The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) is strategically exploring new sponsorship opportunities for Marian University.
The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) founded Marian College in 1936. It was accredited in 1941 and became Marian University in 2008. Many changes have taken place over the years, but CSA has continued to serve as sponsor of the university.
Sponsorship is the formal and public relationship that exists between CSA and Marian University. As sponsors, the Catholic Church has entrusted the Congregation with guiding and overseeing Marian University, promoting and animating faithfulness to the mission of Jesus, and assuring the continued vitality and viability of the ministry.
The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes desires that Marian University flourish well into the future. Many in the Fond du Lac community have expressed this same shared desire.
The question for the future of Marian is sponsorship when CSA is no longer able to sponsor it. CSA Leadership is grateful that there is time to consider all options thoughtfully and prayerfully, engaging the entities involved.
“We have a Creator who invites us to continue creating, who gathers us together to share what we believe, and who blesses us with the Spirit to Guide us on the journey of discerning a possible sponsorship of Marian for the future. We are people of hope on this journey of life—companions on the journey,” said Sister Sharon Pollnow, General Superior of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.”
A strategic planning process exploring the possibility of a different sponsorship relationship for Marian has begun. A consultant has been hired to oversee the planning process and has interviewed CSA Leadership, Corporate Ministry Members, Dr. Michelle Majewski, President of Marian, and the Chair of the Board of Trustees. Over the next few months, others associated with Marian will be interviewed. The insights of external stakeholders will supplement these internal perspectives. Numerous business leaders will be interviewed to discuss how Marian can best meet the community’s needs and explore potential financial partnerships. Conversations about how to best safeguard the Mission of Marian University will also occur.
Dr. Majewski observed, “Many Catholic colleges and universities across the United States have either completed this process or are exploring sponsorship options at this time. Marian University appreciates the comprehensive approach CSA is using to address this important matter.”
It is estimated that the process may take a few years before any final decisions are made.
About the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes
The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA), founded in 1858 in Barton, has been based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for more than 150 years. Today, CSA has sisters across the United States and Nicaragua who strive to minister with simplicity and hospitality in the fields of education, healthcare, pastoral ministry, and social service. CSA Associates are women and men who choose to have an intentional relationship with the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
Marian University was founded in 1936 by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. The university offers undergraduate, masters, and adult learning degrees at its main campus and online.
