Student Life Organizations
Act On Your Interests and Passions
Our motivated students organize and form groups for the promotion of many causes or to share an interest. Check through the list and descriptions below and find out how many of them match your interests.
These student-founded, student-led organizations are authorized by the Student Life Office to operate on campus, use rooms for meetings, post approved signs on campus, participate in events, and host their own events.
Find out how to become an approved organization
- FUS American Red Cross Club: The FUS American Red Cross Club is a student organization that seeks to promote the work of the American Red Cross and provide opportunities for students to serve locally and nationally in the mission of the Red Cross. Opportunities for service include: disaster relief services, safety services (First Aid, CPR, etc.), service to the armed forces members and their families, and blood donations.
-For more information contact Karina Santacroce at ksantacroce001@student.franciscan.edu.
- FUS Anime Club: The purpose of the Anime Club is to promote cultural understanding and fellowship among students. This is accomplished through several methods. While one of our main activities is watching Japanese animation, we also analyze the worldview inherent in this media and reflect on what we can learn from it. We recognize that not all anime is inherently compatible to our Catholic worldview, and whey it is important to challenge it from a Catholic perspective. Therefore, while not all of our material is Catholic, the way in which we approach it is.
-For more information contact Elizabeth Norton at enorton001@student.franciscan.edu.
- The Annunciations: The Annunciations provide an opportunity for Franciscan women to enjoy A Capella music, the fellowship of true womanhood through Our Lady, and to share musical gifts and talents, along with Catholic faith, for the greater honor and glory of God.
-For more information contact Kate Donnelly at kdonnelly001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Baronettes: The Baronettes are a team with a Christian atmosphere where, through dance, girls can grow in community, and confidence. We whole heartedly foster and support the mission statement of Franciscan University with Christ at the center of our endeavors as we continuously work to develop Christian character and integrity.
-For more information contact Megan Celepnik at mcelepnik001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Catholic Womanhood Missions: Catholic Womanhood Missions is a student organization committed to actively leading women to come to know and experience that: "I am my beloved's and His desire is for me"(Song of Songs 7:10). Our goal is to accept God as our Beloved and to allow Him to reveal how much He loves each of us women individually. We strive to promote the gift of womanhood and the dignity that women possess as God's crown of creation. We look to Mary as our mother and model, so that we and all women can come to know our beauty and grow in following her ways, particularly those of gentleness, humility, and purity. We also look to Mary to teach us to accept and appreciate the special gift of receptivity that we, as women, have been given. By focusing on the positive aspects of womanhood, our goal is to build up the confidence of each individual woman and encourage universal sisterhood.
-For more information, contact Erin Morrett at kmorrett001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Chesterton Society: The purpose of the Chesterton Society is to spread love and appreciation to others in an attempt to bring others to understand the relevance of Chesterton's wisdom, common sense, sense of humor, and sense of wonder to the world today.
-For more information, contact Megan Dial at mdial001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Commuter Student Association: The CSA strives to serve the needs of commuter students, to keep commuters informed of campus events, and to create a more unified University community by bridging the gaps between commuter and resident students.
-For more information, contact Kara Sprowl at ksprowl001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Dom Gueranger Society: The purpose of the Dom Gueranger Society is to educate about and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the liturgical traditions of the Church.
-For more information, contact Elizabeth Nettles at enettles001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Feminists for Life: The Feminists for Life group follows the mission statement of Feminists for Life of America, which recognizes that abortion is a reflection that our society has failed to meet the needs of women. The group is dedicated to systematically eliminating the root causes that drive women to abortion- primarily lack of practical resources and support- through holistic, women-centered solutions.
- For more information, contact Maureen Dunn, at mdunn001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Franciscan Movie Club: The Franciscan Movie Club provides an outlet for the creative expression of Franciscan students interested in film and to provide a supportive environment that encourages students to improve their knowledge of cinematic skills while using the media as a tool to better the lives of its viewers.
-For more information, contact Rachael Pope at rpope001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Fr. Michael Scanlan Scholarship Society: The Fr. Michael Scanlan Scholarship Society is open to any person who has competed in the Fr. Michael Scanlan Scholarship competition. As Fr. Michael Scanlan scholars, students strive to integrate faith and reason in a manner that honors the Franciscan University mission as set forth by the school's fourth president for which the Society is named, and to follow Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, seeking to answer His call to "rebuild my church" and transform the culture.
-For more information, contact Zach See at zsee001@student.franciscan.edu.
- FUSA - Franciscan University Student Association: FUSA is the campus student government representing the students' needs, concerns, and ideas to the administration body. It is made up of the executive staff, student senate, and justices. Elections for the executive and senate are held in the spring.
-For more information, contact president Michael Wester at mwester001@student.franciscan.edu.
- FUS College Republicans: The FUS College Republicans is an organization that was designed to make known and promote the principles of the Republican Party among members of the Franciscan University campus and community. For more information, contact Daniel Woltornist at dwoltornist001@student.franciscan.edu.
- FUS Fine Arts Society: This society has been formed for the purpose of further educating the students of Franciscan University through exposure to the fine arts. We will endeavor to provide opportunities for the student body to attend cultural/fine arts events off campus (primarily in Pittsburgh, PA) and promote on-campus fine arts events. Yearly we develop and advertise a "Fine Arts Series", consisting of on-campus and off-campus events compatible with the mission of the university. Affordable tickets are offered to faculty, staff, students, and members of the surrounding community, along with free and/or inexpensive transportation. We believe that through exposure to the fine arts, our university community may be brought to a greater appreciation of the good, the true, and the beautiful.
-For more information, contact Melissa Redfield at mredfield001@student.franciscan.edu.
