The Campus
The University of Saint Mary campus has grown since its 19th century beginnings. It began in 1870 with Saint Mary Hall, a four-story brick structure with high ceilings and long windows. When renovation of Saint Mary Hall was completed in 1983 to add air conditioning, the architecture of the historical building was left untouched. The stained glass, tin ceilings, and wood paneling remain today. The hall now holds student services (registrar, business office, and financial aid), advancement, administrative and faculty offices, and the Social Room – a favorite gathering area. It also houses the philosophy, accounting, business administration, and sport management programs, and the All-University Honors Program.
Mead Hall was built west of Saint Mary Hall in 1893-1894. Named for the second president of Saint Mary College, Mother Mary Olive Mead, Mead Hall houses the admissions and marketing offices; administrative offices; the Lawrence D. Starr Center for Peace & Justice in Our Global Society; the Walnut Room, a favorite assembly place; the Lady Chapel; the Mead lounge; Spire Shop; and Esports arena. Mead was also the original home of the University of Saint Mary nursing department and is now the home of the university’s Social and Behavioral Sciences department including Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, Political Science, and Education.
The Annunciation Chapel, built in 1914-1916, is a splendid example of Italian Renaissance architecture. The chapel sits between the university buildings and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Mother House. Inside, the sculpted reredos and rose window create a magnificent altar area, and stained-glass windows richly accent the chapel walls. The peaceful beauty of the chapel enhances it as a house of prayer and devotion.
Xavier Hall, also built in 1914-1915, is on the east side of Saint Mary Hall. Renovation of Xavier Hall was also completed in 1983. Xavier Theatre, a large auditorium used for theatre productions and concerts is located in Xavier. Music practice rooms, theatre, and classrooms are located in the upper floors of Xavier Hall. English, history, communications, fine arts, and theology offices are located on the third floor. The art program, studios, and the Goppert Gallery occupy the ground floor.
In 1930, a building named for Mother Mary Berchmans Cannan, first president of Saint Mary College, was erected. Berchmans Hall was built as a resident hall and faces the front circle. It has developed into the University of Saint Mary’s headquarters for healthcare education programs, housing the offices, labs, and classrooms for the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Exercise Science, and Athletic Training programs, and the human anatomy lab.
Miege, Maria, and Saint Joseph Halls were built in the 1960s. Miege Hall was dedicated in 1962. The ground floor of Miege houses the information technology and cybersecurity programs - including USM's Cybersecurity Center for Excellence, as well as the university’s information services. The first floor houses the math program, campus counseling, campus ministry, and the USM ROTC program. On the second floor, the chemistry program dominates with organic, inorganic, and quantitative analysis laboratories, and space for physics experiments. Miege’s third floor is home to the biology program. Also found in Miege are a small observatory known as the Sky Lab, the Anatomage lab, and a greenhouse.
In 1963, Saint Joseph Dining Hall was dedicated. This steel and glass octagonal-shaped structure overlooks the campus and seats up to 450. In 2015-2016, Saint Joseph Hall underwent significant renovations to transform the kitchen and serving line areas into a robust food court. The dining hall area itself was also transformed via new furniture, a retractable stage, and a new color scheme. The USM Public Safety is located in the basement of Saint Joseph Dining Hall.
Maria Hall, dedicated in 1964, is a residence hall and meeting place. Lounges – including the Dragon’s Den – are situated on the first floor and ground level, and TV lounges provide the setting for the University of Saint Mary’s social functions and student recreation.
The University of Saint Mary completed construction of De Paul Library, now called the Keleher Learning Commons, in 1981. Students and faculty can access over 60 databases, more than 300,000 journals, and over 248,000 books electronically in addition to the approximately 40,000 volumes physically housed at the library. Students enjoy the customizable Active Learning Center, 14 study rooms, and flexible study and event space. Librarians are available to provide research assistance and guides for every major and minor offered at the University of Saint Mary. The Le Beau Special Collections include the Craig Collection of Sacred Scripture, the Shakespeare Collection, and the regionally renowned Bernard H. Hall Abraham Lincoln Collection. On the ground floor is the De Paul Fitness Center, which serves students, faculty, and staff.
The University of Saint Mary developed soccer and softball fields in 1990. They were followed by the construction, in 1992, of Ryan Sports Center, a multi-purpose facility. Ryan contains volleyball and basketball courts, a running track, and racquetball courts. A baseball field and football practice field were completed in 1999. McGilley Field House, a multi-purpose athletic facility, was completed in 2004. It can be utilized for basketball, volleyball, indoor tennis, futsal (indoor soccer), and many other recreational uses. It also houses the weight room, athletic training facility, and the offices for many of the university’s varsity athletics coaches. In 2008, the University of Saint Mary opened its Football/Soccer Complex adjacent to McGilley, which now serves as a practice soccer field.
In August 2009, Berkel Hall, the university’s apartment-style residence hall, opened its doors to students. Berkel Hall is named in memory of Antoinette “Toni” Berkel, beloved wife of the late Charles Berkel – a longtime University of Saint Mary supporter and member of the Board of Trustees. Berkel Hall features all of the accoutrements of the most modern dorms and houses 100 students.
In 2015, the University of Saint Mary undertook its Campus for Tomorrow vision for improving campus. Construction began on the first phase – the centerpiece of which was Berkel Memorial Stadium, a new first-rate home for the University of Saint Mary football, soccer, and track and field programs. Berkel Stadium opened to great fanfare in 2015 and includes a luxury presidential suite for special guests of the university.
In the 2020-2021 academic year, through the Second Chance Pell Initiative, USM began offering an on-site bachelor’s degree program to students at the Lansing Correctional Facility. The Prison Education Program has since grown to include students from the United States Disciplinary Barracks and Joint Regional Correctional Facility at Fort Leavenworth, and the Federal Correctional Institute Leavenworth.
In 2023, the university moved its Johnson County Campus to Roe Avenue, just south of College Boulevard. The campus, which for years had occupied space on the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School campus, is home to many of the university’s graduate programs as well as evening undergraduate degree completion offerings. The location features networked classroom technology, classrooms dedicated to specific programs, and a well-appointed student lounge.
The USM campus's most recent addition opened in the Fall 2024 semester. Steele Hall, an apartment-style residence hall, offers living space for up to 48 students, and caters to upperclassmen and graduate students.
The red brick buildings on campus are clustered on the University of Saint Mary’s hilltop overlooking about 200 acres. Berchmans, Saint Joseph, Mead, Saint Mary, and Xavier Halls face the front circle. Ryan Sports Center is located west of Berchmans Hall. The residence halls – Berkel, Maria, and Steele – are further off the circle, to the north, located near the sand volleyball court and outdoor grill. On the front campus are two spring-fed ponds, an oak kiln for barbeques and picnics, a Victorian Era gazebo, and baseball, softball, and soccer fields. The front campus is landscaped with manicured lawns and gardens along with areas of native grasses, trees, and wildflowers. The unique landscaping brings a variety of birds and wildlife to the campus.