Benedictine/Catholic higher education in Mesa one step closer to fruition
September 13, 2012

Elliott Peppers
(630) 829-6079
epeppers@ben.edu

Lisle, Illinois~ Recognizing that sustainable growth and prosperity starts with providing resources to educate the minds of its masses, the City of Mesa embarked on a journey to attract a distinguished university that would help revitalize its downtown area while giving the city and area residents something it lacked. 

Benedictine University, based in Lisle, Ill., just outside of Chicago, answered the call. After earning approval to operate in Arizona and the blessing of the Phoenix Diocese, the Catholic university will officially open its doors to business in downtown Mesa on September 20 with a private blessing and ribbon-cutting celebration at the Benedictine University at Mesa Services Center at 51 E. Main St., Suite 105.

In the Catholic and Benedictine traditions, the building will be blessed by Phoenix Diocese Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and District 4 Councilmember Chris Glover, who have been large supporters of bringing a Benedictine branch campus to Mesa, will attend the opening along with University officials, including University President William J. Carroll, Ph.D., and Executive Vice President Charles Gregory.

“I am grateful that the City of Mesa has invited a distinguished Catholic university to open a campus in the heart of the city,” said Olmsted. “This historic initiative with Benedictine University holds great promise for expanding in Arizona opportunities for higher Catholic education and for collaborating with all people of good will, especially young people in Mesa and throughout our state.”

 “In January, we announced Benedictine University as the first institute of higher education to locate a campus in Mesa,” Smith said. “We are proud to see that first seed take hold in our downtown as they open their student services center.”

Opening ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 20, followed by a public open house from

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

City officials agree that Benedictine’s Services Center is an exciting start toward not only bringing the first Catholic higher education institution to the more than 530,000 Catholics in Maricopa County, but also providing Benedictine’s longstanding values-centered education to the entire region.

“The opening of the Services Center marks a momentous occasion for the relationship between the City of Mesa and Benedictine University,” Glover said. “This is an exciting time as we move one step closer to beginning classes in downtown Mesa.”

Benedictine will offer classes beginning fall 2013 at 225 E. Main St. in downtown Mesa. Initial degree offerings will include a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Organizational Behavior, in addition to a minor in Religious Studies.

DLR Group and D.L. Withers Construction worked with City and University officials on the architectural design and remodeling of the new Services Center and are also involved in the revitalization of the 225 E. Main St. site.

For more than 125 years, Benedictine University has provided a renowned liberal arts education, and the essential values and tools that create leaders within the community. Benedictine University at Mesa offers a private, faith-based education grounded in history, heritage and Catholic tradition. Flexible financing, academic support and curriculum counseling is offered in an inclusive environment.

For more information about Benedictine University at Mesa, please contact the Services Center at (602) 888-5500, mesa@ben.edu or at www.ben.edu/mesa.