- The Gadfly: The Gadfly is an attempt to "bite the sleeping horse", in the spirit of Socrates. It is a student publication whose purpose is to facilitate discussion concerning campus and cultural issues as they pertain to us as students at Franciscan University. We aim to be a forum for open, well-thought out, and honest discussions toward the end of knowing and loving truth in its most robust sense. Satire is also recognized as a means of attaining this end.
-For more information, contact Gillian LaMuro at glamuro001@student.franciscan.edu.
- German Club: The German Club is an organization that promotes cultural understanding, especially towards the German culture. The goal is to show not only the campus community but also the outside community the value of learning a second language, specifically German, and of appreciating aspects of the culture of the German-speaking countries.
-For more information, contact Caitlin Garrett at cgarrett001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Knights of Columbus:
-For information contact John Schuhriemen at jschuhriemen001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Latinos for Christ: Students in LFC promote the unique blend of Hispanic and Catholic culture on campus through social and spiritual activities that demonstrate the diversity of the Catholic Church.
-For more information, contact Keith Michael Estrada at latinosforchrist@franciscan.edu.
- Lumen Vincens - Campus Magazine: Lumen Vincens (Latin for "The Conquering Light") is a campus magazine published by students of Franciscan University. It is intended as an outlet for expressions of creativity, and as a medium of communication and discussion to promote the culture of intellectual Catholic thought that makes our campus so vibrant. Lumen Vincens features a mix of fiction, opinion, art, poetry, humor, and reporting, and follows a tri-weekly publication schedule.
-For more information, contact Michael Andreola at mandreola001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Magnificat Praise & Worship: Magnificat is dedicated to daily praise and worship. Our purpose is to grow in our relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, using music as a tool. We strive for complete union with God by aiming our worship towards contemplative prayer. Mary is our model as the Mother of God, perfect Disciple of Christ, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit and her "Magnificat" is our example of praise.
-For more information, contact Emma Smits at esmits001@student.franciscan.edu.
- ROTC Club: The Mission of Franciscan ROTC Club (Reserve Officer Training Corps) is to bring the Army ROTC program to Franciscan students, including those not contracted to the program. ROTC provides training to students to be future officers in the Army, and in life. The ultimate goal of this club is to allow Army ROTC to better operate here at Franciscan and bring more students into the program.
For more information, contact Captain John Reed at John.clifford.reed@us.army.mil.
- Servants of the Returning King: The mission of Servants of the Returning King is to take part in the rescue mission of souls; to spread the good news that Jesus is returning. This is done by promoting the words of Jesus to all students on campus and citizens in the local community. We hope to bring the words of Jesus to others that they may know peace and joy in their lives and have a conversion of heart to prepare for His return. Ministry on campus will consist of Holy Hours, individual outreach of each member to other students, club outreach to students, and sponsoring speakers; as well as off-campus Prison ministry.
-For more information, contact Chris Parella at cparella001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Solidarity: The main goal of Solidarity is to promote student awareness of injustices throughout the world, and to work toward their resolution.
-The contact person for Solidarity is John McFarland at jmcfarland001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Southern Society: The purpose of the Society shall be to promote interest in the study of Southern history, and culture; to foster and strengthen the community of Southerners at Franciscan; to encourage mutual understanding and appreciation of the racial diversity that has been and is in the South; and to educate the Franciscan Community about the South through an ongoing dialogue.
-The contact person for Southern Society is Jessica Kelley at jkelley001@student.franciscan.edu.
- St. Jerome Debate SocietyThe mission of the St. Jerome Debate society is to hold on-campus debates to foster the intellectual and spiritual growth of the students at Franciscan University. These debates will focus on timely Catholic issues mostly within the fields of theology and philosophy. The society seeks to accomplish this by choosing pertinent topics and organizing the actual events.
-For more information, contact Steven Woltornist at swoltornist001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Students For Life: A student-run organization which seeks to promote a greater respect for the dignity of all human life, from the moment of conception to a natural death. Members of the organization do this by means of prayer, education, and action together in order to bring about conversion of hearts and minds in themselves, the Church, the nation and the world.
-For more information, contact Katie (Mary) Ginter at mginter001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Tennis Club: The mission of the Franciscan Tennis club is to foster the growth of tennis at the University and provide interested students with the opportunity and means of playing tennis. The club seeks to accomplish this by setting up times for match play and providing lessons to those who want to improve in the sport. The ultimate goal of this club is to achieve s stronger tennis community on campus an act as a stepping stone toward a varsity tennis program for the University.
-For more information contact Chris Cooper at ccooper001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Theta Phi Alpha: The mission of Theta Phi Alpha is to create close comradeship, to advance educational, social and philanthropic interests and leadership training, to encourage spiritual development and adherence to the highest moral standards, and to promote lifelong bonds of friendship.
-For more information visit our self-maintained Web site or contact Hayley Searight at hsearight001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Ut Unum Sint Society for Christian Unity: The purpose of this society is to promote unity among Christians by means of private and common prayer, personal dialogue, the exchange of gifts, fellowship, service, and education, with particular emphasis on ecumenism among other colleges, according to the vision of the Catholic Church, and to organize events that make these exchanges possible.
-For more information contact Rachel Moon at rmoon001@student.franciscan.edu.
- Voice in the Desert: Voice in the Desert exists to provide a peer witness to the transforming love of Christ, fully believing that, "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." It provides opportunities for students to encounter the Gospel in unique settings, most notably through camping and outdoors retreats, in an effort for every student to enter into a personal relationship with Christ. Voice in the Desert is committed to training and equipping students in evangelization and evangelistic outreach, with a focus on preparing a practical witness for their daily lives on and off campus.
-For more information, contact Jill Zeszut at jzeszut001@student.franciscan.edu.