The Newman Foundation struggled financially in the early years but grew quickly in its outreach and membership. Fr. Edward Duncan replaced Fr. O’Brien as director and chaplain in 1943. Fr. Duncan rapidly brought the foundation out of debt and revitalized its ministry. He established a series of for-credit courses to be taught within the University and built the Newman Center up to be the national model for Catholic campus ministry.
After 54 years of service, (now) Msgr. Duncan retired and was succeeded by Fr. Stuart Swetland. Fr. Swetland refurbished the residence hall and converted the building to a co-ed dorm, housing male and female residents in separate wings. He also arranged for religious sisters to be assigned fulltime at Newman. Fr. Swetland also helped establish the Institute of Catholic Thought – the academic outreach for the Newman Foundation.
In 2006, (now) Msgr. Swetland was reassigned to a seminary teaching position and was succeeded by Msgr. Greg Ketcham, who remains today the director and head chaplain.
On December 2, 2006, ground was broken for a $40 million expansion to better serve the 12,000+ Catholic students and faculty at the University of Illinois and Parkland College. A new wing was built to house an additional 300 beds to increase capacity to 600 residential students; a new market-style dining room was added; other enhancements included a café, convenience store, fitness center and laundry room, several new meeting rooms, and a Newman Club area for non-residents. The original complex built in 1928 was also renovated: the Bishop O’Rourke Library was tripled in size; a fire sprinkling system was installed; all student rooms were upgraded and bathrooms remodeled; staff offices were consolidated and renovated; and most appreciated, St. John’s Chapel was air-conditioned.
7/16/2010: Announcement Regarding Dr. Howell More
7/4/2010: 200 campus ‘missionaries’ trained at U. of I. Newman More
5/17/2010: Follow that priest... on Twitter! More
5/6/2010: Graduation Festivities - May 15 More
4/5/2010: Pictures from Living Stations of the Cross More
3/9/2010: Catholic-Muslim dialogue on Mary More
3/8/2010: We've got a blog! More
2/18/2010: Video & Audio of D'Souza-Loftus Debate Available Here! More
2/9/2010: Dinesh D'Souza and John W. Loftus debate TONIGHT! More
2/5/2010: 40 Hours Devotion with Fr. Tom Holloway More
1/13/2010: The Great God Debate comes to Univ. of Illinois More
12/11/2009: FOCUS team prepares to lead over 100 students to Orlando More
12/7/2009: December 8, Holy Day of Obligation More
12/2/2009: Advent Reflections More
11/12/2009: Illini Market to close More
11/4/2009: 5K Run for Justice this Saturday! More
10/28/2009: "The Real Exorcist" draws crowd of nearly 1700 More
10/22/2009: Return of "The Real Exorcist" More
10/7/2009: New movie on Fatima miracle to be screened at SJCNC More
9/30/2009: Fr. Wade Menezes to speak during 24 Hours of Grace More
9/30/2009: Newman RAs featured in Daily Illini More
9/22/2009: '40 Days for Life' Begins Today More
9/18/2009: Need forgiveness? More
8/30/2009: Flood Situation Update More
8/28/2009: Flooding at SJCNC More
8/21/2009: Welcome Home! More
6/2/2009: Listen to Cardinal George's Grad Mass Homily More
5/27/2009: Cardinal George to Newman grads: Friendship is more than Facebook More
4/14/2009: Dr. Howell on EWTN Radio More
3/30/2009: 'Legacy Liturgy' planned for May 16 More
3/24/2009: Two students spend Spring Break 'Biking for Babies' More
3/13/2009: Author Joseph Pearce to speak at SJCNC More
2/20/2009: Schedule for Divine Mercy Weekend More
2/20/2009: Catholics at the Capitol More
2/3/2009: Missionaries Plan for Illinois Summer More
12/18/2008: Dr. Howell publishes new book on Ignatius of Antioch More
