Progress Update: June 6, 2025

Dear Faculty and Staff,
Your continued engagement is important as we explore a potential partnership with Lewis University. Guided by careful stewardship and strategic planning, we are building a sustainable path forward — one that remains true to our mission and values. Here’s the latest update on our progress.

Exploratory Progress
We are currently in the first phase of the partnership exploration, focused on relationship-building and establishing a shared understanding of each institution’s offices, operations, and culture.

Recently, Ashley Skidmore, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Lewis University, visited our campus to meet with the Admissions and Financial Aid teams, deans, and other campus staff. Her visit offered an opportunity to collaborate with our team and identify ways to leverage Lewis University’s successful strategies and resources to support CBU’s growth efforts.

We are also in direct communications with respective accrediting bodies to discuss policies, procedures, and timelines for a potential partnership.

Stakeholder Engagement
Since the announcement, the response from external stakeholders and alumni has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re grateful for the support from our community.

Thank you to everyone who completed the recent questionnaire. We had 114 responses, and we’re encouraged to see that most respondents expressed optimism about the Letter of Intent announcement. Additionally, the majority of respondents indicated interest in participating in upcoming listening sessions and focus groups. Your voices will continue to be an essential part of the planning and evaluation process.

Faculty/Staff Town Hall
We invite all CBU faculty and staff to join leadership from both institutions for a Faculty/Staff Town Hall on Monday, June 30 (time TBD) on campus.

This event will provide updates on our progress, address questions and concerns raised through the recent questionnaire, and offer an opportunity to gather your valuable feedback. An RSVP link and additional details will be shared soon.

A Strong Year-End Finish: Fundraising Success
We ended the 2024-25 academic year on a high note, raising $18,468,000 – 159% of our fundraising goal – a significant step forward in strengthening CBU’s financial position.

Below is a detailed report on fundraising and admissions as of May 30.

Did You Know?
Nationally recognized by The Princeton Review, Colleges of Distinction, U.S. News & World Report, and more, Christian Brothers University (South) and Lewis University (Midwest) stand among the top-tier educational institutions in the country.

Together and by association, 
Br. Chris