HISTORY

Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies

History

The Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies was founded on August 26, 1998, for the purpose of advancing the Catholic and Franciscan intellectual tradition and contributing to the identity of Neumann University as a Catholic, Franciscan educational institution. 

The Institute includes The Assisi Room: A Meeting Place for Contemplation and Conversation which is open to the University community, and The Francis-Clare Room, which provides both literary and artistic Franciscan resources for study and research. 

As part of their Sponsors’ gift to the University in 2000, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia created an endowment to fund ongoing efforts to ensure that the vision and values of Francis and Clare of Assisi permeate the campus community and that the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition is appropriately integrated into the curriculum. The endowment supports interaction between members of the Neumann University community and scholars recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship in Franciscan Studies. 

Three individuals have served as Directors of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies: 

1998-2001 - Sr. Rose Cecilia Case, OSF 

2001-2002 - Rev. Michael Dominic Ledoux, OFM, EdD 

2002-Present - Sr. Patricia Hutchison, OSF, EdD 

Additional Resources