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�ֲ���ý turned 90 years old this year, and the Catholic, Benedictine institution is planning homecoming events for October that will honor its South Dakota legacy. Lancer Days, running October 16-18, will feature a pep rally, open house, and other events that honor alumni, friends, and the entire �ֲ���ý community. “We are so excited to be celebrating our 90th birthday,” said Mark Brown, president of �ֲ���ý. “Since 1936 we have partnered with students on their educational journeys and trained servant-leaders across a range of disciplines from healthcare to business and from education to the arts and humanities. We are more committed than ever to fulfilling our mission of preparing our students for a contemporary world of work, service to the human community, and personal growth.” 

To mark the occasion, the university updated its logo with a ’90 years’ banner adorning its shield. Accompanying the logo are the words, “Educating Leaders Since 1936.” The university will utilize this logo for the 2026-2027 academic year. “We wanted to recognize this important milestone while maintaining focus on the dynamism we have seen at �ֲ���ý over the last several years,” said Greg Franz, vice president for enrollment management. �ֲ���ý updated its stature from ‘college’ to ‘university’ in July 2020 in recognition of the substantial growth of its graduate programs in nursing and education. Since then, the university has also added graduate degrees in biotechnology management and regulatory science, started a football team, and expanded its graduate nursing program to include a certificate in endocrinology. 

Founded in 1936 by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, �ֲ���ý began as Sacred Heart School of Nursing and �ֲ���ý Academy. In 1951, the school became a four-year, baccalaureate degree granting institution. Having historically been an all-women’s school, in 1969 it became coeducational. Just two years later, in 1971, it became the first school in the United States to offer a baccalaureate degree in nurse anesthesia. Now, that program is a three-year doctoral program located at the school’s Sioux Falls campus, which opened in 2010. It is highly competitive and currently enrolls about 120 total students. 

“�ֲ���ý has always placed the needs of the region among its chief priorities,” said Brown. “Our continued focus on rural healthcare and educating future teachers reflects the needs of the Upper Great Plains. We have also been responsive to federally designated ‘critical areas of national need’ which was the impetus for the development of our one-of-a-kind graduate programs in biotechnology management and regulatory science.” 

The future looks bright for �ֲ���ý. Enrollment has grown to all-time highs and on his first day, Brown and his wife personally pledged $100,000 towards the building of a new residence hall. “We are going to remember this 90th birthday celebration for a long time, as it reflects a coming of age for �ֲ���ý at a time when many colleges and universities are struggling,” said Brown. “We will continue to educate future leaders and instill the core Benedictine values of awareness of God, community, hospitality, and lifelong learning.” 

Click here for more information about Lancer Days 2026.