View source for Regis University

{{Short description|Jesuit university in Denver, Colorado, US}}
{{distinguish|Regis College (Massachusetts)|Regis College (Toronto)}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Regis University
 | image                  = Regis University seal.svg
 | image_upright          = .7
 | caption                =  
 | former_names           = {{bulleted list|Las Vegas College (1877)|College of the Sacred Heart (1887)|Regis College (1921–1991)}}
 | motto                  = Men and Women in Service of Others
 | type                   = [[Private university]]
 | accreditation          = [[Higher Learning Commission|HLC]]
 | established            = {{start date and age|1877}}
 | religious_affiliation  = [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]<br />([[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]])
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities|AJCU]] [[Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities|ACCU]]<br />[[National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities|NAICU]] [[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]
 | endowment              = $71.5 million (2020)<ref>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>
 | president              = D. Scott Hendrickson (interim) 
 | provost                = Jacob Bucher
 | faculty                = 302 full-time, 376 part-time (fall 2022)<ref name=IPEDS>{{cite web |url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=127918 |title=College Navigator - Regis University |publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |date=2024 |accessdate=September 2, 2024}}</ref>
 | students               = 4,638 (fall 2023)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.regis.edu/_documents/about/cds-data-2023.pdf |title=2023-2024 Common Data Set |publisher=Regis University}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 2,680 (fall 2023)
 | postgrad               = 1,958 (fall 2023)
 | city                   = [[Denver]]
 | state                  = [[Colorado]]
 | country                = United States
 | campus                 = Urban, {{convert|90|acre|ha|0}}
 | colors                 = {{color box|#33556D}} {{color box|#F1C400}} <br>Blue and gold<ref>{{cite book |title=Regis University Brand Standards |url=https://www.regis.edu/_documents/about/RegisU_BrandStandards_2019.pdf |access-date=September 6, 2022}}</ref> 
 | athletics              = 
 | nickname               = [[Regis Rangers|Rangers]]
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division II]] – [[Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference|Rocky Mountain]]
 | sports                 = 
 | mascot                 = Regi the Ranger
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.regis.edu/|regis.edu}}
 | logo                   = Regis univ denver logo.svg
 | logo_size              = 250
}}

'''Regis University''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|iː|dʒ|ɪ|s}} {{respell|REE|jiss}})<ref>{{cite web |title=Regis University. Values that Elevate |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJAtbA3FBUE |website=YouTube | date=10 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2024}}</ref> is a [[Private university|private]] [[List of Jesuit educational institutions|Jesuit]] university in [[Denver]], Colorado, United States. Founded in 1877 by the [[Jesuits|Society of Jesus]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regis.edu/regis.asp?sctn=abt|title=Regis University: About Regis|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajcunet.edu/index.aspx?bid=54|title=AJCU|website=AJCU|access-date=2017-03-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913035749/http://www.ajcunet.edu/index.aspx?bid=54|archive-date=2012-09-13}}</ref> the university offers more than 120 degrees through three colleges in a variety of subjects, including education, [[liberal arts]], business, nursing, and technology. It is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[Higher Learning Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Regis University Accreditation|url=http://regis.edu/regis.asp?sctn=home&p1=accred|access-date=13 December 2012}}</ref> Regis is one of 27 [[Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities|Jesuit Catholic universities]] in the United States, and is the only Jesuit institution in the [[Rocky Mountain region]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Regis University Facts |url=https://www.regis.edu/about/university-facts-figures/index |website=regis.edu}}</ref>

==History==
In 1877, a group of exiled Italian Jesuits established a small college in [[Las Vegas, New Mexico]].<ref name="collegeprofiles.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegeprofiles.com/regis.html|title=College Profiles - Regis University|website=www.collegeprofiles.com|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref>  The Jesuits named this institution Las Vegas College which would ultimately become known as Regis University.<ref name="collegeprofiles.com"/>

