Founded by the Jesuits in 1855, the University of San Francisco has a compelling story. It began as St. Ignatius Academy. This one-room schoolhouse was located along what became Market Street.
Father Anthony Maraschi was key. He was the college’s founder and first president. He also served as a professor, treasurer, and pastor. The University of San Francisco received its charter in 1859.
The original curriculum was broad. It included Greek, Spanish, Latin, and English. French, Italian, algebra, arithmetic, history, and geography were also taught. Elocution and bookkeeping rounded out the offerings.
In 1880, St. Ignatius College moved. Its new location was on Hayes Street and Van Ness Avenue. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake caused damage. The ensuing fire destroyed the college. The campus temporarily moved to Hayes and Shrader streets. It was near Golden Gate Park.
The college moved to its present site in 1927. It is on Fulton Street, on the site of the former Masonic Cemetery. In 1930, St. Ignatius College became the University of San Francisco. Alumni groups and Mayor James Rolph Jr. supported this change.
The University of San Francisco was male-only for most of its history. It became fully coeducational in 1964. However, women started attending evening programs earlier. These programs were in business and law, starting in 1927.
The high school division moved in 1969. It became St. Ignatius College Preparatory. In 1978, the University of San Francisco acquired Lone Mountain College. October 15, 2005, marked the university’s 150th anniversary.
The University of San Francisco now offers 59 majors. These are within its college and four schools. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Law, the School of Management, and the School of Nursing and Health Professions.
The University of San Francisco is known as “the Hilltop”. Its main campus covers 55 acres. It is divided into Lone Mountain and lower campus. These are north and south of Turk Street.
The University of San Francisco’s motto is “Pro Urbe et Universitate.” This means “For the City and University”. This reflects its ties to San Francisco.
The University of San Francisco has a Downtown campus. It is located in the Folger Coffee Company Building. It was founded in 2012. The University of San Francisco also has campuses in Orange County, Sacramento, San Jose, and Santa Rosa.
The University of San Francisco’s current president is Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J. He is responsible for the Jesuit Catholic character of the university.
The San Francisco Foghorn is the student newspaper. It was founded in 1903. It was first called The Ignatian.
The College Players is a theater group. It was founded in 1863. It is one of the oldest student-run theater groups in the United States.
The University of San Francisco has a diverse student body. In 1951, the football team declined an Orange Bowl invitation. This was because they were asked to leave their Black players behind.
In 2019, the University of San Francisco met its goal of zero net carbon emissions. This was 31 years ahead of its 2050 target date.
Today, the University of San Francisco offers over 80 undergraduate programs. There are also more than 60 graduate programs. The University of San Francisco has more than 117,000 alumni. They live in 50 states and 139 countries. They work to change the world for the better.