Briar Cliff University Celebrates a Day of Joyful Service During Homecoming Week

October 2, 2026

As part of Homecoming week, Briar Cliff University hosted Celebrating Joyful Service, a full day devoted to the Franciscan values at the heart of its mission. From a morning walk across campus to an afternoon prayer service marking a historic anniversary, students, faculty, and staff put faith into action while exploring new opportunities to serve the Siouxland region.

The day began with a campus walk honoring Sister Mary Arnold Staudt, OSF, who taught in the Department of Music and served as Briar Cliff’s organist from 1979 to 2010. Sister Mary Arnold was known for walking “The Cliff” every day, rain or shine. Before the walk, President Dr. Matthew Draud reminded participants that the University was founded in 1930 by 12 Sisters of St. Francis who came to Sioux City from Dubuque.

“The Sisters weren’t building a monument. They were preparing young women to become teachers, nurses, and social workers, people who would spend their lives serving others,” Draud said. “Briar Cliff itself began as an act of service. Everything we do today grows out of that.”

The walk also highlighted the Sister Water Project, which the Sisters of St. Francis started in 2006. The project has completed more than 500 well projects in Tanzania and 50 water systems in Honduras.

Participants then gathered in the Newman Flanagan Center for a keynote address by Sister Kathy Knipper, OSF. Sister Kathy has spent her life in education, faith, and service, serving as an elementary teacher, educational leader, and mentor to generations of students and teachers. She taught in Briar Cliff’s Education Department for more than a decade and recently completed 12 years on the leadership team of the Sisters of St. Francis, including serving as president. She continues to serve on the University’s Board of Trustees.

In introducing her, Draud previewed the challenge at the center of her message.

“Service isn’t about fixing someone else,” he said. “It’s about relationships, about seeing each person as a sister or brother, and recognizing that everyone has something to bring.”

“As we commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, we celebrate his witness of faith, compassion, and love for creation,” Sister Kathy said in her keynote address. “And it is not enough to simply remember St. Francis. Today we’re called to live like St. Francis, to turn our hope into action, and to respond to our world marked by war, division, poverty, loneliness, and suffering by offering ourselves, our compassion, and our service.”

Students made cards for Holy Spirit Retirement Home residents, blankets for people in need, and pet toys for local animal shelters. Others joined an outdoor campus cleanup or attended one of two films exploring lives of faith and service.

Throughout the afternoon, nearly 20 Siouxland nonprofits hosted information tables, where students explored service opportunities for their clubs, teams, and residence hall floors. Students also attended sessions led by nonprofit representatives who shared their organizations’ missions, work, and ways to get involved. Every Briar Cliff undergraduate completes at least 20 hours of volunteer service each academic year.

The day closed with the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi in the Chapel of Our Lady of Grace, a service that took on added significance during this milestone year. Franciscans around the world commemorate his embrace of “Sister Death” and passage to eternal life through this memorial service.

Draud’s charge to walkers that morning captured the spirit of the day.

“Ninety-six years ago, the sisters climbed this hill to serve. Sister Mary Arnold climbed it nearly every day for more than 30 years,” he said. “Let’s climb it together and commit ourselves to joyful service.”

Homecoming week continues through October 4. For a full schedule, click here.