In 1884, the Bishop of Denver invited the Jesuits to create a college in [[Morrison, Colorado]] where Sacred Heart College was opened. In 1887, Las Vegas College and Sacred Heart College merged and moved to the present location of Regis University. At the time of the merger, the school was then called the College of the Sacred Heart. Later, in 1921, it adopted the name of Regis College in honor of [[John Francis Regis]], a 17th-century Jesuit who worked with prostitutes and the poor in the mountains of Southern France. The preparatory section was separated to become the present-day [[Regis Jesuit High School]].{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In 1991, Regis College was renamed Regis University.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Regis University played host to the rock musician [[Jimi Hendrix]] in 1968,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jimihendrix.com/encyclopedia-item/february-14-1968-the-experience-perform-at-regis-college-in-denver-colorado/|title=February 14, 1968 The Experience perform at Regis College in Denver, Colorado|website=The Official Jimi Hendrix Site}}</ref> as well as the British rock band [[Queen (band)|Queen]], who played their first concert in the United States at Regis, on April 16, 1974.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theknow.denverpost.com/2018/11/05/queen-bohemian-rhapsody-first-us-show-denver/200342/ |first=Elizabeth |last=Hernandez |title=Queen's first U.S. performance was right here in Denver |date=2018-11-05 |website=Denver Post }}</ref>

In 2011, Regis academic programs expanded with partnerships with the [[National University of Ireland, Galway]], and with ITESO, the [[Jesuit University of Guadalajara]], Mexico, for the first online bilingual joint MBA degree program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.iteso.mx/portal/page/portal/ITESO/Aspirantes/Posgrados/Oferta_academica/Maestria/MBA_On_Line|title=portal.iteso.mx|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814063133/http://portal.iteso.mx/portal/page/portal/ITESO/Aspirantes/Posgrados/Oferta_academica/Maestria/MBA_On_Line|archive-date=2011-08-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 1, 2012, Michael Sheeran stepped down as the university's president. He was succeeded by John P. Fitzgibbons who became the 24th president of the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://regis.edu/newsdetail.asp?sctn=news&p1=rdn&archive=false&year=&newsID=994&page=1|title=regis.edu|access-date=2018-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501054538/http://regis.edu/newsdetail.asp?sctn=news&p1=rdn&archive=false&year=&newsID=994&page=1|archive-date=2012-05-01|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The university's current president is Salvador Aceves, the first non-clergyman to hold the role.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/regis-university-salvador-aceves-new-president-champions-first-generation-students-colorado-hispanic-serving-institution/ |title=Regis University's new president champions first-generation students, a college in Colorado where all thrive - CBS Colorado |website=[[CBS News]] |date=2023-09-23 }}</ref>

In 2023, Regis University was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), meaning that more than 25% of its student population is Hispanic or Latinx.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.regis.edu/life-at-regis/student-resources/belonging/hispanic-serving-institution/index#:~:text=HSI%20designation%2C%20designed%20by%20national,commitment%20to%20serve%2C%20support%20and |title=Hispanic-Serving Institution |publisher=Regis University |access-date=2025-04-04}}</ref>

===Papal visit===
On August 12, 1993, [[Pope John Paul II]] visited the Northwest Denver Campus of Regis University, where he met with President [[Bill Clinton]] for the first time.  They greeted about 150 visitors, who had been chosen through a lottery system, and met privately for an hour in the President's Dining Room of Carroll Hall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/presidential-meeting-with-pope/141873 |title=Presidential Meeting with Pope |website=C-SPAN.org |date=1993-08-12 |access-date=2025-04-04}}</ref>

==Schools==

===Regis College===
Regis College houses the traditional, undergraduate (and Masters of Art in Education & Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences) programs. These programs are designed for recent high school graduates, or transfer students, with little or no professional work experience. Regis college offers a choice of majors, minors, emphases, and pre-professional tracks.  Students wishing to enter the nursing, physical therapy, or pharmacy programs often enter Regis College to complete pre-requisite requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://regis.edu/rc.asp?page=study|title=regis.edu|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>

===Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions===
When Regis absorbed her sister school, [[Loretto Heights College]], the Rueckert Hartman College for Health Professions was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regis.edu/regis.asp?sctn=abt&p1=hs&p2=lh|title=About Regis: Loretto Heights College Timeline|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>  Regis operates a nationally recognized nursing program, and one of the premiere physical therapist programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/nur/search/title+regis|title=U.S. News & World Report: Best Schools for Nursing|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211214820/http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/nur/search/title+regis|archive-date=2009-02-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> The school is divided into three schools and two divisions: Loretto Heights School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, School of Physical Therapy, Division of Health Services Education and the Division of Counseling and Family Therapy. The college offers three doctoral programs, Doctor of Nursing Practice (entirely on-line), Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Pharmacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://regis.edu/rh.asp?page=study|title=regis.edu|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>

===Anderson College of Business and Computing===
In 2015, the College of Business and Economics was officially established to combine the Regis College Division of Business and the College for Professional Studies School of Management and Master of Nonprofit Management. After a donation made by Denver architect Andy Anderson in 2018, the college was renamed to the Anderson College of Business. The college offers both classroom-based and online course options.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regis.edu/News-Events-Media/News/2015/April/Business-Economics.aspx|title=College of Business and Economics{{!}} Regis University|website=www.regis.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref> Undergraduate programs in Computer Science (CPS), Computer Information Systems, and Computer Networking are [[ABET]] accredited. They are the only ABET accredited programs of their kind that, in addition to classroom, are also offered 100% online.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regis.edu/CCIS/About-CCIS/College-Highlights.aspx|title=Regis University {{!}} College of Computer & Information Sciences {{!}} College Highlights {{!}} CC&IS;|website=www.regis.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref>

==Center for Service Learning==
Regis University's Center for Service Learning (CSL) facilitates student voluntary service, the development of service learning components in coursework, and placement among the needier members of society for those with work study awards.<ref>{{cite web| title =Center for Service Learning| url =http://www.regis.edu/RC/About-Regis-College/A-Jesuit-Education-and-Heritage/Jesuit-Education/RC-Service-Learning.aspx|access-date =13 July 2013 }}</ref> These are essential components of the university's mission to train men and women for others.<ref name="others">{{Cite web|url=http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/men-for-others.html|title=Men for Others|website=onlineministries.creighton.edu|access-date=2017-03-24|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609013443/https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/men-for-others.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Athletics==
{{main|Regis Rangers}}
[[File:Regis University-Field House and Main Hall.jpg|thumb|A distant view of the athletic fields, Field House, and Main Hall]]
Regis University is in the [[Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference]] along with Adams State, Black Hills State, Chadron State, Colorado Christian, Colorado Mines, CSU Pueblo, Dixie State, Fort Lewis, Colorado Mesa, Metro State, New Mexico Highlands, South Dakota Mines, UC-Colorado Springs, Western New Mexico, Westminster, and Western Colorado University. The university offers women's lacrosse, men and women's soccer, baseball, softball, men and women's basketball, volleyball, men and women's cross country, men and women's golf, Men’s Rugby and forensics.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

==Rankings==
Regis University was ranked 273 among National Universities by ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' in its 2026 rankings,<ref>https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/regis-university-1363</ref> having fallen 71 places from <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/regis-university-1363 | access-date=2019-09-14|title=Regis University - Profile, Rankings and Data}}</ref> Regis's first year of competition on this national list since it was reclassified in 2019 as a [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education#Doctorate-granting Universities|Doctoral/Professional University]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.regis.edu/News-Events-Media/News/2019/April/Carnegie-Classification.aspx | date=2019-04-17|title=Regis Climbs in Carnegie Classification: University joins other prominent Jesuit schools in more distinctive category}}</ref> It had previously been ranked 26th among "Regional Universities West".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/regis-university-1363 |access-date=2016-12-01 |title=Rankings |archive-date=2016-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202170149/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/regis-university-1363 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{Excessive examples|section|date=September 2025}}

