29 saint francis magazine | spring 2026 Athletics restructures leadership Athletic Director Mike McCaffrey was elevated to Vice President for Student Life and Athletics and Ryan Bolyn was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director in a restructuring of the athletics department. Bolyn is in his 22nd season as head softball coach and will remain in that role, too. McCaffrey was named the Cougars’ Athletic Director in 2011 after serving three years as Assistant Athletic Director under Mark Pope. As Bolyn steps into his new role, Kelsey Passaglia will also continue as Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Leader. Coaches and staff will strategically report to the two assistant directors, while Bolyn and Passaglia will report to McCaffrey. Lilly Endowment awards $125,000 grant for AI study Saint Francis received a 12-month planning grant of $125,000 from Lilly Endowment, Inc., through its initiative, Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education. This Phase One planning grant will support the university’s efforts to thoughtfully explore the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in ways that align with the Saint Francis mission. The goal of this work is to better equip and support students, staff and faculty as Saint Francis engages emerging technologies with purpose and care. As part of this initiative, Saint Francis is also eligible to apply for an implementation grant of up to $5 million, with a submission deadline of May 2026. University celebrates naming of St. Francis Drive The City of Fort Wayne recently renamed a portion of Leesburg Road—from Spring Street to Main Street and then continuing to Jefferson Boulevard when the current extension is completed—as St. Francis Drive. Saint Francis held a dedication and blessing for St. Francis Drive on March 23. The road runs along the east corridor of the university and is a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, for whom the university was named by its sponsors, the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. “St. Francis Drive serves as a fitting tribute to St. Francis of Assisi as we celebrate this Jubilee Year of St. Francis, as proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV,” Saint Francis President Dr. Lance Richey said. “We hope that this renaming will be of assistance as a wayfinding sign for those visiting the University of Saint Francis. The university offers its heartfelt appreciation to our neighbors who made this possible with their expeditious support and to Mayor Sharon Tucker, her administration and staff who helped us navigate this process.” Lafayette site welcomes community for blessing, grand opening Saint Francis’ newest site in Lafayette, Indiana, welcomed more than 120 people for a blessing and grand opening on May 12. Most Reverend Timothy L. Doherty, S.T.L., Ph.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, blessed the building, and Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski and State Rep. Sheila Klinker presented mementos to Saint Francis President Dr. Lance Richey. Saint Francis Lafayette will offer degrees and certificates in a variety of healthcare programs. The first in-person classes begin this fall. Lafayette students have already been taking online courses and participating in clinical work. Saint Francis nursing students achieve 100% pass rate All Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students in Fort Wayne who graduated in December 2025 passed the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) on their first attempt. Likewise, 100% of Practical Nursing (LPN) students at the Leffler Academy of the University of Saint Francis in Gas City, Indiana, passed their NCLEX exams on first attempts. “This accomplishment reflects the exceptional caliber of our nursing students, and we take immense pride in their steadfast dedication,” said Saint Francis Vice President for Workforce Development and Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Amanda Leffler. “We continually set the highest standards for them, and our students consistently exceed them.” 29 saint francis magazine | spring 2026
