University of Saint Katherine

University of Saint Katherine
MottoInquiry Seeking Wisdom
TypePrivate college
Active2010–2024
PresidentFrank J. Papatheofanis
Students232 (Fall 2022)[1]
Location
San Marcos
,
California
,
United States

33°08′18″N 117°09′46″W / 33.1383015°N 117.1628937°W / 33.1383015; -117.1628937
CampusLarge suburban
ColorsMaroon & Sandstone
   
NicknameFirebirds
Sporting affiliations
NAIA – Cal Pac
Websitewww.usk.edu

The University of Saint Katherine (USK) was a private college in San Marcos, California. Founded in 2011 as Saint Katherine College, USK taught liberal arts and sciences in more than 25 fields of study. It changed its name to final namesake in November 2016, when it added graduate studies.

The institution closed in 2024 after financial shortfalls.[2][3] The winddown of operations is expected to be completed by July 31, 2024.[4]

History

The University of Saint Katherine (USK) was founded by Frank J. Papatheofanis and incorporated on June 30, 2010, as a California not-for-profit public benefit corporation. The California Bureau for Private and Post-Secondary Education (BPPE) approved the institution for operations in 2011. It was originally located in Encinitas, California from 2010 to 2014, and moved to San Marcos, California in August 2014.

It was accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 2016.[5]

Closure

On April 25, 2024, university president and founder Frank Papatheofanis announced that the university would close at the end of the spring semester on May 18, citing a "steep shortfall in operating cash" as the reason for the closure.[2]

NBC News 7 in San Diego noted that, in contrast to the stated timeline, the university was closing immediately with staff directed to pick up their final checks the following day. They also reported that Papatheofanis said that the athletics programs were responsible for the institution being "significantly over budget".[6]

Final exams in the Spring 2024 semester were canceled because of the closure.[7]

Academics

The University of Saint Katherine (USK) taught liberal arts and sciences and offered undergraduate and graduate degree programs, initially with a focus on liberal arts from an Orthodox Christian perspective. The institution offered baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts and sciences. In 2020, it began to offer a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. In 2022, a Master of Science in kinesiology and an online Master of Arts in Orthodox Theology were added.

The university hosted a chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa national honor society. A university graduate became its first Fulbright Award recipient in 2020.[8] The university published the Saint Katherine Review, which was a journal of fiction, non-fiction and poetry from 2011 to 2018.[9]

Athletics

The Saint Katherine (USK) athletic teams were the Firebirds. The university was admitted as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) since the 2019–20 academic year.[10]

The institution relied on student athletes to build enrollment. In 2012, the university emphasized a focus on athletics, admitting more than 90 student athletes. About 85% of students were playing on a USK sports team during 2022–23 season.[11]

References

  1. ^ "College Navigator – University of Sait Katherine - Enrollment".
  2. ^ a b Murga, Tammy; Robbins, Gary (2024-04-26). "The University of Saint Katherine announces sudden closure, filing for bankruptcy". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  3. ^ Moody, Josh. "University of Saint Katherine Announces Closure". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  4. ^ "University of Saint Katherine | Inquiry Seeking Wisdom". www.usk.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  5. ^ "University of Saint Katherine". WSCUC. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  6. ^ Menezes, Shandel (April 26, 2024). "Students, staff confused after University of Saint Katherine's sudden closure". NBC News 7. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  7. ^ Menezes, Shandel (3 May 2024). "University of Saint Katherine students plan to move out after school's abrupt closure". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  8. ^ Katherine, University of Saint. "University of Saint Katherine Graduate Receives Fulbright Research Award". PRLog. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  9. ^ "St. Katherine Review". St. Katherine Review. 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  10. ^ "USK official members of NAIA". April 14, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  11. ^ Robbins, Gary (November 27, 2022). "Can sports put a tiny new university in San Marcos on the College Map?". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved March 12, 2024.