=== Political figures ===
*[[Dewey F. Bartlett Jr.]], former Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma (2009-2016)
*[[Charles F. Brannan]], former [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|U.S. Secretary of Agriculture]] (1948–1953)
*[[Banny de Brum]], former Ambassador of the [[Marshall Islands]] to the United States (1996–2008, 2009–2011)<ref>{{cite web |title=hss.energy.gov |url=http://www.hss.energy.gov/HealthSafety/ohp/nonsecure/O9800007M.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527213844/http://www.hss.energy.gov/HealthSafety/ohp/nonsecure/O9800007M.PDF |archive-date=27 May 2010 |access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>
*[[Gil Cisneros]], lottery winner, philanthropist, 11 year Navy veteran, U.S. Representative from California (2025–present; 2019-2021), and former [[Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness]]
*[[Edwin Feulner]], founder of [[The Heritage Foundation]], a conservative Washington D.C. think tank<ref>{{cite web |title=The Heritage Foundation, Biography: Edwin J. Feulner |url=http://www.heritage.org/About/Staff/edwinfeulner.cfm |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020913145249/http://www.heritage.org/About/Staff/EdwinFeulner.cfm |archive-date=September 13, 2002 |access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>
*[[Lindsey Halligan]], [[US Attorney]] for the Eastern District of Virginia (2025–present)
*[[Stephen McNichols]], former Colorado Governor<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archives {{!}} |url=http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/govs/mcnich.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030820151202/http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/govs/mcnich.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 20, 2003 |access-date=2017-03-24 |website=www.colorado.gov |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Joseph Montoya]], former U.S. Senator from New Mexico
*[[Jane E. Norton]], former Lieutenant Governor of Colorado (2003–2007)
*[[Dianne Primavera]], Lieutenant Governor of Colorado (2019–present)<ref>[[Dianne Primavera]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=June 2019}}
*[[Ken Summers (politician)|Ken Summers]], former member of the Colorado state legislature (2006–12)<ref name="votesmart">{{cite web |title=Representative Summers |url=http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=65373 |access-date=2008-01-27 |work=Project Vote Smart}} {{dead link|date=April 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
*[[Tom White (Nebraska politician)|Tom White]], former member of the Nebraska Legislature (2007-2010)

=== Athletes ===

* [[Steven Brault]], former professional baseball player, [[Chicago Cubs]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
* [[Arnie Herber]], [[NFL]] player for the [[Green Bay Packers]] and [[New York Giants]], member of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Hekkers Stats {{!}} Pro-Football-Reference.com |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HekkGe20.htm |access-date=2017-09-26 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Artists and media figures ===
*[[Andrea Booher]], photographer, filmmaker and photojournalist
*[[Campbell Brown (journalist)|Campbell Brown]], television news host for CNN<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regisalumni.onlinecommunity.com/cgi-any/newspages.dll/pages?bid=&nfid=&record=17&htmlfile=newspages3_news.htm|title=Regis Office of Alumni and Parent Relations: Service Learning and Journalism Unite|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715002752/http://www.regisalumni.onlinecommunity.com/cgi-any/newspages.dll/pages?bid=&nfid=&record=17&htmlfile=newspages3_news.htm|archive-date=2011-07-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[John P. Farley]], actor and comedian; brother of actor [[Chris Farley]]
*[[Victoria Fuller (artist)|Victoria Fuller]], artist and sculptor
*[[Nick "Tasteless" Plott]], [[esports]] commentator
*[[Bill Murray]], actor and comedian, attended but did not graduate, received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities in 2007<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2007 |title=Regis University dropout Bill Murray earns stripes with honorary degree – The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2007/07/16/regis-university-dropout-bill-murray-earns-stripes-with-honorary-degree/ |access-date=2017-03-24}}</ref>
*[[Josephine Siao]], Hong Kong actress
*[[Devorah Sperber]], installation artist
*[[Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick]], soprano

=== Other notable alumni ===
*[[Richard N. Cabela]], CEO, Cabela's, Inc.
*[[Jim Daly (evangelist)|Jim Daly]], president and CEO, [[Focus on the Family]]
*[[Jack Morris (Jesuit)|Jack Morris]], S.J, founder of the [[Jesuit Volunteer Corps]]<ref name="cs">{{cite news |title=Founder of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps movement dies |url=http://www.catholicsentinel.org/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=19386 |work=[[Catholic Sentinel]] |date=2012-10-02 |access-date=2012-10-11 |archive-date=2017-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711184152/http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?SectionID=2 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Jesuit sites]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://regisrangers.com/ Athletics website]

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[[Category:Regis University| ]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Denver]]
[[Category:Jesuit universities and colleges in the United States]]
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[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1877]]
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