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Briar Cliff University 2022-2023 Annual Report

First College Game of Dreams

Briar Cliff University and Luther College made history, playing the first-ever collegiate baseball game at the Field of Dreams Movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. Field of Dreams, directed by Phil Alden Robinson, is a sports fantasy drama where a farmer hears a voice inside his head telling him, “If you build it, he will come.” The historic night attracted over 2,000 attendees, including several Chargers and Woodbury County residents attending at no cost, with the support of a Missouri River Historical Development grant.

First Charger Football Spring Game on Faber Field

Briar Cliff Football hosted there annual spring game for the first time on Faber Field. This game served as a precursor to what might be possible following the turfing of the field in Fall of 2023.

New Legacy Gift

The overall fundraising for the College of Health & Equity has resulted in the largest gift made in the history of Briar Cliff University to date. The significant anonymous legacy gift pushed the fundraising over 60% of the project. The new building is estimated at a healthy $20 million goal.

Berte-Hickey is Named Director of Mission and Catholic Integration

As the Director of Mission and Catholic Integration, Berte-Hickey will provide supervision and lead employees within Campus Ministry to assist with high-quality programming that meets a diverse student body. She will integrate the Gospel, Catholic Church teachings, and Franciscan Values to aid in the holistic development of BCU students.

Briar Cliff University Celebrates Catholic Schools Week

Briar Cliff hosted free admission to all K-12 attendees and their families if they wore the Catholic school gear at Charger athletic events during Catholic Schools Week. Briar Cliff is the only Catholic-based higher education institution in the Sioux City Diocese.

Connecting with Joyful Service

Throughout the year, Briar Cliff University employees and students embodied the Franciscan value of the year: Connecting with Joyful Service. In particular, this value was especially evident in the moments around Christmas.

Heelan Hall Mural

A new mural painting paying tribute to Briar Cliff's cornerstone laying in 1930 in the front entrance of Heelan Hall, the first building on campus. Initiated by Brian Hazlett, a professor of biology and environmental science, the university received a grant from the Gilchrist Foundation, and Nan Wilson, assistant professor of art, completed the project.

Baccalaureate Mass Held on Campus

The Class of 2023 had their Baccalaureate Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady Grace on the Briar Cliff University campus. Held off-campus in the past, the Mass allowed families and the community to provide their support and blessings to the graduating students.

2020-2024 Strategic Plan

The world of higher education is changing at an astronomical pace. Briar Cliff University is shifting with these changes, while at the same time honoring its tradition of providing exceptional educational opportunities. Our new strategic plan is designed to inspire confidence, create markets, and seize new growth opportunities.

Charger Dome Fundraising Campaign

Briar Cliff kicked off a fundraising campaign for a new Charger Dome, which is a 100,400 square-foot inflatable structure with a turf playing field, 3 to 4-lane track, concessions, and other accommodations. The University secured a leading gift for the $12M project.

New Esports Arena

The inaugural season of Esports launched with a newly remodeled Esports Arena, made possible by Sterling, Liberty National Bank, Goldsmith, and Thompson as sponsors. The Arena has 15 gaming stations, multiple TBs to support active games, and an interactive retro gaming area for entertaining.

Alverno Hall Renovation

Briar Cliff University launched a $4.5 million renovation project with a completion date by the end of the Fall of 2023. Alverno Hall is the largest residence hall on campus and the rooms will receive new flooring, paint, furniture, and fixtures. New bathrooms and improvements to hallways and lounges will also be provided.

Artificial Turf on Faber Field

Currently home to Charger men's and women's soccer teams, the new turf on Faber Field will host practices and home games in the Fall of 2023. It will also be designed to support football in the future. Made possible by partnerships and donations, Mammoth Sports Construction will be completing the project.

Board of Trustees Name new Chair and Vice Chair

Steve Stouffer was named the new Board of Trustees Chair and Lisa Bertrand was named Vice Chair.

Articulation Agreements

Helping make transferring to Briar Cliff University for a bachelor's degree, the business department established new agreements with two schools:

The first agreement between Northeast Community College and Briar Cliff University.
Briar Cliff's largest amount of programs signed in one day with Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Grant Agreement

Briar Cliff University and Little Priest Tribal College (LPTC) signed an agreement allowing Pell Grant-eligible students at LTPC to transfer to BCU and receive full tuition aid. Students who are not eligible for the Pell Grant will still receive tuition assistance.

