition to a Degree-Granting Institution: Embracing Collegiate Education

In response to evolving trends in nursing education and licensure, the faculty began exploring options in the 1980s to position nursing education within a collegiate setting. This strategic move aimed to enhance the academic rigor and expand the educational opportunities available to nursing students.

In 1989, the culmination of this process led to a pivotal decision by the Franciscan Sisters and the medical center administration to transition to a degree-granting institution of higher education. In May of that year, Our Lady of the Lake College of Nursing and Allied Health was registered with the state, marking a significant milestone in the institution's history.

Within the next few years, the college expanded its academic offerings, introducing Associate of Science degrees in Radiologic Technology and general studies, in addition to nursing. This diversification broadened the scope of the institution and provided students with a wider range of career pathways.

Growth and Expansion: Meeting Regional Healthcare Demands

Regional accreditation of the University was initially received from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in June 1994, a testament to the institution's commitment to academic quality and adherence to rigorous standards. In July 1995, the College was officially renamed Our Lady of the Lake College.

The late 1990s and early years of the new millennium were a time of expansion for The University, and several new associate degree programs were added to the curriculum, further diversifying the academic offerings and catering to a wider range of student interests and career aspirations. In 1998, The University was approved as a Level II institution to offer baccalaureate degrees, and by the turn of the century had added seven bachelor’s programs.

In response to the regional devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, The University ramped up outreach programs on three campuses in the New Orleans metropolitan area, ultimately graduating over 450 associate degree nurses who contributed significantly to a healthcare system in need. These graduates played a vital role in providing essential medical care and support to communities affected by the hurricane, demonstrating the University's commitment to serving the most vulnerable populations.

Becoming Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University: A New Chapter

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady announced on October 4, 2016 that Our Lady of the Lake College is now Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University. The announcement of the new name kicked off a transition that included re-branding, and the full implementation of the new name took up to a year to complete. This transformation reflected the institution's growth in academic programs, research initiatives, and community engagement.

In March 2019, Women's and Children's Hospital was acquired and joined the family of Our Lady of Lourdes. On July 1, 2019, St. Dominic’s, a Catholic health system in Mississippi, became part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System through a transition of sponsorship from the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., who founded St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1946. Today, the ministry includes not only the hospital, but an extensive network of primary and specialty care clinics; outreach services including St. Dominic Community Clinic, the Care-A-Van mobile unit, and a fitness and aquatic center; St. Dominic Foundation, and St.

In 2019, The University received a full ten-year re-accreditation from SACSCOC. This process was extremely valuable, leading to some reorganization of undergraduate programs and the development of a stronger core curriculum.

Summer 2023 marked a major milestone in the evolution of Baton Rouge's Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (also known as FranU). In June the university welcomed faculty and students to St. Francis Hall, a soaring, light-filled landmark rising above Baton Rougeís health district. Since 2016, under the leadership of university President Dr.

A $28 million, 75,000 square-foot facility, St. Francis Hall represents the first major building project in the hundred-year history of an institution that began on the banks of Capitol Lake. Speaking from her office on the third floor of St. Francis Hall, Holland discussed how FranU's programs are preparing students for successful careers grounded in Franciscan values. With St. Francis Hall housing classrooms, common spaces, a library, chapel, and state-of-the-art simulated teaching hospital known as SETH, Holland explained the institution's commitment to fostering a relationship-based, community learning environment is clearly visible.

Over the next decade, the campus master plan will extend FranU’s footprint to a condensed three-block campus focused on students’ professional and personal development. As Holland says, “Gone are the days of indefinite growth in higher education institutions. To meet this need, FranU educates students for careers in healthcare and high-need care fields, while also providing a liberal arts foundation; and grounding in Franciscan values of service, reverence, love, humility, justice and joyfulness. The institution's community-centered approach carries over into clinical training. FranU partners with local healthcare providers including Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Oschner Medical Center, and the Baton Rouge Clinic to help shape curricula and provide vital clinical experience for students. Holland believes in viewing education as more than career preparation, seeing the mastery of skills and the formation of character as equally important aspects of personal development. She maintains that the liberal arts have an essential role to play and a well-rounded education. The 1,300-strong student body caters to a wide range of students, including many first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students. While positioned to expand enrollment, Holland insists the focus remain on responsibly meeting community needs and remaining affordable. This relationship-based education answers employers wanting professionals able to communicate, lead, and relate well to others. With St. Francis Hall now fully operational, Dr. Holland explained that plans call for continuing to update FranU’s buildings and consolidating the campus footprint while preserving the institution's intimate, relationship-based community learning environment. Despite the Universityís small size, Holland notes that today, FranU is the largest provider of healthcare professionals in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

Academic Programs and Focus: Shaping Tomorrow's Healthcare Leaders

Today, the University offers 2 doctorate degree, 5 master's degrees, 9 bachelor's degrees and 2 associate degrees - in addition to certificate and training programs. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University offers academic programs organized through several faculties and departments that cater to students pursuing careers in healthcare and related fields. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a primary academic division, encompassing programs such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other allied health disciplines. Within the university, the Department of Nursing is notable for offering bachelor's and graduate degrees aimed at equipping students with clinical skills and leadership training necessary for modern nursing roles. Another key area is the Department of Physical Therapy, where students receive rigorous instruction and practical training, preparing them for licensure and professional practice. Additionally, the Occupational Therapy department provides comprehensive coursework and fieldwork opportunities to prepare students for certification and diverse occupational therapy settings.

FranU isn’t just educating students - we're shaping tomorrow's leaders, fostering spirits for knowledge and desire to make a difference, instilling compassion and dedication to helping others.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

In August 2000, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center purchased Riverview Medical Center in Gonzales, which was set to close. The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady saw the promise and need for continued healthcare in the growing Ascension Parish.

Today, as one of the largest healthcare systems based in Louisiana, we are the leading healthcare provider for more than half the state’s population. Our system’s nine main campus hospitals include St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and Gonzales, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Heart Hospital, and Women's & Children's Hospital in Lafayette, Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in Bogalusa, and St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. We also manage a Senior Services division and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, known as FranU.

Mission and Values: Extending the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ

In addition to an emphasis on academic excellence, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University has continued the commitment to service begun by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University centers its mission on preparing students to serve others through compassionate, high-quality education with an emphasis on health care and human services. The vision emphasizes commitment to academic excellence, innovative learning, and the promotion of social responsibility.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, our purpose remains the same: to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to God’s people, especially those most in need. By selflessly serving others in the manner of St.

Beginning in Fall of 2011, Sr. of Our Lady University as Campus Minister. role. on multiple occasions at a Blessing of the Hands ceremony for the University. You may be interested in a religious vocation.

Location and Community Engagement: A Hub for Education and Healthcare

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 5414 Brittany Drive within the South Baton Rouge area. Baton Rouge, as the state capital, is a significant hub for education, culture, and business. Students attending the university benefit from the city's resources, including diverse dining, entertainment, and internship prospects.

FranU can support your goals and help you reach your full potential through Central and Southern Louisiana. Campus, a distinction we proudly bear.

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