Springfield College (Illinois)
Encyclopedia
Benedictine University at Springfield, formerly known as Springfield College in Illinois (SCI) or Springfield College, is a progressive liberal arts university offering master-, bachelor- and associate-degree programs located in Springfield, IL. The school was founded in 1929 by the Ursuline Sisters
and was called Springfield Junior College until 1968. In January 2003, SCI entered into a "partnership" with Benedictine University
in Lisle, Illinois
, which has led to a merger between the institutions.
The partnership with Benedictine University resulted in the first bachelor's degree
s being awarded on the SCI campus, in line with the guidelines of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education.
The institution was also partnered with Springfield's Ursuline Academy High School
.
In October 2009, Benedictine-Springfield became a member of the NAIA
and in August 2011 joined the American Midwest Conference
.
Benedictine University at Springfield is reinstating its men’s basketball program for the 2012-13 season and adding women’s basketball that same season. Benedictine discontinued its men’s basketball program in 2000 due to budget reductions. The program also was dropped in the late 1970s for financial reasons; it was reinstated in 1993.
As of fall 2012, the Bulldogs participate at the intercollegiate level in 5 men's sports and 6 women's sports:
Ursuline Sisters
Ursuline Sisters can refer to one of several religious orders:* Ursulines, founded in Italy in 1535* Society of the Sisters of Saint Ursula of the Blessed Virgin, established 1606...
and was called Springfield Junior College until 1968. In January 2003, SCI entered into a "partnership" with Benedictine University
Benedictine University
Benedictine University is a private Catholic university located in Lisle, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The institution has retained close relations with the Benedictine Order. Originally named St. Procopius College and located in the Pilsen community of Chicago, the school was founded in 1887 by...
in Lisle, Illinois
Lisle, Illinois
Lisle is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,930 at the 2011 census, and estimated to be 23,135 as of 2008. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor...
, which has led to a merger between the institutions.
The partnership with Benedictine University resulted in the first bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s being awarded on the SCI campus, in line with the guidelines of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education.
The institution was also partnered with Springfield's Ursuline Academy High School
Ursuline Academy (Illinois)
Ursuline Academy in Springfield, Illinois, was a Catholic high school that operated from 1857 until 2007. In its final years it was affiliated with Springfield College in Illinois . Ursuline Academy billed itself as a college preparatory school...
.
Athletics
After a hiatus of several years, athletics returned to SCI in 1991 with men's soccer and in 1992 with women's tennis.In October 2009, Benedictine-Springfield became a member of the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
and in August 2011 joined the American Midwest Conference
American Midwest Conference
The American Midwest Conference is a NAIA college athletic conference with nine member institutions located in Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri in the United States.-Members:Notes:...
.
Benedictine University at Springfield is reinstating its men’s basketball program for the 2012-13 season and adding women’s basketball that same season. Benedictine discontinued its men’s basketball program in 2000 due to budget reductions. The program also was dropped in the late 1970s for financial reasons; it was reinstated in 1993.
As of fall 2012, the Bulldogs participate at the intercollegiate level in 5 men's sports and 6 women's sports:
Women's sports
- Basketball (fall 2012)
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Volleyball