1. Home
  2. About Viterbo
  3. Administrative Offices
  4. Mission and Ministry
  5. AFCU Symposium 2025
AFCU Symposium 2025
AFCU Symposium 2025 Logo

 

2025 Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities Symposium

Tentative Schedule

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION BEGINS JAN. 6, 2025
For information: AFCU@viterbo.edu
 

Wednesday, June 4, 2025
12 noon  Registration
Welcome desk opens
On-campus housing check-in
5:30 p.m. Opening prayer
Prayer Service at the Dancing Francis
6 p.m. Opening reception in Assisi Courtyard - Welcome to Wisconsin!
Cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and live music 
(rain location Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby)
 

Thursday, June 5, 2025
7 a.m. Breakfast in The Caf
7 a.m. Registration
Welcome desk opens
On-campus housing check-in
8–9 a.m.

Opening Liturgy | San Damiano Chapel
Celebrant:  The Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby, Bishop of the La Crosse Diocese
9:30–10:15 a.m. Opening keynote address: The Very Reverend Michael A. Perry, OFM
10:15–10:30 a.m. Break
Light refreshments, various locations
10:30–11:45 a.m. Breakout Session A
noon–1:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30–2:45 p.m. Breakout Session B
3–4:15 p.m. Breakout Session C
4:15 p.m.  Evening Prayer | San Damiano Chapel
5:30 p.m.

Choose Your Own Evening Adventure
     - Moon Tunes | music in the park with dinner before at the Hatchery
     - La Crosse Queen Riverboat Cruise with dinner after at the Hatchery 
     - Sr. Thea Night at St. Rose Convent with chapel tour, dinner, Sr. Thea documentary and panel
     - Explore La Crosse (dinner at the Hatchery or on your own)

* limited capacity for riverboat cruise and Sr. Thea Night
* shuttle service available from campus to Riverside Park; parking at the Hatchery for local commuters
* shuttle service available back to campus, times TBD
 

Friday, June 6, 2025
7 a.m. Breakfast in The Caf
7:45 a.m. Transportation to morning prayer service atop Grandad Bluff begins
7 a.m. Welcome desk open
8:15–9 a.m. Morning prayer service
Grandad Bluff Pavilion
9:15 a.m. Transportation from Grandad Bluff back to campus begins
9:45–10:45 a.m. Breakout Session D
11 a.m. Mass with Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA)
Mary of the Angels Chapel
11:00a.m.–noon Breakout Session E
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30–1:30 p.m. Keynote address: Curt Meine
1:45–2:45 p.m. Breakout Session F
2:45–3 p.m. Break
Light refreshments, various locations
3–4 p.m. Keynote address: Ilia Delio, OSF
4:15 p.m. Evening Prayer | San Damiano Chapel
4:30 p.m.*

Evening along the Mississippi River
     4:30pm - Social | Cargill Room at the Waterfront, downtown La Crosse
     6:00pm - Dinner | Cargill Room at the Waterfront, downtown La Crosse
     7:30pm - Entertainment by b2wins | next door at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts (cash bar)

* shuttle service available from campus to Cargill Room beginning at 4:30pm
* shuttle service available back to campus, times TBD
   

Saturday, June 7, 2025
7–8 a.m. Breakfast in The Caf
7:45 a.m. Morning Prayer | San Damiano Chapel 
8:15–9:15 a.m. Invited Featured Panel:  What is the function of Franciscan education in America today?
Moderator:  Sr.  Margaret Carney, OSF
Panelists:
   Dr. Rick Trietley, President, Viterbo University
   Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF
9:30–10:45 a.m. Interactive session
11–11:30 a.m.

Closing Ritual
San Damiano Chapel
11:30 a.m. Lunch in The Caf
Departure