Black Named President of American Physical Therapy Association's Student Board of Directors

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student Julia Black was elected as the 2023 President of the American Physical Therapy Association's Student Board of Directors. This Board consists of elected members to serve as ambassadors for all student members and build a diverse and inclusive community that advances their profession and improves society's health.

Athletic Accomplishments

Charger Football had a 3.22 cumulative GPA, the highest in program history.
- This included four with a 4.0 and 54 with a 3.8 or higher.
Ben Irlbeck was named the GPAC Women's Golf Coach of the Year.
Charger Softball set many new milestones:
- Single-season win record.
- Single-season stolen base record.
- Team strikeout record.
- Maddi Duncan, Pitcher, broke the single-season individual strikeout record.
Women's Golf claimed the GPAC team title and qualified for the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
Women's Basketball also set many new milestones:
- First-ever GPAC postseason title.
- Most wins in a season since 2014.
- Made it to the NAIA Round of 16 for the first time since the 2015-2016 season.
- Konnor Sudmann was a Second Team All-American.
- Kennedy Benne was a GPAC co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Women's Soccer:
- Made the National Tournament for the third straight year.
- Ruby Campa and Mady Soumare named NAIA Honroable Mention All-American.
- Six Athletes named to NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
- Soumare named GPAC Player of the Year

Inaugural Esports season.
- First Champions of the Morningside Valorant competition.

Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony

Over 202 candidates received their degrees during the 92^nd commencement ceremony.

Alumna Celebrates 110th Birthday

Rose Mary Rizk DeGrasse celebrated her 110th birthday on October 4, 2022, one of only 70 supercentenarians in the United States. She passed away peacefully on November 5, 2022.

2023 Alumni Award Winners Announced

Briar Cliff University is proud to announce the winners of the Distinguished Alumni Award and the G.O.L.D. (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award.

Distinguished Alumni Award Winner – Dr. Kendra Homan

Dr. Kendra Homan graduated from Briar Cliff in 2007, received her master’s degree from Minnesota State University in 2009, and her Ph.D. from Utah State University in 2015, and completed her fellowship at Mayo Clinic. She is currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a Pediatric Pain Psychologist in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

GOLD Alumni Award Winner – Matthey O'Kane

O’Kane is an artist, an educator, a political activist, and a politician. He was born and raised on the Westside of Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from Briar Cliff University in 2018 before beginning his career in Art Education.

Jacobson-Schulte Named 12th President

Briar Cliff University launched a nationwide presidential search in October 2022. Three finalists, including Jacobson-Schulte, were invited to campus to interview. Originally from central Minnesota, Dr. Jacobson-Schulte has diverse experience in finance and administration within educational institutions. He joined Briar Cliff in 2019 and served as Interim President before assuming the new role.

Briar Cliff University Announces "New Crowley House"

Briar Cliff University acquired a new home, named the "Crowley House" in honor of a beloved faculty member, Michael Crowley, who passed away in 2023. The property will serve as the home of Briar Cliff's President as well as provide event space for the university.

The Briar Cliff Review

The Briar Cliff Review released it’s final edition, after 35 years of publications from 1989-2023. The University also celebrated the retirement of is founding editor, Dr. Tricia Currans-Sheehan.

Siouxland Choice Award Winner in Higher Education

Briar Cliff University was the 2023 Siouxland Choice Award Winner in the category of Higher Education, a Sioux City Journal competition of 124 categories, including three nominees for the category of higher education.

Paint the States Briar Cliff Blue

Briar Cliff University is grateful for the support of alumni and friends across the nation.

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Advancement Team

Dr. Patrick J. Schulte, President

Michelle Boe, Vice President of University Advancement & University Counsel

Amy Derby, Director of Philanthropy

Nolan Parks, Assistant Director of Development

Larry Obermeyer, Director of Resource Development & Special Projects

Christy Stinger, Assistant Director of Development & Grants

Adam Stenstrom, Director of Prospect Development

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