Sponsored by Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU)
Established in 1923 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, the School of Nursing began in conjunction with the establishment of Our Lady of the Lake Sanitarium in the Capitol Lake area of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Over the decades, that institution evolved alongside the healthcare landscape, eventually becoming Our Lady of the Lake College in 1989.
Fast forward to 2016, when Our Lady of the Lake College was considering the best direction for its future and how it could continue serving the growing healthcare workforce needs of the greater Baton Rouge area. The college began expanding its academic offerings, adding more graduate programs as well as two doctoral programs in physical therapy and nurse anesthesia.
“In adding those graduate programs and growing the presence of graduate students, the college became more of a university, and so the
institution’s leaders at that time said, well, let’s actually make this formal,” describes David Bellar, Ph.D., current Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) president.
Ten years ago this October, Our Lady of the Lake College officially became Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University to reflect the education it provided on its campus. FranU has steadily grown in programs and enrollment in its first 10 years under the university name.
Today, more than 300 graduate students are learning on the FranU campus, making up about one third of the university’s general enrollment.
“A significant portion of our total enrollment now are in graduate studies preparing for high-wage jobs that are in demand in the Capital region,” says Dr. Bellar. “Now, FranU provides more opportunities for advanced education than ever, helping citizens and the region grow and prosper.”
As for the future, FranU plans to keep a close eye on evolving horizons in healthcare while continuing to follow its mission and core values inspired by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady sisters and their charism.
Dr. Bellar says looking into the future requires continued work to show the university’s depth and reach into healthcare education with valuable grants that bolster programs and more ways for students to thrive on campus. FranU not only sets up graduate students for success, it provides meaningful opportunities for entry level jobs in healthcare as well.
“We’re continually evaluating the environment around us and trying to find where the opportunities are,” Dr. Bellar says. “At the same time, we’re reflecting on what providing healthcare in the future looks like.”
Dr. Bellar explains the university is working with its faculty and staff on how to integrate an understanding of artificial intelligence into healthcare, beyond the tools themselves. FranU aims to teach students to use AI technology and tools in a way that is ethical, values human dignity and is aligned to its mission and values.
Visit franu.edu for university news, student stories, Open House information and more. You can also find links to FranU’s social media platforms on its website, where you can follow along for the latest updates and see what’s happening across the university.
“It’s been a wonderful 10-year journey for the institution. We’ve seen growth across the board since the rebrand,” Dr. Bellar says. “It’s made a tremendous impact on the institution, and I think it’s of great value to our area.”
